Jan 1, 2014, 7:50 am
Last edit by: mgcsinc
Link to current waivers in effect:
http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/trav...eptionPolicies
Having difficulty in reaching an agent?
Twitter @United is another alternative
Current Airport Conditions:
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp
Remember folks: Rather than sitting stuck for days, consider taking a long-distance Amtrak train. They do exist!
http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/trav...eptionPolicies
Having difficulty in reaching an agent?
As long as you entered you MP account, any reservation phone number will route you based on your elite status. try this
Current Airport Conditions:
http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp
Remember folks: Rather than sitting stuck for days, consider taking a long-distance Amtrak train. They do exist!
Winter Storms Hercules/Ion and Impact to UA's Operations (Travel Waivers Unitl 8 Jan)
Jan 2, 2014, 9:36 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,331
I'm on a late flight tomorrow ORD-PHL, hope they have things under control by then.
The plane (a dark 739) is going SAN-EWR-SFO-EWR-LAX-ORD so I'll be keeping an eye on changes.
The plane (a dark 739) is going SAN-EWR-SFO-EWR-LAX-ORD so I'll be keeping an eye on changes.
Last edited by eng3; Jan 2, 2014 at 11:11 am
Jan 2, 2014, 10:02 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DCA/DSM/EBB
Posts: 14
Trying to remain zen.....2hr 50 min on hold...sigh. Flight was cancelled while on hold- Trying twitter...
Jan 2, 2014, 10:05 am
#34
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 432
I called using two different phones and was on hold for over two hours. Finally go through only to be hung up on. Tweeted @united and didn't receive a timely response either. I ended up having to call a foreign office, where I got through quickly, but the agents weren't too competent. Just a bad situation all around.
Jan 2, 2014, 10:36 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DCA/DSM/EBB
Posts: 14
Whew....all done
I called using two different phones and was on hold for over two hours. Finally go through only to be hung up on. Tweeted @united and didn't receive a timely response either. I ended up having to call a foreign office, where I got through quickly, but the agents weren't too competent. Just a bad situation all around.
While on hold on one phone- Dialed a second phone using the number listed under my flight cancellation notification when signed in to united.com- while waiting for a twitter response.
Got a twitter response after 1 hr- and was re-booked by twitter rep. JUST after which a united rep answered the second phone call (~30 min total hold time on that one- speedy!) and I confirmed via phone that the changes the twitter rep made were all set. Then ended first united call- where I was still on hold (3 + hrs total)
whew.
Jan 2, 2014, 11:43 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: EWR
Programs: UAPlat; *Gold; Hyatt Diam; SPG Plat; PWP goddess
Posts: 16,526
I feel your pain!
While on hold on one phone- Dialed a second phone using the number listed under my flight cancellation notification when signed in to united.com- while waiting for a twitter response.
Got a twitter response after 1 hr- and was re-booked by twitter rep. JUST after which a united rep answered the second phone call (~30 min total hold time on that one- speedy!) and I confirmed via phone that the changes the twitter rep made were all set. Then ended first united call- where I was still on hold (3 + hrs total)
whew.
While on hold on one phone- Dialed a second phone using the number listed under my flight cancellation notification when signed in to united.com- while waiting for a twitter response.
Got a twitter response after 1 hr- and was re-booked by twitter rep. JUST after which a united rep answered the second phone call (~30 min total hold time on that one- speedy!) and I confirmed via phone that the changes the twitter rep made were all set. Then ended first united call- where I was still on hold (3 + hrs total)
whew.
Jan 2, 2014, 2:02 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,185
United too stingy with storm-related fee waiver
United had ample notice that a major snowstorm was on tap for the east coast. Yet up until at least yesterday, United's had a very ungenerous travel waiver. Its Upper Northeast Snowstorm waiver stated:
This was a very stingy waiver, and for me to change my flight to get out before the snowstorm, more than 24 hours ahead of time, meant I would still have to cough up a hefty fare difference. I would have been happy to get out ahead of the snowstorm, but United made it uneconomic to do so.
United now realizes, after the snowstorm, began, that it was too stingy and has changed its waivers to include fare differences, but it is too late.
I am very unhappy with United's bean counting, which will cause even more congestion and difficulty for travelers, when the snowstorm passes.
- Fees for same-day flight changes are waived within 24 hours of original departure.
