iluv2fly

Exact same thing happened to me on my way back from SYD-SFO-ORD. The 777 became a 739. They had switched me sans notification.

Called them up and actually switched the SFO connection to a LAX one with a 757 with flat seats. The agent didn't bat an eye (well, I assume she didn't.)

transportprof

I've had 777s appear as faux 739s on a sked change, but then when I accept the change, they return to the 777 equipment. It's hard to picture a 739 flying SYD-SFO, but I'm sure that Jeff has a team working on it.

LASUA1K

The SFO-ORD was changes to a 739 not the SYD-SFO.

The 9am LAX-ORD has been sCO 757 for 2 years now. So going via LAX gives them the better seat all the way thru.

I'm suprised UA took the 777 off of ORD-SFO with such short notice. I guess they needed the aircraft. The extra flight is mostly empty on all days.

Now they have 3 ORD-SFO flights leaving within an hour of eachother. I even saw 4 on a few days.

UA please bring back my 777.

channa

This actually makes sense. If it's an OAL schedule change, then UA is acting as the agent, and they don't want to risk the carrier doing something with the space or dropping it as unconfirmed, so they confirm it as soon as possible and reissue the ticket.

On UA metal flights, there's no risk that they'll drop the flights, so they can sit on them for a while and give them a lower priority.

I've found that I do get emails on UA flights, but only after I ignore the schedule change for a while. They eventually get to them.

transportprof

For once, UA does something right proactively. ^

transportprof

I had a major stealth sked change this weekend. Original booking was BWI-EWR-YYZ on UX. New routing is BWI-ORD on UX and ORD-YYZ on UA.

Looks like UX has no BWI-EWR flights at all on some Saturdays in 2016.

I don't mind the reroute (more PQM, and one leg on mainline), but there was no notice or red highlighting on the itinerary. Nothing to suggest there had been any change in the reservation at all.

This serves as a reminder to keep an eagle eye on your bookings!

ContinentalSilver11

I have been informed that a United flight I was scheduled to go on has changed by 2 hours and 10 minutes. I am no longer interested in keeping the reservation. Am I entitled to a full refund of my fare because of the schedule change?

Furthermore, there are 2 people on the reservation. I would like to cancel, but the other person will still be taking the flight.

What is the best way to handle this situation to get a refund, assuming refunds are allowed because of the schedule change?

SEA1K4EVR

Without more detail it's a little hard to give a definitive answer. You may be able to cancel depending on whether it looks to the agent like this becomes a "trip in vain".. you can explain your reasons. If this is a week long trip and there is a 2 hour change on one end..you're going to have a hard time justifying a refund. But if it's a day trip, or 1 or 2 night trip and there's an event that you're going to miss (and nothing good to change your flight to)..you'll be more justified. If there are other reasonable flight options though they're not going to refund the ticket if it's non refundable. There are other possibilities..they could let you cancel and re-use the credit later with or without the change fee. Hard to know without the detail of the itinerary, booking code, cost of the ticket and fare rules.

The agent can easily split off the other person in your itinerary so they can keep their ticket. Just call and they'll take care of everything over the phone.. just know that your refund request is going to depend on the circumstances...there isn't a blanket guarantee that 2 hours gets you a refund... it can definitely get you a free flight change though to something that works better for your schedule.

WineCountryUA

Yes, that disappeared years ago
However, the reported experience on FT seems to be that is an excellent chance of a free cancellation by saying "this does not work for me anymore."

As there are two people on reservation, the reservation will need to be split first.

channa

I think you're over-complicating this a bit. 2 hours is generally a significant enough change, it's almost a sure thing the OP gets a refund.

The new flight doesn't work for me, as was posted above, is usually enough. If they want to dance a bit, they can make it difficult for you, and you can shoot down all the alternatives (leaves too early, gets in too late, can't get to the airport that early, can't leave work that early, etc.). Whether your trip is 2 days, 2 weeks or 2 months doesn't matter. If you need to leave the last day after noon, you need to leave after noon.

Also, the agents are measured on their call handling times, and one of the easiest things to do with United Continental's computers is to cancel a reservation and initiate a refund. It's actually way easier for them than searching new flights, offering alternatives, and reissuing a ticket. So from an agent performance perspective, it is in their best interest to refund you and get you off the phone.

Generally, a refund is not what customers wants, so agents may try to help you by finding you a new or better flight, but in general, when I just say it doesn't work for me, they start looking for something, and I suggest they can refund it, they're happy to hear it.

physioprof

9AM flight got changed to 8:15AM. Called in and got switched lickety split to the 10AM. And 1A,B were still available.

Kmxu

Here is my original reservation for next February, RIC-EWR-SFO-Asia. I was waitlisted for EWR-SFO BF seat with GPU on W fare. I got the BF seat for SFO-Asia flight. The recent United schedule changes cancelled the ~6:00 am RIC-EWR flight (the later flight will misconnect the rest of flights) and rerouted me through IAD, i.e., RIC-IAD-SFO-Asia. There is no R space for IAD-SFO flight now and this flight only has the standard United First seat. What is the chance of success that CSR will open up R spaces for me due to the fact that I originally book a flight with BF upgrade possibility (ps 28 BF seats on B757)? How hard do I have to fight for it?

My alternative is to overnight at EWR and reroute to EWR-LAX-Asia or EWR-LAX-SFO-Asia. EWR-LAX flights have R spaces available (and BF seats) now, but EWR-SFO flights do not.

Thank you for any advice in advance.

transportprof

The only time I've ever had R space opened up for me is when I had a sked change that took away the flight with confirmed R space on it.

If I understand your post, you have confirmed R space from SFO to Asia and were only waitlisted on the connecting flights that were re-scheduled. I would expect that the agent would set you up on the waitlist for the new flights, but not that they would open R space just because you got re-scheduled.

But if you can find alternative re-scheduling options with R space open, then by all means push to get rebooked on them.

michaelr

I am holding a business award from OMA - LHR. The schedule changed causing the flight to take off three hours earlier. I found an alternate routing that keeps the times intact. My wife called United twice and was told both times that the new flight does not have any bookable business seats. Only economy is available.

The leg in question is UA970 on 12/25. Business shows wide open, not a single seat taken. I tried and it looks like it can be booked with money, no issues.

I plan on calling today but wanted to get some feedback first as to what the issue could be the agents are seeing.

transportprof

I think the issue is that there is no space in the I bucket, which is business award seats. There could be plenty of J bucket seats while I=0, hence no award space.

This could be changed, if you get the right agent who is willing to put in a request to open up I space. But there are no guarantees.