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}
Dec 5, 2016, 7:40 am
#886
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Arghh this "new system" is so frustrating! Agents keep being unable to book specific segments with inventory available (even non-married inventory) and only being able to book (or saying they are only able to book) specific routing sets that "the computer" offers them. Which is frustrating on a routing like NYC-SIN where the computer keeps suggesting routings on Air China with long connections in PEK (ugh that airport) when space is available on TG/LH via Europe. And the computer happily suggests SOME TG/LH routings through Europe, but coincidentally only the segments that don't have F space, so the computer only offers the Y awards..while not listing the segments that do have F space unless you do a segment-by-segment separate search. 
In the end I managed to get home. However, I could have gotten better flight schedules in the "previous" system.
Dec 5, 2016, 7:59 am
#887
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SRQ, PDX
Programs: UA 1 MM, AA, DL
Posts: 930
Me too. Booked OW to HKG (before the change) via VIE but couldn't get back (after the change) via Europe, even after calling. Until "another-change-I-don't-like," it was easy to snag good seats via Europe from HKG to USA.
Dec 13, 2016, 3:52 am
#888
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LIS/AUS
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium, TAP Gold
Posts: 263
I'm trying to book a 1-way TXL-FRA-PVG-AKL. When I put in TXL-AKL, there's only economy, but when I look at individual flights, the TXL-FRA-PVG have saver business availability.
Called 1k and they are unable to do ANYTHING. Has anyone been able to get some sort of workaround? This is HORRIBLE
Called 1k and they are unable to do ANYTHING. Has anyone been able to get some sort of workaround? This is HORRIBLE
Dec 13, 2016, 6:14 am
#889
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
I'm trying to book a 1-way TXL-FRA-PVG-AKL. When I put in TXL-AKL, there's only economy, but when I look at individual flights, the TXL-FRA-PVG have saver business availability.
Called 1k and they are unable to do ANYTHING. Has anyone been able to get some sort of workaround? This is HORRIBLE
Called 1k and they are unable to do ANYTHING. Has anyone been able to get some sort of workaround? This is HORRIBLE
I explained that this made no sense, that there was only one of me, that I didn't see why there needed to be a second open saver J seat for a SDC. She said her hands were tied.
This is starting to sound more and more like a bug.
Dec 13, 2016, 7:24 am
#890
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
It's not a bug. It's a #UnitedUnfriendly feature :-:enhancement:-:
If enough 1K/GS would complain about it maybe we would get somewhere...
If enough 1K/GS would complain about it maybe we would get somewhere...
Dec 13, 2016, 7:26 am
#891
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
I dont think its a bug. I think post October-6th UA changed the functionality of the system used by phone agents. Currently the agents literally see whatever you would see on .bomb (with some exceptions).
However, there are a few agents who are willing to use their previous knowledge and make changes to certain parts of your trip without touching other aspects, etc. These few agents will probably stop doing helpful stuff as soon as their supervisors ding them for doing additional work.
However, there are a few agents who are willing to use their previous knowledge and make changes to certain parts of your trip without touching other aspects, etc. These few agents will probably stop doing helpful stuff as soon as their supervisors ding them for doing additional work.
Dec 13, 2016, 8:15 am
#892
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
Similar experience here, booking BOS>EWR>TXL tomorrow one-way saver J. I currently have a seven-hour layover, and the agent was very clear that I won't be able to SDC onto a later BOS>EWR feeder flight -- even if there's wide open space in economy -- unless there's also a second saver J seat open on the married TATL segment. In other words, I can't "keep my seat" on the TATL segment and just SDC the first leg, even if I'm willing to sit in the back for the short hop to EWR.
I explained that this made no sense, that there was only one of me, that I didn't see why there needed to be a second open saver J seat for a SDC. She said her hands were tied.
This is starting to sound more and more like a bug.
I explained that this made no sense, that there was only one of me, that I didn't see why there needed to be a second open saver J seat for a SDC. She said her hands were tied.
This is starting to sound more and more like a bug.
Dec 13, 2016, 8:28 am
#893
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
YMMV.
Dec 13, 2016, 8:59 am
#894
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
Dec 13, 2016, 9:45 am
#895
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
MP rules
Ya I got that. That's why I said if you live close. As in go to the airport earlier in the day, get an agent there to move you to the later flight, leave, and come back for your now later departure.
Dec 13, 2016, 10:56 am
#896
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
FWIW, I let UA CS know my serious concerns within days after this change came into effect.
1K and GS: LET UA KNOW !!!
Last edited by goalie; Dec 13, 2016 at 1:05 pm Reason: repaired quote
Dec 15, 2016, 9:27 pm
#897
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 75
I have a roundtrip from JFK to HKG via FRA.
Previously I was allowed to call in and request a stopover in FRA for no additional mileage. Is this still possible under the new rules?
Previously I was allowed to call in and request a stopover in FRA for no additional mileage. Is this still possible under the new rules?
Dec 15, 2016, 9:46 pm
#898
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
ctober 2016 enhancements.
Dec 17, 2016, 4:08 pm
#899
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
"The cabin of service and award type of the free one-way award is the same or lower than the one-way award preceding it."
Question - Is Standard Economy Award Type lower than Saver First?
Anybody have any experience with this.
Question - Is Standard Economy Award Type lower than Saver First?
Anybody have any experience with this.
Dec 17, 2016, 4:54 pm
#900
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
Unequivocally - no. Can't mix standard with saver.