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 3, 2017, 2:27 pm
#1396
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
I actually figured out yesterday part of what's happening. Are you seeing 200 results when you search XXX-PIT, perchance? The website search function appears to be limited to 200 results, and if the flight you're hoping to find doesn't come up in the first 200, it may not be possible to find.
I haven't figured out exactly what criterion is being used to set the 200-result limit. It does seem to prioritize a smaller number of transfers in most cases, but I don't know how it sets the priority within groupings that require the same number of transfers.
Apr 3, 2017, 2:50 pm
#1397
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
UA awards aren't mileage-based; MPM isn't an issue.
I actually figured out yesterday part of what's happening. Are you seeing 200 results when you search XXX-PIT, perchance? The website search function appears to be limited to 200 results, and if the flight you're hoping to find doesn't come up in the first 200, it may not be possible to find.
I haven't figured out exactly what criterion is being used to set the 200-result limit. It does seem to prioritize a smaller number of transfers in most cases, but I don't know how it sets the priority within groupings that require the same number of transfers.
I actually figured out yesterday part of what's happening. Are you seeing 200 results when you search XXX-PIT, perchance? The website search function appears to be limited to 200 results, and if the flight you're hoping to find doesn't come up in the first 200, it may not be possible to find.
I haven't figured out exactly what criterion is being used to set the 200-result limit. It does seem to prioritize a smaller number of transfers in most cases, but I don't know how it sets the priority within groupings that require the same number of transfers.
ETA: UA.com is really stubborn - all search options does is eliminate some of the "first 200" options and does not yield new options...
Apr 3, 2017, 3:01 pm
#1398
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
Yes the search yielded 200 options (8 pages @ 25 options per page). Ok will try tinkering - maybe setting a departure time or something will help knock out some of the options...
ETA: UA.com is really stubborn - all search options does is eliminate some of the "first 200" options and does not yield new options...
ETA: UA.com is really stubborn - all search options does is eliminate some of the "first 200" options and does not yield new options...
Apr 3, 2017, 3:17 pm
#1399
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Should but doesn't (always). For example, if you select preferred connections or connections to avoid, they're filters that are performed post-search (you can tell, because the search results will tell you that you're seeing X of 200, and you can back them out). Some of the sort options did seem to make a difference, though -- for example, if I searched for shortest duration instead of best matches, I got a different 200 results.
Apr 4, 2017, 7:31 am
#1400
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 528
I’m flying from SCL to IAH on a business class award. I’m trying to add the final segment to Denver.
3 UA agents have now told me that you cannot add a segment to an award ticket anymore if the entire tickets isn’t still available.
Is there a work around to this?
I remember adding segments to award tickets in December.
3 UA agents have now told me that you cannot add a segment to an award ticket anymore if the entire tickets isn’t still available.
Is there a work around to this?
I remember adding segments to award tickets in December.
Apr 4, 2017, 11:19 am
#1401
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
I’m flying from SCL to IAH on a business class award. I’m trying to add the final segment to Denver.
3 UA agents have now told me that you cannot add a segment to an award ticket anymore if the entire tickets isn’t still available.
Is there a work around to this?
I remember adding segments to award tickets in December.
3 UA agents have now told me that you cannot add a segment to an award ticket anymore if the entire tickets isn’t still available.
Is there a work around to this?
I remember adding segments to award tickets in December.
Apr 4, 2017, 5:52 pm
#1402
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,691
OK. As far as I understand the new UA award rules, I am allowed a stopover as a excursionist perk (or whatever they call it). But I can't seem to get it to work. Something like KRK-FRA-IAH-ORD with a stop in IAH should work, but when I do a multi-city price it comes back as 12.5K (or 25K for J). Is there something I'm missing? It's not in the region I am starting in, so it should work.
Apr 4, 2017, 6:00 pm
#1403
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
That's a one-way award, and there's no excursionist perk on a one-way. If you were returning to Europe, e.g., KRK-FRA-IAH-ORD-FRA, you could get IAH-ORD for free, with a stop in each city.
Apr 4, 2017, 6:06 pm
#1404
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,691
What about under 24hrs? I know before it was never an issue but I'm guessing after the Oct changes that the system won't even allow a conx...
Apr 4, 2017, 6:37 pm
#1405
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
Apr 4, 2017, 6:45 pm
#1406
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,691
It would involve me calling in and hoping the agent will be able to price it. KRK-FRA-IAH does show in J and IAH-ORD the next day is available in J, but putting those together online fails. Its 3 segments, which is no issues for the system to allow.
Apr 4, 2017, 6:59 pm
#1407
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
You can no longer piece together award itineraries. United presents the complete routing and you have to accept it as is. Using multi-city to book prices each segment separately.
Apr 4, 2017, 7:02 pm
#1408
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
Most attempts at that fail. There are occasional successes, typically requiring a supervisor. Yours may be a tough sell, as it's exactly the kind of "extra flight" routing the new system was implemented to combat.
Apr 4, 2017, 7:12 pm
#1409
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,691
Yup, I will have to call in and see if they could do anything.
Apr 4, 2017, 7:17 pm
#1410
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
Cancel within 24 hours to avoid charge if it doesn't work.