UA initiates Account Security Update (Security Q&A authentication added 2016)
Feb 12, 16, 2:19 pm
#76
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,211
FWIW, the decision to not prompt everyone for a new password was made on purpose.
Doesn't help if you don't remember your old password, of course, but that is what United wanted it to be. I guess the moral of the story is make sure you know or reset your PW before doing the 5 questions.
n.b. The link above is to my blog or to one which I am a regular contributor. FT rules require that I disclose that in the post.
[W]e’re only going to prompt members to create new passwords if their existing ones don’t meet the new requirements of being a minimum of eight characters, including at least one letter and one number.
n.b. The link above is to my blog or to one which I am a regular contributor. FT rules require that I disclose that in the post.
Feb 12, 16, 2:26 pm
#78
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,394
Feb 12, 16, 2:40 pm
#79
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
Feb 12, 16, 2:40 pm
#80
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pacific
Programs: UA GS, Lifetime 4 MM, BA Gold, , Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 476
Who makes up these inane questions?
Blindly, I set and answered the 5 security questions. Honestly, who remembers the color of their house growing up? White? Umm... gray? I never noticed? Do you remember what fruit or vegetable you enjoyed when you were young?
Having said that, changing my password was not painful. I am glad to get rid of the 4 digit PIN.
Blindly, I set and answered the 5 security questions. Honestly, who remembers the color of their house growing up? White? Umm... gray? I never noticed? Do you remember what fruit or vegetable you enjoyed when you were young?
Having said that, changing my password was not painful. I am glad to get rid of the 4 digit PIN.
Feb 12, 16, 2:48 pm
#81
Company Representative, United Airlines
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,178
Hi everyone,
A few of you have posted regarding setting up a new password and why you’re not seeing a prompt to create one.
You’ll only be prompted to create a new password if your existing password doesn’t already meet the requirements of being a minimum eight characters including at least one letter and one number.
Here are some tips that may come in handy if you do need to create a new password:
• The password should have a minimum of eight characters, including at least one letter and one number.
• Ideally, it should be a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.
• The password should not be easy to guess and should be different than passwords used for accounts on other websites.
If your password meets these criteria, all you need to do is to select your five security questions and provide answers.
Once you update your account with a strong password and security questions, you'll no longer be able to use your PIN to sign in.
Please review our updated post here.
A few of you have posted regarding setting up a new password and why you’re not seeing a prompt to create one.
You’ll only be prompted to create a new password if your existing password doesn’t already meet the requirements of being a minimum eight characters including at least one letter and one number.
Here are some tips that may come in handy if you do need to create a new password:
• The password should have a minimum of eight characters, including at least one letter and one number.
• Ideally, it should be a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.
• The password should not be easy to guess and should be different than passwords used for accounts on other websites.
If your password meets these criteria, all you need to do is to select your five security questions and provide answers.
Once you update your account with a strong password and security questions, you'll no longer be able to use your PIN to sign in.
Please review our updated post here.
Last edited by UA Insider; Feb 23, 16 at 10:36 am Reason: Provided update to most recent post
Feb 12, 16, 2:51 pm
#82
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,072
Worked fine for me. My old password was already compliant.
My only complaint is that the questions are too basic and probably don't provide that much added security. In my case, at least half of the questions could be answered if someone simply Googled me, and I don't even have a Facebook page where I blab about such things.
I hope, whenever UA requires someone to answer the questions, a minimum of three or four correct answers is required rather than just one question/answer.
My only complaint is that the questions are too basic and probably don't provide that much added security. In my case, at least half of the questions could be answered if someone simply Googled me, and I don't even have a Facebook page where I blab about such things.
I hope, whenever UA requires someone to answer the questions, a minimum of three or four correct answers is required rather than just one question/answer.
Feb 12, 16, 2:58 pm
#84
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,530
Who makes up these inane questions?
Blindly, I set and answered the 5 security questions. Honestly, who remembers the color of their house growing up? White? Umm... gray? I never noticed? Do you remember what fruit or vegetable you enjoyed when you were young?
Having said that, changing my password was not painful. I am glad to get rid of the 4 digit PIN.
Blindly, I set and answered the 5 security questions. Honestly, who remembers the color of their house growing up? White? Umm... gray? I never noticed? Do you remember what fruit or vegetable you enjoyed when you were young?
Having said that, changing my password was not painful. I am glad to get rid of the 4 digit PIN.
Feb 12, 16, 3:17 pm
#85
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: UAL-1K/MM, Marriott-Lifetime Platinum, SPG - Platinum
Posts: 66
...
Just got off the phone with United.
I made the changes this morning. This afternoon, I did the "Forgot Password" and was stuck in the security question loop.
I called Web support, the first response was essentially "You are doing something wrong"..So they tried and received the same answer. Told me an email will be sent when the issues are resolved.
No timeline. I asked what to i do in the meantime to make a reservation. "Call us and get charged a fee".
The mobile app lets me see my reservation, but once i try to to anything with it, I receive "United data services not available"
I made the changes this morning. This afternoon, I did the "Forgot Password" and was stuck in the security question loop.
I called Web support, the first response was essentially "You are doing something wrong"..So they tried and received the same answer. Told me an email will be sent when the issues are resolved.
No timeline. I asked what to i do in the meantime to make a reservation. "Call us and get charged a fee".
The mobile app lets me see my reservation, but once i try to to anything with it, I receive "United data services not available"
Feb 12, 16, 3:24 pm
#86
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Coast NSW, Australia
Programs: UA and SQ; Hilton, Fairmont, Marriott, Rydges Priority
Posts: 266
Just updated my and my wife's MP accounts security details without a problem.
5 minute job.
They even had an Australian make of car as one of the answers to the first car question.
5 minute job.
They even had an Australian make of car as one of the answers to the first car question.
Feb 12, 16, 3:32 pm
#87
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 18
Feb 12, 16, 4:16 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,563
No problems here setting up the password.
I agree with others on the security questions though. After the first 3 choices, I had some difficulty picking answers that were meaningful to me and I'd remember. Really silly way to do reminder questions. Hopefully I don't forget my password...ever.
I agree with others on the security questions though. After the first 3 choices, I had some difficulty picking answers that were meaningful to me and I'd remember. Really silly way to do reminder questions. Hopefully I don't forget my password...ever.
Feb 12, 16, 4:21 pm
#90
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
Just got off the phone with United.
I made the changes this morning. This afternoon, I did the "Forgot Password" and was stuck in the security question loop.
I called Web support, the first response was essentially "You are doing something wrong"..So they tried and received the same answer. Told me an email will be sent when the issues are resolved.
No timeline. I asked what to i do in the meantime to make a reservation. "Call us and get charged a fee".
The mobile app lets me see my reservation, but once i try to to anything with it, I receive "United data services not available"
I made the changes this morning. This afternoon, I did the "Forgot Password" and was stuck in the security question loop.
I called Web support, the first response was essentially "You are doing something wrong"..So they tried and received the same answer. Told me an email will be sent when the issues are resolved.
No timeline. I asked what to i do in the meantime to make a reservation. "Call us and get charged a fee".
The mobile app lets me see my reservation, but once i try to to anything with it, I receive "United data services not available"
One of the features of the new app version is to be able to change your password.. I just read that now..didn't pay attention yesterday.
