Jun 12, 2013, 8:18 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
What is ORC?
ORC=Original Routing Credit: Claiming credit for your original routing as you originally booked it in the event you are rerouted on flights that earn fewer miles than you originally booked.
When do I qualify for ORC?
If you are flying a UA flight on a UA-issued ticket and crediting to UA Mileage Plus, then generally after being rebooked during IROPS due to a misconnect or canceled flight (regardless of the cause--weather, mechanical, ATC delays, etc.) on a more direct routing than you originally booked that earns fewer United miles. This includes being rebooked on other airlines, even if they are not United partners, as well as being rebooked on other UA flights or UA partner flights.
What if I SDC and then have IROPS?
Reports suggest SDCing AAA-BBB to AAA-XXX-BBB and then having IROPS where you are placed back on AAA-BBB, that ORC might be denied for AAA-XXX-BBB. As your original purchase was AAA-BBB.
Unknown what would happen in more complex situations, such as you traveled to XXX and then IROPS occurred, you would probably just be better without ORC.
You will generally not qualify for ORC under the following circumstances:
A reroute during a VDB has been an open issue (best if you can get the VDB marked INVOL but still should be possible -- may take some pushback if refused)
How do I get ORC?
ORC will not post automatically (even if a gate agent assures you otherwise). You will have to call in or write into the MPSC (Mileage Plus Service Center--NOT the reservations center or Premier reservations line), provide your record locator or e-ticket number, and state that you were rerouted at United's request and would like to receive the mileage as you originally booked. You cannot do this until the miles for the flights you actually flew posted (which, for United metal, is usually shortly after your flight, as of mid-2019) and at least 5 days have passed between the original VDB flight date and the date of the request for ORC. If the agent grants you ORC, and you have UA miles already posted from the flights you actually took, they will send it to auditing. After about a week the miles for the flights you actually flew will be removed from your account and the miles for the original routing will be deposited, so check and make sure that your original routing would have indeed given you more miles than you actually earned!
If you were rebooked on a carrier which isn't a United partner (i.e. AA, DL, etc.), you can generally credit the flight you actually flew to that carrier's mileage program and still claim ORC with UA.
Any tips to ensure I am successful?
When dealing with UA over a rebooking that will earn you fewer miles, make sure the agent marks your ticket as "INVOL." When the MPSC sees this note, they will be much more likely to quickly agree to grant you ORC. The absence of "INVOL" on your ticket makes the agent think you may have voluntarily rerouted yourself on a shorter itinerary, in which case you wouldn't be able to claim ORC.
Automated rebookings (the kind where you misconnect and then check your itinerary or go to a kiosk after landing and find yourself already booked on another flight) generally seem to properly be marked "INVOL," so you should be fine in these cases. You can see if your ticket was marked "INVOL" by clicking on the "View Receipt" function for your itinerary on united.com; it will be shown next to "Fare Rules" below the fare breakdown section, like so:
Note that some people have reported success in claiming ORC on VDB rebookings if they were able to successfully persuade the agent to mark the itinerary "INVOL."
Is there ORC for MM / Lifetime credit? for PQDs?
Yes and Yes (Generally included but to be safe specifically mention these in your request)
Can a get a refund?
It is believed that requesting a refund will block the ability to request ORC.
Other issues?
You may run into difficulty if any of the following are true:
The first two may not be impossible to overcome, but you may need to work harder to get the credit (YMMV, though, especially if both #1 and #2 are true).
The third one is a different case--you need to request credit through the program you're crediting to, as third parties don't have the ability to make adjustments to programs they don't own (UA can't adjust your LH balance, for example--they can only send LH a feed of what flights that person flew, a process which is automated and tied to their operations system).
Archive of older posts - Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Archive)
ORC=Original Routing Credit: Claiming credit for your original routing as you originally booked it in the event you are rerouted on flights that earn fewer miles than you originally booked.
When do I qualify for ORC?
If you are flying a UA flight on a UA-issued ticket and crediting to UA Mileage Plus, then generally after being rebooked during IROPS due to a misconnect or canceled flight (regardless of the cause--weather, mechanical, ATC delays, etc.) on a more direct routing than you originally booked that earns fewer United miles. This includes being rebooked on other airlines, even if they are not United partners, as well as being rebooked on other UA flights or UA partner flights.
