Should I book award travel one year out now
Sep 19, 20, 11:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 248
Should I book award travel one year out now
Seniors, I have United points which I was going to use for award travel but due to virus I am not flying until end of next year. Should I book the award travel now since my points maybe worth less after one year since airlines have to make up for losses now? Is it easy to change travel dates for international travel round trip business class? To be specific MIA to DEL. Thanks.
Sep 19, 20, 9:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
It's very easy now that UA has removed change fees. I (re)booked my trip to Europe for the second time now. The potential downside is between now and then airlines can change their schedules numerous times and you have to fit into the awards that are available. Upside is that UA is being very flexible, AF & a bit less BA have been ok too, and since they serve that route on their metal they can always open inventory to get you there though it may not be what you wanted originally.
Sep 20, 20, 9:14 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,893
But I thought that UA had only removed change fees for domestic and nearby travel, not for all travel worldwide? 
The OP is planning travel to DEL, which is not covered by this change in fees as far i can see:
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...hange-fee.html
"We’re excited to announce a major change that’ll give you more flexibility when you fly with us. We’re permanently getting rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean."
See above. Part of the answer you were given may not have been quite correct.
The OP is planning travel to DEL, which is not covered by this change in fees as far i can see:https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...hange-fee.html
"We’re excited to announce a major change that’ll give you more flexibility when you fly with us. We’re permanently getting rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean."
See above. Part of the answer you were given may not have been quite correct.
Sep 20, 20, 10:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
UA did do away with change fees for "forever" on domestic, Mexico & Caribbean destinations but also through the end of the year for all bookings. My statement wasn't quite up to date so you were right to bring that up.
But I thought that UA had only removed change fees for domestic and nearby travel, not for all travel worldwide? The OP is planning travel to DEL, which is not covered by this change in fees as far i can see:
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...hange-fee.html
"Were excited to announce a major change thatll give you more flexibility when you fly with us. Were permanently getting rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean."
See above. Part of the answer you were given may not have been quite correct.
The OP is planning travel to DEL, which is not covered by this change in fees as far i can see:https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...hange-fee.html
"Were excited to announce a major change thatll give you more flexibility when you fly with us. Were permanently getting rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean."
See above. Part of the answer you were given may not have been quite correct.
Sep 20, 20, 10:43 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,893
[QUOTE=Yoshi212;32689778]UA did do away with change fees for "forever" on domestic, Mexico & Caribbean destinations but also through the end of the year for all bookings. Oh, as typical for UA, it's all buried in the Q&A at the link I posted, and it's confusing because different answers seem to partially conflict, or because it implies there may be additional conditions:
If you booked a flight before March 3, 2020, it depends on your travel dates. If you booked to travel between March 3, 2020, and December 31, 2020, there also won’t be any change fees due to travel waivers already in place.
So apparently there is a change for award travel (within 30 days), despite all the other answers implying that there isn't!
Typical UA, to put out policies which confuse more than they clear up.
What about other international flights and Basic Economy domestic tickets?
We’re allowing changes without fee for both types of travel if the ticket is issued by December 31, 2020.What about flights I’ve already booked?
If you booked a flight on or after March 3, 2020, there won’t be any change fees due to travel waivers already in place.If you booked a flight before March 3, 2020, it depends on your travel dates. If you booked to travel between March 3, 2020, and December 31, 2020, there also won’t be any change fees due to travel waivers already in place.
Does this policy apply to award travel?
Yes. There won’t be change fees for award travel as long as the ticket is in Economy or a premium cabin and you’re traveling within the U.S. or between the U.S. and the Caribbean or Mexico.Will you still charge a redeposit fee for award travel?
Yes, but only for travel within 30 days. This applies for both domestic and international travel.So apparently there is a change for award travel (within 30 days), despite all the other answers implying that there isn't!
Typical UA, to put out policies which confuse more than they clear up.
