Jul 23, 2018, 4:36 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
GG FLAT TIRE (as of April 2018)
Flat Tire, is this referring literally to a car having a flat tire?
No, "Flat Tire" refers to a situation where one arrives too late to make a flight due to most any reason. If you show up within two hours of the original flight departure, UA generally will try to accommodate you as a low-level priority standby passenger on the next flight with standby space. Note this will only be for UA/UX flights and no guarantees on how soon UA might be able to accommodate the delayed passenger. No reason for the delay is needed (flat tire or not, does not matter).
Years ago, pre-deregulation, this was a formal rule. Nowadays, legacy USA airlines still provide this as a courtesy but they are under no obligation to provide. Note with non-USA airlines there is no such policy and you will mostly be required to purchase a new ticket.
This does not apply in a connection situation on a single ticket. The carrier creating the delay is obligated to address that situation
FLAT TIRE RULE:
CUSTOMERS CONTACTING UNITED WITHIN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OR 2 HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE MAY BE REBOOKED AT NO CHARGE ON UA/UAX FLIGHTS. ALL SEGMENTS OPERATED BY OA SHOULD ONLY BE REBOOKED BY THE OPERATING CARRIER AS THEY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL FEES
CUSTOMERS CONTACTING UNITED WITHIN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OR 2 HOURS AFTER DEPARTURE MAY BE REBOOKED AT NO CHARGE ON UA/UAX FLIGHTS. ALL SEGMENTS OPERATED BY OA SHOULD ONLY BE REBOOKED BY THE OPERATING CARRIER AS THEY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL FEES
No, "Flat Tire" refers to a situation where one arrives too late to make a flight due to most any reason. If you show up within two hours of the original flight departure, UA generally will try to accommodate you as a low-level priority standby passenger on the next flight with standby space. Note this will only be for UA/UX flights and no guarantees on how soon UA might be able to accommodate the delayed passenger. No reason for the delay is needed (flat tire or not, does not matter).
Years ago, pre-deregulation, this was a formal rule. Nowadays, legacy USA airlines still provide this as a courtesy but they are under no obligation to provide. Note with non-USA airlines there is no such policy and you will mostly be required to purchase a new ticket.
This does not apply in a connection situation on a single ticket. The carrier creating the delay is obligated to address that situation
what is the current flat-tire rule? (Missed flight)
Jun 16, 2013, 8:38 am
#31
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Overslept and missed flight - what to do?
A friend overslept this morning and missed his 9:30 flight on UA from PHL-ORD. He said he called United and Amex Travel, and they both told him all he could do was buy a new ticket.
Really? This seems highly unlikely to me. What's the real scoop? Can't they put him on a later flight (and probably charge a change fee of some sort)?
Really? This seems highly unlikely to me. What's the real scoop? Can't they put him on a later flight (and probably charge a change fee of some sort)?
Jun 16, 2013, 8:40 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Search on 'Flat Tire Rule'. Most airlines have it but do not share it. Just say unavoidable issue like car broke down, and use the phrase "flat tire rule" when you talk to UA. They should re-accommodate on another flight with no or minimal charge. But with flights at 100% capacity these days, it might take a while to get out!
Jun 16, 2013, 8:57 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2004
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This happened to my brother last year, and UA told them that he could fly standby as long as he was at the airport within 3 (?) hours of his original departure time. There was no penalty fee.
Jun 16, 2013, 9:36 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MHT
Programs: UA
Posts: 121
I missed multiple domestic and international flights this year due to my own fault, N and K class fares.
I either called MP or talked to CS desk at the airport. United was very accommodating and put me one the next available flights with different routings, no fees or fare difference. Had to say bye bye to CPUs on missed flights, but always got E+ on rebooked flights.
Ironically, all mishaps did happen during MRs. Even though I ended up with more PQM, perhaps these are signs telling me to stop the mileage run insanity.
I either called MP or talked to CS desk at the airport. United was very accommodating and put me one the next available flights with different routings, no fees or fare difference. Had to say bye bye to CPUs on missed flights, but always got E+ on rebooked flights.
