I've booked an award ticket through the UA website, my itinerary was:
ICN-BKK OZ741 business
BKK-BRU TG934 First (777-300)
BRU-ORD UA973 Global first
However I received notice of a schedule change. But in fact there was no schedule change, my Thai flight changed for first to business class, but the aircraft is still listed as a 773. I can only assume there was an equipment change from the 773 from Jet Airways that has 3 classes, to Thai's new 773 that has just two classes.
My question is, what are my options ? Will UA let me change my flight for free so that I can have my original First class seat ? I'd be willing to re route BKK-BRU to BKK-FRA which is a route Thai has a 3 cabin aircraft.
I'm just wondering what my options are, so any advice would be much appreciated.
I've booked an award ticket through the UA website, my itinerary was:
ICN-BKK OZ741 business
BKK-BRU TG934 First (777-300) BRU-ORD UA973 Global first
However I received notice of a schedule change. But in fact there was no schedule change, my Thai flight changed for first to business class, but the aircraft is still listed as a 773. I can only assume there was an equipment change from the 773 from Jet Airways that has 3 classes, to Thai's new 773 that has just two classes.
My question is, what are my options ? Will UA let me change my flight for free so that I can have my original First class seat ? I'd be willing to re route BKK-BRU to BKK-FRA which is a route Thai has a 3 cabin aircraft.
I'm just wondering what my options are, so any advice would be much appreciated.
Cody
Do a search and see what's available and call. Even if nothing is available for what you want you may still ask what your options are.
BTW, you will not get a return or reduction in miles as you are on a "Mixed Fare" as you are GF from BRU-ORD UA973 !
I would do some searching and calling for options if I were you to get the most use out of your miles!
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yes, they will let you switch - if available - to a different flight with F (maybe CA PEK-FRA? if TG is unavailable)
Check yourself whats available between BKK and Europe in F, before calling, and then dont ask, TELL them to switch you to specific flights you found for no fee.
You are pretty much free to design your own route, a totally new one if need be, but still keep the segments you have already booked if you so desire, and you will not pay a fee.
But do your research, calling in unarmed will not result in anything good.
My flight from BRU-Chicago with UA is at 11am. Does this mean they will let me switch as long as I can arrive in Brussels by 11 am ? But the UA flight cannot be changed ?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cody1484
My flight from BRU-Chicago with UA is at 11am. Does this mean they will let me switch as long as I can arrive in Brussels by 11 am ? But the UA flight cannot be changed ?
you can change whatever you like, including the UA flight - you can design a whole new routing for yourself, provided there is availability. You have total freedom here, just design a route, write down the flight numbers, call in and tell them, I see my flight no longer has F, I need to be switched to the following flights, and feed them the flights.
You can keep the UA flight, so you dont lose the seat, but you dont have to.
Another option of course, is to move the UA flight to J and get a refund of the upcharge in miles.
ahh, OK, I see. Thanks so much for the help. One last question, will they do this switch for free, or am I going to have to pay the 75 USD change fee ?
you can change whatever you like, including the UA flight - you can design a whole new routing for yourself, provided there is availability. You have total freedom here, just design a route, write down the flight numbers, call in and tell them, I see my flight no longer has F, I need to be switched to the following flights, and feed them the flights.
You can keep the UA flight, so you dont lose the seat, but you dont have to.
Another option of course, is to move the UA flight to J and get a refund of the upcharge in miles.
"Provided there is availability" is the hard part, changing it is easy, but this could depend on who the Op happens to get when he calls and how motivated they are to assist him.
I agree it may be best to downgrade to Bus on the 3rd segment, but this depends upon whether there are mileage seats available in that cabin.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cody1484
ahh, OK, I see. Thanks so much for the help. One last question, will they do this switch for free, or am I going to have to pay the 75 USD change fee ?
Its all free. Insist on it - major schedule change.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LilAbner
"Provided there is availability" is the hard part, changing it is easy, but this could depend on who the Op happens to get when he calls and how motivated they are to assist him.
I agree it may be best to downgrade to Bus on the 3rd segment, but this depends upon whether there are mileage seats available in that cabin.
Is this assuming award availability or just normal revenue availability? Ie if there is an F seat, you can insist on it or would there need to be one available in an award booking class?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris1979
Is this assuming award availability or just normal revenue availability? Ie if there is an F seat, you can insist on it or would there need to be one available in an award booking class?
There's less than no chance they will release an F seat in a case like this, especially given that it's an area where UA doesn't fly so it'll need to be on a partner - there's going to have to be award F space available.
try other TG destionations with F and possibly those served by UA with GF too. e.g. BKK-LHR on TG then LHR-ORD on UA.
If the LHR-ORD leg does not have saver GF award availability, ask UA whether they can request yield management to open up a seat for this special case.
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Start checking now for other routes with F before they are eaten up. I've been expecting the equipment change to the new TG 777-300er so I switched to BKK-FRA.
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2013 EQM AS 39K - 15 segs | UA 44K - 24 segs
2012 EQM AS 40K - 16 segs | CO/UA 154K- 105 segs
My flight is not until september. I found Space connectons in London. The UA flight is a 767-300. Does it have the new UA suits or old version ? Are the new UA suites the same on all aircraft or are There veriations ?
Going from ICN to ORD via Europe is a long way... If you are changing ticket anyway, can you route via Pacific? There are numerous options between ICN and ORD in F, but do some research what's available before calling UA.
