Dec 27, 2016, 9:23 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United's Announcement and FAQ
Kacee's Interpretation
Main Impact Since October 6
Useful Links
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Award booking questions/ issues/ routing/ excursionist problems / help
Kacee's Interpretation
Main Impact Since October 6
- Fee Changes such as platinum members are subject to various award fees
- No more free stopover - replaced with Excursionist Perk
- Agents no longer have the ability to find routings that do not show up on united.com
- Manually constructing trips using multi-city search results in multiple award fares being charged
- Changing any segment MIGHT require current availability for all existing Os&Ds in the PNR (as if a brand new booking is made) - YMMV
- Singapore Airlines segments are priced separately (add-ons)
Useful Links
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Award booking questions/ issues/ routing/ excursionist problems / help
UA award booking,change questions/fees/issues/routing/excursionist problems {Archive}
Apr 22, 2018, 9:33 am
#2416
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
Incorrect answer posted.
Apr 24, 2018, 5:54 pm
#2417
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: WAS
Programs: Virtuoso TA, UA 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 445
If I want to fly pvg-iad on an award ticket, but UA website keeps routing me pvg-tyo-iad, can I call to book pvg-ist/fra-iad for the same price as the automatically priced pvg-tyo-iad?
Apr 24, 2018, 6:39 pm
#2418
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
Not generally, no. If a routing doesn't come up with a simple origin to destination search, it will normally be priced as multiple one-way awards -- North Asia to Europe + Europe to North America, in this case.
Apr 25, 2018, 5:24 am
#2419
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 97
First time international award booking
Could use some help.
Have a business trip planned 1st week of June. 100% certain of arrival and departure locations, like most of my typical work trips, everything in the middle is unknown. Challenge is the Mrs is coming with.
I know that the stopover flights are free, just wondering how the best way to book this a little in advance is.
Details- US->LHR on a Sunday, Need to get to OSL Wednesday night. OSL->US the following sunday. Co-Workers have indicated we may be going to Paris and Brussels to visit customers, very tentative.
If I book US->LHR->OSL->US Can I change my award flight from LHR->OSL to CDG->OSL or BRU->OSL for my wife or is it locked in ?? My company would take care of my changes and everything so completely not worried about that part.
I'm 1K, not GS.
Also- I have to stick to UA or LH for GPU redemption (on my flight) correct?
Many thanks!
Have a business trip planned 1st week of June. 100% certain of arrival and departure locations, like most of my typical work trips, everything in the middle is unknown. Challenge is the Mrs is coming with.
I know that the stopover flights are free, just wondering how the best way to book this a little in advance is.
Details- US->LHR on a Sunday, Need to get to OSL Wednesday night. OSL->US the following sunday. Co-Workers have indicated we may be going to Paris and Brussels to visit customers, very tentative.
If I book US->LHR->OSL->US Can I change my award flight from LHR->OSL to CDG->OSL or BRU->OSL for my wife or is it locked in ?? My company would take care of my changes and everything so completely not worried about that part.
I'm 1K, not GS.
Also- I have to stick to UA or LH for GPU redemption (on my flight) correct?
Many thanks!
Apr 25, 2018, 5:53 am
#2420
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
You can't redeem GPU's on award flights. So, pick whomever you want.
If everything in unknown, you best be booking these trips as one-ways unless you really want to take advantage of the stopover. Once you depart on your first leg, you're locked in if you booked this as a roundtrip with the stopover.
If everything in unknown, you best be booking these trips as one-ways unless you really want to take advantage of the stopover. Once you depart on your first leg, you're locked in if you booked this as a roundtrip with the stopover.
