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?
Jul 30, 2023, 9:45 am
#541
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: United 1k, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador and LT-Gold
Posts: 1,660
Did UA just disable 'expert mode'?
was just checking on some upcoming flights and noticed the 'expert mode' listings of bucket options is gone - both on the web site and the app?
Aug 10, 2023, 8:44 pm
#545
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
Whenever you purchase a United ticket you need to uncheck the "Save changes to my account" button for each passenger every time. By default this is checked. I've found that expert mode no longer disappears if I uncheck these b
xes.
xes.
Aug 10, 2023, 8:46 pm
#546
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 336
wow, i didn't realize this could be causing it. Will look into this, good find!
Aug 11, 2023, 8:51 am
#547
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SLC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 240
Seriously, though - same here and twice in one day. Even after checking the box again yesterday, I couldn't see the fare classes (on a work fare W but trying to find best way to burn excess +Points (or snag a decent $ amount) between ORD<->FRA). I did buy an intra-EU mileage ticket and "saved to profile" so maybe that was it. All happening around the same time. 
Aug 11, 2023, 8:53 am
#548
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston,TX
Programs: UA Plat, Mil Miler, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, National Exec. Elite, Hertz Prez Circle
Posts: 191
Seriously, though - same here and twice in one day. Even after checking the box again yesterday, I couldn't see the fare classes (on a work fare W but trying to find best way to burn excess +Points (or snag a decent $ amount) between ORD<->FRA). I did buy an intra-EU mileage ticket and "saved to profile" so maybe that was it. All happening around the same time.
Aug 11, 2023, 11:16 am
#549
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: United GS, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 33
It's more complicated than that. My expert mode setting sometimes gets turned off just after doing a search for flights, without making any kind of purchase.
Aug 12, 2023, 6:53 am
#550
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: EWR, NJ
Programs: UA 2 MM, UA 1K
Posts: 663
Aug 12, 2023, 9:28 am
#551
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
have you performed any update/manage action to your existing reservations or profile on top of making new res on united.com? Think change flight, add KTN/phone number....
occasionally, when UA releases new updates to the website on i believe Wednesdays (regular/scheduled releases), expert mode would be switched off.
Aug 12, 2023, 10:01 am
#552
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
Yeah, same here. Doing things on the website is much more likely to cause expert mode to be switched off. I once turned it on, did a single search (or maybe two) on the website, and it got turned off again.
Aug 15, 2023, 7:35 am
#554
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
Have you tried the usual website fixes: using a different web browsers, clearing caches, etc?
Aug 15, 2023, 7:45 am
#555
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
ut at times.