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}
Aug 3, 2016, 9:37 am
#31
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The electrified part of North Carolina
Programs: UA GM, AA GM, DL GM
Posts: 4,157
Can only guess the reason for the Plat. $$ change at T-60 is mentioned in the FAQs about fees (bolding mine):
Why did you change the window from 21 days to 61 days for reduced fees?
A reduced fee is applied for members making changes to awards 61 or more days prior to original departure date instead of 21 days to encourage members to maintain their travel plans closer to departure. When a customer changes or cancels a ticket closer to departure date, it reduces the chance for that seat to be used by another customer.
SL
Why did you change the window from 21 days to 61 days for reduced fees?
A reduced fee is applied for members making changes to awards 61 or more days prior to original departure date instead of 21 days to encourage members to maintain their travel plans closer to departure. When a customer changes or cancels a ticket closer to departure date, it reduces the chance for that seat to be used by another customer.
SL
Aug 3, 2016, 9:44 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
It's also unclear from the language whether the new fees are only for changes or also for cancellation (even though UA Insider said cancellation).
If they include cancellation that is a slight improvement as a Silver (and maybe Gold by end of the year) but change fees hurt (now a fee for any change as a Silver where previously more than 21 days was free).
I will say that at least they are still allowing a stopover even if it's more restrictive. Sadly the US airline oligopoly means the grass isn't greener on the other side with AS the only other major carrier that permits stopovers on international awards.
If they include cancellation that is a slight improvement as a Silver (and maybe Gold by end of the year) but change fees hurt (now a fee for any change as a Silver where previously more than 21 days was free).
I will say that at least they are still allowing a stopover even if it's more restrictive. Sadly the US airline oligopoly means the grass isn't greener on the other side with AS the only other major carrier that permits stopovers on international awards.
Aug 3, 2016, 9:46 am
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,459
Calling a cutback an "enhancement" or "modification" is now so firmly embedded in airline communications culture -- with no apparent cost to the airlines -- they have no incentive to shift to honest language. They've been on this track for fifteen years, and they're making more money than ever. Why change now?
The curious thing is they've handed GMs a huge reduction in fees on a redeposit, while at the same time screwing Plats with the new fee.
It covers "cancel with redeposit."
Aug 3, 2016, 9:47 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Can only guess the reason for the Plat. $$ change at T-60 is mentioned in the FAQs about fees (bolding mine):
Why did you change the window from 21 days to 61 days for reduced fees?
A reduced fee is applied for members making changes to awards 61 or more days prior to original departure date instead of 21 days to encourage members to maintain their travel plans closer to departure. When a customer changes or cancels a ticket closer to departure date, it reduces the chance for that seat to be used by another customer.
SL
Why did you change the window from 21 days to 61 days for reduced fees?
A reduced fee is applied for members making changes to awards 61 or more days prior to original departure date instead of 21 days to encourage members to maintain their travel plans closer to departure. When a customer changes or cancels a ticket closer to departure date, it reduces the chance for that seat to be used by another customer.
SL
Aug 3, 2016, 9:48 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,227
some of our United Mileage Plus Sliver members found the fact that we didn't charge a change fee outside of 21 days confusing; to alleviate this confusion we have instituted a $50 fee to change an itinerary. This change is based upon feedback we received from our valued Silver members.
Aug 3, 2016, 9:52 am
#36
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: UA:MM 1K HH:Diamond IHG:Plat Marriott:Plat
Posts: 652
This is ridiculous. The Plats must sue if they change the rules in the middle of the elite year.
Aug 3, 2016, 9:54 am
#37
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Westchester NY
Programs: UA GS 4+ MM
Posts: 373
So, brand new award tickets for general members after October 5, is the fee now $125 for bookings within 61 days? Or is it still $75 within 21 days. Website link doesn't delineate new bookings from changes to existing bookings. Rank and file members won't be happy with that.
It is unclear if the 21 day rule has been eliminated for new award tickets. If so, a lot of people will be hit with a new booking fee within two months of travel.
From the website, United lists 1Ks above Global Service members in the hierarchy of the program. About time!
(bet they clean that up quick!)
It is unclear if the 21 day rule has been eliminated for new award tickets. If so, a lot of people will be hit with a new booking fee within two months of travel.
From the website, United lists 1Ks above Global Service members in the hierarchy of the program. About time!
(bet they clean that up quick!)
Last edited by dkc715; Aug 3, 2016 at 10:04 am
Aug 3, 2016, 9:57 am
#38
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1k, SPG/Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,020
Very unhappy. As has been discussed broadly on flyertalk, the ability to change award tickets without fees was a key benefit to maintaining Platinum status. That is now gone and the difference between the fees charged for Platinum and for Gold is minor, certainly not worth the extra effort of getting Plat status. I appreciate the gold fee dropping from 100 to 75.
For me this means I will not strive to get Platinum Status any more. There are not enough other benefits to justify it.
For me this means I will not strive to get Platinum Status any more. There are not enough other benefits to justify it.
Aug 3, 2016, 10:01 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Europe
Programs: AY Gold, A3 Gold, UA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 482
UA race to the bottom continues. Well done.
Aug 3, 2016, 10:05 am
#40
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott LT Titanium, AA LT Gold, Radisson Gold, Hertz PC, HP Masters emeritus (sigh)
Posts: 445
This makes me sad. Can't go visit relatives within US anymore en route to Europe, which we did often. This is also very unfriendly for people outside of the hubs who often must stopover in order to string something together with saver availability.
Last edited by DesertRat; Aug 3, 2016 at 11:32 am
Aug 3, 2016, 10:14 am
#41
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Wow, pretty terrible now
Aug 3, 2016, 10:24 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 729
Any indication on whether there is a close-in booking fee for new award flights?
Aug 3, 2016, 10:24 am
#43
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,782
I think the part that makes me the most angry is that they are telling us that it's some type of upgrade or extra benefit now. Do they think we are idiots?
Aug 3, 2016, 10:26 am
#44
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 644
What about an ORD-MUC-PRG roundtrip, where there's no direct Prague? Is that now the price of a Europe r/t and and intraEurope flight?
Right now, STL-ORD-MUC-PRG is 60K in E. How much would it be under the new program?
I'm worried this devaluation is even worse than it seems at first glance.
Right now, STL-ORD-MUC-PRG is 60K in E. How much would it be under the new program?
I'm worried this devaluation is even worse than it seems at first glance.
Aug 3, 2016, 10:31 am
#45
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 24
What about an ORD-MUC-PRG roundtrip, where there's no direct Prague? Is that now the price of a Europe r/t and and intraEurope flight?
Right now, STL-ORD-MUC-PRG is 60K in E. How much would it be under the new program?
I'm worried this devaluation is even worse than it seems at first glance.
Right now, STL-ORD-MUC-PRG is 60K in E. How much would it be under the new program?
I'm worried this devaluation is even worse than it seems at first glance.