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-   -   Changes to *A Awards Without Incurring Additional Miles after 3-Feb-2014 (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/1549068-changes-awards-without-incurring-additional-miles-after-3-feb-2014-a.html)

JONEZY00 Mar 6, 2014 8:00 am

Changed ORD-DTW-FRA-TXL in Y/J to IAD-FRA-TXL in J same date, completed online no miles change.

FlyingDoctorwu Mar 6, 2014 8:03 am

So, after landing in BKK from JOG (Separate ticket) I opened my phone and discovered that availability had opened up on FRA-IAD..... So I called United to change my FRA-MUC-IAD to FRA-IAD in LH F.... about 25 minutes into processing the change, I get cut off... I then gather my bags, head to the TG F checkin area and try again... it took exactly 57 minutes to process the change (and my desired flights were already in the system) and reissue the tickets... they did, waive the change fee because of the lengthy time (I didn't even ask)....


FDW

grimjack2k Mar 6, 2014 7:14 pm

Called in to change a pre-3/2 award:

From YUL-IAD-ALB to YUL-ORD-IAD-ALB (later flights) in I (although the original itinerary had IAD-ALB in X with a waitlist for I.

First Call: Explained the change (several other segments, including two TATL on AC, to remain unchanged). Had to read out the specific flight numbers, correct the agent when I was told there were no BF seats available on two of the flights. Then the ugly: 40k additional miles (in addition to the 100k for the initial award).

I argued that this was only a routing change, not a city change, etc, etc. The agent countered that I was now going through Chicago (who cares? Still YUL->ALB regarding of connecting cities). She called her 'support person'. 10 minute hold. No can do. "Ok, thanks, don't change anything. I'll stick with original flights. Bye."

Second Call: Same - 40k more miles, because I "already changed the ticket after Feb 3rd". Not true. The only change was in January due to an involuntary schedule change. I explained again that I had been told that if there were no changes to origin/destination/stopover then the original mileage cost should hold up. On hold for 20 minutes. No problems, just pay the general member change fee. I give my credit card details then oops... the system won't let me save it. On hold for 25 minutes. Same deal - the system shows that a change was made after 2/3 (incorrect) and we can't change anything without the additional 40k miles. When I asked why, then, if I made a change after 2/3, you didn't charge me the 40k miles then. No good answer, it's just what the system is showing....

Should I even bother trying again? The change is not that life-shattering (it will just let me sleep in before the final leg of a long trip). I'd hate to have a segment fall into a black hole if there is too much jiggering with the record. I didn't even mention that the change that would incur 40k additional miles could be bought outright for 25k miles (inside North America BF one-way saver)...

Duke787 Mar 8, 2014 1:08 pm

Here's a new one made one last change to an award ticket leaving a week from Thursday. The first time I called in the person incorrectly changed it to the flight I wanted but put me in business. I noticed immediately and called back in and had it changed to F. No problems the entire ticket was already F and no additional miles needed.

Except I never got an email with the new ticket number. Called in this morning, CSR said she would email it to me. 2 hours later nothing. Called back - CSR based in SLC put me on hold and said "this ticket has been changed 12 times so it has to be manually issued - and it won't be until Monday because it's the weekend and tech support has to do it." Last I looked there wasn't a maximum number of changes permitted listed anywhere on the UA website :rolleyes:

The kicker is I have the actual ticket number (pulled from the TG website and verified via Saudia and further verified by the CSR). So I assume all is well but now I have to worry about UA IT screwing it up. Always fun when you've been perfecting and fine tuning a ticket for 11 months and you're nearly at the departure date :rolleyes:

Thankfully I have saved PDFs of the Saudia website showing the ticket and the PNRs for each partner still correctly shows the ticket and seat assignments. If I don't see something by Monday I'll be sure to contact UA Insider and see what the deal is.

