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}
Mar 21, 2017, 1:57 pm
#1321
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 74
Hey all... been reading through the thread and haven't come across this issue. Would appreciate any help.
I'm trying to utilize the excursionist perk... ie, a free one-way (0 miles needed).
But, I have booked each of my segments as (2) DIFFERENT itineraries:
1) IAD --> LHR
2) AMS --> IAD
In theory, I should be able to get a 0-miles intra-Europe one-way flight, correct? Say, LHR --> AMS if I wanted.
I have called United multiple times and each time I am transferred endlessly between reservations, Mileage Plus, web support to no avail. No one seems to understand. I am told they cannot add it, that it needs to be done at time of booking, that it can't be done because the itineraries are separate, that itineraries cannot be combined, talk to this other department, etc etc.
Any insight into getting the free one-way added after the others are booked? On combining itineraries? On getting the free one-way with two separate itineraries?
Any insight would be appreciated, many thanks!
I'm trying to utilize the excursionist perk... ie, a free one-way (0 miles needed).
But, I have booked each of my segments as (2) DIFFERENT itineraries:
1) IAD --> LHR
2) AMS --> IAD
In theory, I should be able to get a 0-miles intra-Europe one-way flight, correct? Say, LHR --> AMS if I wanted.
I have called United multiple times and each time I am transferred endlessly between reservations, Mileage Plus, web support to no avail. No one seems to understand. I am told they cannot add it, that it needs to be done at time of booking, that it can't be done because the itineraries are separate, that itineraries cannot be combined, talk to this other department, etc etc.
Any insight into getting the free one-way added after the others are booked? On combining itineraries? On getting the free one-way with two separate itineraries?
Any insight would be appreciated, many thanks!
Mar 21, 2017, 2:06 pm
#1322
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
If the TATL flights are all UA metal, a competent agent should be able to do that for you. If you have any partner flights in there, that could gum up the works considerably unless there is additional award space open on the flights that you want.
Expect to have to pay two sets of change fees -- one for each existing reservation. If you get lucky, you may be able to convince an agent to waive one of the fees with the logic that you're trying to make one big change. The applicable change fee depends upon time until departure and your status.
Good luck!
Mar 21, 2017, 2:07 pm
#1323
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
This is the way the system is set up. There are likely agents with the tools to override that, and add the perk for free to an existing roundtrip itinerary, but . . .
This is 100% correct and probably your biggest issue. The EP can only be booked as part of a single itinerary, and you have two separate itineraries.
Honestly, I wouldn't spend another minute worrying about this. If you want to fly London-Amsterdam (or somewhere else on the continent), just book a one-way ticket on one of the LCCs from one of the alternate London airports (e.g., Stansted). You can't fly nonstop LHR-AMS on any *A carrier, and LHR is a big hassle anyway.
This is 100% correct and probably your biggest issue. The EP can only be booked as part of a single itinerary, and you have two separate itineraries.
Honestly, I wouldn't spend another minute worrying about this. If you want to fly London-Amsterdam (or somewhere else on the continent), just book a one-way ticket on one of the LCCs from one of the alternate London airports (e.g., Stansted). You can't fly nonstop LHR-AMS on any *A carrier, and LHR is a big hassle anyway.
Mar 21, 2017, 2:09 pm
#1324
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 181
Hey all... been reading through the thread and haven't come across this issue. Would appreciate any help.
I'm trying to utilize the excursionist perk... ie, a free one-way (0 miles needed).
But, I have booked each of my segments as (2) DIFFERENT itineraries:
1) IAD --> LHR
2) AMS --> IAD
In theory, I should be able to get a 0-miles intra-Europe one-way flight, correct? Say, LHR --> AMS if I wanted.
I have called United multiple times and each time I am transferred endlessly between reservations, Mileage Plus, web support to no avail. No one seems to understand. I am told they cannot add it, that it needs to be done at time of booking, that it can't be done because the itineraries are separate, that itineraries cannot be combined, talk to this other department, etc etc.
Any insight into getting the free one-way added after the others are booked? On combining itineraries? On getting the free one-way with two separate itineraries?
Any insight would be appreciated, many thanks!
I'm trying to utilize the excursionist perk... ie, a free one-way (0 miles needed).
