Aug 24, 2017, 1:59 pm
Last edit by: DELee
Update: 06 Sept 2017 - Latest waiver posting
Previous waivers:
Update: 30 Aug 2017
Update (08/29/17 15:50 CDT):
Booking waiver now extended through 12 September and changes covered through November 15th
Update (08/28/17 11:15 am EDT): Waiver extended through 05 September and rebooking and changes now covered through 20 September
Update 6PM (Central Time) 27 Aug 2017
IAH closure extend to 7PM 28 August
Update (08/27/17 12:45 pm EDT): Waiver extended through 31 August and rebooking and changes now covered through 13 September
Posted 27 August 2017 morning
Updated UA travel waiver for Harvey ( including IAH) 26 Aug 2017 = rebooking extend to 11 Sept
Updated UA travel waiver for Harvey ( including IAH) as of noon (Central Time) 25 Aug 2017
UA travel waiver (including IAH) for Harvey as 3PM (Central Time) 24 Aug 2017
Previous waivers:
Update: 30 Aug 2017
Hurricane Harvey continues to affect flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast
United flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast continue to be affected by Hurricane Harvey. There are now a limited number of flights operating between Houston and other major U.S. airports, but many flights to and from Houston continue to be canceled.
Please check your flight status before you go to the airport, and sign up to receive flight status messages in the event of changes. Also note that road conditions around the airport continue to be poor, so travelers should carefully plan their travel to and from the airport.
If you have an upcoming United flight that includes travel through Houston, we recommend postponing your travel until conditions improve. The Houston area is extremely taxed and may not have the resources to offer hotel and restaurant services to Houston visitors.
Travelers with booked flights to, from or through the Texas and Gulf Coast area can use our travel waiver to change their flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls due to the severity of the situation, so we recommend using united.com or the United app.
United flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast continue to be affected by Hurricane Harvey. There are now a limited number of flights operating between Houston and other major U.S. airports, but many flights to and from Houston continue to be canceled.
Please check your flight status before you go to the airport, and sign up to receive flight status messages in the event of changes. Also note that road conditions around the airport continue to be poor, so travelers should carefully plan their travel to and from the airport.
If you have an upcoming United flight that includes travel through Houston, we recommend postponing your travel until conditions improve. The Houston area is extremely taxed and may not have the resources to offer hotel and restaurant services to Houston visitors.
Travelers with booked flights to, from or through the Texas and Gulf Coast area can use our travel waiver to change their flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls due to the severity of the situation, so we recommend using united.com or the United app.
Booking waiver now extended through 12 September and changes covered through November 15th
FAA Advisory for IAH
Due to WEATHER/ HURRICANE HARVEY, the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) was closed as of Aug 28 at 09:38 AM CDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Aug 30 at 04:00 PM CDT.
Due to WEATHER/ HURRICANE HARVEY, the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) was closed as of Aug 28 at 09:38 AM CDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Aug 30 at 04:00 PM CDT.
Hurricane Harvey is affecting flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until at least noon on Thursday, August 31, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app.
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until at least noon on Thursday, August 31, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app.
AIRPORT STATUS INFORMATION
provided by the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center
George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) Real-time Status
.....
Due to WEATHER/ HURRICANE HARVEY, the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) was closed as of Aug 27 at 10:24 AM CDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Aug 31 at 12:00 PM CDT.
provided by the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center
George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) Real-time Status
.....
Due to WEATHER/ HURRICANE HARVEY, the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) was closed as of Aug 27 at 10:24 AM CDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Aug 31 at 12:00 PM CDT.
Update 6PM (Central Time) 27 Aug 2017
IAH closure extend to 7PM 28 August
Hurricane Harvey is affecting flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until 7 p.m. on Monday, August 28, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app if possible.
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until 7 p.m. on Monday, August 28, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app if possible.
Update (08/27/17 12:45 pm EDT): Waiver extended through 31 August and rebooking and changes now covered through 13 September
Posted 27 August 2017 morning
Hurricane Harvey is affecting flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until noon on Monday, August 28, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app if possible.
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until noon on Monday, August 28, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app if possible.
Updated UA travel waiver for Harvey ( including IAH) 26 Aug 2017 = rebooking extend to 11 Sept
Updated UA travel waiver for Harvey ( including IAH) as of noon (Central Time) 25 Aug 2017
UA travel waiver (including IAH) for Harvey as 3PM (Central Time) 24 Aug 2017
Travel Waiver: Gulf Coast Tropical Weather (25 Aug - 12 Sept, 2017) - Affects IAH
Aug 23, 2017, 12:21 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Travel Waiver: Gulf Coast Tropical Weather (25 Aug - 12 Sept, 2017) - Affects IAH
Looks like United just issued a weather waiver for folks traveling to/from/through IAH/AUS/SAT and a few others this weekend and early next week. https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/tra...eptionPolicies
Aug 23, 2017, 8:30 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 73
Are change and fees and fare differences supposed to be automatically waived when trying to rebook online via "Change flight" under "My Trips"? They all show fare difference and a change fee of $200 when I do the flight search. Might be because it's an N fare but I have an itinerary arriving at IAH on 8/25 and leaving 8/27 that I'd really like to change/cancel.