Shareholder Mar 8, 2014 1:42 pm


Originally Posted by FlyingDoctorwu (Post 22473164)
So, after landing in BKK from JOG (Separate ticket) I opened my phone and discovered that availability had opened up on FRA-IAD..... So I called United to change my FRA-MUC-IAD to FRA-IAD in LH F.... about 25 minutes into processing the change, I get cut off... I then gather my bags, head to the TG F checkin area and try again... it took exactly 57 minutes to process the change (and my desired flights were already in the system) and reissue the tickets... they did, waive the change fee because of the lengthy time (I didn't even ask)....


FDW

Good to know. I'm hoping to get onto the FRA-IAD B748i on my return in the fall when LH inventory in F opens up. Currently holding LH FRA-LHR(C) UA LHR-IAD(F). Also hoping for the outbound to open up so I can change from UA F to LH F on the same plane.

AndyInSaigon Mar 8, 2014 6:33 pm


Originally Posted by Shareholder (Post 22487867)
Good to know. I'm hoping to get onto the FRA-IAD B748i on my return in the fall when LH inventory in F opens up. Currently holding LH FRA-LHR(C) UA LHR-IAD(F). Also hoping for the outbound to open up so I can change from UA F to LH F on the same plane.

I'm watching pretty much the same. I have BKK-FRA in TG F & FRA-ORD in LH C on a 748 in 10 days. I'm anxious for F to open. I flew 748 F a few months ago & it's very nice. Good luck!

OT: the main reason I want to score LH F is the FRA First Class Terminal! The last time I was there I was too embarrassed to start drinking at 7a. I've recovered from that silliness.

Happy Mar 8, 2014 6:43 pm


Originally Posted by flyerdude88 (Post 22487706)
Here's a new one made one last change to an award ticket leaving a week from Thursday. The first time I called in the person incorrectly changed it to the flight I wanted but put me in business. I noticed immediately and called back in and had it changed to F. No problems the entire ticket was already F and no additional miles needed.

Except I never got an email with the new ticket number. Called in this morning, CSR said she would email it to me. 2 hours later nothing. Called back - CSR based in SLC put me on hold and said "this ticket has been changed 12 times so it has to be manually issued - and it won't be until Monday because it's the weekend and tech support has to do it." Last I looked there wasn't a maximum number of changes permitted listed anywhere on the UA website :rolleyes:

The kicker is I have the actual ticket number (pulled from the TG website and verified via Saudia and further verified by the CSR). So I assume all is well but now I have to worry about UA IT screwing it up. Always fun when you've been perfecting and fine tuning a ticket for 11 months and you're nearly at the departure date :rolleyes:

Thankfully I have saved PDFs of the Saudia website showing the ticket and the PNRs for each partner still correctly shows the ticket and seat assignments. If I don't see something by Monday I'll be sure to contact UA Insider and see what the deal is.

If all you want is a e-ticket receipt, just call and follow the phone tree to reach the option of Request Receipt - that would kick out the stuck e-ticket to be promptly sent to your email address on record.

Or, you can go online to do Add Email to your PNR, then request a receipt sent - it would also do the trick.

All my award tickets that required manual ticketing, at some point the reissued tickets just would not come no matter what, even though the tickets were reissued and verified by multiple sources - Saudi's and Partner's sites. IT would not need to get involved if the tickets are already issued. In your case, it sounds the tickets have already been issued - new ticket number, verified on multiple sites.


Originally Posted by jacped (Post 22440257)
Using the website, made the following changes:
Original: BKK-DXB-CAI-LHR-YYZ....ORD-IAD-JNB//JNB-BKK-PNH
New: PNH-BKK-JNB//JNB-FRA-ORD....ORD-VIE-DXB-BKK-PNH

Dates changes both ends and obviously carrier changes too. Not sure if I'm more amazed that this remained 65k miles or that this was possible to do on the website!

Wow!

The original ticket route thru Middle East from Asia to North America and then route thru Africa from North America to Asia with only 65K miles was amazing enough.

And then it changed to Asia route thru Africa/Europe to North America, North America route thru Europe and Middle East to Asia.

