Originally Posted by
dkc192
The close-in booking fee only applies for new bookings (does it even exist anymore?) and not for changes to existing bookings, which AFAIK is what you're trying to do.
There is no close-in booking fee, but there is something more insidious -- an increase in mileage required for close-in bookings.
Originally Posted by
dkc192
Awards on partner airlines are only available at the saver level.
Sort of. UA has begun the process of implementing dynamic awards on partner flights also -- even partner awards now cost more miles when booked within 30 days of the departure of the first flight on the reservation.