TA

oh, I see. So this is a real decision by UA.com recently (as of a few weeks ago) to remove everyone's old stored passport info, until the passenger adds it from new (in person or using the app) and resets the passport record.

milepig

So it seems. What we still don't know is "why". Hopefully, this is a one time process on the app.

kmkord

Also, make sure to log into your GOES account and change your passport number and expiration date to the new information. When I went for my global entry appointment, they said that was the biggest issue they have had.

dgcpaphd

This has been an off and on again situation. I found another thread about this issue from 2014.

Even when a passenger updates the new passport number and expiration date either on the app or in person at the airport, the passengers still cannot view their own passport data on united.com. However, passengers can view the "trusted traveler" number, if they have one.

I suppose this change makes sense to someone, but, given the things that can go wrong when traveling, it would be a little comforting to be able to confirm on united.com that our profile passport information is correct. The way it is now with the change, passport data cannot be viewed by us on united.com.

As I wrote up thread, when I got my new passport, I had no trouble logging into Delta, AA and Koreanair to update my new passport number and expiration date. If I log into those airlines, I have no problem viewing my passport data.

To UA Insider, thank you very much for the information concerning the passport change on united.com.
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villox

I am guessing they removed it because they don't really use the information from your online profile - it doesn't carry through to checkin. Before they had the ability to scan your passport on the app, so very many people were frustrated by the fact that they weren't able to check in for flights until they got to the airport (see: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...e-checkin.html)

It also seemed that you needed to re-scan your passport at least once a year or so (not sure if this is still true or not - there's a lot less noise about this since they added the app feature).

In other words, don't sweat that you can't update your profile, and you should only have to do this for your first flight with the new details (and maybe once a year after that).

goalie

Bolding mine: Why was this change made and does this only apply to entering a renewed passport as in looking at my profile. I don't see nor can I find my existing passport number anywhere and frankly, I think this change stinks as if there are any problems in entering the passport number at check-in via the app at T-24 hours, that might not be enough time to get things sorted out. For me, I'd rather have the information available to me and edit it when I receive my new passport and not have to worry

milepig

There is no access to your passport information from your profile. Not to enter for the first time to modify or to replace. The link is gone.

You can out it into the passenger information from a booking but I'm not sure if that sticks. I suspect not.

And I agree. Hugely inconvenient. A change I do NOT like.

SEA1K4EVR

There are solutions for everything...even hand wringing FTers.. UA will still save your passport info for future flights even though you can't see it. If you are very concerned, book yourself an international flight, check in using your phone, and then cancel it. Then next time when you're really traveling your passport will be there. The phone app works very well for passport scanning and because of that I have not done this myself, but if I were as annoyed as some appear to be.. I would.

goalie

MY whole issue is that what if come time to check-in for an international flight and the app is down/or the part to scan your passport is down? Technology is supposed to make our lives easier-not to hold out breath and say "I hope it works"

mduell

The information you could enter online never did anything useful. Prior to the app scanning, if you hadn't swiped at a kiosk recently, you were sent to the checkin counter. There's no loss of useful functionality here.

You go to the checkin counter. The same thing you had to do prior to the app scanning.

fireflash

Somewhat tangentially related, but are United every going to allow non-US passports to be scanned on the app (unless I have somehow missed the feature entirely).

TA

It often happens with new technology that when things improve and are adopted to the point of becoming expected and clearly more convenient, being forced to use the old version is no longer "what you used to do anyway" but rather, a burden.

NH_Clark

This happened to me earlier this year. Used the app on T-24 check-in to scan the new passport. Not quite as easy as one might think to get the "bar code" aligned with the green field of the scanner. Once scanned everything was a-ok ^

goalie

Iirc, it was a six month window so for someone taking an international flight every week, that would/could get to be a pitf if you had to have an agent scan your passport every time simply because the app wouldn't work

dgcpaphd

Bolding mine -

If the app malfunctions, the check-in tie breaker puts the person with the changed passport lower on the list.

I still don't understand the purpose of the change to united.com.

U/A is the only airline to my knowledge that disabled the passport feature from its web site so that customers can no longer verify or change their data related to their passport.
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