Such a complicated itinerary and it is done successfully online. Wow!

dukerau Mar 8, 2014 10:42 pm

I booked a one-way in Y back in October (Europe-U.S.). I saw today that there is a seat in J available on the same exact flights. I just went started clicking through the process to change my flights to J, but the price is showing as just 20K. From reports here I thought it would be 40K. Will it error out if I go through showing 20K?

Also, does anyone know if United cancels the original eticket and reissues a new ticket number or do they just reissue the same ticket number if you change an award from Y to J, same exact flights? I should have 6K Citi flight points pending since I got this one in before the buzzer, but from what I've read if the eticket is cancelled, Citi doesn't credit, while if it's reissued, flight points should post.

SFOvacations Mar 9, 2014 1:10 am

Change from UGLY to manageable...took 2 separate changes as flights opened up

ATH-IST (TK J)
IST-DUB (TK J)
DUB-JFK (EI J)
LGA-CLE (UA Y)
CLE-LAX (UA J)
LAX-SFO (UA J)

to

ATH-MUC (A3 J)
MUC-JFK (LH J)
EWR-LAX (UA J)
LAX-SFO (UAJ)

FlyingDoctorwu Mar 9, 2014 3:53 am


Originally Posted by Shareholder (Post 22487867)
Good to know. I'm hoping to get onto the FRA-IAD B748i on my return in the fall when LH inventory in F opens up. Currently holding LH FRA-LHR(C) UA LHR-IAD(F). Also hoping for the outbound to open up so I can change from UA F to LH F on the same plane.

Good luck. I actually did the same. I watched loads like a hawk on EF and both times I was convinced I wouldn't get on. I needed two seats. F loads were f4 and I knew that from following previous flights that two seats would open up at T-3. Unfortunately I didn't know what time at T-3. I slept from 10 pm to 4 am and the loads went to F2. I actually switched to the ewr fra flight at that point. At t-30 hours the iAd fra flight went back to f3 and two seats were released. The return was even dicier because the flight was f4 >15 days out. In fact at t-3 it was f1. So I routes via MUC. At t-24 the flight went to F3 and I kept refreshing aero plan and I watched as two seats were released. It's very very nerve racking but if you're only looking for 1 seat it's gotta be easier. EF is great for monitoring loads and aero plan is great for checking for real availability. Plus if the muc iAd flight is operating that flight has great F availability. It went out empty on the day I returned (plus fra iAd lands during rush hour which sucked getting back home).

FDW.

FriendlySkies Mar 10, 2014 7:53 am

Have an r/t from MCI-AKL, with a stop-over in NRT on the return.

The return flights were HND-PEK-IAH on Air China C, and then IAH-MCI on UA Y. Wasn't really a fan of transiting China, so I've been watching closely for award space to open up from NRT/HND-USA.

Successfully changed the return to:

NRT-SEA (ANA 787 C)
SEA-SFO UA F
SFO-MCI UX F

Even got back $6.00 in taxes. ^

Duke787 Mar 10, 2014 9:02 am


Originally Posted by Happy (Post 22489176)
If all you want is a e-ticket receipt, just call and follow the phone tree to reach the option of Request Receipt - that would kick out the stuck e-ticket to be promptly sent to your email address on record.

Or, you can go online to do Add Email to your PNR, then request a receipt sent - it would also do the trick.

All my award tickets that required manual ticketing, at some point the reissued tickets just would not come no matter what, even though the tickets were reissued and verified by multiple sources - Saudi's and Partner's sites. IT would not need to get involved if the tickets are already issued. In your case, it sounds the tickets have already been issued - new ticket number, verified on multiple sites.

