United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - IRROPS Advice for Looming Thunderstorms (Weekend of 11 Aug 2012)

I'm supposed to fly NYC-IAD-Germany on Friday. The weather is indicating a potential for severe thunderstorms for both airports. Am I overreacting to suspect that my flight(s) might be cancelled?

Should I try to same-day switch to leave Thursday if that's even possible with international flights? Or maybe rebook via ORD or something? Thanks.

I'm booked in V (GPU upgraded to R).

I'm supposed to fly NYC-IAD-Germany on Friday. The weather is indicating a potential for severe thunderstorms for both airports. Am I overreacting to suspect that my flight(s) might be cancelled?

Should I try to same-day switch to leave Thursday if that's even possible with international flights? Or maybe rebook via ORD or something? Thanks.

I'm booked in V (GPU upgraded to R).

No you're not overreacting... t-storms wreak havoc on those airports regularly. However it's probably not likely that your international flight will be cancelled..much more likely the domestic flight will be (or just delayed). If you don't want to change to a flight a day earlier I'd suggest just changing the domestic portion and get yourself to IAD earlier in the day to be sure you make your connection.

Same day changes are possible with int'l flights...same rules apply to domestic..the same booking code must be available on the flight you're changing to.

All hell is forecast to break loose in/around EWR (and NYC/PHL/DC for that matter) on Friday. It wouldn't surprise me if they implemented a fee-waiver program for changes considering how far out this severe weather event is being forecast.

But I'd personally avoid EWR from 12noon-12midnight on Friday due to weather.

Hopefully, proactive rebooking is possible. I tried it once beforehand and was denied "everything will be fine" and then have the flight cxld next day forcing an overnight stay.

If available make sure to rebook asap, as alternate routes will sell out quickly, expecially FR being one of the busiest travel days of the week.

I'm supposed to fly NYC-IAD-Germany on Friday. The weather is indicating a potential for severe thunderstorms for both airports. Am I overreacting to suspect that my flight(s) might be cancelled?

Should I try to same-day switch to leave Thursday if that's even possible with international flights? Or maybe rebook via ORD or something? Thanks.

I'm booked in V (GPU upgraded to R).

Is there a direct option out of NYC? If so I would take that and cut out IAD all together. Definitely take advantage of a weather waiver if offered or SDC. Don't go to ORD or anywhere else, you're just asking for trouble.

I personally wouldn't change my flight considering that you have your GPU confirmed. Unless RN space is showing on the earlier flight, I wouldn't risk losing the upgrade. Besides, though I'm not 100% on this, they will treat you as a C pax rather than Y should your flight be cancelled, i.e. they will book you automatically in business class for whatever new flight they reprotect you on.

Besides, though I'm not 100% on this, they will treat you as a C pax rather than Y should your flight be cancelled, i.e. they will book you automatically in business class for whatever new flight they reprotect you on.

Maybe, maybe not. I've experienced both in the past.

Not sure when you are scheduled to go from EWR to IAD but if the weather is looking bad this far ahead, consider AMTAK to DC and then one of the express buses from Union Station to IAD as a fall back. No, i won't help you save money but it could get you where you are trying to go on time.

i'm in a similar boat ... originally redeemed miles for LGA-DCA-LAS this friday evening but now switched to JFK-SFO-LAS on thurs evening to avoid the storm

even if i made it to DCA, i would have a good chance of sleeping overnight on that terminal floor

There will be thunderstorm problems both Thursday AND Friday: http://meteorologicalmusings.blogspot.com/2012/08/news-you-can-use.html

I would urge you to get on the phone with res. and, even though waivers have not yet been issued, see if they would allow you to do early. If you have important business, this might be a good time to consider moving up your departure even if it means a change fee.

NYC-WAS is often hit hard by WX and ATC delays, particularly non mainline service. Try to get yourself on a nonstop flight from EWR to Europe. There will almost certainly be a waiver of fees offered.

Not sure when you are scheduled to go from EWR to IAD but if the weather is looking bad this far ahead, consider AMTAK to DC and then one of the express buses from Union Station to IAD as a fall back. No, i won't help you save money but it could get you where you are trying to go on time.

There is no such thing as an express bus from Union Station to IAD, unless it is brand new. You either need to 1) take a taxi (about $80), 2) take the Red Line Metro to Metro Center, change to Orange Line, take that to West Falls Church, then take the Washington Flyer to Dulles, or 3) take Red Line Metro to Gallery Place, take Green / Yellow Metro to L'Enfant Plaza, and then pick up the Metro 5A bus.

There is no such thing as an express bus from Union Station to IAD, unless it is brand new. You either need to 1) take a taxi (about $80), 2) take the Red Line Metro to Metro Center, change to Orange Line, take that to West Falls Church, then take the Washington Flyer to Dulles, or 3) take Red Line Metro to Gallery Place, take Green / Yellow Metro to L'Enfant Plaza, and then pick up the Metro 5A bus.

Super Shuttle Union Station to IAD is $29.00.

If you do take the train, don't forget to get re-ticketed so you aren't counted as a noshow EWR-IAD and have your reservations cancelled.

I just rebooked ALB-EWR-MSP to ALD-ORD-MSP for friday flight...

An award ticket, so no charge to change. Seems like the prudent alternative...

OT: How far in advance of a flight does one need to cancel an award booking to get the miles redeposited? Thanks.

Port Authority Alerts is a free subscription service that notifies customers of incidents or events that may delay their trip across facilities operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. When you register, you will:

Receive free alerts directly to your phone or e-mail account
Be able to select the facilities as well as the time ranges you wish to monitor


http://www.airportinfoalerts.com/

In signing up for the service, it offered the following day of week options:

Alert: EWR-Airport Weather Delays
Weekday Morning
Weekday Midday
Weekday Afternoon
Weekday Evenings Overnight
Wednesday Matinee
Weekends

Anybody know why 'Wednesday Matinee' is listed as one of the choices?

With so many UA cancellations, is my flight tomorrow from Vancouver to Chicago looking good?

I would just cancel your trip now, if I were you.

It looks like it is still on schedule...

I would just cancel your trip now, if I were you.

This made me lol :)


OP - lots of places to check flight status that are better/more reliable/less apt to generate (not undeserved) flaming than Flyertalk:

united.com
flightstats.com
flightaware.com
unitedcargo.com
etc

Check the flight status from the sites listed in this thread but other than that... you probably won't know until departure time.

UA881 was on schedule until 1 mins after departure time... then a 37 mins delay due to the famous "Airport conditions preventing departure".

This made me lol :)


OP - lots of places to check flight status that are better/more reliable/less apt to generate (not undeserved) flaming than Flyertalk:

united.com
flightstats.com
flightaware.com
unitedcargo.com
etc

Thanks - closely monitoring...
Series of events have been planned upon arrival in chicago (including flights going elsewhere on sun) It would be a pain to reschedule all that tomorrow so would like to give heads up if possible.

Thanks - closely monitoring...
Series of events have been planned upon arrival in chicago (including flights going elsewhere on sun) It would be a pain to reschedule all that tomorrow so would like to give heads up if possible.

Unfortunately, if your flight is going to be cancelled (there's no real reason to think it would be, IMO), you very unlikely to find out until tomorrow. Keep an eye on the websites mentioned above, if you're really concerned. Otherwise, I would say relax and enjoy your trip!