Jan 4, 2016, 10:43 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Welcome to this thread to ask your basic, simple questions about United Airlines, its operations, or the MileagePlus program. We know that the airline is complex and we’ve created this thread for new and veteran members to ask those basic questions about United Airlines that you think must have an easy answer but just can’t find it or aren’t sure where to look.
UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, goalie, WineCountryUA
These are the two rules for this thread:
Generally there are not long discussions of an issue in this thread. If it appears that is needed, the posts will be moved to an existing thread or used as the start of a new separate thread.
Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:
United MileagePlus Master Wiki
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
Here is a link to the 2015's threads:
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 Thread]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 -Part II]...
UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, goalie, WineCountryUA
These are the two rules for this thread:
- Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to other threads if the question deserves its own thread.
- Any member who can post a constructive, patient answer is welcome to reply.
Generally there are not long discussions of an issue in this thread. If it appears that is needed, the posts will be moved to an existing thread or used as the start of a new separate thread.
Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:
United MileagePlus Master Wiki
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
Here is a link to the 2015's threads:
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 Thread]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 -Part II]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part I]
Jan 1, 2016, 9:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 687
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part I]
Hey guys. Happy New Year.
On December 28th, my flight from Portland, ME to Newark was cancelled to to "severe weather conditions". The one-way price cost $114 dollars each for the three passengers (my parents and I). We went on stand by for the morning flight of December 29th, and, thanks to a helpful Premier Priority Desk agent, was able to get my mother in a confirmed seat, and, the agent made a note that if my father and I weren't able to clear stand by, she would be able to abandon her confirmed seat and receive a full refund. This sounded good, as our plan was to drive home to New York with a rental car, as the cars were cheap at around $60 dollars.
When we got to the airport, we checked in, with my mothers boarding pass showing a confirmed seat, while my father and mine showing "SBY" for "standby". Unfortunately, we didn't clear, mainly due to the fact that United oversold the flight by 4 persons. However, when we got to the gate, a nice old gate agent told us that since it was basically impossible for us to clear (there was a group of 5 1K's on the standby list, and my father and I are only Silver) that my mother should give up her seat for the $500 dollar voucher, so that she could receive more money for the trouble we've been through. We all thought this was a great plan, so the gate agent gave us the $500 dollar voucher and a paper ticket for the next available flight, which wasn't until January 2nd.
She also told us, though, that we couldn't get a refund for the ticket if you get the voucher, but that was still very ok, as we would still come out $386 bucks ahead.
She told us that we didn't have to show up for the January 2nd flight, but that if we called for the ticket refund, there might be a discrepancy on the voucher. So, today is January 1st and my mother is getting emails to check in for her flight (even though we are already at our destination!). However, on the ticket, it says if we cancel our flight, the value of the ticket will be saved for future travel for the next year....
How does this work? Should I call and cancel the ticket now, and not ask for the refund, which, would give me the $114 dollars?
Should I just do nothing, and if i do, how do I claim the $114?
Thanks for any help.
On December 28th, my flight from Portland, ME to Newark was cancelled to to "severe weather conditions". The one-way price cost $114 dollars each for the three passengers (my parents and I). We went on stand by for the morning flight of December 29th, and, thanks to a helpful Premier Priority Desk agent, was able to get my mother in a confirmed seat, and, the agent made a note that if my father and I weren't able to clear stand by, she would be able to abandon her confirmed seat and receive a full refund. This sounded good, as our plan was to drive home to New York with a rental car, as the cars were cheap at around $60 dollars.
When we got to the airport, we checked in, with my mothers boarding pass showing a confirmed seat, while my father and mine showing "SBY" for "standby". Unfortunately, we didn't clear, mainly due to the fact that United oversold the flight by 4 persons. However, when we got to the gate, a nice old gate agent told us that since it was basically impossible for us to clear (there was a group of 5 1K's on the standby list, and my father and I are only Silver) that my mother should give up her seat for the $500 dollar voucher, so that she could receive more money for the trouble we've been through. We all thought this was a great plan, so the gate agent gave us the $500 dollar voucher and a paper ticket for the next available flight, which wasn't until January 2nd.
She also told us, though, that we couldn't get a refund for the ticket if you get the voucher, but that was still very ok, as we would still come out $386 bucks ahead.
