future of same-day change?
Nov 16, 2011 | 6:17 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 37
Well, there's the rules and there's what the agent will do for you. I found that pre-merger I could almost always get on an earlier flight if there was a seat available by calling the elite line. Now most of my itineraries, which connect through IAH, contain a Skywest/United Express segment, can't be changed because the original fare class rule is enforced and fare classes never open on the United segments (even at three hours before, which is when the agent says they usually do). Three hours before is of limited utility anyway since that means hanging by the phone with bags packed and calling at T-3; the earlier flight is almost never worth that to me (or hanging out at the airport hoping for a standby seat).
Nov 16, 2011 | 6:35 am
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Now most of my itineraries, which connect through IAH, contain a Skywest/United Express segment, can't be changed because the original fare class rule is enforced and fare classes never open on the United segments (even at three hours before, which is when the agent says they usually do).
Nov 16, 2011 | 7:30 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: UA
Posts: 241
I wonder how pratical or real this policy is these days and age since flights are operating usually at full or almost full capacity. While I generally clear on standby at the gate, I NEVER had any success confirming with UA or CO even within 3.5 hours before departure. Maybe others have greater success. I usually fly out of LGA and connecting through ORD.
Nov 16, 2011 | 7:59 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Central Virginia
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,231
[QUOTE=Wx4caster;17457812]While I agree that PMCO's published policy is much friendlier, the problem I have is finding agents that actually know the published policy instead of saying, "sorry, you can't do that"./QUOTE]
Had a SDC situation happen to me in Honolulu a couple weeks ago on UA. I wanted to change the routing but was told that the routing must be the same. The agent did make the changed but said it was due to the fact that I was a 1K. They were not aware of the UA policy on routing changes.
Had a SDC situation happen to me in Honolulu a couple weeks ago on UA. I wanted to change the routing but was told that the routing must be the same. The agent did make the changed but said it was due to the fact that I was a 1K. They were not aware of the UA policy on routing changes.
Nov 16, 2011 | 8:10 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
I wonder how pratical or real this policy is these days and age since flights are operating usually at full or almost full capacity. While I generally clear on standby at the gate, I NEVER had any success confirming with UA or CO even within 3.5 hours before departure. Maybe others have greater success. I usually fly out of LGA and connecting through ORD.
Nov 16, 2011 | 2:15 pm
#21
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 72,674
This means there are cases where they may still be selling seats (as they're willing to overbook via sales), but you cannot do SDC.
Nov 16, 2011 | 6:46 pm
#22
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Danville, CA
Programs: AA EXP - UA *G MM - HH Diamond - Hertz PC
Posts: 3,242
It was SFO-LAX, and I was on my way to the airport when I called, so I just asked to be added to the wait list and cleared at the gate.
At any rate, as usual, YMMV.