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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.

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Apr 19, 2017, 9:09 pm

#616

gumercindo

Join Date: Apr 2008

Posts: 615

quesiton - using points to fly J class IAD-MAD in early August but don't have enough points to fly J on the return, so we're flying Y. The tickets are booked.

I will have the balance necessary to have a J redemption in a few weeks via chase UR sign on bonus earn. The question is, how likely am I to "upgrade" to J class on my return if I transfer over the required points to MP account and assuming there is saver availability?

Is that even possible or do I have to book it all at once or not at all?

TIA!

Apr 19, 2017, 9:16 pm

#617

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,369

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumercindo

I will have the balance necessary to have a J redemption in a few weeks via chase UR sign on bonus earn. The question is, how likely am I to "upgrade" to J class on my return if I transfer over the required points to MP account and assuming there is saver availability?

Is that even possible or do I have to book it all at once or not at all?

TIA!

If there is saver J availability, you should be able to change to it upon paying the applicable fee ($0-$125, depending upon status and the amount of time before departure). You'll want to call; don't use the word "upgrade" or you may confuse the agent. It's an award change.

You may run into problems changing the return if inventory is no longer available on the outbound. A good agent should be able to work around this, especially if you're looking at an all-UA award, but it's something to be aware of. You could reduce that risk by booking two one-way awards instead of a round-trip; the downsides are that you would not be eligible for an 'excursionist perk' (free one-way flight within Europe during your stay) and you'd have to pay double the fees if you end up cancelling your trip.

Apr 20, 2017, 3:03 pm

#618

getagb

Join Date: Apr 2014

Programs: DL Gold, UA nothing (ex-GS), Marriott lifetime Plat, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 920

Booking LH/UA to Herzogenaurach

I need to fly to Herzogenaurach for a week. I don't see any commercial flights to HZH so I think I have to fly in to NUE.

I'm trying to decide between a few options. The main ines I see are:

ORD-FRA (UA), FRA-NUE (LH)
ORD-FRA (LH), FRA-NUE (LH)
ORD-ZRH (Swiss), ZRH-NUE (Austrian)

I have the following assumptions. Can anyone tell me if any are incorrect?

All of these options if booked through UA will earn PQM and PQD, BUT the non-UA operated PQD won't count towards global services status
If I buy a LH/Swiss flight through UA; I can't select my seat or buy premium economy seats
if i buy those flights through LH then I can select my seat (for a fee) or buy premium economy BUT I won't earn as much PQD.
If I buy a ticket through Swiss hen I won't earn any PQD.

Is that all correct? I really want to maximize my odds of getting a GS invite, but I am also really interested in trying LH's premium economy product.

Any other suggestions? Routes or considerations I missed? As always, thanks in advance for your help.

Apr 20, 2017, 3:14 pm

#619

LASNRT

Join Date: Mar 2015

Location: Las Vegas

Programs: United Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond

Posts: 284

4 pax on 1 PNR - 2 UA gold and 2 no status. 4 E+ seats?

Hello all!

I'll be booking a paid UA flight in December later this year for 4 people; I and one of my traveling companions will reach Gold by October. The other 2 flyers with us don't have status.

The gold E+ benefit is for the traveler and one companion - since 2 of us on the same PNR have gold, will we be allowed to reserve E+ seats for both of our companions?

I was thinking about making 2 separate bookings - both with a gold and non-status member - but I'd prefer to avoid this if possible.

Thank you for your time and help!

Apr 20, 2017, 3:16 pm

#620

Explorer789

Join Date: Nov 2016

Location: SFO

Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat

Posts: 756

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

I need to fly to Herzogenaurach for a week. I don't see any commercial flights to HZH so I think I have to fly in to NUE.

I'm trying to decide between a few options. The main ines I see are:

ORD-FRA (UA), FRA-NUE (LH)
ORD-FRA (LH), FRA-NUE (LH)
ORD-ZRH (Swiss), ZRH-NUE (Austrian)

I have the following assumptions. Can anyone tell me if any are incorrect?

All of these options if booked through UA will earn PQM and PQD, BUT the non-UA operated PQD won't count towards global services status
If I buy a LH/Swiss flight through UA; I can't select my seat or buy premium economy seats
if i buy those flights through LH then I can select my seat (for a fee) or buy premium economy BUT I won't earn as much PQD.
If I buy a ticket through Swiss hen I won't earn any PQD.

