Last edit by: WineCountryUA
During the COVID period, change fees are waived for many tickets
Sept 2020 - Change Fees Are Gone For Good
UA's definitions -- in red added editorial comments
*Most change fees have been eliminated
Refundability
o Some tickets are refundable but with a change / cancellation fee
o In the fare rules, words like "CHANGES PERMITTED" or "CANCELLATIONS PERMITTED" indicate refundability
Note: For a ticket with multiple segments and different fares classes / fare rules, the most restrictive applies to the entire ticket. So a single non-refundable segment makes the entire ticket non-refundable.
related thread -- How to book a refundable ticket on UA
Sept 2020 - Change Fees Are Gone For Good
There wont be any change fees if:
Youre traveling:
Youre traveling:
- Within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
- Between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean
- To other international destinations from the U.S.
- Economy
- Economy Plus
- United First
- United Business*
- United Premium PlusSM*
Basic Economy (most restricted) ---- Our most restricted fare:Seat assigned prior to boarding
No group or family seating
No carry-on bag, just a personal item
Earn award miles only, no Premier qualifying credit
Upgrades and Economy Plus are not available
No refunds or changes
Economy ---- Our standard Economy fare:Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel
Non-refundable -- fee to change*, credit toward future flight
Economy (flexible) ---- Our flexible Economy fare:Refundable fare; cancellation and change* fees may apply
Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel
Economy (unrestricted) ---- Our unrestricted Economy fare:Fully refundable fare; no cancellation or change fees
Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel
First (lowest) ---- Our lowest fare in First:Personalized inflight service
More spacious seating and extra legroom
Expanded dining experience
Non-refundable -- a fee to change*, credit toward a future flight
First (unrestricted) ---- Our unrestricted First fare:Fully refundable fare; no cancellation or change fees.
Personalized inflight service
More spacious seating and extra legroom
Expanded dining experience
No group or family seating
No carry-on bag, just a personal item
Earn award miles only, no Premier qualifying credit
Upgrades and Economy Plus are not available
No refunds or changes
Economy ---- Our standard Economy fare:Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel
Non-refundable -- fee to change*, credit toward future flight
Economy (flexible) ---- Our flexible Economy fare:Refundable fare; cancellation and change* fees may apply
Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel
Economy (unrestricted) ---- Our unrestricted Economy fare:Fully refundable fare; no cancellation or change fees
Seat selection at booking, if seats are available
Enjoy other options for customizing your travel
First (lowest) ---- Our lowest fare in First:Personalized inflight service
More spacious seating and extra legroom
Expanded dining experience
Non-refundable -- a fee to change*, credit toward a future flight
First (unrestricted) ---- Our unrestricted First fare:Fully refundable fare; no cancellation or change fees.
Personalized inflight service
More spacious seating and extra legroom
Expanded dining experience
Refundability
o Some tickets are refundable but with a change / cancellation fee
o In the fare rules, words like "CHANGES PERMITTED" or "CANCELLATIONS PERMITTED" indicate refundability
Note: For a ticket with multiple segments and different fares classes / fare rules, the most restrictive applies to the entire ticket. So a single non-refundable segment makes the entire ticket non-refundable.
related thread -- How to book a refundable ticket on UA
Flex vs Unrestricted / Fully Refundable fare. What is/is not refundable, translation?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1k, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 190
Flex vs Unrestricted / Fully Refundable fare. What is/is not refundable, translation?
Grammar notwithstanding, this is a pretty basic question (I hope):
Was looking to buy a cheap refundable fare, and right now I'm finding one in "U" class when going through United's website. (MKE-ALB)
Wanted to verify/confirm that U class is indeed fully refundable before I purchase (this would be my first time buying one)...
Was looking to buy a cheap refundable fare, and right now I'm finding one in "U" class when going through United's website. (MKE-ALB)
Wanted to verify/confirm that U class is indeed fully refundable before I purchase (this would be my first time buying one)...
Last edited by bakster21; Sep 21, 2012 at 10:19 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,684
Sare, some are not. If the fare basis code has an "N" in it, it is not refundable outside of the initial 24 hours (all tickets bought thru UA are refundable witin 24 hours.)
The booking code does not tell the fare rules, it is just an inventry allocation. It is the fare basis code that contains the fare rules.
The booking code does not tell the fare rules, it is just an inventry allocation. It is the fare basis code that contains the fare rules.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1k, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 190
Thanks...It did not have an N in it, so I'm guessing it was a straight fare.
I'll recheck the basis code - I just would prefer not to buy it and then be stuck if I end up needing to cancel.
I'll recheck the basis code - I just would prefer not to buy it and then be stuck if I end up needing to cancel.
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
#6
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,567
There is in general three class of tickets
non-refundable / with change fees
"flexiable" -- less change restriction and some case refundable by with a fee.
fully refundable
The flight search tools can help to find appropriate fares but a read of full fare rules (or a validation by a phone agent) is highly recommended.
non-refundable / with change fees
"flexiable" -- less change restriction and some case refundable by with a fee.
fully refundable
The flight search tools can help to find appropriate fares but a read of full fare rules (or a validation by a phone agent) is highly recommended.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TUS and any place close to a lav
Programs: UA 1.6MM
Posts: 5,423
Question about Changeable/Flexiable Fares (PHX-BKK)
My parents want to fly PHX-BKK. The know roughly when they want to leave, but they do not know when they want to return. That's the problem.