I've unfortunately tried both those methods and no dice. Will have to call back when I get a chance today and see if this alleged manual ticketing has / will be occurring today

blitzen Mar 10, 2014 11:29 am

Successful Changes to *A Awards Without Incurring Additional Miles after Feb. 3
 
Tried to look for just one person to see the difference between business and first ( was only showing fort 1 person).
Result I now have 2 PNR ( just for checking :( )
But it showed.a 0 mile difference for united first compared to my current LH business ticket
Very weird ( didn't go through with it as it was another flight and my wife would kill me if we take different flights to Europe)

nlfmanager Mar 10, 2014 1:11 pm

Changed from J to F
 
Was booked on ANA flights Del-NRT-SFO in J for 60K miles

Changed to DEL-BKK (J, seated in F-seat on TG 747), BKK-NRT (TG F A380), NRT-SFO (UA 747 F)

$50 UA Silver change fee + 20K miles.

Kacee Mar 10, 2014 1:48 pm


Originally Posted by nlfmanager (Post 22498283)
Was booked on ANA flights Del-NRT-SFO in J for 60K miles

Changed to DEL-BKK (J, seated in F-seat on TG 747), BKK-NRT (TG F A380), NRT-SFO (UA 747 F)

$50 UA Silver change fee + 20K miles.

They made a mistake. That should have been +80k miles for old J to new TG F.

nlfmanager Mar 10, 2014 2:12 pm


Originally Posted by Kacee (Post 22498580)
They made a mistake. That should have been +80k miles for old J to new TG F.

FWIW this was done via the website. During entire process it said +20K, and new receipt shows 80K.

AndyInSaigon Mar 10, 2014 6:16 pm

Booked on 31 Jan
SGN-BKK TG (I)
BKK-FRA TG (F)
FRA-ORD LH (I)
ORD-IAH UA (I)

Just got it changed to FRA-ORD LH (O). Took all of 90 seconds.

frudd38 Mar 11, 2014 1:21 am

Is there a datapoint on being able to add passengers to existing ticket at old rate?

Hartmann Mar 11, 2014 7:25 am

Trying to change IAH-EWR/JFK-ICN(O)-KIX(X)/KIX-GMP(I)/GMP-PEK-IAH(I) to a different date online and it wants to charge me more miles. Any idea if that's correct? The thing I was changing it to was IAH-PEK(O)-KIX(I)/KIX-GMP(I)/ICN-TPE-LAX-IAH(I)

Is it because I am transiting China and not Korea on the way over?

Kacee Mar 11, 2014 7:36 am


Originally Posted by frudd38 (Post 22501623)
Is there a datapoint on being able to add passengers to existing ticket at old rate?

You can't "add passengers to existing ticket" at any rate.

BookerNYC Mar 11, 2014 7:47 am

Had a pre-2/1 South Africa to US ticket, all in J, booked for 60K miles.
Called in yesterday to change last leg (Europe - US) to LH First.
Agent only asked for 15K more miles (as 75K was the old rate for this first class ticket), much to my delight.

blitzen Mar 11, 2014 10:43 am

Successful Changes to *A Awards Without Incurring Additional Miles after Feb. 3
 
Just changed EWR - MUC - AMS to EWR - FRA - AMS and got the confirmation email.
But online the FRA - AMS is not showing. I got the LH ref from the united web site ( weird that that is showing) it lot.com says it is wait listed
All else on united ( receipt) is showing the leg.
What do I do? I waited a couple of hours but that didn't really help.

atcanobbio Mar 11, 2014 12:05 pm

before deval, i had the following for September 2014:

SFO-YYZ (AC J)
YYZ-MUC (LH J)
MUC-CDG (LH J)
CDG-BKK (TG F)
BKK-CGK (TG J)
CGK-ICN (OZ J)
ICN-LAX (OZ F)
LAX-SFO (UA F)

after a few calls, I managed to change the my flights to CDG to F without additional miles :)

now flying

SFO-YVR on AC and YVR-MUC on LH F!!! (everything else stays the same). I'm sooooo excited, can't wait!

awu25 Mar 11, 2014 6:36 pm


Originally Posted by JONEZY00 (Post 22473145)
Changed ORD-DTW-FRA-TXL in Y/J to IAD-FRA-TXL in J same date, completed online no miles change.