But, I have booked each of my segments as (2) DIFFERENT itineraries:
1) IAD --> LHR
2) AMS --> IAD
In theory, I should be able to get a 0-miles intra-Europe one-way flight, correct? Say, LHR --> AMS if I wanted.
I have called United multiple times and each time I am transferred endlessly between reservations, Mileage Plus, web support to no avail. No one seems to understand. I am told they cannot add it, that it needs to be done at time of booking, that it can't be done because the itineraries are separate, that itineraries cannot be combined, talk to this other department, etc etc.
Any insight into getting the free one-way added after the others are booked? On combining itineraries? On getting the free one-way with two separate itineraries?
Any insight would be appreciated, many thanks!
Mar 22, 2017, 2:51 am
#1325
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Flagstaff, AZ USA
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 386
Urgent award reservation help needed
Hi all! I'm not an expert on MileagePlus, and really hope someone here can help me. After 2 months of waiting, an award itinerary I wanted (DUD-CHC-SYD-YVR-ANC on June 25) finally became available three days ago: I received notification from ExpertFlyer that a key flight (DUD-CHC) had opened up. Excitedly, I tried booking, only to receive this error after entering the credit card info:
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 1-800-396-1751; the U.K. at 0800 028 5003; elsewhere use the local phone number.
I tried calling the number above, and was told "I'm sorry, sir, that flight (DUD-CHC) is no longer available." I checked with the KVS Tool, and sure enough, it's available. I even called Air New Zealand and confirmed it was available for award booking by partners. I tried calling United again, and even speaking to a supervisor, but no matter what I said, the reply was always "that flight is no longer available".
For the last three days, I've tried booking this itinerary every few hours, and always with the same result (error message at the end of the booking process). This is incredibly frustrating. Please help -- any suggestions would be welcome!
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 1-800-396-1751; the U.K. at 0800 028 5003; elsewhere use the local phone number.
I tried calling the number above, and was told "I'm sorry, sir, that flight (DUD-CHC) is no longer available." I checked with the KVS Tool, and sure enough, it's available. I even called Air New Zealand and confirmed it was available for award booking by partners. I tried calling United again, and even speaking to a supervisor, but no matter what I said, the reply was always "that flight is no longer available".
For the last three days, I've tried booking this itinerary every few hours, and always with the same result (error message at the end of the booking process). This is incredibly frustrating. Please help -- any suggestions would be welcome!
Mar 22, 2017, 2:54 am
#1326
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
If it's not available it's not available. EF can occasionally show phantom inventory. You will not win an argument with an agent regarding award availability unfortunately.
Mar 22, 2017, 3:00 am
#1327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,930
Book what you can now. Don't wait on account of a short domestic segment.
Mar 22, 2017, 3:02 am
#1328
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
The error message on the UA site is pretty standard. Do anything remotely difficult and you're more likely than not to get that message.
Phone reps saying "that flight no longer available..." makes it sound like the flight no longer exists. I assume they mean award seats are not available.
Others can weigh in with some ideas, but troubleshooting from my side I would look at:
1. Does searching DUD-SYD, forced connection in CHC work for the agent? Sometimes searching Point A to Point B to Point C won't work.
2. Are you able to get the routing on different days? (not that you'd book it, but to confirm availability does in fact show on the UA system)
Phone reps saying "that flight no longer available..." makes it sound like the flight no longer exists. I assume they mean award seats are not available.
Others can weigh in with some ideas, but troubleshooting from my side I would look at:
1. Does searching DUD-SYD, forced connection in CHC work for the agent? Sometimes searching Point A to Point B to Point C won't work.
2. Are you able to get the routing on different days? (not that you'd book it, but to confirm availability does in fact show on the UA system)
Mar 22, 2017, 4:38 am
#1329
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 181
Hi all! I'm not an expert on MileagePlus, and really hope someone here can help me. After 2 months of waiting, an award itinerary I wanted (DUD-CHC-SYD-YVR-ANC on June 25) finally became available three days ago: I received notification from ExpertFlyer that a key flight (DUD-CHC) had opened up. Excitedly, I tried booking, only to receive this error after entering the credit card info:
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 1-800-396-1751; the U.K. at 0800 028 5003; elsewhere use the local phone number.