What if I SDC and then have IROPS?
Reports suggest SDCing AAA-BBB to AAA-XXX-BBB and then having IROPS where you are placed back on AAA-BBB, that ORC might be denied for AAA-XXX-BBB. As your original purchase was AAA-BBB.
Unknown what would happen in more complex situations, such as you traveled to XXX and then IROPS occurred, you would probably just be better without ORC.
You will generally not qualify for ORC under the following circumstances:
- A change to your itinerary made in advance
- A United-initiated schedule change made prior to departure
- A voluntary change made during travel (i.e. SDC, walking away from a segment, etc.)
A reroute during a VDB has been an open issue (best if you can get the VDB marked INVOL but still should be possible -- may take some pushback if refused)
How do I get ORC?
ORC will not post automatically (even if a gate agent assures you otherwise). You will have to call in or write into the MPSC (Mileage Plus Service Center--NOT the reservations center or Premier reservations line), provide your record locator or e-ticket number, and state that you were rerouted at United's request and would like to receive the mileage as you originally booked. You cannot do this until the miles for the flights you actually flew posted (which, for United metal, is usually shortly after your flight, as of mid-2019) and at least 5 days have passed between the original VDB flight date and the date of the request for ORC. If the agent grants you ORC, and you have UA miles already posted from the flights you actually took, they will send it to auditing. After about a week the miles for the flights you actually flew will be removed from your account and the miles for the original routing will be deposited, so check and make sure that your original routing would have indeed given you more miles than you actually earned!
If you were rebooked on a carrier which isn't a United partner (i.e. AA, DL, etc.), you can generally credit the flight you actually flew to that carrier's mileage program and still claim ORC with UA.
Any tips to ensure I am successful?
When dealing with UA over a rebooking that will earn you fewer miles, make sure the agent marks your ticket as "INVOL." When the MPSC sees this note, they will be much more likely to quickly agree to grant you ORC. The absence of "INVOL" on your ticket makes the agent think you may have voluntarily rerouted yourself on a shorter itinerary, in which case you wouldn't be able to claim ORC.
Automated rebookings (the kind where you misconnect and then check your itinerary or go to a kiosk after landing and find yourself already booked on another flight) generally seem to properly be marked "INVOL," so you should be fine in these cases. You can see if your ticket was marked "INVOL" by clicking on the "View Receipt" function for your itinerary on united.com; it will be shown next to "Fare Rules" below the fare breakdown section, like so:
Fare Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
INVOL;CXL BY FLT DT/
INVOL;CXL BY FLT DT/
Is there ORC for MM / Lifetime credit? for PQDs?
Yes and Yes (Generally included but to be safe specifically mention these in your request)
Can a get a refund?
It is believed that requesting a refund will block the ability to request ORC.
Other issues?
You may run into difficulty if any of the following are true:
- You're not flying on a UA-issued ticket (recent 2022 reports suggest this is possible)
- The rebooking was done by a third-party due to IROPS on that third party carrier
- You're not crediting to UA MP
The first two may not be impossible to overcome, but you may need to work harder to get the credit (YMMV, though, especially if both #1 and #2 are true).
The third one is a different case--you need to request credit through the program you're crediting to, as third parties don't have the ability to make adjustments to programs they don't own (UA can't adjust your LH balance, for example--they can only send LH a feed of what flights that person flew, a process which is automated and tied to their operations system).
Archive of older posts - Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Archive)
Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Merged)
Jan 18, 2019, 8:39 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,889
Hoping someone can help on how to see if I can get ORC. I'm familiar with the process on a UA-issued/operated itinerary. This one is a bit different.
Booked a wholly TG-operated itinerary BLR-TPE via BKK on TGs website (UA.com, or any US-based TA wanted double the price compared to TG.com or India-based OTAs). Standard 2 hour connection in BKK, which has always been more than enough. While I realize this might not be convincing of an argument for anyone, but I will admit I booked a higher fare to ensure I earned more PQM (75%). Booked as a TG Q fare, and listed the MP numbers on the reservation for accrual.
