United Voucher for Fare Price Change?
Nov 27, 2016, 1:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 45
United Voucher for Fare Price Change?
Anyone know how long it takes for United to mail a voucher for a price drop to the continental USA? Was approved for a price drop 3 weeks ago on an international flight and haven't received anything yet.
Nov 27, 2016, 3:20 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
You didn't get an e-mail with an Electronic Travel Certificate number?
Nov 27, 2016, 7:10 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 45
Nov 28, 2016, 4:45 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 45
Large enough to cover the fee and then some... Those international flights have huge price swings. Also the change fee was only $50 since I was within 30 days of purchase.
Nov 28, 2016, 5:59 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,345
Just to be clear. This isn't a "change fee". It is an "administrative fee".
Change fees are a lot higher than what UA charges to re-fare your ticket with same flights/dates/airports when it's a lower fare.
As for getting the difference as a voucher in the mail, I've never had that. They've always been ECVs for me and issued almost immediately.
-RM
Change fees are a lot higher than what UA charges to re-fare your ticket with same flights/dates/airports when it's a lower fare.
As for getting the difference as a voucher in the mail, I've never had that. They've always been ECVs for me and issued almost immediately.
-RM
Nov 28, 2016, 7:20 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 188
I would like to get more info on this "administration fee" for refare. Is this something new or it has always been that? I thought when we refare for the exact same date/flight/airport, UA has always charged the standard change fee and refund anything above that fee for the difference instead of charging a $50 fee. I would be nice if this is true so that I know to call them next time. I had always operate under the assumption that it needs to drop more than 200-300 before calling them. Thanks!
Nov 28, 2016, 9:27 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
United's been getting away from mailing them. You might have ignored or deleted the pertinent e-mail (which rep might have called "mailing"). You might have to bug 'em if you want it snail-mailed.
Nov 28, 2016, 9:33 am
#10
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
UA is terrible about sending these. I'd suggest you follow up with customer care. It will probably take two or three tries. Forget about US mail . . . have it e-mailed.
Nov 28, 2016, 9:45 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,548
I had to change the dates of my flights. Even with the $200 change fee, it was significantly cheaper, so UA says in the receipt it will issue an ETC for the remainder. This was on 11/23. I called later that day, and the CSR said to wait a few days. Have I waited long enough to necessitate a second call?
Nov 28, 2016, 9:49 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
I had to change the dates of my flights. Even with the $200 change fee, it was significantly cheaper, so UA says in the receipt it will issue an ETC for the remainder. This was on 11/23. I called later that day, and the CSR said to wait a few days. Have I waited long enough to necessitate a second call?
You will hear:
"We can't give you PIN for security reasons"
"We need a physical address so PIN can be sent by US mail"
"We will request that they email you the PIN. Be patient"
My solution: email 1K Voice. usually get e-cert PIN in 2 days.
Jan 2, 2017, 6:23 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 186
United Voucher for Fare Price Change?
I purchased a revenue ticket on 12/28 on United.com for $1,100. At the time of purchase, only a Flexible ticket was available, and the United website said that only 2 seats remained at that price, and in Expert Mode, I confirmed that Y2 was showing.
Fast forward to my flight on 12/30, upon boarding, I noticed the flight has pretty light. Lots of empty middle seats. I had already boarded and was on the plane, but I happened to check the United app 15 minutes prior to departure for that same flight, one way, and I saw availability on the app for $579.
That is almost 50% less than what I paid 2 days earlier. Would you expect United to provide any sort of compensation or voucher? I didn't have enough time to call in since we were about to depart, but if I had cancelled and rebooked right then and there I would've saved over $300 after change fee.
Does anyone else also think it is pretty crappy of the United site to list Y2, and 2 seats remaining for a given price, and then offer a significantly cheaper fare class days later?
Fast forward to my flight on 12/30, upon boarding, I noticed the flight has pretty light. Lots of empty middle seats. I had already boarded and was on the plane, but I happened to check the United app 15 minutes prior to departure for that same flight, one way, and I saw availability on the app for $579.
That is almost 50% less than what I paid 2 days earlier. Would you expect United to provide any sort of compensation or voucher? I didn't have enough time to call in since we were about to depart, but if I had cancelled and rebooked right then and there I would've saved over $300 after change fee.
Does anyone else also think it is pretty crappy of the United site to list Y2, and 2 seats remaining for a given price, and then offer a significantly cheaper fare class days later?
Jan 2, 2017, 6:43 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 186