Jan 5, 2017, 11:10 am
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 we’ve 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 can’t find it or aren’t sure where to look.
UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, goalie, Pat89339, WineCountryUA
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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 II]
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]...
UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, goalie, Pat89339, WineCountryUA
These are the two rules for this thread:
- Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to other threads if the question deserves its own thread.
- 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 II]
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]...
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2017]
Nov 4, 2017, 11:14 pm
#1651
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tel Aviv (TLV), Chicago (ORD)
Programs: United Premier 1K, Starwood/Marriott Gold
Posts: 248
Before I was a Premier, I realized that if you call one of the U.S. special language numbers (Hebrew, Portuguese etc.) after hours (their hours are listed on their website), you will be connected to the Premier Desk.
It will play a message in the language that you are calling saying that they are after hours, but if you stay on the line, you get connected to a U.S. based Premier agent.
These agents are the most competent and are usually very friendly and can quickly help with requests, including booking an award as you had asked.
It will play a message in the language that you are calling saying that they are after hours, but if you stay on the line, you get connected to a U.S. based Premier agent.
These agents are the most competent and are usually very friendly and can quickly help with requests, including booking an award as you had asked.
Nov 5, 2017, 12:28 am
#1652
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
Is there any rhyme or reason to United's domestic award availability? I'm looking for YVR-EWR (I know not exactly domestic, but hear me out) on a random Friday in April. Not a saver award in economy across the country. There's no BIZ saver, but I just accept that, plus I'm not sure I'd want it anyway. But it seems like this happens often when I search, I wanna try and avoid Air Canada due to fuel surcharges, but I get forced on them because there's not a seat on anything operated by UA.
Nov 5, 2017, 2:13 pm
#1653
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: United (Gold), Delta
Posts: 2
United companion upgrade question
Question regarding UA companion upgrades:
I am planning to travel (domestically in US) with my son. When the time comes to process upgrades, if only one upgrade seat is available, will UA process one of us for upgrade, or is it going to be "all or nothing?"
I am planning to travel (domestically in US) with my son. When the time comes to process upgrades, if only one upgrade seat is available, will UA process one of us for upgrade, or is it going to be "all or nothing?"
Nov 5, 2017, 2:30 pm
#1654
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,340
If you're on the same reservation, you will be updated as a pair or not at all. If you wish to have a chance to be upgraded at the gate, you'll need to split your reservation during the check-in process; gate upgrades are always processed one-by-one, so there's always a chance that one of you could get upgraded and the other not.
Nov 5, 2017, 4:09 pm
#1655
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 542
I'm newly minted Silver and I have a question about upgrade chances and E+ availability. This isn't specifically United but more about flying habits:
I plan to fly over Christmas with my wife but I'm unsure where. We're either going to pay for J or fly Y if it is reasonably reliable we'll get E+. My thinking is that most statused individuals are business travelers so my changes of an E+ seat being free is relatively good over the week of Christmas. If it helps me at all, I'd even fly on Christmas itself. Is my thinking correct? If not, we'll just fly J to Central America instead of E+ to Europe.
Thanks
I plan to fly over Christmas with my wife but I'm unsure where. We're either going to pay for J or fly Y if it is reasonably reliable we'll get E+. My thinking is that most statused individuals are business travelers so my changes of an E+ seat being free is relatively good over the week of Christmas. If it helps me at all, I'd even fly on Christmas itself. Is my thinking correct? If not, we'll just fly J to Central America instead of E+ to Europe.
Thanks
Nov 5, 2017, 5:16 pm
#1656
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,443
I'm newly minted Silver and I have a question about upgrade chances and E+ availability. This isn't specifically United but more about flying habits:
I plan to fly over Christmas with my wife but I'm unsure where. We're either going to pay for J or fly Y if it is reasonably reliable we'll get E+. My thinking is that most statused individuals are business travelers so my changes of an E+ seat being free is relatively good over the week of Christmas. If it helps me at all, I'd even fly on Christmas itself. Is my thinking correct? If not, we'll just fly J to Central America instead of E+ to Europe.
Thanks
I plan to fly over Christmas with my wife but I'm unsure where. We're either going to pay for J or fly Y if it is reasonably reliable we'll get E+. My thinking is that most statused individuals are business travelers so my changes of an E+ seat being free is relatively good over the week of Christmas. If it helps me at all, I'd even fly on Christmas itself. Is my thinking correct? If not, we'll just fly J to Central America instead of E+ to Europe.
Thanks
Nov 5, 2017, 10:48 pm
#1657
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,379
I'm newly minted Silver and I have a question about upgrade chances and E+ availability. This isn't specifically United but more about flying habits:
I plan to fly over Christmas with my wife but I'm unsure where. We're either going to pay for J or fly Y if it is reasonably reliable we'll get E+. My thinking is that most statused individuals are business travelers so my changes of an E+ seat being free is relatively good over the week of Christmas. If it helps me at all, I'd even fly on Christmas itself. Is my thinking correct? If not, we'll just fly J to Central America instead of E+ to Europe.