Arrived at BLR to check in, and was told inbound aircraft was delayed. No one there (AI staff, who work as TG there) wanted to help re-route, and we ended up departing and arriving a little over 2.5 hours late - was told they would take care of us in BKK. Upon landing in BKK, to be fair, there were lots of agents greeting the flight, holding signs for various connection points with rebooked flight info., including to TPE. Surprisingly, rather than being booked on the evening TG flight, which I half-expected, or one of the two early afternoon EVA flights (which was the other thing I thought they would do), they booked us on the next CI (China Airlines) flight out.
The original BLR-BKK flight posted regularly, but obviously, nothing for BKK-TPE. Is there any way to get credit for this? If so, where is the best place to start for credit? I do have a copy of our original itinerary from TG, a copy of the itinerary after we were rebooked on CI (which includes both the TG flight to TPE that we missed, plus the CI flight we ended up taking), as well as the BPs for both our original TG flight to TPE as well as the BPs for the CI flight.
Any chance we can get credit for this?
Booked a wholly TG-operated itinerary BLR-TPE via BKK on TGs website (UA.com, or any US-based TA wanted double the price compared to TG.com or India-based OTAs). Standard 2 hour connection in BKK, which has always been more than enough. While I realize this might not be convincing of an argument for anyone, but I will admit I booked a higher fare to ensure I earned more PQM (75%). Booked as a TG Q fare, and listed the MP numbers on the reservation for accrual.
Arrived at BLR to check in, and was told inbound aircraft was delayed. No one there (AI staff, who work as TG there) wanted to help re-route, and we ended up departing and arriving a little over 2.5 hours late - was told they would take care of us in BKK. Upon landing in BKK, to be fair, there were lots of agents greeting the flight, holding signs for various connection points with rebooked flight info., including to TPE. Surprisingly, rather than being booked on the evening TG flight, which I half-expected, or one of the two early afternoon EVA flights (which was the other thing I thought they would do), they booked us on the next CI (China Airlines) flight out.
The original BLR-BKK flight posted regularly, but obviously, nothing for BKK-TPE. Is there any way to get credit for this? If so, where is the best place to start for credit? I do have a copy of our original itinerary from TG, a copy of the itinerary after we were rebooked on CI (which includes both the TG flight to TPE that we missed, plus the CI flight we ended up taking), as well as the BPs for both our original TG flight to TPE as well as the BPs for the CI flight.
Any chance we can get credit for this?
Jan 18, 2019, 8:54 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 881
Hoping someone can help on how to see if I can get ORC. I'm familiar with the process on a UA-issued/operated itinerary. This one is a bit different.
Booked a wholly TG-operated itinerary BLR-TPE via BKK on TGs website (UA.com, or any US-based TA wanted double the price compared to TG.com or India-based OTAs). Standard 2 hour connection in BKK, which has always been more than enough. While I realize this might not be convincing of an argument for anyone, but I will admit I booked a higher fare to ensure I earned more PQM (75%). Booked as a TG Q fare, and listed the MP numbers on the reservation for accrual.
Arrived at BLR to check in, and was told inbound aircraft was delayed. No one there (AI staff, who work as TG there) wanted to help re-route, and we ended up departing and arriving a little over 2.5 hours late - was told they would take care of us in BKK. Upon landing in BKK, to be fair, there were lots of agents greeting the flight, holding signs for various connection points with rebooked flight info., including to TPE. Surprisingly, rather than being booked on the evening TG flight, which I half-expected, or one of the two early afternoon EVA flights (which was the other thing I thought they would do), they booked us on the next CI (China Airlines) flight out.
The original BLR-BKK flight posted regularly, but obviously, nothing for BKK-TPE. Is there any way to get credit for this? If so, where is the best place to start for credit? I do have a copy of our original itinerary from TG, a copy of the itinerary after we were rebooked on CI (which includes both the TG flight to TPE that we missed, plus the CI flight we ended up taking), as well as the BPs for both our original TG flight to TPE as well as the BPs for the CI flight.
Any chance we can get credit for this?
Booked a wholly TG-operated itinerary BLR-TPE via BKK on TGs website (UA.com, or any US-based TA wanted double the price compared to TG.com or India-based OTAs). Standard 2 hour connection in BKK, which has always been more than enough. While I realize this might not be convincing of an argument for anyone, but I will admit I booked a higher fare to ensure I earned more PQM (75%). Booked as a TG Q fare, and listed the MP numbers on the reservation for accrual.
