the ticket is a contract. there are consequences to breaking a contract. I hope Mr Dao takes United to the cleaners
Exactly. Wonder if the fine print on the back of the ticket mentions the penalties if a CUSTOMER cancels at the last minute?
Does the customer get a full and prompt refund?
The ticket is a contract, and it should be enforced under contract law. My experience (having been bumped involuntarily from business travel once and voluntarily from recreational travel many times) is that the passenger doesn’t get much for an involuntary bump. He is entitled to a refund of his money, or other specified compensation of typically a few hundred dollars, and anything beyond that is based on good will. I doubt there is much good will for the drama queen in this instance.
Note: When I was involuntarily bumped, it cost me a fairly large contract, although that contract was reinstated a month later.