Feb 24, 2019, 12:37 pm
Last edit by: onthesam
Not publicly published but a long existing practice
Multiple reports of success in 2019 including one in June and one in July, 2019 in which the $50 processing fee was charged separately and then an ETC issued for the gross fare difference.
Another recent case in this thread is late 2018.
A successful case of repricing and keeping a confirmed upgrade.
Another recent case in this thread is late 2018.
A successful case of repricing and keeping a confirmed upgrade.
Only $50 change fee if fare goes down within 30 days... Did I miss the memo?
May 4, 2015, 1:58 am
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I had a similar experience a few months ago
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ce-period.html
I posted a message here hoping to find someone that knew of a written policy
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ce-period.html
I posted a message here hoping to find someone that knew of a written policy
May 4, 2015, 3:28 am
#33
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 255
I used this for a change in February, and was quite relieved to know I would only lay $50 and receive the rest in a voucher. However, they told me that they made an exception because they are not supposed to do this with FareLock reservations.
May 4, 2015, 3:51 am
#34
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 158
I'm guessing this doesn't have to be same fare class? I bought a ticket on Friday, and they appear to have opened a lower fare bucket over the weekend for the same flights, dropping the price by about $240.
May 4, 2015, 7:44 am
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
If you look at my case, it did not. The agent tried to tell me I couldnt use my RPU anymore because it dropped from W to T class and because she thought HI was international.
I tried finding a written policy or in the fare rules but came up empty.
If you have a flight that dropped 240, you should call either way to get at least the $40 back.
I tried finding a written policy or in the fare rules but came up empty.
If you have a flight that dropped 240, you should call either way to get at least the $40 back.
Last edited by eng3; May 4, 2015 at 7:49 am
May 4, 2015, 8:04 am
#36
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,473
This is not a new policy. I have heard and read reports of it for others, not me, for the past 3 years. My first recollection was a friend with a family of 4 going to Hawaii for the Thanksgiving holiday. There is mention of it in another FT thread I can't find through search.
May 4, 2015, 9:06 am
#37
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA gold
Posts: 278
This is not a new policy. I have heard and read reports of it for others, not me, for the past 3 years. My first recollection was a friend with a family of 4 going to Hawaii for the Thanksgiving holiday. There is mention of it in another FT thread I can't find through search.
Original ticket must have been purchased on united.com within 30 days
Itinerary must be exact match, but different fare class is okay.
Fare difference must be >= $100.
$50 processing fee deducted and remainder issued as TCVA.
The other odd thing is that in my case the lowered fares were not visible to a reservations agent and the transactions were handled by web support.
May 4, 2015, 7:58 pm
#38
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
Don't know how old the policy is, but the rules as explained to me by a seemingly knowledgable agent are:
Original ticket must have been purchased on united.com within 30 days
Itinerary must be exact match, but different fare class is okay.
Fare difference must be >= $100.
$50 processing fee deducted and remainder issued as TCVA.
The other odd thing is that in my case the lowered fares were not visible to a reservations agent and the transactions were handled by web support.
Original ticket must have been purchased on united.com within 30 days
Itinerary must be exact match, but different fare class is okay.
Fare difference must be >= $100.
$50 processing fee deducted and remainder issued as TCVA.
The other odd thing is that in my case the lowered fares were not visible to a reservations agent and the transactions were handled by web support.
*http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...old-money.html
Last edited by goalie; May 4, 2015 at 8:05 pm
May 4, 2015, 8:26 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA gold
Posts: 278
So the $50 precession fee is from old money* as opposed to paying the $50 with your credit card?
*http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...old-money.html
*http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...old-money.html
May 4, 2015, 8:29 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA gold
Posts: 278
May 4, 2015, 9:27 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
So, can I buy a $1500 F ticket and a few days later call and say I found a D, Z or P fare for $600 and get a TCV for 1500-600-50 or $850? I can think of some "unique" situations where the $50 would be worth it?
If a fare drops twice (or more!), can I get 2 TCVs, assuming 2 $50 processing fees and that each drop is at least $100
If a fare drops twice (or more!), can I get 2 TCVs, assuming 2 $50 processing fees and that each drop is at least $100
May 4, 2015, 9:33 pm
#42
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
In this case, the original ticket likely will be refundable, so refunding and repurchasing avoids the $50 deduction.
May 4, 2015, 9:37 pm
#43
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Came back and said she got the fare but since it is a T fare I cant use my upgrade because I need W+. I was getting frustrated after waiting 45min and interrupted her mid-sentance and said "No!, that's only for GPUs". To which she said, "but it's international", where I said "Hawaii is not international!!".
(or maybe your wording is throwing me off - you mean GPU on int'l)GPU AND RPU can both be used on ANY domestic flight to u/g @:-)
But ^ for posting and sticking to your guns to get the job done.
May 4, 2015, 11:32 pm
#44
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA gold
Posts: 278
Yes. This is exactly what happened to me. An $820 drop followed the next day by a $100 drop. I have a $770 and a $50 voucher. As long as both decreases are in the original 30 day window you're good.
May 5, 2015, 9:45 am
#45
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 158
Called it in last night. Agent originally quoted the $200 change fee to do it, and I mentioned the $50 fee policy, and she checked with her supervisor. Supervisor was able to process. Saved $190. Good stuff.