Aug 23, 2017, 8:40 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,393
Are change and fees and fare differences supposed to be automatically waived when trying to rebook online via "Change flight" under "My Trips"? They all show fare difference and a change fee of $200 when I do the flight search. Might be because it's an N fare but I have an itinerary arriving at IAH on 8/25 and leaving 8/27 that I'd really like to change/cancel.
I'm actually surprised to see that the $200 change fee is, in fact, listed in BE fares, since they can't be changed. I can't imagine any scenario in which that would come up.
Having said that, the online tool is notoriously defective when it comes to making changes, especially prior to the day of travel. If it's not working, you should call and ask for assistance, citing the waiver. Also, if you get a chance, please report back afterwards on the Basic Economy thread as to whether or not you were able to get the change made to your satisfaction.
Good luck!
Aug 23, 2017, 11:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: United GS, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 109
Great....
Of course the first time I gamble I end up losing.
I live in SAT and am currently in Budapest - leaving Saturday morning. When booking my tickets if I booked out of SAT thru IAH round trip it was $2k more in business. However if I booked IAH-BUD r/t and then separately SAT-IAH r/t it was $2k less. So I did that on two different confirmation numbers.
So now I likely can't get a reroute through IAD or EWR direct to SAT bypassing the IAH disaster. Granted SAT may be underwater as well - but IAH will likely be 100x worse.
I live in SAT and am currently in Budapest - leaving Saturday morning. When booking my tickets if I booked out of SAT thru IAH round trip it was $2k more in business. However if I booked IAH-BUD r/t and then separately SAT-IAH r/t it was $2k less. So I did that on two different confirmation numbers.
So now I likely can't get a reroute through IAD or EWR direct to SAT bypassing the IAH disaster. Granted SAT may be underwater as well - but IAH will likely be 100x worse.
Aug 24, 2017, 12:39 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 784
Flying into IAH on 8/28. Not worried yet since who knows where the storm is going to be or go however if it should stall out over Texas I could be in for a wet ride and always like to think ahead. I'm connecting at IAH to the one and only flight of the day to PVR. Since I'm technically not going to IAH but rather going thru IAH will I still qualify for the free change if the weather warrants it ?
Aug 24, 2017, 12:48 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,393
Flying into IAH on 8/28. Not worried yet since who knows where the storm is going to be or go however if it should stall out over Texas I could be in for a wet ride and always like to think ahead. I'm connecting at IAH to the one and only flight of the day to PVR. Since I'm technically not going to IAH but rather going thru IAH will I still qualify for the free change if the weather warrants it ?
Of course the first time I gamble I end up losing.
I live in SAT and am currently in Budapest - leaving Saturday morning. When booking my tickets if I booked out of SAT thru IAH round trip it was $2k more in business. However if I booked IAH-BUD r/t and then separately SAT-IAH r/t it was $2k less. So I did that on two different confirmation numbers.
So now I likely can't get a reroute through IAD or EWR direct to SAT bypassing the IAH disaster. Granted SAT may be underwater as well - but IAH will likely be 100x worse.
I live in SAT and am currently in Budapest - leaving Saturday morning. When booking my tickets if I booked out of SAT thru IAH round trip it was $2k more in business. However if I booked IAH-BUD r/t and then separately SAT-IAH r/t it was $2k less. So I did that on two different confirmation numbers.
So now I likely can't get a reroute through IAD or EWR direct to SAT bypassing the IAH disaster. Granted SAT may be underwater as well - but IAH will likely be 100x worse.
Last edited by jsloan; Aug 24, 2017 at 12:51 am Reason: self-merge
Aug 24, 2017, 12:56 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NY NJ
Programs: United 1K, EL AL Silver
Posts: 202
Of course the first time I gamble I end up losing.
I live in SAT and am currently in Budapest - leaving Saturday morning. When booking my tickets if I booked out of SAT thru IAH round trip it was $2k more in business. However if I booked IAH-BUD r/t and then separately SAT-IAH r/t it was $2k less. So I did that on two different confirmation numbers.
So now I likely can't get a reroute through IAD or EWR direct to SAT bypassing the IAH disaster. Granted SAT may be underwater as well - but IAH will likely be 100x worse.
I live in SAT and am currently in Budapest - leaving Saturday morning. When booking my tickets if I booked out of SAT thru IAH round trip it was $2k more in business. However if I booked IAH-BUD r/t and then separately SAT-IAH r/t it was $2k less. So I did that on two different confirmation numbers.
So now I likely can't get a reroute through IAD or EWR direct to SAT bypassing the IAH disaster. Granted SAT may be underwater as well - but IAH will likely be 100x worse.