I tried calling the number above, and was told "I'm sorry, sir, that flight (DUD-CHC) is no longer available." I checked with the KVS Tool, and sure enough, it's available. I even called Air New Zealand and confirmed it was available for award booking by partners. I tried calling United again, and even speaking to a supervisor, but no matter what I said, the reply was always "that flight is no longer available".
For the last three days, I've tried booking this itinerary every few hours, and always with the same result (error message at the end of the booking process). This is incredibly frustrating. Please help -- any suggestions would be welcome!
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 1-800-396-1751; the U.K. at 0800 028 5003; elsewhere use the local phone number.
I tried calling the number above, and was told "I'm sorry, sir, that flight (DUD-CHC) is no longer available." I checked with the KVS Tool, and sure enough, it's available. I even called Air New Zealand and confirmed it was available for award booking by partners. I tried calling United again, and even speaking to a supervisor, but no matter what I said, the reply was always "that flight is no longer available".
For the last three days, I've tried booking this itinerary every few hours, and always with the same result (error message at the end of the booking process). This is incredibly frustrating. Please help -- any suggestions would be welcome!
Also, I see he chimed in here and a big +1 to what he said. You gotta lock in the CHC - SYD - ANC now.
Mar 22, 2017, 2:18 pm
#1330
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
DEN>NCE in June - Business Saver Scenario
Hi all -
I'm setting up a trip from DEN>NCE on 6/14. As expected at this time of year, Business Saver Awards are slim to none, but I was able to find a good amount from BOS>NCE.
So... I entered a Multi-City search from DEN>BOS as 1st leg on the morning of the 14th arriving at 2pm, then BOS>FRA>NCE as the second leg, leaving at 5pm. For 4 tickets this will run me 480k miles for 1st/Business, versus standard award/Business for 3 one way tickets at 450k. Seems like the value is there, but I do have one question:
If I book this, and Business Saver awards come up later(say, in a few weeks) on Business Class One Ways from DEN all the way to NCE, how is United to deal with on changing the itineraries? Specifically, is it a hassle to get miles back into my account to "re-spend them"? I've read about the standard fees for award ticket changes, and I think it would be worth it to change and only spend 280k miles. I could buy my tickets home with miles rather than with cash that way...
Let me know if this isn't the right place for this kind of post. 1st time, long time
Thanks
I'm setting up a trip from DEN>NCE on 6/14. As expected at this time of year, Business Saver Awards are slim to none, but I was able to find a good amount from BOS>NCE.
So... I entered a Multi-City search from DEN>BOS as 1st leg on the morning of the 14th arriving at 2pm, then BOS>FRA>NCE as the second leg, leaving at 5pm. For 4 tickets this will run me 480k miles for 1st/Business, versus standard award/Business for 3 one way tickets at 450k. Seems like the value is there, but I do have one question:
If I book this, and Business Saver awards come up later(say, in a few weeks) on Business Class One Ways from DEN all the way to NCE, how is United to deal with on changing the itineraries? Specifically, is it a hassle to get miles back into my account to "re-spend them"? I've read about the standard fees for award ticket changes, and I think it would be worth it to change and only spend 280k miles. I could buy my tickets home with miles rather than with cash that way...
Let me know if this isn't the right place for this kind of post. 1st time, long time
Thanks
Mar 22, 2017, 4:27 pm
#1331
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 74
How much does award space fluctuate? For October NA -> Asia travel, day-bay-day basis? Week-by-week? Looking for some anecdotal evidence, thanks!
Edit: found a relevant thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...7-forward.html
Edit: found a relevant thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...7-forward.html
Last edited by toastedcoconut; Mar 22, 2017 at 4:32 pm Reason: update
Mar 22, 2017, 8:37 pm
#1332
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: HH-Diamond, Hyatt-Glob, all else dirt level
Posts: 92
I think I know the answer to this, but wanted a consensus. I have 4 one ways booked using 10,000 miles each (short hop within the same state). The cost to cancel is $125 per ticket, so it makes more sense just to bail on the flight and the points rather than pay the cancel fee - I think. Sorry United.
Mar 22, 2017, 9:22 pm
#1333
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
I think I know the answer to this, but wanted a consensus. I have 4 one ways booked using 10,000 miles each (short hop within the same state). The cost to cancel is $125 per ticket, so it makes more sense just to bail on the flight and the points rather than pay the cancel fee - I think. Sorry United.
