Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > United Airlines | MileagePlus
Reload this Page >

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part II]

Old Aug 13, 16, 11:19 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Welcome to this thread to ask your basic, simple questions about United Airlines, its operations, or the MileagePlus program. We know that the airline is complex and weve created this thread for new and veteran members to ask those basic questions about United Airlines that you think must have an easy answer but just cant find it or arent sure where to look.

UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, goalie, Pat89339, WineCountryUA

These are the two rules for this thread:
  1. Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to other threads if the question deserves its own thread.
  2. Any member who can post a constructive, patient answer is welcome to reply.

Generally there are not long discussions of an issue in this thread. If it appears that is needed, the posts will be moved to an existing thread or used as the start of a new separate thread.

Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:

United MileagePlus Master Wiki

"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary

Here is a link to recent previous threads:
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part I]

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 -Part II]...

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 Thread]...
Print Wikipost

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part II]

Old Aug 1, 16, 7:55 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between
Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG
Posts: 3,466
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part II]

I am supposed to send two employees to Belize on business tomorrow returning Thursday via IAH; INvest 97L is likely to become a storm and hit the Yucatan/Belize this week.

Any thoughts on when/if UNITED might put a travel advisory out?
FlyingHoustonian is offline  
Old Aug 1, 16, 8:01 pm
  #2  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,098
Originally Posted by FlyingHoustonian
I am supposed to send two employees to Belize on business tomorrow returning Thursday via IAH; INvest 97L is likely to become a storm and hit the Yucatan/Belize this week.

Any thoughts on when/if UNITED might put a travel advisory out?
Given weather uncertainties airlines tend to wait until the forecast uncertainties decrease and there is a better estimate of significant of the distruption -- so perhaps 24 hours before the first flight disruptions??? can be sooner, can be later.
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Aug 2, 16, 10:56 am
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Denver
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 94
True, there are some benefits!

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
for more on what benefits you might get

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-benefits.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ed-united.html

Some UA elites have been able to get preferred seating on AC aircraft especially at the airport - not a certainty, but worth a try.
You, EmailKid, & mahasamatman are all correct.

I was incorrect when I said zero benefits.

I decided to just spend the $30 each way for an E+ equivalent seat. Worst case, client doesn't want to reimburse, but I did save them $400-$800 by booking on AC versus .bomb, so that's a good thing.
JustBreathe is offline  
Old Aug 2, 16, 2:37 pm
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 6
Regarding 24-hours free cancellation policy: what if I booked a flight that's less than 24 hours away? Does it still apply? I don't see it being explicitly stated in here https://www.united.com/web/en-US/app...romoCode=A5753
And if it still does, can't it be used if I miss the flight?
FlyFar888 is offline  
Old Aug 2, 16, 3:24 pm
  #5  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,098
Originally Posted by FlyFar888
Regarding 24-hours free cancellation policy: what if I booked a flight that's less than 24 hours away? Does it still apply? I don't see it being explicitly stated in here https://www.united.com/web/en-US/app...romoCode=A5753
And if it still does, can't it be used if I miss the flight?
Yes, UA will honor the 24 honor free cancellation even for tickets purchase less than 24 hours to departure. The cancellation needs to be done before scheduled departure (if a non-refundable fare).

Note the DOT rules do not require this, DOT allowed airlines to forgo the cancel period if purchased 7 days or less prior to departure. However, UA does honor up until departure the waiver.

For more see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...on-policy.html
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Aug 2, 16, 6:03 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SFO, 5 year 1K but mostly local these days
Posts: 412
I just changed to Premier Platinum this morning and checked in for tomorrow's flight this afternoon. I noticed that the boarding pass still has me in boarding group 2 so assume that as far as the flight is concerned I am still a gold member.

When would the boarding group and upgrade list reflect my new status? Is there a way to get the status updated on the record?

Thanks!
sjunkerg is offline  
Old Aug 2, 16, 6:06 pm
  #7  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,098
Originally Posted by sjunkerg
I just changed to Premier Platinum this morning and checked in for tomorrow's flight this afternoon. I noticed that the boarding pass still has me in boarding group 2 so assume that as far as the flight is concerned I am still a gold member.

