Nov 15, 2018, 7:53 pm
Last edit by: seanp7
Feb 2023: Many reports that Expert Mode checkbox is being disabled automatically / randomly (in some cases, repeatedly), and users have to opt back in on the website to re-enable Expert Mode.
Note on 18 Oct 2018 the fare class for upgrades changed from R to PZ
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Updated instructions (2022)
Archive thread: Expert Mode: better upgrade visibility and opt-in to see fare bucket data {Archive}
Note on 18 Oct 2018 the fare class for upgrades changed from R to PZ
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Updated instructions (2022)
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to let you know that we’ll be re-launching Expert Mode as an opt-in feature later this afternoon. This feature will display all fare classes when shopping for flights on united.com. You can opt-in to this feature by logging into your MileagePlus account and following these steps:
As always, thanks for your feedback and patience over the last couple weeks while we worked to make these changes.
Shannon
I wanted to let you know that we’ll be re-launching Expert Mode as an opt-in feature later this afternoon. This feature will display all fare classes when shopping for flights on united.com. You can opt-in to this feature by logging into your MileagePlus account and following these steps:
- Go to united.com > My Account
- Select “Manage Profile”
- In the Preferences section, select “View All Flight Search Preferences”
- In the Expert Mode section, read and acknowledge the customer advisements
- Click “Save” at the bottom of the page
As always, thanks for your feedback and patience over the last couple weeks while we worked to make these changes.
Shannon
Archive thread: Expert Mode: better upgrade visibility and opt-in to see fare bucket data {Archive}
Expert Mode: opt-in to see upgrade visibility/fare bucket data/Issue staying enabled?
Apr 3, 2023, 2:17 pm
#496
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 336
I made a reservation on the website this morning and everything was fine with Expert Mode, however, when I went to look at some other flight possibilities, EM was gone. As usual, had to into Preferences and reset it. It was weird that it happened while I was still on the website.
Apr 3, 2023, 2:29 pm
#497
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hiding under the trees in Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 2.5MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,306
Glad this thread is here to explain that it's not just me. 
The setting seems to hold for a few days, then the fare buckets disappear. At least I now know how to fix it easily.
The setting seems to hold for a few days, then the fare buckets disappear. At least I now know how to fix it easily.
Apr 3, 2023, 2:52 pm
#498
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
Today I logged in to the website and did a search, expert mode on, and fare buckets appeared. I then immediately did a second search and fare buckets were not displayed -- I checked the settings and the option was unchecked. Sheesh.
Apr 3, 2023, 3:23 pm
#499
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: APC/SFO
Programs: UA 1K, B9, AA, DL, WN
Posts: 280
Others upstream may have already mentioned it... I have found that 100% of the time EM is disabled, my "Home Airport" preference is also erased. So weird that they're connected somehow (or that this bug has connected them).
Apr 10, 2023, 10:56 am
#502
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: 67,138
Mine has "stuck" since the last time I had to re-enter my KTN and re-select Expert Mode. However, my home airport preference seems to change based on which computer I'm sitting at, despite my profile saying IAD and business class (e.g. I log in at work, and I get DCA and economy as the defaults).
Apr 17, 2023, 9:24 pm
#503
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
I spent a good part of today finding flights for next week that I wanted to take with PZ availability. Reference the other consolidated upgrade thread with the multitude of PZ flights I found for Mon Apr 24. Expert Mode remained on the whole time.
I finally booked my ticket and paid for it. Went back into multi-city search to use different O/D airports as I was curious what that fare would be. Expert Mode was GONE. I didn't logout between sessions as I was still logged in from the previous one when I purchased my ticket about 3 minutes earlier.
So for me Expert Mode appears to get disabled when I actually purchase a ticket. At least today. Just a data point.
-RM
I finally booked my ticket and paid for it. Went back into multi-city search to use different O/D airports as I was curious what that fare would be. Expert Mode was GONE. I didn't logout between sessions as I was still logged in from the previous one when I purchased my ticket about 3 minutes earlier.
So for me Expert Mode appears to get disabled when I actually purchase a ticket. At least today. Just a data point.
-RM
Apr 18, 2023, 5:48 am
#504
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: EWR, NJ
Programs: UA 2 MM, UA 1K
Posts: 663
I was doing a lot of searches on Sunday and in the middle of my session all of a sudden it disappeared and I had to go back to my profile and reset. This happened all day long (I was researching quite a few flights). I did not notice if it linked to a booking. But it managed to hit my tolerance limit and I wrote to 1Kvoice yesterday.
Apr 20, 2023, 11:31 pm
#506
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Apr 21, 2023, 9:56 am
#507
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
That's how I do it on the desktop version (I know because I have to re-set it daily!).
But on my iPad, after Settings there is no link for "Special Preferences & Accommodations". I see Face ID Settings, Push Notifications Settings, and Security Settings.
I've been looking for days and feel like I'm losing my mind.
edit to add: I just figured it out. You have to go to the desktop version first to select expert mode, then click the OPEN link directly from that version that takes you to the App.
If you close down the desktop version and open the APP separately - it doesnt work.
Last edited by chavala; Apr 21, 2023 at 10:14 am
Apr 22, 2023, 8:33 am
#508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
Just happened to me again. Been searching a lot of flights lately and this morning after a lot more searches I booked a ticket. Expert Mode disappeared as soon as I did that. For me that's consistent now....book a ticket, expert mode is gone. Have to go back into my profile and reset it.
-RM
-RM
Apr 22, 2023, 9:07 am
#509
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, MR Titanium
Posts: 459
Just happened to me again. Been searching a lot of flights lately and this morning after a lot more searches I booked a ticket. Expert Mode disappeared as soon as I did that. For me that's consistent now....book a ticket, expert mode is gone. Have to go back into my profile and reset it.
-RM
-RM
Apr 25, 2023, 10:44 am
#510
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
The continual need to go into my account settings every couple of days to reactivate expert mode is starting to get very irksome. I do realize this is very much a first world problem but none the less I am really annoyed! Thanks for letting me vent.