It looks like I have a couple of options:
1) Book award tickets from my account (1K), which permits no cost changes provided that the class of service (saver vs standard) is available.
2) Book the lowest available fare, take a rough guess as when they want to return and hope it works out. Otherwise, pay the 250.00 change fee and the fare difference.
3) Book what united.com calls a "flexiable fare" which may waive the change fee (supposedly it "varies" according to the help box that pop's up, so I'll have to carefully read/interpret the fare rules).
4) Book a fully refundable fare (aka "unrestricted fare").
Some of my thoughts, can someone check my logic on this?
Option 4 seems horrifyingly expensive.
Option 3 only makes sense (to me) if the flexiable fare that waives the change fee is less than $250.00 more than the lowest available fare (option 2).
Option 1 seems like the best solution, but there's no saver business available. So, I'd have to either do economy or standard business. I was planning (with the revenue tickets), to use Miles+Copay to upgrade them. Also, my parents don't get PQM's (fka EQM's) on the award tickets.
I'm leaning towards Option 2 right now and rolling the dice... Anyone else have any other ideas?
Thanks in advance...
It looks like I have a couple of options:
1) Book award tickets from my account (1K), which permits no cost changes provided that the class of service (saver vs standard) is available.
2) Book the lowest available fare, take a rough guess as when they want to return and hope it works out. Otherwise, pay the 250.00 change fee and the fare difference.
3) Book what united.com calls a "flexiable fare" which may waive the change fee (supposedly it "varies" according to the help box that pop's up, so I'll have to carefully read/interpret the fare rules).
4) Book a fully refundable fare (aka "unrestricted fare").
Some of my thoughts, can someone check my logic on this?
Option 4 seems horrifyingly expensive.
Option 3 only makes sense (to me) if the flexiable fare that waives the change fee is less than $250.00 more than the lowest available fare (option 2).
Option 1 seems like the best solution, but there's no saver business available. So, I'd have to either do economy or standard business. I was planning (with the revenue tickets), to use Miles+Copay to upgrade them. Also, my parents don't get PQM's (fka EQM's) on the award tickets.
I'm leaning towards Option 2 right now and rolling the dice... Anyone else have any other ideas?
Thanks in advance...
#8
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
My parents want to fly PHX-BKK. The know roughly when they want to leave, but they do not know when they want to return. That's the problem.
It looks like I have a couple of options:
1) Book award tickets from my account (1K), which permits no cost changes provided that the class of service (saver vs standard) is available.
2) Book the lowest available fare, take a rough guess as when they want to return and hope it works out. Otherwise, pay the 250.00 change fee and the fare difference.
3) Book what united.com calls a "flexiable fare" which may waive the change fee (supposedly it "varies" according to the help box that pop's up, so I'll have to carefully read/interpret the fare rules).
4) Book a fully refundable fare (aka "unrestricted fare").
Some of my thoughts, can someone check my logic on this?
Option 4 seems horrifyingly expensive.
Option 3 only makes sense (to me) if the flexiable fare that waives the change fee is less than $250.00 more than the lowest available fare (option 2).
Option 1 seems like the best solution, but there's no saver business available. So, I'd have to either do economy or standard business. I was planning (with the revenue tickets), to use Miles+Copay to upgrade them. Also, my parents don't get PQM's (fka EQM's) on the award tickets.
I'm leaning towards Option 2 right now and rolling the dice... Anyone else have any other ideas?
Thanks in advance...
It looks like I have a couple of options:
1) Book award tickets from my account (1K), which permits no cost changes provided that the class of service (saver vs standard) is available.
2) Book the lowest available fare, take a rough guess as when they want to return and hope it works out. Otherwise, pay the 250.00 change fee and the fare difference.
3) Book what united.com calls a "flexiable fare" which may waive the change fee (supposedly it "varies" according to the help box that pop's up, so I'll have to carefully read/interpret the fare rules).
4) Book a fully refundable fare (aka "unrestricted fare").
Some of my thoughts, can someone check my logic on this?
Option 4 seems horrifyingly expensive.
Option 3 only makes sense (to me) if the flexiable fare that waives the change fee is less than $250.00 more than the lowest available fare (option 2).
Option 1 seems like the best solution, but there's no saver business available. So, I'd have to either do economy or standard business. I was planning (with the revenue tickets), to use Miles+Copay to upgrade them. Also, my parents don't get PQM's (fka EQM's) on the award tickets.
I'm leaning towards Option 2 right now and rolling the dice... Anyone else have any other ideas?
Thanks in advance...
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Sare, some are not. If the fare basis code has an "N" in it, it is not refundable outside of the initial 24 hours (all tickets bought thru UA are refundable witin 24 hours.)
The booking code does not tell the fare rules, it is just an inventry allocation. It is the fare basis code that contains the fare rules.