- For all other changes, the change fee will be waived, but a difference in fare may apply.
This was a very stingy waiver, and for me to change my flight to get out before the snowstorm, more than 24 hours ahead of time, meant I would still have to cough up a hefty fare difference. I would have been happy to get out ahead of the snowstorm, but United made it uneconomic to do so.
United now realizes, after the snowstorm, began, that it was too stingy and has changed its waivers to include fare differences, but it is too late.
I am very unhappy with United's bean counting, which will cause even more congestion and difficulty for travelers, when the snowstorm passes.
Jan 2, 2014, 2:07 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,896
Did you actually call a reservations agent and ask for their help rebooking you and get told there would be a fare difference? In my experience, if the request seems logical/reasonable and is going to get you home, agents often apply latitude during these irrops-related situations to rebook you without applying a fare difference. The published travel waiver guidelines are often a minimum guaranteed standard, with better results often available if you ask.
It can be hit-or-miss, though. I got a very sharp, ultra-fast sCO phone agent once who insisted on recalculating and charging the approx. $4 fare difference to turn W->V when I changed travel that had been cancelled due to a horrific New England snowstorm and rebooked 2 weeks into the future.
This approach (first publish "we waive change fees" and then, later, publish "we waive change fees and fare differences" if things get as bad as predicted) has been a standard operating procedure for at least the past year.
It can be hit-or-miss, though. I got a very sharp, ultra-fast sCO phone agent once who insisted on recalculating and charging the approx. $4 fare difference to turn W->V when I changed travel that had been cancelled due to a horrific New England snowstorm and rebooked 2 weeks into the future.
This approach (first publish "we waive change fees" and then, later, publish "we waive change fees and fare differences" if things get as bad as predicted) has been a standard operating procedure for at least the past year.
Jan 2, 2014, 2:11 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia
Posts: 895
preemptively cancelled 48 hours in advance
My flight Jan 03 from LGA to DEN UA561 was cancelled 48 hours before the flight
I am now on a LGA-ORD then to ASE
I am happy contingency plans are being made before the storm hit
if it all goes smoothly I'll be very impressed.
I am now on a LGA-ORD then to ASE
I am happy contingency plans are being made before the storm hit
if it all goes smoothly I'll be very impressed.
Jan 2, 2014, 2:43 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Brattleboro, VT
Posts: 706
Had booked a standard coach award for my daughter and her friend BOS-IAD-CDG. With the storm there was no way they would make their 90 minute connection. A great 1K CSR managed to find LH saver I class (biz) BOS-FRA-CDG. I got 10,000 miles back and they got an unexpected flight in business class. Thank you UA.
Jan 2, 2014, 2:48 pm
#44
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
Did you actually call a reservations agent and ask for their help rebooking you and get told there would be a fare difference? In my experience, if the request seems logical/reasonable and is going to get you home, agents often apply latitude during these irrops-related situations to rebook you without applying a fare difference. The published travel waiver guidelines are often a minimum guaranteed standard, with better results often available if you ask.
It can be hit-or-miss, though. I got a very sharp, ultra-fast sCO phone agent once who insisted on recalculating and charging the approx. $4 fare difference to turn W->V when I changed travel that had been cancelled due to a horrific New England snowstorm and rebooked 2 weeks into the future.
This approach (first publish "we waive change fees" and then, later, publish "we waive change fees and fare differences" if things get as bad as predicted) has been a standard operating procedure for at least the past year.
It can be hit-or-miss, though. I got a very sharp, ultra-fast sCO phone agent once who insisted on recalculating and charging the approx. $4 fare difference to turn W->V when I changed travel that had been cancelled due to a horrific New England snowstorm and rebooked 2 weeks into the future.
This approach (first publish "we waive change fees" and then, later, publish "we waive change fees and fare differences" if things get as bad as predicted) has been a standard operating procedure for at least the past year.
friend of mine is booked on a UA flight for Friday (1/3/14), EWR to LAX. He was told by a UA representative tonight that he could only change his flight once it is cancelled, otherwise he has to pay change fee and difference in ticket price. Is this right or is it the typical UA agent that doesn't know there job?
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jan 3, 2014 at 2:53 am Reason: merge
Jan 2, 2014, 5:54 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
Anyone been successful at this?