Apr 25, 2018, 7:31 am
#2421
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Yes, for your paid flight, would not apply to the award ticket.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 25, 2018 at 9:01 am Reason: typo
Apr 25, 2018, 7:37 am
#2422
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
OP: Yes, you need UA or LH metal to use GPUs, but note that (a) LH GPUs won't extend to cover connecting flights, and (b) LH GPUs can't be used on W or V fares (or the cheapest PE bucket).This isn't true. You can absolutely change the award after travel has commenced. What you can't do is try to convert from a roundtrip to a one-way flight and refund the difference. Thus, changing from LHR->OSL to CDG->OSL is possible, but it may be necessary to revalidate space on the return flight at the same time that you change the excursionist perk. UA-operated flights will be fine; partner-operated flights may not -- reports vary on whether or not agents can hold existing space or if they need new award inventory.
Apr 25, 2018, 7:51 am
#2423
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
As non-GS, you're going to find it extremely difficult to match paid and award flights for the overwater segments, particularly if you're looking for business class (saver and/or GPU upgrade). If you must travel on specific days, it's going to be even harder.
Apr 25, 2018, 8:05 am
#2424
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
I doubt OP is volunteering his miles for a work trip. OP: Yes, you need UA or LH metal to use GPUs, but note that (a) LH GPUs won't extend to cover connecting flights, and (b) LH GPUs can't be used on W or V fares (or the cheapest PE bucket).
This isn't true. You can absolutely change the award after travel has commenced. What you can't do is try to convert from a roundtrip to a one-way flight and refund the difference. Thus, changing from LHR->OSL to CDG->OSL is possible, but it may be necessary to revalidate space on the return flight at the same time that you change the excursionist perk. UA-operated flights will be fine; partner-operated flights may not -- reports vary on whether or not agents can hold existing space or if they need new award inventory.
OP: Yes, you need UA or LH metal to use GPUs, but note that (a) LH GPUs won't extend to cover connecting flights, and (b) LH GPUs can't be used on W or V fares (or the cheapest PE bucket).This isn't true. You can absolutely change the award after travel has commenced. What you can't do is try to convert from a roundtrip to a one-way flight and refund the difference. Thus, changing from LHR->OSL to CDG->OSL is possible, but it may be necessary to revalidate space on the return flight at the same time that you change the excursionist perk. UA-operated flights will be fine; partner-operated flights may not -- reports vary on whether or not agents can hold existing space or if they need new award inventory.
The OP said international award help! So...I assumed award!
Apr 25, 2018, 9:21 am
#2425
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 278
I recently booked an award via Aeroplan on Egypt Air JFK-CAI-JNB. My wife is a 1K and has plenty of UA miles, but for some strange reason, UA couldn't see the award availability in J for the CAI-JNB segment. Both AC and SQ could see it. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any rationale? I would assume that all partners should have equal access to Egypt Air award space...
Apr 25, 2018, 9:25 am
#2426
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
I recently booked an award via Aeroplan on Egypt Air JFK-CAI-JNB. My wife is a 1K and has plenty of UA miles, but for some strange reason, UA couldn't see the award availability in J for the CAI-JNB segment. Both AC and SQ could see it. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any rationale? I would assume that all partners should have equal access to Egypt Air award space...
Apr 25, 2018, 9:35 am
#2427
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 278
Good to know. Not the biggest problem in the world in this case, as AC charged nominally fewer miles, and we had Amex points at the ready. Obviously would have been nice to take advantage of free changes with 1K status, though. Hopefully will be a moot point.
Apr 25, 2018, 10:43 am
#2428
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,029
Apr 25, 2018, 9:02 pm
#2429
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: CVG, originally LAX/SNA
Programs: UA MileagePlus Premier Platinum, Hilton Honors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 77
Datapoint for standby with United on an Aeroplan award ticket, you can totally do it and nothing will break.
Apr 25, 2018, 9:21 pm
#2430
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 7,582
Quick question. Is Colombia (BOG specifically) ever considered Central America for the purpose of an award redemption? I have a Central America-Southern South America routing that is only charging 20k miles one way, and if I read the award chart right, the only way it should be that price is if it's direct or via Central American only. The last leg is on Avianca through BOG. Thoughts?
Chris
Chris