Arrived at BLR to check in, and was told inbound aircraft was delayed. No one there (AI staff, who work as TG there) wanted to help re-route, and we ended up departing and arriving a little over 2.5 hours late - was told they would take care of us in BKK. Upon landing in BKK, to be fair, there were lots of agents greeting the flight, holding signs for various connection points with rebooked flight info., including to TPE. Surprisingly, rather than being booked on the evening TG flight, which I half-expected, or one of the two early afternoon EVA flights (which was the other thing I thought they would do), they booked us on the next CI (China Airlines) flight out.
The original BLR-BKK flight posted regularly, but obviously, nothing for BKK-TPE. Is there any way to get credit for this? If so, where is the best place to start for credit? I do have a copy of our original itinerary from TG, a copy of the itinerary after we were rebooked on CI (which includes both the TG flight to TPE that we missed, plus the CI flight we ended up taking), as well as the BPs for both our original TG flight to TPE as well as the BPs for the CI flight.
Any chance we can get credit for this?
Jan 21, 2019, 9:13 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 417
PQM Calculation if flight reroute at airport
Hello,
I'm wondering what would happen if I have a flight from EWR>ORD>CLT and because of bad weather my flight is delayed and I was rebooked to EWR>DEN>CLT.
Would I get PQM on what was actually flown? also would they maintain the same booking fare type?
I'm wondering what would happen if I have a flight from EWR>ORD>CLT and because of bad weather my flight is delayed and I was rebooked to EWR>DEN>CLT.
Would I get PQM on what was actually flown? also would they maintain the same booking fare type?
Jan 21, 2019, 9:19 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
As far as the fare bucket I have had both a better fare and a worse fare show up (earnings wise) depending on how they re-book me. I have often gone from discounted F (P/Z/A) and been re-booked in a discounted coach fare where, again, I have written in for the ORC for the higher fare class. Meanwhile, I have also been booked from a discount coach fare to a full-fare coach fare which obviously worked out to my benefit earnings wise.
Finally, last Friday I had a DEN>ORD leg where I was booked on a C fare class cancel and ended up on in coach on an earlier flight. In that instance United both credited me the correct C fare and also gave me an E-cert for the downgrade (the e-cert was more than the fare difference, so I took that). I would imagine how smoothly that process went, however, owed to the GS desk helping,
Jan 21, 2019, 9:20 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,969
For reroutes, you get the PQMs for the flights that post (i.e. EWR-DEN-CLT) but the total PQD won't change.
They generally maintain the same fare type. When they don't (and it seems rare now), you might get the multiplier.
They generally maintain the same fare type. When they don't (and it seems rare now), you might get the multiplier.
Jan 21, 2019, 9:28 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 417
This is very interesting!!
I opted for the highest PQM path and added a stop to maximize my PQM. Somehow my ticket in business class was (Z) was cheaper than the economy. So if I picked a direct route EWR-CLT, I could call and ask for the original PQM?
I opted for the highest PQM path and added a stop to maximize my PQM. Somehow my ticket in business class was (Z) was cheaper than the economy. So if I picked a direct route EWR-CLT, I could call and ask for the original PQM?
Jan 21, 2019, 9:41 am
#7
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
What will post for PQMs (& Lifetime miles) is the route flown. (PQDs and RDMs should be unchanged.)
If the change is marked INVOL due IRROPS, then ORC is possible -- although in reroutes, the posted PQMs may be affected by a higher fare class.
If the change is due to a weather waiver or SDC or .... it is generally considered voluntary change and not eligible for ORC.
Jan 21, 2019, 11:50 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 417
The issue is if the change is considered voluntary or involuntary.
What will post for PQMs (& Lifetime miles) is the route flown. (PQDs and RDMs should be unchanged.)
If the change is marked INVOL due IRROPS, then ORC is possible -- although in reroutes, the posted PQMs may be affected by a higher fare class.
If the change is due to a weather waiver or SDC or .... it is generally considered voluntary change and not eligible for ORC.
What will post for PQMs (& Lifetime miles) is the route flown. (PQDs and RDMs should be unchanged.)
If the change is marked INVOL due IRROPS, then ORC is possible -- although in reroutes, the posted PQMs may be affected by a higher fare class.
