Star Gold on UA same-day flight change
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 18
Star Gold on UA same-day flight change
Hey everyone,
I have an evening flight from MSY to LAX, and I wondered if I could jump, without a large change fee, on an earlier flight (which there is) on the same day. I am Star Alliance Gold (Air Canada Elite 50K).
Should I just show up ASAP at the airport? Does *Gold even give that privilege (free/rebate change fee).
Many thanks, my girlfriend will appreciate this
I have an evening flight from MSY to LAX, and I wondered if I could jump, without a large change fee, on an earlier flight (which there is) on the same day. I am Star Alliance Gold (Air Canada Elite 50K).
Should I just show up ASAP at the airport? Does *Gold even give that privilege (free/rebate change fee).
Many thanks, my girlfriend will appreciate this
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
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Either can be done online, over the phone, or at the airport within 24 hours of the flight you want and 24 hours of the flight you're currently on.
*G doesn't get a discount on the discounted $75 same day change/standby fee (normal change fees in your ticket are $200+).
#3
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#4
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 514
I think with capacity discipline, UA should offer for FREE the ability to do same day standby for ANYONE on any ticket. I think it would actually save them some money when irrops do occur. If the later flight gets cancelled when you could have put them on an earlier flight or if you can sell the seats on a flight later why not? Why let a plane leave empty? It really seems dumb to me and I think airlines in general are being too shortsighted.
Back before I got status, I wanted to switch to an earlier flight and they wanted to charge me $75. I missed my later flight due to cancellation and got a full refund. UA was out $500 when they could have moved me into an empty seat that left in which they got $0 for.
Back before I got status, I wanted to switch to an earlier flight and they wanted to charge me $75. I missed my later flight due to cancellation and got a full refund. UA was out $500 when they could have moved me into an empty seat that left in which they got $0 for.
#5
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#6
Join Date: Jan 2014
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a) It is spoiled inventory. Once the door closes, the seats are useless. It's not like products at a store. And, at grocery stores, before a product is about to expire, it is regularly offered free or at a significant discount.
b) This isn't just anyone walking in. This is an elite customer who does lots of flying with UA's partner airlines, and it would be decent to do it for free and would incentivize flying UA, but since UA has no competition, they have no motivation to do that.
#7
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Then you must think they should offer it free to anyone, right? Make the walk-up fare $0? If businesses start to do this, nobody would ever pay.
I guess you didn't bother to read my post, or more specifically, the post I quoted.
I guess you didn't bother to read my post, or more specifically, the post I quoted.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2014
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And, I'm sure it's subject to debate as to whether or not allowing free SDC to an earlier flight only would help or hurt the airline's bottom line, now that flights seem to be priced more similarly throughout the day and the IRROPs situation.
#9
Moderator: United Airlines
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There have been postings that some *Gs have received free SDC. Not what the rules state but some have posted of that experience
such as
but would not count on this.
such as
#10
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I did not say the fare should be free, I just said the seats become value-less as soon as the door closes.
And, I'm sure it's subject to debate as to whether or not allowing free SDC to an earlier flight only would help or hurt the airline's bottom line, now that flights seem to be priced more similarly throughout the day and the IRROPs situation.
And, I'm sure it's subject to debate as to whether or not allowing free SDC to an earlier flight only would help or hurt the airline's bottom line, now that flights seem to be priced more similarly throughout the day and the IRROPs situation.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
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The time spend by agents on free SDCs shouldn't be overlooked. If they were free, a whole lot of people will be asking for them in person at airports or on the phone. Free SDCs should be confined to changes that could be made online IMHO - and that's assuming UA's online capability is conducive.
#12
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UA does offer a no-fee change. It's called fully flexible, generally Y. Absolutely insane for UA to cannibalize it's HVC customer base to keep the deep discounters happier. They bought tickets with change fees. Waiving the fee is nutso, especially for someone with zero demonstrated loyalty.
For the same reason that UA (and other carriers) don't hand out freeloader UG's on international and will send an aircraft out with empty premium seats, they are preserving the brand.
Sure, once in a blue moon someone won't shell out the $75 and his scheduled flight is cancelled. But, that's infintesimal.
For the same reason that UA (and other carriers) don't hand out freeloader UG's on international and will send an aircraft out with empty premium seats, they are preserving the brand.
Sure, once in a blue moon someone won't shell out the $75 and his scheduled flight is cancelled. But, that's infintesimal.
#13
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 514
The time spend by agents on free SDCs shouldn't be overlooked. If they were free, a whole lot of people will be asking for them in person at airports or on the phone. Free SDCs should be confined to changes that could be made online IMHO - and that's assuming UA's online capability is conducive.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; May 24, 2014 at 2:53 pm Reason: multi-quote
#14
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 514
UA does offer a no-fee change. It's called fully flexible, generally Y. Absolutely insane for UA to cannibalize it's HVC customer base to keep the deep discounters happier. They bought tickets with change fees. Waiving the fee is nutso, especially for someone with zero demonstrated loyalty.
For the same reason that UA (and other carriers) don't hand out freeloader UG's on international and will send an aircraft out with empty premium seats, they are preserving the brand.
Sure, once in a blue moon someone won't shell out the $75 and his scheduled flight is cancelled. But, that's infintesimal.
For the same reason that UA (and other carriers) don't hand out freeloader UG's on international and will send an aircraft out with empty premium seats, they are preserving the brand.
Sure, once in a blue moon someone won't shell out the $75 and his scheduled flight is cancelled. But, that's infintesimal.
#15
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