Changes to *A Awards Without Incurring Additional Miles after 3-Feb-2014
Jul 2, 2014, 4:05 pm
#661
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CGK/LAX
Programs: KF,JMB, OZ, SPG,AA,UA,AS
Posts: 1,163
Today I surprisingly changed the following:
OLD: SUB-(SQ J)-SIN-(BR J)-TPE-(BR J)-LAX = 60K
to
NEW: SUB-(SQ J)-SIN-(SQ J)-BKK-(TG F)-FRA-(LH F)-ORD-(UA J)-SNA
Incurred an additional 10,000 miles, I thought this would have failed being via the Atlantic, number of segments, change of class, and change in destination. Agent even waived the change fee as it took 90 minutes to complete the change.
OLD: SUB-(SQ J)-SIN-(BR J)-TPE-(BR J)-LAX = 60K
to
NEW: SUB-(SQ J)-SIN-(SQ J)-BKK-(TG F)-FRA-(LH F)-ORD-(UA J)-SNA
Incurred an additional 10,000 miles, I thought this would have failed being via the Atlantic, number of segments, change of class, and change in destination. Agent even waived the change fee as it took 90 minutes to complete the change.
Jul 3, 2014, 9:22 pm
#662
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,895
After we landed in SIN, I tried to call and make some changes to the return portion, but they said that while SQ still controls the ticket (the coupon was still "open for use") we could not make any changes. The next day, the coupon showed "flown" and we were able to make further changes…
Just called and changed the return portion to
SIN-BKK-KIX-FRA-BOS
This is TG regional J, TG 380 F, LH 747 F, LH 747 F.
The phone agent was super helpful and delighted to process this change as an even exchange. It took about an hour on the phone, of that about 50 minutes spent on hold while the agent talked with a support desk to help ticket. I guess the complication was the lengthy e-ticket history and the "single ticket exchange" which happened during irrops to help ticket our SQ F segment HKG-SIN. Eventually for this last change, something happened called a "coupon exchange" that helped make the trip ticket.
All the changes we've made to this trip are compliant with the changes UA Insider said would be possible, so I'm pretty happy that we got things working.
Last edited by mherdeg; Jul 3, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Jul 4, 2014, 12:32 am
#663
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Jul 14, 2014, 7:21 am
#664
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
UA Award Tickets Booked Pre-Devaluation
Something interesting I have seen with a couple tickets I booked in January. I have 2 one-way tickets booked in Global First to / from US to Turkey. Interesting thing over the last couple of weeks is that I have had to make several changes to these tickets, and when I have, I am still being offered pre-devaluation mileage rates for the tickets (now booked in business class on Austrian / Tyrolean for 50,000 each way). *A partner rates for business class to / from Europe are 75,000 now. Looks like I am getting a steal.
It appears that pre-devaluation tickets (as long as they are not cancelled and rebooked) can be changed at pre-devaluation rates. I certainly thought I would be paying more miles when I made the changes, or would downgrade to business class without getting any refund. I am pleasantly surprised here.... I should have booked ghost tickets with all of my miles!
It appears that pre-devaluation tickets (as long as they are not cancelled and rebooked) can be changed at pre-devaluation rates. I certainly thought I would be paying more miles when I made the changes, or would downgrade to business class without getting any refund. I am pleasantly surprised here.... I should have booked ghost tickets with all of my miles!
Jul 14, 2014, 7:29 am
#665
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Jul 14, 2014, 7:31 am
#666
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Heres the existing thread
Successful Changes to *A Awards Without Incurring Additional Miles after 3-Feb-2014
Found it using "Award Changes" (with the quotes) as the search term
Successful Changes to *A Awards Without Incurring Additional Miles after 3-Feb-2014
Found it using "Award Changes" (with the quotes) as the search term
Jul 14, 2014, 8:24 am
#667
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Something interesting I have seen with a couple tickets I booked in January. I have 2 one-way tickets booked in Global First to / from US to Turkey. Interesting thing over the last couple of weeks is that I have had to make several changes to these tickets, and when I have, I am still being offered pre-devaluation mileage rates for the tickets (now booked in business class on Austrian / Tyrolean for 50,000 each way). *A partner rates for business class to / from Europe are 75,000 now. Looks like I am getting a steal.
