United's $75 Late Booking Fee? (Close-in Booking Fee)
Apr 12, 2012, 9:43 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: JAX
Posts: 142
I believe the 21 day advance rule was put in place sometime last June. I remember because shortly after (and not having received any kind of notification from UA) I booked 4 reward tickets and was charged $75 for each. I called United and after being very polite but firm and being transferred to various supervisors, I was able to have the fees waived. This was only because the policy had just become active and they had not sent any customer communication. Now I know...
Sep 17, 2012, 11:46 pm
#17
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
Close-in booking fee; booked vs ticketed?
I booked an *A award with UA on 10 September for travel in mid-October. It turns out that they never ticketed it for whatever reason, and finally got around to calling me today after a 3-day weekend to "confirm" my credit card details. However, I was informed that I would now have to pay the $75 close-in booking fee since I am now within 21 days of travel.
I did not have time to argue as I'm at work, but is this correct? I thought the booking fee depended upon the date on which the flight was booked, not when it was ticketed. And since this seems like an error on UA's part (they never thought to email me in the week since the 10th), shouldn't I be exempt from paying this? I don't redeem much with UA, so I'd appreciate any advice.
I did not have time to argue as I'm at work, but is this correct? I thought the booking fee depended upon the date on which the flight was booked, not when it was ticketed. And since this seems like an error on UA's part (they never thought to email me in the week since the 10th), shouldn't I be exempt from paying this? I don't redeem much with UA, so I'd appreciate any advice.
Sep 17, 2012, 11:53 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
When you say they didn't ticket it "for whatever reason", what was the reason? You forgetting to ticket it? Or them having taken payment, but not ticketed it because of an error?
Sep 17, 2012, 11:59 pm
#19
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
How can I "forget" to ticket it? I booked it, then received the standard "We are processing your reservation and will send you an e-ticket confirmation once this has been completed...." message. I would think that it's then up to UA to swiftly ticket the award or contact me ASAP if there is something amiss. When they finally did contact me, all they asked was if I indeed wanted to go through with purchasing the award (and the additional miles required) and asked for my credit card details and UA PIN. I had already put in my credit card details when I booked the award with no hint of trouble, so I'm still a bit baffled why they needed to call me.
Sep 18, 2012, 12:09 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
How can I "forget" to ticket it? I booked it, then received the standard "We are processing your reservation and will send you an e-ticket confirmation once this has been completed...." message. I would think that it's then up to UA to swiftly ticket the award or contact me ASAP if there is something amiss. When they finally did contact me, all they asked was if I indeed wanted to go through with purchasing the award (and the additional miles required) and asked for my credit card details and UA PIN. I had already put in my credit card details when I booked the award with no hint of trouble, so I'm still a bit baffled why they needed to call me.
Sep 18, 2012, 12:36 am
#21
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
I had less than the required number of miles for the award in my account, so I elected to purchase additional miles when prompted at the time of booking. I was charged both the taxes/fees for the ticket itself and the separate fee for the additional mileage.
Sep 18, 2012, 5:08 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
I did not have time to argue as I'm at work, but is this correct? I thought the booking fee depended upon the date on which the flight was booked, not when it was ticketed. And since this seems like an error on UA's part (they never thought to email me in the week since the 10th), shouldn't I be exempt from paying this? I don't redeem much with UA, so I'd appreciate any advice.
Sep 18, 2012, 6:19 pm
#23
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
Sep 20, 2012, 3:12 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: UA 1K; Hilton: Diamond;Kimpton: ?? ; Omni: Black; Avis: First; Hertz: Five Star
Posts: 656
Sep 26, 2012, 9:30 pm
#25
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
I emailed MP and received a reply 3 days later apologizing for the error and promising the fee would be refunded. No muss, no fuss. Kudos to MP for their hassle-free follow-up!
Nov 12, 2012, 2:41 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
Yes, this is the close in booking fee of $75, plus the two $5 9/11 security fees.
Nov 12, 2012, 3:10 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: CAK/CLE
Programs: UA Plat/AA,DL Dirt/HH Diamond,Hyatt Something-ist/Hz Prez,Avis Pres Club
Posts: 674
On a related issue, I was hit for a $50 close-in fee (Premier Silver rate) but have the Presidential Plus card (and use it to pay for anything UA-related); everything about that card says the close-in fee is waived. Tried messaging UA Insider about it but haven't heard back. Can't get anyone else to help. What do do about it? Dispute with Chase? Hmm.
UA's page about the close-in fees doesn't mention it but should.
UA's page about the close-in fees doesn't mention it but should.
Last edited by UAzip; Nov 12, 2012 at 3:17 pm Reason: clarified that Pres Plus card is not only held but also used for tix
Nov 12, 2012, 10:59 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
On a related issue, I was hit for a $50 close-in fee (Premier Silver rate) but have the Presidential Plus card (and use it to pay for anything UA-related); everything about that card says the close-in fee is waived. Tried messaging UA Insider about it but haven't heard back. Can't get anyone else to help. What do do about it? Dispute with Chase? Hmm.
UA's page about the close-in fees doesn't mention it but should.
UA's page about the close-in fees doesn't mention it but should.
Why don't you simply call an agent and get them refunded? It is way much easier.