Anyone have experience calling in to get departure or destination city changed without an increase in miles? I have two separate tickets, one where I am able to modify online, the other that makes me call in to make changes. When searching for a change, it reprices as the same (through Change Flights options), but I don't want to make the change unless an agent will process my other ticket without an increase in miles.

Ex: I have EWR-ORD-NRT -> NRT-ORD-EWR
I want to switch returning to either ICN-XXX-EWR or ICN-NRT-ORD-EWR

FriendlySkies Mar 11, 2014 7:56 pm


Originally Posted by Kacee (Post 22498580)
They made a mistake. That should have been +80k miles for old J to new TG F.

When I changed a booking for LH C to LH F, I only had to pay the difference between the old award rates. (50K > 67.5K). The website said it was the 35K difference for the two tickets, but errored out. Figured we were SOL, but a very friendly SLC agent got it changed and we both enjoyed the ride home on the 748 :)

mh3265a Mar 11, 2014 8:00 pm

I've been able to change dates and cabin online at no additional charge/fee. I've made the change twice. Been shocked that the website worked for these changes.

Went from:

IAD(I)-SFO(F)-ICN(I)-PNH-BKK(F)-PEK(F)-IAD

to

IAD(I)-SEA(I)-NRT(I)-ICN(I)-PNH-BKK(F)-PEK(F)-IAD

to

IAD(F)-AMS(I)-FRA(F)-ICN(I)-PNH-BKK(F)-PEK(F)-IAD

Dates only changed on the first change

UA-NYC Mar 11, 2014 8:07 pm


Originally Posted by FriendlySkies (Post 22506946)
When I changed a booking for LH C to LH F, I only had to pay the difference between the old award rates. (50K > 67.5K). The website said it was the 35K difference for the two tickets, but errored out. Figured we were SOL, but a very friendly SLC agent got it changed and we both enjoyed the ride home on the 748 :)

This gives me hope next month for changing from UA C to LH F :D

criostal Mar 12, 2014 7:58 am

Has anyone encountered issues with changing routings to a different continent?

I currently have:

IAD-PEK (UA F)
PEK-BKK (TG J) Destination
CNX-BKK (TG J)
BKK-CDG (TG F)
CDG-MUC (LH J) Stopover
MUC-ZRH (LH J)
ZRH-IAD (UA F)

Had to book by phone and got pre-2/1 rates.

Now, have the option of IAD-PHL and PHL-FRA on LH J, connecting to TG F FRA-BKK on the A380.

These flights don't show up when I try to change the initinerary online, but do appear for one-way legs.

1.) Any issue with routing through Europe versus Asia in terms of post-devaluation mileage requiement?

2.) I would be hoping for LH F to open, but if it did not, is TG F on the A380 worth LH old J to FRA versus UA f on the 777 to PEK?


Thanks.

PV_Premier Mar 12, 2014 8:49 am

currently holding SMF-IAD-BOS-ZRH with legs 1&2 on UA (F) and leg 3 on LX (J).

could switch to SFO-FRA-ZRH on LH (J).

thoughts?

UA-NYC Mar 12, 2014 9:05 am


Originally Posted by PV_Premier (Post 22509603)
currently holding SMF-IAD-BOS-ZRH with legs 1&2 on UA (F) and leg 3 on LX (J).

could switch to SFO-FRA-ZRH on LH (J).

thoughts?

What's the A/C on SFO-FRA? Unless it's the 748, you're likely to get crap LH slanty seats...though that itin is a lot better than what you currently have, the hard product leaves a lot to be desired.

I still might do it though to avoid two domestic F segments.

Kacee Mar 12, 2014 9:52 am


Originally Posted by UA-NYC (Post 22509700)
What's the A/C on SFO-FRA? Unless it's the 748, you're likely to get crap LH slanty seats...though that itin is a lot better than what you currently have, the hard product leaves a lot to be desired.

I still might do it though to avoid two domestic F segments.