Mar 22, 2017, 10:08 pm
#1334
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Hi all! I'm not an expert on MileagePlus, and really hope someone here can help me. After 2 months of waiting, an award itinerary I wanted (DUD-CHC-SYD-YVR-ANC on June 25) finally became available three days ago: I received notification from ExpertFlyer that a key flight (DUD-CHC) had opened up. Excitedly, I tried booking, only to receive this error after entering the credit card info:
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 1-800-396-1751; the U.K. at 0800 028 5003; elsewhere use the local phone number.
I tried calling the number above, and was told "I'm sorry, sir, that flight (DUD-CHC) is no longer available."
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 1-800-396-1751; the U.K. at 0800 028 5003; elsewhere use the local phone number.
I tried calling the number above, and was told "I'm sorry, sir, that flight (DUD-CHC) is no longer available."
[KVS Tool 8.4.3/Diamond - Awards/NH-StarAlliance/JP]
Code:
DUD Dunedin NZ [NZDN]
CHC Christchurch Intl NZ [NZCH]
SUN 25 Jun 2017 | 1 Seat
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Award Availability
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ---------------------
No Award Availability
If you are able to depart a day earlier or later, there are Award seats currently available:
[KVS Tool 8.4.3/Diamond - Awards/NH-StarAlliance/JP]
Code:
DUD Dunedin NZ [NZDN] CHC Christchurch Intl NZ [NZCH] SAT 24 Jun 2017 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ NZ/NM 5740 DUD 06:35 CHC 07:35 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5742 DUD 08:15 CHC 09:15 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5746 DUD 10:10 CHC 11:10 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5750 DUD 13:05 CHC 14:05 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5752 DUD 15:05 CHC 16:05 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5382 DUD 17:30 CHC 18:30 AT7 YS+ NZ 410 DUD 06:25 WLG 07:35 320 YS+ -> NZ 335 WLG 08:35 CHC 09:25 320 NZ 410 DUD 06:25 WLG 07:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/NM 5341 WLG 09:05 CHC 10:05 AT7 NZ 410 DUD 06:25 WLG 07:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/NM 5343 WLG 09:35 CHC 10:35 AT7 NZ 410 DUD 06:25 WLG 07:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/NM 5345 WLG 10:35 CHC 11:35 AT7 NZ 682 DUD 10:25 WLG 11:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/NM 5355 WLG 12:35 CHC 13:35 AT7 NZ 410 DUD 06:25 WLG 07:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/#Z 8303 WLG 08:05 NSN 08:45 DH3 -> NZ/#Z 8845 NSN 10:05 CHC 10:55 DH3 NZ 410 DUD 06:25 WLG 07:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/#Z 8242 WLG 08:30 PMR 09:05 DH3 -> NZ/NM 5181 PMR 09:40 CHC 11:00 AT7
[KVS Tool 8.4.3/Diamond - Awards/NH-StarAlliance/JP]
Code:
DUD Dunedin NZ [NZDN] CHC Christchurch Intl NZ [NZCH] MON 26 Jun 2017 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ NZ/NM 5746 DUD 10:10 CHC 11:10 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5750 DUD 13:05 CHC 14:05 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5752 DUD 15:05 CHC 16:05 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5754 DUD 17:30 CHC 18:30 AT7 YS+ NZ/NM 5758 DUD 19:30 CHC 20:30 AT7 YS+ NZ 682 DUD 10:25 WLG 11:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/NM 5353 WLG 12:05 CHC 13:05 AT7 NZ 682 DUD 10:25 WLG 11:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/NM 5355 WLG 12:35 CHC 13:35 AT7 NZ 682 DUD 10:25 WLG 11:35 320 YS+ -> NZ/NM 5359 WLG 13:35 CHC 14:35 AT7
Mar 22, 2017, 10:51 pm
#1335
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Flagstaff, AZ USA
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 386
You're right, it has disappeared from KVS. It's still showing up on united.com, but I understand it's phantom at this point. However, it was most definitely not phantom previously -- it was showing as available on KVS for about three days, during which I tried booking it on united.com about 10 times, always with the same error. Very frustrating.