She told us that we didn't have to show up for the January 2nd flight, but that if we called for the ticket refund, there might be a discrepancy on the voucher. So, today is January 1st and my mother is getting emails to check in for her flight (even though we are already at our destination!). However, on the ticket, it says if we cancel our flight, the value of the ticket will be saved for future travel for the next year....
How does this work? Should I call and cancel the ticket now, and not ask for the refund, which, would give me the $114 dollars?
Should I just do nothing, and if i do, how do I claim the $114?
Thanks for any help.
Jan 1, 2016, 11:39 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Hey guys. Happy New Year.
On December 28th, my flight from Portland, ME to Newark was cancelled to to "severe weather conditions". The one-way price cost $114 dollars each for the three passengers (my parents and I). We went on stand by for the morning flight of December 29th, and, thanks to a helpful Premier Priority Desk agent, was able to get my mother in a confirmed seat, and, the agent made a note that if my father and I weren't able to clear stand by, she would be able to abandon her confirmed seat and receive a full refund. This sounded good, as our plan was to drive home to New York with a rental car, as the cars were cheap at around $60 dollars.
When we got to the airport, we checked in, with my mothers boarding pass showing a confirmed seat, while my father and mine showing "SBY" for "standby". Unfortunately, we didn't clear, mainly due to the fact that United oversold the flight by 4 persons. However, when we got to the gate, a nice old gate agent told us that since it was basically impossible for us to clear (there was a group of 5 1K's on the standby list, and my father and I are only Silver) that my mother should give up her seat for the $500 dollar voucher, so that she could receive more money for the trouble we've been through. We all thought this was a great plan, so the gate agent gave us the $500 dollar voucher and a paper ticket for the next available flight, which wasn't until January 2nd.
She also told us, though, that we couldn't get a refund for the ticket if you get the voucher, but that was still very ok, as we would still come out $386 bucks ahead.
She told us that we didn't have to show up for the January 2nd flight, but that if we called for the ticket refund, there might be a discrepancy on the voucher. So, today is January 1st and my mother is getting emails to check in for her flight (even though we are already at our destination!). However, on the ticket, it says if we cancel our flight, the value of the ticket will be saved for future travel for the next year....
How does this work? Should I call and cancel the ticket now, and not ask for the refund, which, would give me the $114 dollars?
Should I just do nothing, and if i do, how do I claim the $114?
Thanks for any help.
On December 28th, my flight from Portland, ME to Newark was cancelled to to "severe weather conditions". The one-way price cost $114 dollars each for the three passengers (my parents and I). We went on stand by for the morning flight of December 29th, and, thanks to a helpful Premier Priority Desk agent, was able to get my mother in a confirmed seat, and, the agent made a note that if my father and I weren't able to clear stand by, she would be able to abandon her confirmed seat and receive a full refund. This sounded good, as our plan was to drive home to New York with a rental car, as the cars were cheap at around $60 dollars.
When we got to the airport, we checked in, with my mothers boarding pass showing a confirmed seat, while my father and mine showing "SBY" for "standby". Unfortunately, we didn't clear, mainly due to the fact that United oversold the flight by 4 persons. However, when we got to the gate, a nice old gate agent told us that since it was basically impossible for us to clear (there was a group of 5 1K's on the standby list, and my father and I are only Silver) that my mother should give up her seat for the $500 dollar voucher, so that she could receive more money for the trouble we've been through. We all thought this was a great plan, so the gate agent gave us the $500 dollar voucher and a paper ticket for the next available flight, which wasn't until January 2nd.
She also told us, though, that we couldn't get a refund for the ticket if you get the voucher, but that was still very ok, as we would still come out $386 bucks ahead.
She told us that we didn't have to show up for the January 2nd flight, but that if we called for the ticket refund, there might be a discrepancy on the voucher. So, today is January 1st and my mother is getting emails to check in for her flight (even though we are already at our destination!). However, on the ticket, it says if we cancel our flight, the value of the ticket will be saved for future travel for the next year....
How does this work? Should I call and cancel the ticket now, and not ask for the refund, which, would give me the $114 dollars?
Should I just do nothing, and if i do, how do I claim the $114?
Thanks for any help.
Jan 1, 2016, 3:37 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
I am on an award ticket (UA saver award) in April, flying business to Dublin (RT). Does award travel allow for upgrading? i.e moving from business to GF?