It appears that pre-devaluation tickets (as long as they are not cancelled and rebooked) can be changed at pre-devaluation rates. I certainly thought I would be paying more miles when I made the changes, or would downgrade to business class without getting any refund. I am pleasantly surprised here.... I should have booked ghost tickets with all of my miles!
It appears that pre-devaluation tickets (as long as they are not cancelled and rebooked) can be changed at pre-devaluation rates. I certainly thought I would be paying more miles when I made the changes, or would downgrade to business class without getting any refund. I am pleasantly surprised here.... I should have booked ghost tickets with all of my miles!
Many did book ghost tickets. The thread referenced above is excellent source of info.
Jul 14, 2014, 10:35 pm
#668
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Successful change
Old:
SNA-SFO UA Y
SFO-LHR UA F
LHR-FRA LH J
FRA-BKK TG F A380
New:
LAX-ORD UA "F"
ORD-FRA LH F 748
FRA-BKK TG F A380
No additional miles, taxes back due to dropping LHR
Old:
SNA-SFO UA Y
SFO-LHR UA F
LHR-FRA LH J
FRA-BKK TG F A380
New:
LAX-ORD UA "F"
ORD-FRA LH F 748
FRA-BKK TG F A380
No additional miles, taxes back due to dropping LHR
Jul 17, 2014, 4:58 pm
#669
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
Well it took an hour on the phillippines number but I was able to change
BUF-JFK-ICN-NRT to YYZ-JFK (less than 24 hour overnight stop) then continue on JFK-ICN-NRT the next day
Wanted to charge me an insane amount of more miles since its an F award, Cant wait for the asiana JFK-ICN leg
Had to wait for her to talk to supervisor but finally got it done with no change, she claimed it was an "exception" although clearly within the award rules...
Can't believe it took so long for such a small change!!
BUF-JFK-ICN-NRT to YYZ-JFK (less than 24 hour overnight stop) then continue on JFK-ICN-NRT the next day
Wanted to charge me an insane amount of more miles since its an F award, Cant wait for the asiana JFK-ICN leg
Had to wait for her to talk to supervisor but finally got it done with no change, she claimed it was an "exception" although clearly within the award rules...
Can't believe it took so long for such a small change!!
Jul 18, 2014, 12:41 am
#670
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Laguna Beach CA
Programs: AA EXP/4MM UA 1MM, HY Global, Bon Lft Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 720
Unfortunately, my first attempt at changing an "Old award" was a mess and it continues after 4 agents and about 1 1/2 hours phone time.
Relatively simple change, North Asia to South Asia round trip. Original was Pvr/Bkk, now changing Icn/Bkk. both awards under old system 45K. Single leg each way, same carrier.
Shares choked after changing the flights. Told to call reservations.
1st agent, reservation already changed and ticket reissued. Everything good to go. Not! Receipt sent after the conversation by UA reflected old itinerary and receipt.
2nd agent. Everything good to go, but my account now shows I was charged 80K. After long pause, the agent insists ticket was reissued for the original 45K. New receipt sent after conversation reflects 80K.
3rd agent. Ticket now reissued for 45K and new receipt issued. New ticket reflects 45K. My account now shows 45K additional miles deducted from mileage bonus.
Ticket is now 45K + 45K = 90K. Agent in the Philippines talking so fast, couldn't catch a thing she was saying. Transferred again.
4th agent after very long delay says he sees the problem but system glitch doesn't permit the reinstatement of miles.
He states that: "It is my error, you should never reissue an old award ticket as a 1K, just redeposit and start again". I remind him that the new ticket cost would be 80K. Almost twice the original cost and my award is valid. We agree that this is a downside. He says miles should repost to my account overnight, if not, call again. (Any takers on the odds that I'll be calling tomorrow)
Incompetence was the rule of the day. Not enough time to mention the misstatements of the different agents.
Anyone care to offer suggestions for avoiding the fiasco, I have a few more of these that will need to be changed.
Relatively simple change, North Asia to South Asia round trip. Original was Pvr/Bkk, now changing Icn/Bkk. both awards under old system 45K. Single leg each way, same carrier.
Shares choked after changing the flights. Told to call reservations.
