Just a heads-up, I see this nonchangeable fares spreading in Asia. Think it's NH (and UA is matching via JV).

you can check in Jan 2024
SFO-KUL. KJX00SX3 (non-refundable & nonchangeable) vs. KJX00SO2 (non-refundable) . I see $160 difference across the different fare classes.


I see similar *SX* nonchangeable for SGN/BKK/MNL too.

I don't see it for HKG/SIN at the moment. HKG/SIN has basic economy *SB* that UA sells


1) wonder why (NH?) Is spreading more nonchangeable fares and UA is willing to match as JV
2) UA has basic to HKG/SIN but NH not willing to match as JV. UA basic fare can only travel on UA metal. But no such non-changeable fares (yet?) for these routes for NH/UA, what's going on with this JV. Seems basic vs nonbasic also $160 difference
3) think these non-changeable fares were published aug30 2023, don't see it before this date
4) Google flights shows these nonchangeable fares, but it's annoying
A) sometimes gFlights review page will show the booking options, similar to basic economy - "economy non-changeable $1000, economy +$150, PE +$500"
​​​​​B) But sometimes gFlights doesn't mention it's non-changeable, no booking options. just a link to UA.com. UA does not tell you it's non-changeable unless u look thru the fare rules

If you choose basic economy SFO-SIN or HKG, UA site will explicitly tell you it's basic and the downsides for basic (and what the upfare is). So united failure to upsell here?

United willing to refare basic for $200.. but I guess no chance for these nonchangeable fares