Jan 1, 2016, 3:44 pm
#5
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,852
-- You might be offered a cash only upgrade
-- If you are GS (the top most elite level) can upgrade award flights
BUT EWR-DUB flight is a 2-class flight (752) with no GF. So what routing are you using that has GF?
Jan 1, 2016, 7:34 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,397
Is same day confirm from a connecting flight to a nonstop allowed?
Jan 1, 2016, 7:54 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Jan 1, 2016, 8:08 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,397
Changes are only available for the exact origin and destination airport. Connection points may be changed provided the new routing is permitted by the fare purchased.
Jan 1, 2016, 8:14 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Jan 1, 2016, 8:57 pm
#10
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,852
Jan 1, 2016, 10:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
Purchased VS ticketing question
Why do some purchases get ticketed immediately and some take 39 hours (so far) and still not ticketed?
I made 4 flights back to back to back to back, between 4 different cities with stops of 29 to 96 hours for my January trip. One of the few I get advance notice for. All but one was ticketed within 10 minutes of purchase. I made them all online within 5 min of each other using all data they had in the computer. Even my international leg got instant ticketed, where this is a 100% domestic leg.
Am I doing something wrong or is United IT just that bad?
Why do some purchases get ticketed immediately and some take 39 hours (so far) and still not ticketed?
I made 4 flights back to back to back to back, between 4 different cities with stops of 29 to 96 hours for my January trip. One of the few I get advance notice for. All but one was ticketed within 10 minutes of purchase. I made them all online within 5 min of each other using all data they had in the computer. Even my international leg got instant ticketed, where this is a 100% domestic leg.
Am I doing something wrong or is United IT just that bad?
Jan 1, 2016, 11:01 pm
#12
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,852
Purchased VS ticketing question
Why do some purchases get ticketed immediately and some take 39 hours (so far) and still not ticketed?
I made 4 flights back to back to back to back, between 4 different cities with stops of 29 to 96 hours for my January trip. One of the few I get advance notice for. All but one was ticketed within 10 minutes of purchase. I made them all online within 5 min of each other using all data they had in the computer. Even my international leg got instant ticketed, where this is a 100% domestic leg.
Am I doing something wrong or is United IT just that bad?
Why do some purchases get ticketed immediately and some take 39 hours (so far) and still not ticketed?
I made 4 flights back to back to back to back, between 4 different cities with stops of 29 to 96 hours for my January trip. One of the few I get advance notice for. All but one was ticketed within 10 minutes of purchase. I made them all online within 5 min of each other using all data they had in the computer. Even my international leg got instant ticketed, where this is a 100% domestic leg.
Am I doing something wrong or is United IT just that bad?
- Some partner carriers can be slow in confirm their ticketing
- Use of vouchers may cause an additional verification step (but not always)
- Perhaps random purchase audits
- And there is likely some impact of the batch processing vs real time approach to IT that is used
- ????
Jan 2, 2016, 1:01 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA Platinum
Posts: 502
In some cases (assume we are talking only UA operated flights and not a partner flight)
-- You might be offered a cash only upgrade
-- If you are GS (the top most elite level) can upgrade award flights
BUT EWR-DUB flight is a 2-class flight (752) with no GF. So what routing are you using that has GF?
-- You might be offered a cash only upgrade
-- If you are GS (the top most elite level) can upgrade award flights
BUT EWR-DUB flight is a 2-class flight (752) with no GF. So what routing are you using that has GF?
Thanks for the quick reply too (sorry for my late reply here, ended up watching Star Wars 4-6!)
Jan 2, 2016, 1:26 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
Jan 2, 2016, 6:35 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
A couple of potential thoughts
- Some partner carriers can be slow in confirm their ticketing
- Use of vouchers may cause an additional verification step (but not always)
- Perhaps random purchase audits
- And there is likely some impact of the batch processing vs real time approach to IT that is used
- ????
- Some partner carriers can be slow in confirm their ticketing
- Use of vouchers may cause an additional verification step (but not always)
- Perhaps random purchase audits
- And there is likely some impact of the batch processing vs real time approach to IT that is used
- ????
Same CC as the rest of the flights - no voucher or codes or any thing other than plain old AMEX
This was the second of the 4 tickets purchased
OK, just called premier desk and it seems the computer couldn't decide if it was a paid ticket or an award ticket, so it did nothing. She couldn't even fix it, she had to get ticketing supervisor to fix it.
IT dept #1