For starters, I don't understand why you would not be able to select your seat regardless of booking through UA or LH. Once the reservation number is given, you should be able to go to "manage booking" on the LH site and make seating/upgrade changes.

Apr 20, 2017, 3:30 pm

#621

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,394

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

All of these options if booked through UA will earn PQM and PQD, BUT the non-UA operated PQD won't count towards global services status

Correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

If I buy a LH/Swiss flight through UA; I can't select my seat or buy premium economy seats

Correct, but only if seat selection requires payment. If flying on a V fare or higher, or in a higher cabin, you can select seats. The problem is that LH has difficulty collecting fee payments on an 016 ticket.

No Advance LH Discount Economy seat selection & other seating issues w/ UA Tkts (016)

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

if i buy those flights through LH then I can select my seat (for a fee) or buy premium economy BUT I won't earn as much PQD.

If you fly a non-UA flight on a non-016 ticket, you will earn zero PQD. But you can pay a fee to select a seat or upgrade to premium economy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

If I buy a ticket through Swiss hen I won't earn any PQD.

Correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

You can purchase an LH premium economy ticket on 016 stock directly by calling United. If you are willing to pay the advertised fare, this is probably the best choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

I don't see any commercial flights to HZH so I think I have to fly in to NUE

Herzogenaurach Airport (EDQH, no IATA - HZH is Liping, Guizhou, China) does indeed appear to have no commercial air service.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegascraig

Yes, you should be able to get E+ for everyone on one PNR. If the website doesn't work just call.

Last edited by findark; Apr 20, 2017 at 3:36 pm

Apr 20, 2017, 3:47 pm

#622

LASNRT

Join Date: Mar 2015

Location: Las Vegas

Programs: United Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond

Posts: 284

Thank you findark!

Apr 21, 2017, 9:25 am

#623

lskohn

Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: MDW/ORD and the late lamented Meigs Field...

Programs: UA 1MM Premier 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium/ LT

Posts: 1,229

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

LH agent will ask you at check-in at FLR whether you want to check them through or pick them up at FRA.

As already mentioned, checking in on UA has nothing to do with it.

The LH staff at FLR were multi gentili -- with 5 agents clustered around at one point trying to make it work -- but my final question (about the 12 hour, 25 minute layover) was the kicker. The agent could not see my UA flight to check the bags through, tried all sorts of things on the computer, eventually called someone, and was told it was impossible because of the layover over 12 hours. HUCA not possible at the ticketing desk!

Don't know whether that's a UA or LH or FRA limitation. Lesson learned.

Apr 21, 2017, 9:33 am

#624

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,423

Quote:

Originally Posted by lskohn

Sorry to hear it didn't work for you. Must be an LH-UA limitation. Was given the choice last month on a 13.5 hour layover BUD-FRA-LAX with no issues at all, but that was an LH-LH connection.

Apr 21, 2017, 6:27 pm

#625

segiddins

Join Date: Dec 2016

Location: San Fransisco, CA

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 172

Flying ORD-MUC-BUD tomorrow, checked in online without any issues. However, the app isn't offering a mobile boarding pass, only to email to myself & print at home.
Not that it really matters for this flight, but why don't I have the option for the in-app /  Wallet boarding pass?

Apr 21, 2017, 8:10 pm

#626

EmailKid

Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now

Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold

Posts: 14,427

Quote:

Originally Posted by segiddins

Did they actually email you a BP, or just an email that says you need to print it at the airport?

Apr 21, 2017, 9:48 pm

#627

segiddins

Join Date: Dec 2016

Location: San Fransisco, CA

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 172

They emailed me a PDF of both boarding passes

Apr 21, 2017, 10:03 pm

#628

EmailKid

Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now

Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold

Posts: 14,427

In that case, you are checked in. That's the important part. You can print out the pdf or at chicken at the airport.

Apr 22, 2017, 8:49 am

#629

segiddins

Join Date: Dec 2016

Location: San Fransisco, CA

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 172

I know being checked in is the important part, but I'm still curious why no mobile boarding pass option for this flight, since I've not had it happen before.

Apr 22, 2017, 11:19 am

#630

mahasamatman

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: 52,122

Quote:

Originally Posted by segiddins

I'm still curious why no mobile boarding pass option for this flight

Only United's IT department can answer that. Anything on FlyerTalk would only be conjecture.