Ironically, all mishaps did happen during MRs. Even though I ended up with more PQM, perhaps these are signs telling me to stop the mileage run insanity.
Jun 16, 2013, 10:10 am
#37
Join Date: Aug 2006
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I missed multiple domestic and international flights this year due to my own fault, N and K class fares.
I either called MP or talked to CS desk at the airport. United was very accommodating and put me one the next available flights with different routings, no fees or fare difference. Had to say bye bye to CPUs on missed flights, but always got E+ on rebooked flights.
Ironically, all mishaps did happen during MRs. Even though I ended up with more PQM, perhaps these are signs telling me to stop the mileage run insanity.
I either called MP or talked to CS desk at the airport. United was very accommodating and put me one the next available flights with different routings, no fees or fare difference. Had to say bye bye to CPUs on missed flights, but always got E+ on rebooked flights.
Ironically, all mishaps did happen during MRs. Even though I ended up with more PQM, perhaps these are signs telling me to stop the mileage run insanity.
Jun 16, 2013, 11:51 am
#38
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
Wouldn't SDC (Same Day Confirmed) also work here? I'm assuming the passenger doesn't have status, so he/she would have to pay for SDC fee. And going standby would make better financial sense. However, SDC would be an attractive option if the subsequent flights have only a few seats available and the passenger does need to be at their destination that day (rather than playing standby roulette).
Also, shouldn't the United agent have originally offered SDC instead of buying a new ticket?
Also, shouldn't the United agent have originally offered SDC instead of buying a new ticket?
Jun 16, 2013, 11:54 am
#39
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Wouldn't SDC (Same Day Confirmed) also work here? I'm assuming the passenger doesn't have status, so he/she would have to pay for SDC fee. And going standby would make better financial sense. However, SDC would be an attractive option if the subsequent flights have only a few seats available and the passenger does need to be at their destination that day (rather than playing standby roulette).
Also, shouldn't the United agent have originally offered SDC instead of buying a new ticket?
Also, shouldn't the United agent have originally offered SDC instead of buying a new ticket?
Jun 16, 2013, 11:55 am
#40
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Search on 'Flat Tire Rule'. Most airlines have it but do not share it. Just say unavoidable issue like car broke down, and use the phrase "flat tire rule" when you talk to UA. They should re-accommodate on another flight with no or minimal charge. But with flights at 100% capacity these days, it might take a while to get out!
Calling or showing up 4-5 hours later probably will not work.
If the individual called after the original departure, it is too late for SDC. The ticket is gone. Nonrefundable tickets are voided if not changed or cancelled prior to scheduled departure.
To need to call and make UA aware of the issue and then get to the airport quickly to make new arrangements.
Jun 16, 2013, 12:42 pm
#41
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Can only be done at airport, it's a CS gesture, not a policy, and it's space available behind every pax they actually are required to acommodate.
Calling in not only can sometimes not help, it can sometimes exacerbate the situatio.
So, get to the airport, be abjectly apoligetic and hope.
Calling in not only can sometimes not help, it can sometimes exacerbate the situatio.
So, get to the airport, be abjectly apoligetic and hope.
Jun 16, 2013, 12:47 pm
#42
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Someone needs a dictionary before ranting again. Knowing the SDC rules might help.
Jun 16, 2013, 12:47 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2011
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The flat tire rule is nice to have, though with all the revenue enhancements happening, I wouldn't be surprised if this went the way of the dodo soon. I definitely been guilty in the past of missing my flight and being pleasantly surprised to be rebooked at no additional charge.
Jun 16, 2013, 12:54 pm
#44
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The flat tire rule is nice to have, though with all the revenue enhancements happening, I wouldn't be surprised if this went the way of the dodo soon. I definitely been guilty in the past of missing my flight and being pleasantly surprised to be rebooked at no additional charge.
Jun 16, 2013, 1:33 pm
#45
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By definition, it's after the scheduled flight, he's apparently on a discounted non-changeable ticket, and skipped a segment.