When would the boarding group and upgrade list reflect my new status? Is there a way to get the status updated on the record?

Thanks!
try again checking-in gain tomorrow before boarding -- it can take a day or so for status to propagate to all the subsystems
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Aug 3, 16, 1:52 am
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 54
My family and myself are flying international with UA metal (FRA-SFO-FRA). Since for me this is a business trip, I booked a saver awards for them through my MP account, and for myself I booked a regular ticket such that we are all flying the same flights, however, different PNRs. As I am Elite MP, I chose E+ seats for myself free of charge. Is there a way to get them to E+ without paying the extra?
absdotan99 is offline  
Old Aug 3, 16, 2:40 am
  #9  
Moderator: United Airlines
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,098
Originally Posted by absdotan99
My family and myself are flying international with UA metal (FRA-SFO-FRA). Since for me this is a business trip, I booked a saver awards for them through my MP account, and for myself I booked a regular ticket such that we are all flying the same flights, however, different PNRs. As I am Elite MP, I chose E+ seats for myself free of charge. Is there a way to get them to E+ without paying the extra?
Since you selected E+ at booking for yourself you must be a Premier Gold or higher.

Golds can (by calling) guest 1 traveling companion into E+ for free.

Plat or higher can (by calling) guest up to 8 additional traveling companions into E+ for free.
WineCountryUA is offline  
Old Aug 3, 16, 12:29 pm
  #10  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Denver
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 94
Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
Since you selected E+ at booking for yourself you must be a Premier Gold or higher.

Golds can (by calling) guest 1 traveling companion into E+ for free.

Plat or higher can (by calling) guest up to 8 additional traveling companions into E+ for free.
Wow, I thought they had to be on the same PNR, that's good news!
JustBreathe is offline  
Old Aug 3, 16, 12:34 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat Pro, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 5,596
I am looking at a flight 3 months from now. I notice the lowest fare ($132) as well as economy flexible fare ($257). Do these flexible fares go up in price? Or would I be better off just waiting and watching the lowest fare raise up? That is, can I assume the flex fare is the highest I'll pay if I wait to book?

Also - are flexible fares fully refundable up to date of departure?
TravelinSperry is offline  
Old Aug 3, 16, 12:43 pm
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 13,867
Originally Posted by TravelinSperry
I am looking at a flight 3 months from now. I notice the lowest fare as well as economy flexible fare. Do these flexible fares go up in price? I always thought they stayed the same - but since it shows as pretty low I'm guessing both the lowest as well as flex fares can go higher as the date approaches. True?
Correct. A flexible fare is frequently in a high fare class with a 0-day advance purchase, but neither of these are necessarily the case. It is possible for the inventory of the flexible fare to close, or for it not to be a zero day fare.

Originally Posted by TravelinSperry
Also - are flexible fares fully refundable up to date of departure?
On a domestic ticket, yes. International tickets tend to have more complicated options than "refundable" or "not refundable" so it's worth reading the fare rules.
findark is online now  
Old Aug 3, 16, 12:50 pm
  #13  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat Pro, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 5,596
Originally Posted by findark
Correct. A flexible fare is frequently in a high fare class with a 0-day advance purchase, but neither of these are necessarily the case. It is possible for the inventory of the flexible fare to close, or for it not to be a zero day fare.

On a domestic ticket, yes. International tickets tend to have more complicated options than "refundable" or "not refundable" so it's worth reading the fare rules.
So for clarity, you're saying the flex fare I am seeing today could go up in price as the date gets closer?
TravelinSperry is offline  
Old Aug 3, 16, 12:55 pm
  #14  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 13,867
Originally Posted by TravelinSperry
So for clarity, you're saying the flex fare I am seeing today could go up in price as the date gets closer?
Yes, it could. It is less likely to do so than the non-refundable fare, but it certainly may change.
findark is online now  
Old Aug 4, 16, 12:08 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CLE (mostly)
Programs: UA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Mlife Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 823
If I have a CPU confirmed, can I choose to give that seat to someone else at the gate? My wife and I are traveling, I got the CPU but she did not, and I'd prefer her to have the F seat.

Can I tell the GA and have our seats swapped, or should we just switch seats while boarding?
Wooglin is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.