Last Acts as a Platinum?
Feb 3, 2016, 1:30 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
As much as I like this benefit, I'm kind of amazed there are no limits on its use (I suppose doing it 1m times might lead to something) . . . surely it clogs up some of their flights in unpredictable ways. That said, happy to take advantage!
Feb 3, 2016, 1:46 pm
#32
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
So yes, I believe they do monitor. I've done even last minute cancellation if there is a NEED (IIRC needed to change date of travel due to family situation, but neither site nor agent could do it), but try to cancel well before if I have to. No need to bring attention to yourself IMHO.
Feb 3, 2016, 2:59 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Still, even as a Gold (subject to a fee), this perk is very useful to me. I have four award bookings scheduled throughout the year. All international savers and—at last count—equal to 5.1¢/mile, if I had to pay for them with cold, hard cash. Not great value, but not bad either. And award bookings' option to refund/re-deposit (even given the fee) is better than buying expensive, refundable tickets.
RNE, hoping United never realizes just how much I—we—value this feature.
Feb 3, 2016, 4:39 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
In the Big Picture there are many other random things clogging up their flights that scattered award cancellations are a tiny blip. Elimination of this perk would certainly diminish the value of Platinum to nearly nil.
Feb 3, 2016, 8:26 pm
#35
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
You're probably right it's a blip - one can carry only so many tickets as it's constrained by mileage balance, and I suspect the vast majority of plats infrequently avail themselves of this benefit anyway, although appreciate that it's free when they do cancel.