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?
Sep 7, 2020, 5:45 pm
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
It isn't the same fare. The origin and destination cities are part of the fare; even if two fares have the same name, if they serve different city pairs, they're different fares.
I share your doubts. I would not rely on any of the values, although I suspect that the non-zero values are probably correct.
What's happening is that the Expert Mode code (and, in most cases, the pricing software) is searching for each fare component separately. This bypasses the married segment inventory that UA puts in place for all sets of flights that it intends to sell as connections. (I don't think it's intentional -- I just don't think UA has bothered to go in and clean it up). So, that explains the case where the values appear to be correct -- but it doesn't explain the case with all of the zeroes.
I share your doubts. I would not rely on any of the values, although I suspect that the non-zero values are probably correct.
What's happening is that the Expert Mode code (and, in most cases, the pricing software) is searching for each fare component separately. This bypasses the married segment inventory that UA puts in place for all sets of flights that it intends to sell as connections. (I don't think it's intentional -- I just don't think UA has bothered to go in and clean it up). So, that explains the case where the values appear to be correct -- but it doesn't explain the case with all of the zeroes.
May 6, 2021, 12:07 pm
#122
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,928
Came here to ask about the all-zeroes-on-connecting-flights issue and see it's been this way since at least September, from post 107+. I guess fixing it isn't exactly a priority...
May 7, 2021, 9:21 am
#123
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: APC/SFO
Programs: UA 1K, B9, AA, DL, WN
Posts: 280
Oddly though, it seems to be less pervasive now. That doesn't make much sense, but then again I haven't been able to figure out the fare or routing circumstances that cause / don't cause it to occur. Maybe some of my searches have avoided the triggers more often lately.
Feb 20, 2022, 3:52 am
#127
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
I cant find it in my app or online. Is it only for certain members?
I see 'my united' not my account.
Dont see 'manage my account'
From there I cant see 'view all flight search ...'
Any help appreciated.
I can see under advanced search and put in trying to use plus point.
I see 'my united' not my account.
Dont see 'manage my account'
From there I cant see 'view all flight search ...'
Any help appreciated.
I can see under advanced search and put in trying to use plus point.
Feb 20, 2022, 4:36 am
#128
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Assume that you sign up for expert mode (see signup instruction on wiki of this thread if you have not), you should see it when you click “details/seat map” at new search of your existing/new flights.
Feb 20, 2022, 4:56 am
#129
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19375759-post327.html
I just dont see those options in my account online or app.
Feb 20, 2022, 5:28 am
#130
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 255
I thought you enable with on the thread below?
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19375759-post327.html
I just dont see those options in my account online or app.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19375759-post327.html
I just dont see those options in my account online or app.
My United > Settings > Special Preferences & Accomodations > Scroll down past search preferences and click “Enable expert mode”.
Feb 20, 2022, 9:04 am
#131
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Maybe need to update the instructions to reflect your suggestion?
Feb 20, 2022, 9:30 am
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
You don't need to enable anything in the app. Once you've enabled in your profile through the web, it should show up in the app flight details as Kmxu described. You might need to log out and log in again for the app to start showing, or maybe just wait half an hour.
Feb 20, 2022, 10:42 am
#133
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
Wiki has been updated. (Thanks WineCountryUA 🙂.)
You don't need to enable anything in the app. Once you've enabled in your profile through the web, it should show up in the app flight details as Kmxu described. You might need to log out and log in again for the app to start showing, or maybe just wait half an hour.
You don't need to enable anything in the app. Once you've enabled in your profile through the web, it should show up in the app flight details as Kmxu described. You might need to log out and log in again for the app to start showing, or maybe just wait half an hour.
Feb 25, 2022, 2:59 pm
#134
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA 1K 3MM Lifetime, AA PlatPro,Marriott Titanium Elite Lifetime, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 741
Not sure if this is related, I have always had Expert Mode enabled but recently I've been getting the new page format for flight searches; the one with significantly more white space on the screen and the inability to click on a column header to sort by fare class (it's now buried in the Sort and Filter button). Any way to get the old search screen back? (I've tried a few different browsers with same result. Then switched to another laptop and got the preferred original screen.)
Last edited by edsh; Feb 25, 2022 at 3:25 pm
Feb 26, 2022, 1:31 pm
#135
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,503
Not sure if this is related, I have always had Expert Mode enabled but recently I've been getting the new page format for flight searches; the one with significantly more white space on the screen and the inability to click on a column header to sort by fare class (it's now buried in the Sort and Filter button). Any way to get the old search screen back? (I've tried a few different browsers with same result. Then switched to another laptop and got the preferred original screen.)
