Consolidated "$100 UA eCert - Usage and Redemption Discussion" [Merged Threads]
Nov 9, 2007, 7:18 am
#76
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CA
Programs: UA1P, SWA RR, SPG
Posts: 99
I see them on E-bay with Buy Me Now for $13 (with multiple available). I never knew how easy this was! I just wish I had realized how easy this was before I made my last two reservations...
Nov 9, 2007, 8:16 am
#77
Join Date: May 2003
Location: ORD
Posts: 42
I just paid $7.49 for one on E-Bay. The buyer was selling multiple e-certs and had an excellent feedback rating. As soon as I receive the e-cert I will be using in on a trip I was planning to book to LAS. I'll report back with any issues or lack thereof.
Nov 9, 2007, 8:30 am
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
Probably they bought these for $10 or so each.
Nov 9, 2007, 8:32 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
Wonder when UA starts auditing accounts that have used these?
Nov 9, 2007, 8:47 am
#80
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: Various
Posts: 6,526
(Btw, be sure to keep us up-to-date on your CMB perambulations over on that thread, please!)
Nov 9, 2007, 8:55 am
#81
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 92
I just purchased two for $9.50 and one for $8.50 through e-Bay's 'Buy Me Now' option. I have already received an e-mail with the e-cert numbers. I will too report back if I encounter any difficulties, but everything looks okay so far.
Nov 9, 2007, 9:13 am
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
People have asserted this before, but I am not completely convinced. One of my past projects dealt with computer security issues (not related to airlines, though), and, out of curiosity based on this thread, I have searched every avenue that I could think of for UA hacks/cracks. Nada. So, they could indeed be computer-generated, but they are very well-hidden if that is the case.
(Btw, be sure to keep us up-to-date on your CMB perambulations over on that thread, please!)
(Btw, be sure to keep us up-to-date on your CMB perambulations over on that thread, please!)
The numbering formula looked rather simple. Only the last couple of numbers on the ecert were different. It really cannot be that difficult to come up with a "robot" that would generate these.
Nov 9, 2007, 12:13 pm
#83
Join Date: May 2003
Location: ORD
Posts: 42
Follow-up
E-cert was received within an hour via email. I have since booked my ticket to LAS using two $100 e-certs (two one way tickets). The total price for my extended weekend in Vegas was $105 which includes what I paid on e-bay. That flight also ensures my status for next year so I am very happy to say the least.
Nov 15, 2007, 7:33 am
#84
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CLE, SIN
Programs: UA 1MM, MR Plat Elite
Posts: 520
I've used two already that were given to me, but I am leery about going to eBay and buying any. My two cents.
Bubba
Nov 15, 2007, 10:39 am
#85
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,691
I would think that these would have to be generated by an agent. I cannot imagine that UA has a database of these numbers or some kind of combination that every 3rd number is a $100 cert that someone could hack in to. I think it has to be a rogue employee.
Nov 15, 2007, 10:40 am
#86
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Tucson - Seattle
Programs: UA 1K;
Posts: 2,474
Seems to me that there is a lot of risk here. UA has come down hard (often without any proof) on any type of perceived misuse of MP accounts or certificates. I have to believe that it could be harsh if they ever get around to closing down whatever is happening.
Buying on ebay from unknown persons is probably not a good idea.
I would not use a certificate that I was not pretty sure of the source and how they obtained it.
Buying on ebay from unknown persons is probably not a good idea.
I would not use a certificate that I was not pretty sure of the source and how they obtained it.
Nov 15, 2007, 10:45 am
#87
Join Date: May 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: Sexy UA 1K
Posts: 985
One of the attendees of the MR101 held this past October said: "If you value your MP account at all, don't buy or trade anything on ebay." I personally think this is very well stated. ^
My paranoia wants me to believe that UA has already infiltrated CC, which I do
. I am extremely cautious even when I trade in CC.
My paranoia wants me to believe that UA has already infiltrated CC, which I do
. I am extremely cautious even when I trade in CC.
Nov 15, 2007, 10:54 am
#88
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,173
I am not so sure. The cert number is sent as free text in the web address when you click on the search for flights button. If the cert is invalid you get one reponse. A valid cert produces another response.
Cannot be too difficult to write a program to simply cycle through the numbers to come up with some valid codes. After a while, a pattern would emerge and you have an unlimited supply of these.
rich
Nov 15, 2007, 11:52 am
#89
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
Rich has got a good point. And with that many characters, there should be a large number.. but then the question arises, if there are multiple folks doing this, when will we start seeing coinciding numbers. I don't know how UA will handle that. The other question is what they will do from here. Do they only do paper certs from here on out or place ecerts in the account and allow you to access it with login to your MP account only (like the way RR awards are done)
Nov 15, 2007, 1:13 pm
#90
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Programs: UA 1MM, SPG Gold, EVA Diamond
Posts: 1,072
I agree, it will be interesting to see how things will turn out from here.... Especially now that people are starting to confirm the possible hacking/guessing of the numbers. If I had to guess, they will invalidate all old numbers and if they are pulled up, you are requested to contact MP over the phone to use them. Sure it is inconvenient, but for those who have real certs, one phone call to save $100 will still be worth it.
From there they can definitely validate whether the cert is legit and you are the legitimate holder.
From there they can definitely validate whether the cert is legit and you are the legitimate holder.