The booking code does not tell the fare rules, it is just an inventry allocation. It is the fare basis code that contains the fare rules.
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.5/Diamond - Galileo: Fares/PSH/RU]
Code:
MKE Milwaukee General Mitchell WI US [KMKE] ALB Albany NY US [KALB] R/T 01 Oct 2012 | All Carrier From To Fare Cur AdvanceP Min Max Fare Basis | Travel Period --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- --- -------------------------- UA MKE ALB 263 USD 10 Days TA10KS 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 331 USD 3 Days WA3KS 27 Aug-02 Oct UA MKE ALB 369 USD 10 Days WAP10KS 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 396 USD 14 Days VA14KN 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 480 USD 7 Days QA7KN 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 576 USD *** UA0KY 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 613 USD 7 Days UE73FN 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 891 USD 14 Days MA14FN 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 937 USD 7 Days 1 ME71FN 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 992 USD 7 Days MA7FN 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 1048 USD *** MA0FN 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 1224 USD *** BA0FN 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 1807 USD *** H2UPY3 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 1937 USD *** FUA 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 1937 USD *** YUAUP3 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 2166 USD *** Y 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 2560 USD *** YUA 28 Sep-14 Feb UA MKE ALB 3053 USD *** F 28 Sep-14 Feb
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TUS and any place close to a lav
Programs: UA 1.6MM
Posts: 5,423
Read the fare rules of the flexible fare. Usually it will allow you to make change to the return..as long as they are made after the outbound flights are flown...without a change fee but the same booking code will have to be available (more than likely it'll be a Q, H, or M fare..not Y or B), and they can't exceed maximum stay requirements.
Am I reading this right, even an M fare (MFX0ZUMB) has a $250.00 change fee?
CHANGES
ANY TIME
CHARGE USD 250.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION.
WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE.
ANY TIME
CHARGE USD 250.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION.
WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
There is in general three class of tickets
non-refundable / with change fees
"flexiable" -- less change restriction and some case refundable by with a fee.
fully refundable
The flight search tools can help to find appropriate fares but a read of full fare rules (or a validation by a phone agent) is highly recommended.
non-refundable / with change fees
"flexiable" -- less change restriction and some case refundable by with a fee.
fully refundable
The flight search tools can help to find appropriate fares but a read of full fare rules (or a validation by a phone agent) is highly recommended.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1k, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 190
Thanks Everyone - the option I'm looking at right now in U class is:
MKE-CLE-ALB
Fare basis code: UA0KY
Current fare listing at $352
Based on comments above, it looks as though this fare class is refundable.
MKE-CLE-ALB
Fare basis code: UA0KY
Current fare listing at $352
Based on comments above, it looks as though this fare class is refundable.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 734
Flex fare vs Unrestricted fare. Refundability? Translation please?
I'm not sure if there's another thread or other page for this. Please direct me.
With UA, can somebody please explain the differences between H and B fare to me? Thanks. I read the rules and regulations which only send my head spinning. If only the rules and regulations could read in plain English or some other vernacular tongue!
Specifically, what is the difference between H, B, etc if plans change and the passenger needs to cancel before the flight? How liquid do the funds become to rebook a new totally different itinerary? What happens with change fees, etc?
Thanks.
With UA, can somebody please explain the differences between H and B fare to me? Thanks. I read the rules and regulations which only send my head spinning. If only the rules and regulations could read in plain English or some other vernacular tongue!
Specifically, what is the difference between H, B, etc if plans change and the passenger needs to cancel before the flight? How liquid do the funds become to rebook a new totally different itinerary? What happens with change fees, etc?
Thanks.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,067
It's going to vary by the rules specifically, but in general, an unrestricted ticket is unrestricted -- you can change dates, times, etc., and it will generally not change in price. There is no advance purchase requirement, you can call up 2 days before the flight and change to a different one, since you already paid the unrestricted fare, if that bucket is available, it's likely going to be available at the same price.
A flexible fare generally allows you to change without a fee, but your new ticket that you change to has a higher chance of being a price increase since you bought a fare that may have had an advance purchase requirement. For example, if the H fare requires a 10 day advance, and you try to change to a flight 3 days out, it will likely not be available in H. There will be no change fee, but you'll be charged the difference to the higher fare (usually the unrestricted fare at that time).
Again, this is all generally speaking. There are markets with low fares close in, flexible fares with short advance purchase requirements, etc.
But the concept, in general, is that when you make a change, you're subject to refare, so when they change an unrestricted, you're not as likely to be refared.
A flexible fare generally allows you to change without a fee, but your new ticket that you change to has a higher chance of being a price increase since you bought a fare that may have had an advance purchase requirement. For example, if the H fare requires a 10 day advance, and you try to change to a flight 3 days out, it will likely not be available in H. There will be no change fee, but you'll be charged the difference to the higher fare (usually the unrestricted fare at that time).
Again, this is all generally speaking. There are markets with low fares close in, flexible fares with short advance purchase requirements, etc.
But the concept, in general, is that when you make a change, you're subject to refare, so when they change an unrestricted, you're not as likely to be refared.