LH alternates between 744 and 380 SFO-FRA so no lie-flats.

But that SFO-BOS leg is a long ways in domestic F.

Hold out for the 748 out of LAX!

PV_Premier Mar 12, 2014 11:31 am


Originally Posted by UA-NYC (Post 22509700)
What's the A/C on SFO-FRA? Unless it's the 748, you're likely to get crap LH slanty seats...though that itin is a lot better than what you currently have, the hard product leaves a lot to be desired.

I still might do it though to avoid two domestic F segments.

its the A380.

UA-NYC Mar 12, 2014 12:26 pm


Originally Posted by PV_Premier (Post 22510622)
its the A380.

Check your date and the config - some A380 routes are now showing w/the new reconfig cabin...there's a thread in the LH forum about it

pm6163 Mar 14, 2014 5:36 pm


Originally Posted by grimjack2k (Post 22477376)
Called in to change a pre-3/2 award:

..... Same deal - the system shows that a change was made after 2/3 (incorrect) and we can't change anything without the additional 40k miles......

two questions:
1. as quoted above, is that just one change allowed?
2. I can not change online, have to call to make any changes, and when called, the agent priced at the new rates, asking why it is on the new rate, replied system priced that, nothing they can do. Anyone experienced similar situation? what do I do now? email to UAInsider for help?

PS: it is a change from 1-stop to non-stop and date change.

Kacee Mar 14, 2014 5:53 pm


Originally Posted by pm6163 (Post 22525976)
two questions:
1. as quoted above, is that just one change allowed?
2. I can not change online, have to call to make any changes, and when called, the agent priced at the new rates, asking why it is on the new rate, replied system priced that, nothing they can do. Anyone experienced similar situation? what do I do now? email to UAInsider for help?

PS: it is a change from 1-stop to non-stop and date change.

1. It's been suggested there's a one change limitation. There's no hard and fast rule to that effect though. Plenty of FTers have reported multiple changes.

2. Change in routing and dates of travel should not reprice (unless you're doing something funky with the routing). Hang up and call again. Don't even bother arguing. Just say "thank you" and move along.

jasonvr Mar 14, 2014 9:41 pm


Originally Posted by Kacee (Post 22526030)
1. It's been suggested there's a one change limitation. There's no hard and fast rule to that effect though. Plenty of FTers have reported multiple changes.

2. Change in routing and dates of travel should not reprice (unless you're doing something funky with the routing). Hang up and call again. Don't even bother arguing. Just say "thank you" and move along.

I have already made two changes with no mention of additional miles (not even a hint)

SFOvacations Mar 14, 2014 10:07 pm


Originally Posted by Kacee (Post 22526030)
1. It's been suggested there's a one change limitation. There's no hard and fast rule to that effect though. Plenty of FTers have reported multiple changes.

2. Change in routing and dates of travel should not reprice (unless you're doing something funky with the routing). Hang up and call again. Don't even bother arguing. Just say "thank you" and move along.

Also done multiple changes post 2/3 and no reprice as long as you stay within the allowable routing/ticketed class

Kacee Mar 15, 2014 12:34 am


Originally Posted by SFOvacations (Post 22526960)
Also done multiple changes post 2/3 and no reprice as long as you stay within the allowable routing/ticketed class

People have been told otherwise. See Posts 197, 206, 243. As I also noted, many FTers have reported success making multiple changes. YMMV.

IamHungry Mar 15, 2014 12:32 pm

I just changed my flight date. Everything else remained the same routing, class and airlines. The rep said it will be additional of 40,000 miles. (I am flying I class) I asked for a supervisor and he said he will not deduct more miles but if I try to change again they would. I am not sure if he writes any note on my PNR.

garykung Mar 15, 2014 2:50 pm

Original Routing: HKG-SFO (non-stop)
Original Carrier/Class: UA/E+

New Routing: HKG-TPE-LAX-SFO
Carrier/Class: BR/Y BR/Y UA/E+

Only another $2.5. 2 tickets changed in total.


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