1st agent, reservation already changed and ticket reissued. Everything good to go. Not! Receipt sent after the conversation by UA reflected old itinerary and receipt.
2nd agent. Everything good to go, but my account now shows I was charged 80K. After long pause, the agent insists ticket was reissued for the original 45K. New receipt sent after conversation reflects 80K.
3rd agent. Ticket now reissued for 45K and new receipt issued. New ticket reflects 45K. My account now shows 45K additional miles deducted from mileage bonus.
Ticket is now 45K + 45K = 90K. Agent in the Philippines talking so fast, couldn't catch a thing she was saying. Transferred again.
4th agent after very long delay says he sees the problem but system glitch doesn't permit the reinstatement of miles.
He states that: "It is my error, you should never reissue an old award ticket as a 1K, just redeposit and start again". I remind him that the new ticket cost would be 80K. Almost twice the original cost and my award is valid. We agree that this is a downside. He says miles should repost to my account overnight, if not, call again. (Any takers on the odds that I'll be calling tomorrow)
Incompetence was the rule of the day. Not enough time to mention the misstatements of the different agents.
Anyone care to offer suggestions for avoiding the fiasco, I have a few more of these that will need to be changed.
Jul 18, 2014, 12:51 am
#671
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
He states that: "It is my error, you should never reissue an old award ticket as a 1K, just redeposit and start again"
Agent in the Philippines talking so fast, couldn't catch a thing she was saying. Transferred again.
Jul 18, 2014, 3:35 am
#672
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,930
Just changed a rather complex business class (120K) award SFO-FRA-OSL/-IST-BEY//TLV-BRU-JFK-LAX to SFO-LHR all in Global First and .bomb just asked for 15K miles (135K was the pre 3/1 price).
.Bomb eventually erred out, of course, but because there was a record of 135K, even though it really priced at 160K when I called in, the 135K was honored.
Taxes were cheaper over the phone...by $24 per passenger...
.Bomb eventually erred out, of course, but because there was a record of 135K, even though it really priced at 160K when I called in, the 135K was honored.
Taxes were cheaper over the phone...by $24 per passenger...
Jul 21, 2014, 3:04 pm
#673
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat, Copa Pres. Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 769
Took several calls and a long wait on hold, but was able to change:
JFK-IST-ATH-HER (dest) -ATH (stopover) -MUC-YYZ-LGA
to
SFO-JFK-IST-ATH-HER (dest) -ATH (stopover) -MUC-YYZ-LGA
New 1st leg is on UA, rest are partners.
^^
JFK-IST-ATH-HER (dest) -ATH (stopover) -MUC-YYZ-LGA
to
SFO-JFK-IST-ATH-HER (dest) -ATH (stopover) -MUC-YYZ-LGA
New 1st leg is on UA, rest are partners.
^^
Jul 22, 2014, 1:57 pm
#674
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SFO
Posts: 218
Was able to change pretty easily this morning:
OLD: DBV-FRA-MUC-YYZ-SFO
to
NEW: DBV-FRA-ORD-IAH-SFO
Original booking was actually SFO-YVR-MUC-ZAG-(open-jaw/stopover)PUY-ZAG-DBV(dest)DBV-FRA-MUC-YYZ-SFO, but already flew the segments until DBV and wanted to change from LH F on a A330 to 747 on the way home.
No additional miles, taxes back due to dropping YYZ. Also, agent didn't mention getting changed a close-in fee, so hoping that doesn't all of a sudden show up on my CC statement. Was just charged a change fee of $75.
OLD: DBV-FRA-MUC-YYZ-SFO
to
NEW: DBV-FRA-ORD-IAH-SFO
Original booking was actually SFO-YVR-MUC-ZAG-(open-jaw/stopover)PUY-ZAG-DBV(dest)DBV-FRA-MUC-YYZ-SFO, but already flew the segments until DBV and wanted to change from LH F on a A330 to 747 on the way home.
No additional miles, taxes back due to dropping YYZ. Also, agent didn't mention getting changed a close-in fee, so hoping that doesn't all of a sudden show up on my CC statement. Was just charged a change fee of $75.
Last edited by jglenn16; Jul 22, 2014 at 1:58 pm Reason: more context
Jul 22, 2014, 3:08 pm
#675
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RDU
Posts: 735
The change fees aren't additive.