Thanks
I plan to fly over Christmas with my wife but I'm unsure where. We're either going to pay for J or fly Y if it is reasonably reliable we'll get E+. My thinking is that most statused individuals are business travelers so my changes of an E+ seat being free is relatively good over the week of Christmas. If it helps me at all, I'd even fly on Christmas itself. Is my thinking correct? If not, we'll just fly J to Central America instead of E+ to Europe.
Thanks
Nov 5, 2017, 11:01 pm
#1658
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
I have flown, or had other companions fly, TATL and TPAC over Christmas on UA for several years now. On 12/23-5 you should be fine: I once saw a LHR-SFO with exactly 4 people in E+ on Christmas Day. 12/26 will be fine for E+, but often bad for extra space -- I regularly see TATL on that day oversold badly in the back for post-Christmas leisure travellers, who have no seat assignment and get comped E+ at check-in as a result.
That said, you'd still get E+, and even better there is a (tiny) chance of an op-up... once saw a silver get the op-up on AMS-IAH for that reason.
Safe travels!
That said, you'd still get E+, and even better there is a (tiny) chance of an op-up... once saw a silver get the op-up on AMS-IAH for that reason.
Safe travels!
Nov 6, 2017, 9:03 am
#1659
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 542
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Nov 6, 2017, 12:57 pm
#1660
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,379
I've been monitoring premium fare deals and haven't seen any TATL sub $2k other than the $2k to Bucharest. I'd be flying out of AUS, SAT, IAH, DFW (ordered from most convenient to least). My budget is a max of $4k for the both of us and that's only if we find a great product so that's why I figured E+ to TATL and J for LIM or something.
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Nov 6, 2017, 1:57 pm
#1661
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Is there any rhyme or reason to United's domestic award availability? I'm looking for YVR-EWR (I know not exactly domestic, but hear me out) on a random Friday in April. Not a saver award in economy across the country. There's no BIZ saver, but I just accept that, plus I'm not sure I'd want it anyway. But it seems like this happens often when I search, I wanna try and avoid Air Canada due to fuel surcharges, but I get forced on them because there's not a seat on anything operated by UA.
SFO-EWR is a tough ticket in awards, especially in business. So that's your issue. May have to find routings via ORD or something. Try even PHL. (should force via DEN).
Nov 6, 2017, 8:05 pm
#1663
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: 52,116
Nov 6, 2017, 9:44 pm
#1664
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,379
Yup. The "really good" fares you'll get in the Premium Deals forum are usually transient and 0-day fares, but the standard table often has then (especially Europe). For example, SFO-FRA for various types of buyers:
The last two P fares on the list are for Christmas and Thanksgiving/Christmas/next summer only, and it's worth noting all of these fares are terrible as they don't even include YQ of ~$500 each way. But United knows the sound of money raining down on business travelers making this trip.
Code:
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Cxr Basis BC Cbn Price Tp AP Min Max Days Rf ---------------------------------------------------------------------- UA PX6NC15E P J $1,740.00 RT 150 S 12M -XA- N UA PW6NC15E P J $1,790.00 RT 150 S 12M -WA- N UA PX1NC90E P J $1,990.00 RT 90 10 12M -XA- N UA PW1NC90E P J $2,040.00 RT 90 10 12M -WA- N UA PX7NC90E P J $2,140.00 RT 90 7 12M -XA- N UA PW7NC90E P J $2,190.00 RT 90 7 12M -WA- N UA PH7NC28E P J $2,249.50 RT 28 7 12M N UA PH6NC28E P J $2,399.50 RT 28 S 12M N ... UA ZX6NC28E Z J $4,049.50 RT 28 S 12M -XA- N UA ZW6NC28E Z J $4,149.50 RT 28 S 12M -WA- N UA ZX6NC14E Z J $4,149.50 RT 14 S 12M -XA- N UA ZW6NC14E Z J $4,249.50 RT 14 S 12M -WA- N UA D0RC14E D J $4,524.50 RT 14 12M N UA D6RC0E D J $4,524.50 RT S 12M N UA D0RC0E D J $4,699.50 RT 12M N ... UA JX1 J J $9,653.00 OW Y
Nov 7, 2017, 7:26 pm
#1665
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ORD
Posts: 869
My wife, 2 yr old, and I are flying. I am silver and my wife has no status. We bought a seat for the toddler. How can I get E+ for all 3 of us? I am willing to pay for one E+ and get two others for free at checkin. Should I wait till T-24 for the purchase?
Looking to minimize cost here.
Looking to minimize cost here.
