Holding an award ticket until 330 days before return
Jul 22, 2013, 8:22 am
#1
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Holding an award ticket until 330 days before return
Some *A partners release award seats exactly 330 days before departure. If I want to grab one of these seats for a round trip, can I place the outbound reservation on hold until it's 330 days before the return date?
I did this before, but two things were different: (1) it was before the merger, and (2) it was an all-UA itinerary. This would be for an entirely *A itin.
I guess it would be too much to ask whether such holds, if they are allowed, can be placed online. I tried it with a dummy booking and there was no option for it.
I did this before, but two things were different: (1) it was before the merger, and (2) it was an all-UA itinerary. This would be for an entirely *A itin.
I guess it would be too much to ask whether such holds, if they are allowed, can be placed online. I tried it with a dummy booking and there was no option for it.
Jul 22, 2013, 9:04 am
#2
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Generally no.
You can book a one-way and then book a different one-way for the return. Or you can book the one-way and then change it to a round-trip for the return. There may be fees involved, depending on status level.
You can book a one-way and then book a different one-way for the return. Or you can book the one-way and then change it to a round-trip for the return. There may be fees involved, depending on status level.
Jul 22, 2013, 9:46 am
#3
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Ugh, sounds like another Change You'll Like.
There are multiple problems with using 2 one-way awards: no stopovers/open jaws; two change/cancellation fees if the need arises; and, if nothing works for the return flights, there would be a fee to cancel the outbound award.
There are multiple problems with using 2 one-way awards: no stopovers/open jaws; two change/cancellation fees if the need arises; and, if nothing works for the return flights, there would be a fee to cancel the outbound award.
Jul 22, 2013, 10:23 am
#4
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Jul 22, 2013, 12:06 pm
#5
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Jul 22, 2013, 1:28 pm
#7
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Jul 22, 2013, 3:02 pm
#8
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Thanks, sbm12 and WineCountryUA!
So it looks like the choices are (1) booking 2 one-way awards, (2) booking a one-way award, then switching it to a round-trip 330 days before the inbound journey, or (3) waiting until 330 days before the inbound to book a round-trip.
Each of these come with their own unique combination of change fees and risks (not to mention that 1 and 2 are basically impossible if one wants an open jaw or stopover), so choosing one takes some real figgerin'.
So it looks like the choices are (1) booking 2 one-way awards, (2) booking a one-way award, then switching it to a round-trip 330 days before the inbound journey, or (3) waiting until 330 days before the inbound to book a round-trip.
Each of these come with their own unique combination of change fees and risks (not to mention that 1 and 2 are basically impossible if one wants an open jaw or stopover), so choosing one takes some real figgerin'.
Jul 22, 2013, 3:07 pm
#9
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This is exactly what option 2 in your list above accomplishes. You add on the extra segments to the original one-way award to make the return trip (plus open jaw/stopover) in a single booking. Yes, you have to pay the fees based on status, but it can be done.
