Jan 5, 2017, 11:10 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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

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]

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 29, 2017, 3:57 pm

#961

getagb

Join Date: Apr 2014

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

Posts: 920

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

I am currently booked in B class on UA-operated UA945 Friday 6/30 FRA-ORD @ 8:10 am. I have a middle seat in economy, a GPU waitlisted with low chance of clearing, and a flexible schedule. Current flight inventory is tight (F2 / J1 / Y5). There is a later flight with a little more room (F2/J7/Y6/V2).

In order of preference I would like (1) my GPU to clear, (2) to get an aisle seat, and (3) to get an ETC. I don’t really care when or how fast I get back to Chicago. I would be willing to fly indirect if that would help.

Is my current flight likely to be overbooked & offer a VDB ETC? I haven’t flown an international flight this booked 10 days out before. If so, what amounts are typically offered?

Should I stay on my current flight and hope for the best, or SDC to the later one with more inventory? I’ve read that sometimes the 1K desk agents will transfer your GPU over.

Update: my GPU didn’t clear (although I’m #1 on the UG list), and both my flight and the flight I was going to SDC to are completely sold out in all 3 cabins. On the plus side, I snagged an aisle seat.

I’m actually showing on the business upgrade list twice (both 1 and 2). Anyone seen that before? Why would someone show up twice?

Jun 29, 2017, 4:33 pm

#962

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat

Posts: 66,854

Quote:

Originally Posted by getagb

... I’m actually showing on the business upgrade list twice (both 1 and 2). Anyone seen that before? Why would someone show up twice?

Could be two people -- I have seen my "code" list twice before -- upon checking it was two different people.

I was the higher code

-- if I had clear I bet someone would have claimed "shenanigans"

Jun 29, 2017, 4:52 pm

#963

BBSHOPSINGER

Join Date: May 2016

Location: SLC

Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle

Posts: 768

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAL250

OK, thanks. I will send in my request online, don't see a number for them in domestic.

I've just called the general number and asked for web support. They've transferred me.

Jun 29, 2017, 5:23 pm

#964

UAL250

Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: In between IAD and DCA

Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist

Posts: 2,262

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBSHOPSINGER

I've just called the general number and asked for web support. They've transferred me.

Thank you, I will do that. ^

Jun 29, 2017, 5:37 pm

#965

Lavezzi

Join Date: Feb 2016

Location: Chicago

Programs: United 1k, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat

Posts: 231

So my father has had a stroke and I ideally I would fly out tomorrow from Chicago to London to see him. Buying a ticket outright is downright exorbitant, but there are one-way Economy Saver flights from 30k still available through United.

I need 16,750 miles to reach the 30,000 threshold. Through buying personal miles that would cost me $526.75, but it looks as though if someone were to transfer me 17,000 miles then the total transaction would cost $285 dollars.

I know i'm going to be told that is against the MileagePlan T&Cs but is there anywhere reliable that I could potentially do this? I guess the part i'm missing is that whomever would be basically gifting the miles to me at that price.

Jun 29, 2017, 5:41 pm

#966

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

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

Posts: 14,414

You should be able to use the award accelerator to purchase your missing RDMs for a much more attractive rate [book a refundable ticket, buy miles, cancel ticket], subject to not necessarily getting exactly how many you need.

Transferring miles is an extremely unattractive financial proposition; if you have any friends who are willing to help you out it would be much more reasonable to have them book the flight and then offer to help them out later.

But I think Award Accelerator is your best bet for something that will post in 24 hours. Hope your father is okay!

Jun 29, 2017, 6:15 pm

#967

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

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

Posts: 56,455

Quote:

Originally Posted by findark

You should be able to use the award accelerator to purchase your missing RDMs for a much more attractive rate

Should be 2 cpm.

Jun 29, 2017, 11:13 pm

#968

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat

Posts: 66,854

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelinSperry

I see a flight on Ethiopian Airlines but want to earn United miles. The fare basis shows as "HLOWIE". Does this mean it is an "H" fare and will earn me 75% of the miles flown? Am I to just disregard the other letters after the "H" for mileage earning purposes? ....

While likely a H fare, that is not 100% guaranteed. Calling ET would be the only sure way to know.