I think if you call and give them both confirmation # they will acmodate you and reroute thru another airport.
Aug 24, 2017, 12:58 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 784
If they extend the weather waiver to 8/28, you will be eligible for a change due to transiting through an affected city. And, once your flight is actually impacted by weather, you can generally make changes regardless of a waiver. The weather waivers just allow people to be proactive.
SAT is a reasonable alternate airport for IAH. You may actually gamble and win; while you probably can't proactively make changes, if weather issues actually affect your flight to IAH, you can probably get an agent to route you to SAT on your original ticket. Then, if weather issues also affect your second ticket, you can ask for a refund. ^ Of course, that's a lot of ifs... and there's no guarantee they'll be business class space on your alternative flights
SAT is a reasonable alternate airport for IAH. You may actually gamble and win; while you probably can't proactively make changes, if weather issues actually affect your flight to IAH, you can probably get an agent to route you to SAT on your original ticket. Then, if weather issues also affect your second ticket, you can ask for a refund. ^ Of course, that's a lot of ifs... and there's no guarantee they'll be business class space on your alternative flights
Aug 24, 2017, 1:30 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,393
SFO-PVR is full in J. If your flight has issues, your best bet may be to ask to be re-accommodated on another carrier. They won't want to do this for weather, but the Star Alliance rebooking guidelines instruct them to do so for First / Business class passengers as well as *G. (They may still refuse your request, even faced with the alliance rule that says that they're supposed to do it, but it's worth a shot).
They definitely won't proactively put you on another carrier before the storm hits. However, if your flight gets cancelled, I'd look for a flight with available business class space and then see if you can be put onto it. If UA cancels your flight ahead of time, you'll have plenty of options. If not... I don't see much beyond a two-stop itinerary on Delta and Aeromexico that leaves out of Dulles at 9:45 AM.
Good luck!
Aug 24, 2017, 1:40 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 784
Cross your fingers and hope the storm misses?
SFO-PVR is full in J. If your flight has issues, your best bet may be to ask to be re-accommodated on another carrier. They won't want to do this for weather, but the Star Alliance rebooking guidelines instruct them to do so for First / Business class passengers as well as *G. (They may still refuse your request, even faced with the alliance rule that says that they're supposed to do it, but it's worth a shot).
They definitely won't proactively put you on another carrier before the storm hits. However, if your flight gets cancelled, I'd look for a flight with available business class space and then see if you can be put onto it. If UA cancels your flight ahead of time, you'll have plenty of options. If not... I don't see much beyond a two-stop itinerary on Delta and Aeromexico that leaves out of Dulles at 9:45 AM.
Good luck!
SFO-PVR is full in J. If your flight has issues, your best bet may be to ask to be re-accommodated on another carrier. They won't want to do this for weather, but the Star Alliance rebooking guidelines instruct them to do so for First / Business class passengers as well as *G. (They may still refuse your request, even faced with the alliance rule that says that they're supposed to do it, but it's worth a shot).
They definitely won't proactively put you on another carrier before the storm hits. However, if your flight gets cancelled, I'd look for a flight with available business class space and then see if you can be put onto it. If UA cancels your flight ahead of time, you'll have plenty of options. If not... I don't see much beyond a two-stop itinerary on Delta and Aeromexico that leaves out of Dulles at 9:45 AM.
Good luck!
The question is due to IRRPOS would UA give a partial refund (since I would still like to use the CUN-ORD-IAD piece)....
This of course is all in theory. 99% chance all goes smooth.
Just like to prepare for the worst.
Last edited by theboss7593; Aug 24, 2017 at 1:43 am Reason: spelling
Aug 24, 2017, 6:50 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
agree. I also think you could just call right now and cancel the IAH-SAT flight for a full refund. Then be reaccomodated to SAT on the other ticket. This actually works out better for you. Gigem!
Aug 24, 2017, 7:56 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,541
Are change and fees and fare differences supposed to be automatically waived when trying to rebook online via "Change flight" under "My Trips"? They all show fare difference and a change fee of $200 when I do the flight search. Might be because it's an N fare but I have an itinerary arriving at IAH on 8/25 and leaving 8/27 that I'd really like to change/cancel.
Aug 24, 2017, 8:16 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: United GS, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 109
Voice of Reason
https://spacecityweather.com/likely-...-a-wary-texas/
Good summary from a respected Houston area blog.
Good summary from a respected Houston area blog.
This will not have immediate drastic effects for Houston, and while intermittent heavy storms and gusty winds are possible through Saturday, conditions for travel seem OK at this time.
By Sunday, running through about Wednesday, the greater Houston region will be at risk for very heavy rainfall and potentially widespread flooding, and coastal regions may be most at risk. If you are traveling later on Sunday or early next week, your flights may be delayed or canceled.
By Sunday, running through about Wednesday, the greater Houston region will be at risk for very heavy rainfall and potentially widespread flooding, and coastal regions may be most at risk. If you are traveling later on Sunday or early next week, your flights may be delayed or canceled.