UA initiates Account Security Update (Security Q&A authentication added 2016)
Feb 12, 2016, 4:30 pm
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
In the "what's new" for the Android app it has the cryptic "reset your mileageplus password". I installed it but no further action needed by me, I presume as my password meets their new standards.
Feb 12, 2016, 4:38 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: UAL-1K/MM, Marriott-Lifetime Platinum, SPG - Platinum
Posts: 66
Thanks for the inof.
I logged off. When signing back in, I indicated that I forgot my password. I filled out the next screen with my name and MP#.
It told me that my name didn't match the MP account listed.
I logged off. When signing back in, I indicated that I forgot my password. I filled out the next screen with my name and MP#.
It told me that my name didn't match the MP account listed.
Feb 12, 2016, 4:43 pm
#93
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Moorpark, CA
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM; Hilton Gold; IHG Gold; Marriott Gold; Hyatt Platinum; probably missing something
Posts: 20
It took me two computers and two browsers to find one that would let me get out of the security question loop and set a password. Closed out, logged back in, now it tells me my credentials are invalid.
I've been on the phone with customer service twice and I get the impression that they didn't know this was happening till they started getting these phone calls. The second one transferred me to MileagePlus support, where a very patient-sounding woman assured me that they're aware that there have been "a few glitches" and they expect to have them ironed out within 24 hours.
Agree with the comments about the bizarre security questions. Favorite vacation? Would that be in summer or winter? With who?
I've been on the phone with customer service twice and I get the impression that they didn't know this was happening till they started getting these phone calls. The second one transferred me to MileagePlus support, where a very patient-sounding woman assured me that they're aware that there have been "a few glitches" and they expect to have them ironed out within 24 hours.
Agree with the comments about the bizarre security questions. Favorite vacation? Would that be in summer or winter? With who?
Last edited by domerdeb; Feb 12, 2016 at 5:00 pm
Feb 12, 2016, 5:08 pm
#94
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
Feb 12, 2016, 5:14 pm
#95
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Silicon wasteland
Programs: UA 1KMM
Posts: 1,381
Could not get in with MP # and PIN. Found password.
Picked questions and answers. New password. Enter res info (SFO>SIN) and use GPU Y>C or P/Z outright. Outbound shows R available, but no listing of GPU's, only miles, but only for F. Picked outbound with lowest paid C, then...
"We are unable to process your request. Please see the message below for details.
"We’re sorry, but united.com was unable to complete your request. Please try later or contact united.com Support in the U.S. and Canada at 1-888-491-6573; the U.K., phone 0800 028 5003; elsewhere use the local phone number."
Same ro....... four times.
United IT strikes again.
Picked questions and answers. New password. Enter res info (SFO>SIN) and use GPU Y>C or P/Z outright. Outbound shows R available, but no listing of GPU's, only miles, but only for F. Picked outbound with lowest paid C, then...
"We are unable to process your request. Please see the message below for details.
"We’re sorry, but united.com was unable to complete your request. Please try later or contact united.com Support in the U.S. and Canada at 1-888-491-6573; the U.K., phone 0800 028 5003; elsewhere use the local phone number."
Same ro....... four times.
United IT strikes again.
Went to IE and no issues.
Does this help?
Feb 12, 2016, 5:46 pm
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,686
Feb 12, 2016, 7:52 pm
#97
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAN, FNT, GRR, DTW
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 346
Last night I chose a flight through ITA matrix and went to book it on United. I tried to log in for 15 mins in various ways (including rebooting and a different browser). No matter what I did I couldn't log in. It was getting late and I eventually gave up. Good job United IT support - loosing sales and ticking off people is the way to bring in more fares....
Feb 12, 2016, 9:42 pm
#99
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Ex-MSP
Programs: UA: Plat, Marriott: Annual Ambassador, Lifetime Grandfather
Posts: 293
I use 1Password to set passwords for all websites. All websites have different passwords, and I generally use the longest password that a website will allow me to use. (For banks, that means 8 letters and numbers with no special characters, of course!
)My United password is 32 characters with 2 digits and 3 special characters. And still, I was prompted to reset my password upon logging in...
-mvitale
Feb 12, 2016, 11:59 pm
#100
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Texas
Programs: AA Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 125
What a mess..
I have been logging on with my Mileage number and password and now cannot. Can't get to any reservations or anything. I guess misery loves company.
Feb 13, 2016, 12:48 am
#101
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX/LAS
Programs: UA 1MM
Posts: 171
I just did the five questions, was not given the option of changing the password (I was only using a pin) and then of course couldn't get back in. Called MP service center and a great lady there told me they have had endless calls all day long about this. I finally just went through the 'forgot password' link and reset the password. So far it seems to be OK - but really, someone in IT should have tested this out before implementing it. I can only imagine how many calls about this there have been into MP and UA over the past 48 hours. Unless maybe not that many people actually use the website - except for FTers 
Feb 13, 2016, 4:01 am
#103
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 690
At least that's the way it works for other web sites, I haven't tried loging in to my UA account yet, and from one of the responses above, it appears that they may have canned answers to select from --- that would defeat the basic purpose.
[ clickity clickity ]
Yup. I just logged in and had a look at the new page. UAInsider, it's a seriously short-sighted way to encode things. What if my first language is not English (it isn't), or I'm not fluent (thankfully, I am)?
Nevertheless, there is no requirement for veracity in your responses. You can still pick an arbitrary question / answer combination, as long as you have a good means for remembering them.
Last edited by jpezaris; Feb 13, 2016 at 4:14 am Reason: updated with more information
Feb 13, 2016, 4:21 am
#104
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,431
I just did the five questions, was not given the option of changing the password (I was only using a pin) and then of course couldn't get back in. Called MP service center and a great lady there told me they have had endless calls all day long about this. I finally just went through the 'forgot password' link and reset the password. So far it seems to be OK - but really, someone in IT should have tested this out before implementing it. I can only imagine how many calls about this there have been into MP and UA over the past 48 hours. Unless maybe not that many people actually use the website - except for FTers
Feb 13, 2016, 4:33 am
#105
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 141
FWIW, the decision to not prompt everyone for a new password was made on purpose.
Last edited by amislove; Feb 13, 2016 at 5:15 am Reason: Clarify