Jun 29, 2017, 11:55 pm

#969

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

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

Posts: 14,414

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelinSperry

I can verify if you give the O&D. Guessing DUB-ADD, answer is yes (and it's almost certainly always yes):

Code:

>$LB8                                                          
                                                        HISTORY
008 DUBADD 29JUN17 ET USD  324.00 HLOWIE   STAY---/-- BK-H     
FARE CLS  EXPLANATION                            BOOK CODES    
--------  ----------------------                 ----------    
HLOWIE    LOW/OFF-PEAK SEASON ECONOMY ONE WAY       H          
HLOWIE    SPECIAL EXCURSION FARES                              
HLOWIE    FOR ONE WAY FARES                                    
                                                               
 BOOKING CODE EXCEPTIONS                                       
   VIA ET  H     REQUIRED      ALL ECONOMY CABIN  WITHIN       
                               ETHIOPIA                        
   VIA MK  M     REQUIRED      ALL ECONOMY CABIN  BETWEEN      
   NBO-MRU

Jun 30, 2017, 12:44 am

#970

TravelinSperry

Join Date: Feb 2013

Location: Miami, FL

Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres

Posts: 6,017

Quote:

Originally Posted by findark

I can verify if you give the O&D. Guessing DUB-ADD, answer is yes (and it's almost certainly always yes):

Code:

>$LB8                                                          
                                                        HISTORY
008 DUBADD 29JUN17 ET USD  324.00 HLOWIE   STAY---/-- BK-H     
FARE CLS  EXPLANATION                            BOOK CODES    
--------  ----------------------                 ----------    
HLOWIE    LOW/OFF-PEAK SEASON ECONOMY ONE WAY       H          
HLOWIE    SPECIAL EXCURSION FARES                              
HLOWIE    FOR ONE WAY FARES                                    
                                                               
 BOOKING CODE EXCEPTIONS                                       
   VIA ET  H     REQUIRED      ALL ECONOMY CABIN  WITHIN       
                               ETHIOPIA                        
   VIA MK  M     REQUIRED      ALL ECONOMY CABIN  BETWEEN      
   NBO-MRU

It's DUB>LAX. Thanks for the help.

Jun 30, 2017, 1:23 am

#971

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

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

Posts: 14,414

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelinSperry

It's DUB>LAX. Thanks for the help.

Yes, H class if on ET metal (with some bonus info if connecting to AS). As a general rule, an Economy fare Hxxxxxx will book into H class on native metal 99% of the time (and same for other letters). Causes of unusual situations are usually where the fare and metal are from different carriers, or it's a differential fare with an extra inventory requirement (like UA domestic F or BE).

Code:

>$LB13                                                         
013 DUBLAX 30JUN17 ET USD  318.00 HLOWIE   STAY---/12MBK-H     
FARE CLS  EXPLANATION                            BOOK CODES    
--------  ----------------------                 ----------    
HLOWIE    LOW/OFF-PEAK SEASON ECONOMY ONE WAY       H          
HLOWIE    SPECIAL EXCURSION FARES                              
HLOWIE    FOR ONE WAY FARES                                    
                                                               
 BOOKING CODE EXCEPTIONS                                       
   VIA ET  H     REQUIRED      ALL ECONOMY CABIN  WITHIN       
                               ETHIOPIA                        
   VIA AS  R/T   REQUIRED      WHEN AVAILABLE  ALL ECONOMY CABIN
   VIA AS  G/K   REQUIRED      WHEN AVAILABLE  ALL ECONOMY CABIN
   VIA AS  R/T   REQUIRED      WHEN AVAILABLE  ALL ECONOMY CABIN
   VIA AS  G/K   REQUIRED      WHEN AVAILABLE  ALL ECONOMY CABIN
   VIA AS  V     REQUIRED      ALL ECONOMY CABIN

Jun 30, 2017, 4:47 am

#972

love_to_travel

Join Date: Jul 2004

Location: HNL

Programs: United Gold

Posts: 1,581

Move to economy plus after qualifying for Gold?

I'm planning on buying an economy ticket HNL-TYO in December. I'm not yet Gold, but I will be by the end of July. Assuming that economy plus seats are still available once I do become Gold, will I be able to change my seats to economy plus?

Thanks!

Jun 30, 2017, 5:42 am

#973

Wooglin

Join Date: Jan 2016

Location: CLE (mostly)

Programs: UA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Mlife Gold, Starbucks Gold

Posts: 823

Quote:

Originally Posted by love_to_travel

Yes. Obviously assuming there are openings E+ seats. (There should be).

Jun 30, 2017, 10:27 am

#974

randomdude

Join Date: Feb 2017

Posts: 271

Is there a thread where I can find what type of fare/airline is bookable through united.com? For instance, I was able to book an I fare to SIN on Eva, but can't book business on LH (only Polish) going to europe.

Jun 30, 2017, 10:34 am

#975

dav3d

Join Date: Sep 2007

Location: San Francisco

Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, IHG Platinum, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle

Posts: 323

Is it possible to book Air New Zealand Premium Economy on United.com?

Flying SFO - AUK in July. Searching United.com I find business class ($~5.5K searching for J class) and economy (~$1K) fares only. Air New Zealand site lists premium economy fare for around $4K but I can't find a similar fare on UA (tried several fare classes but maybe I am missing the right one).

Available fare classes:J4 C4 D0 Z0 P0 Y7 B7 M7 E7 U7 H7 Q7 V7 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 G0

Any tips out there? Or is that $1.5K difference becasue Air NZ doesn't make that fare bookable via partners?

Like to book on united.com becasue I will get more miles by making my CC purchase there