If the change is due to a weather waiver or SDC or .... it is generally considered voluntary change and not eligible for ORC.
So if ORD is closed because of bad weather and they put me on a direct flight. I won't get credited ORC?
Jan 21, 2019, 11:56 am
#9
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Offers to change before are voluntary but you can try to make the case for ORC. Best to specifically request INVOL marking of PNR, many agents will do this BUT only if requested.
Jan 21, 2019, 3:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 1,289
Last month I had an interesting choice involving a missed connection. I write now to get advice on whether I should have chosen differently.
Wife and I were flying ***-DEN and then DEN-OGG. The first flight took a weather delay and we missed our OGG flight. I was on an F ticket and wife was on Y with separate records. I had bought F as I needed the PQM to requalify as a 1K.
My wife was rebooked on the next flight to SFO and then the last flight of the day SFO-OGG. I wasn't rebooked on the first DEN-SFO flight because F was not available. I was booked on the flight after to SFO in F and then F on the same flight as my wife to OGG.
Now my question. If I had ASKED to be put in Economy on the first DEN-SFO could I have claimed ORC and thus gotten the F bonus that would have put me over for 1K? I opted not to take that chance and did make the 38 minute connection in SFO (I know insanity).
TIA
Wife and I were flying ***-DEN and then DEN-OGG. The first flight took a weather delay and we missed our OGG flight. I was on an F ticket and wife was on Y with separate records. I had bought F as I needed the PQM to requalify as a 1K.
My wife was rebooked on the next flight to SFO and then the last flight of the day SFO-OGG. I wasn't rebooked on the first DEN-SFO flight because F was not available. I was booked on the flight after to SFO in F and then F on the same flight as my wife to OGG.
Now my question. If I had ASKED to be put in Economy on the first DEN-SFO could I have claimed ORC and thus gotten the F bonus that would have put me over for 1K? I opted not to take that chance and did make the 38 minute connection in SFO (I know insanity).
TIA
Jan 22, 2019, 5:56 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
In my experience, yes you would have been eligible for the ORC PQMs as this would be involuntary. The example up-thread that was being debated was if you took advantage of a weather waiver in advance to re-route. Even in those instances (though I have an anecdotally small number of instances) I have still had the 1K/GS e-mail provide me ORC. The cause of the irrop doesn't matter when it comes to ORC (whether that's a downgrade in fare class that impacts PQMs or a difference in route that impacts PQMs). If it's involuntary you are eligible for the greater of ORC or what you were actually credited.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:45 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,411
Jan 22, 2019, 7:50 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: ORD | LGA | 2E
Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC
Posts: 1,054
Had that exact situation happen to me on Friday. DEN > ORD cancelled on a C fare class. Ended up in E+ on an earlier flight. Received the C fare PQM bonus as well as downgrade compensation.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:52 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,411
That sounds like a customer service gesture, not a refund. If you'd gotten a refund, you'd no longer have a C-class ticket, and therefore no longer would have been eligible for the PQM bonus.
Jan 22, 2019, 8:09 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 417
Help trying to figure out if I need to ORC during flight
I had found a great deal on a 3 segment flight in Z fare which got me 3136 PQM.
This morning heading to the airport I got automatically rebooked and one segment gone (flight delay at EWR)
i was rebooked to the following YUL-IAD (Y) and IAD-CLT (J). How many PQM will that give me?
also... I opted to catch an earlier flight since I was so early to the airport.
also when I click email receipt I get two. One with
NONREF/0VALUAFTDPT/CHGFEE;YUL POS END
and other with
INVOL;YUL POS END
what does that mean? Will I get ORC declind because I got an earlier flight?
(still in the plane lol)
This morning heading to the airport I got automatically rebooked and one segment gone (flight delay at EWR)
i was rebooked to the following YUL-IAD (Y) and IAD-CLT (J). How many PQM will that give me?
also... I opted to catch an earlier flight since I was so early to the airport.
also when I click email receipt I get two. One with
NONREF/0VALUAFTDPT/CHGFEE;YUL POS END
and other with
INVOL;YUL POS END
what does that mean? Will I get ORC declind because I got an earlier flight?
(still in the plane lol)
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 22, 2019 at 6:41 pm Reason: moved to master thread