Check Your UA Itineraries for Schedule Changes and what to do after one [Archive]
Jun 30, 2019, 2:32 pm
#2131
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
The availability, or lack thereof, of award seats isn't really relevant.
Either you get an agent who will move you for free, in which case they can open award seats, or you don't, in which case they're going to charge you a change fee that I'm sure you'd rather not pay.
UA reserves the right to give your seat away 30 minutes prior to departure for an international flight.
I agree with you; I would not risk a sub-one hour connection at ORD. (I probably wouldn't have booked the original itinerary, to be perfectly honest).
Either you get an agent who will move you for free, in which case they can open award seats, or you don't, in which case they're going to charge you a change fee that I'm sure you'd rather not pay.
UA reserves the right to give your seat away 30 minutes prior to departure for an international flight.
I agree with you; I would not risk a sub-one hour connection at ORD. (I probably wouldn't have booked the original itinerary, to be perfectly honest).
The only reason I booked the original itinerary was because that was all that was available. The earlier MCI-ORD flight did not have award space. I took what I could get at the time. Most times, you cannot choose the ideal flight times for award tickets. UA never makes them available, mostly lousy connections. This has been my experience over the past 20 years.
Last edited by susiesan; Jun 30, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Jun 30, 2019, 2:45 pm
#2132
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
So unless UA will change us to the earlier MCI-ORD flight there is no possible way we will make UA 881 in 18 minutes. I may be stuck paying 2 change fees, $300, because UA made an impossible schedule change. That seems unfair.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 30, 2019 at 3:07 pm Reason: repaired quote
Jun 30, 2019, 2:48 pm
#2133
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
Yes. HUCA if the first agent won't accommodate. While you're technically within the MCT, someone should accommodate this request without fee.
Jun 30, 2019, 2:56 pm
#2134
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
I'll wait until tomorrow and give it a try. Hopefully I can get the change made at no charge with the first phone call, if I can get through on the phone. Knowing UA will give our seats away through no fault of ours should ensure that they will make the change for us. How can they even book a connection so close if they can just give your seats away 30 minutes before takeoff when you could have never made the international flight in the first place? How often do they do this, especially if they know you are on your way and are running late due to a UA problem?
Jun 30, 2019, 3:03 pm
#2135
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,125
I agree with the others -- wait a few days until United isn't so busy, and then call and politely ask to be moved to the earlier MCI flight since the connection time in ORD is so short due to the schedule change. They don't have to move you, but most agents will without any hesitation. It doesn't matter whether there are award seats available on the earlier flight or not. If you meet any resistance, don't argue (you don't want the agent putting a note on your file); just thank the agent for their time, hang up, and try again. I usually book my flight months in advance and so I often have to deal with schedule changes. I've never had any pushback from United in a situation like yours.
Jun 30, 2019, 3:12 pm
#2136
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: 66,853
such as, https://jetstream.united.com/#/public-landing
or better
https://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp
First talk to UA before concluding the worst -- This is a change the will mostly not be a problemIf you have any issue, then return here for more suggestions
I'll wait until tomorrow and give it a try. Hopefully I can get the change made at no charge with the first phone call, if I can get through on the phone. Knowing UA will give our seats away through no fault of ours should ensure that they will make the change for us. How can they even book a connection so close if they can just give your seats away 30 minutes before takeoff when you could have never made the international flight in the first place? How often do they do this, especially if they know you are on your way and are running late due to a UA problem?
However best not to be in that situation and give UA a chance to address it.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 30, 2019 at 3:29 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Jun 30, 2019, 5:21 pm
#2137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
And, if there is an upgrade list, there's a good chance that the person at the top of the list knows who they are and will be asking the gate agent if there are any no-shows likely in J.
I'm confident that UA will adjust to the earlier MCI departure within the first couple of agents called. Just say "It was already tight when I booked it, but now I'm worried that I'll miss the flight, especially if we end up arriving in a different terminal or something. Is there any chance you could move me to the earlier departure out of MCI?"
Jun 30, 2019, 10:40 pm
#2138
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA Premier Silver
Posts: 60
Recommendation is to change to earlier time
I was in a similar situation recently and I recommend that you change to the earlier time. Having this uncertainty at the beginning of the trip is not worth it. Enjoy the Polaris Lounge!
( My situation was that I had a 45m connection in VIE from Italy and our plane in Italy sat on the runway for 45m due to traffic in VIE. The good news is that we gained 15m in the air and by running through the airport I made the connection to TLV. In hindsight my husband said it was not worth the stress on the first flight. You need to input the uncertainty of a delayed flight.)
( My situation was that I had a 45m connection in VIE from Italy and our plane in Italy sat on the runway for 45m due to traffic in VIE. The good news is that we gained 15m in the air and by running through the airport I made the connection to TLV. In hindsight my husband said it was not worth the stress on the first flight. You need to input the uncertainty of a delayed flight.)
As the final destination is Fukuoka, if we miss this flight to Tokyo we will miss the NRT-FUK flight on ANA, last of the day. The next flight to Tokyo and Fukuoka would be the next day so my plans would be all messed up. There may not be J award seats available. We would also have our hotel cancelled as a no show and there are no rooms available in Fukuoka Oct. 1 as World Cup Rugby is going on and everything is booked. I made the hotel reservation 6 months ago to secure space. Plus, we may not have luggage for a few days.
I know the trip is not for 3 months but there are award seats available on the earlier flight today so I want to take care of this as soon as possible. 2 days from now those seats could be gone and UA may just say tough luck. I do not have stats with UA so I don't expect them to do me any favors. I don't want to start a vacation with the stress of missing a flight and having to rearrange plans at the last minute. UA has done this to me before and yes, it is incredibly stressful.
If UA 881 is fully boarded by the time the MCI flight lands and we run to the gate and we aren't onboard 10 minutes before takeoff, don't they give away our seats? Would they hold the plane for us?
I had no idea UA was having problems today, there is nothing on the web site to indicate it.
I sure hope they do. I booked these flights way back in November to be sure to get the exact flights and times I wanted and it had all worked out perfectly until thee schedule change. I have no stars with UA so I don't know how accommodating they will be.
I know the trip is not for 3 months but there are award seats available on the earlier flight today so I want to take care of this as soon as possible. 2 days from now those seats could be gone and UA may just say tough luck. I do not have stats with UA so I don't expect them to do me any favors. I don't want to start a vacation with the stress of missing a flight and having to rearrange plans at the last minute. UA has done this to me before and yes, it is incredibly stressful.
If UA 881 is fully boarded by the time the MCI flight lands and we run to the gate and we aren't onboard 10 minutes before takeoff, don't they give away our seats? Would they hold the plane for us?
I had no idea UA was having problems today, there is nothing on the web site to indicate it.
I sure hope they do. I booked these flights way back in November to be sure to get the exact flights and times I wanted and it had all worked out perfectly until thee schedule change. I have no stars with UA so I don't know how accommodating they will be.
Jul 1, 2019, 9:20 am
#2139
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
success at changing at no charge
I was in a similar situation recently and I recommend that you change to the earlier time. Having this uncertainty at the beginning of the trip is not worth it. Enjoy the Polaris Lounge!
( My situation was that I had a 45m connection in VIE from Italy and our plane in Italy sat on the runway for 45m due to traffic in VIE. The good news is that we gained 15m in the air and by running through the airport I made the connection to TLV. In hindsight my husband said it was not worth the stress on the first flight. You need to input the uncertainty of a delayed flight.)
( My situation was that I had a 45m connection in VIE from Italy and our plane in Italy sat on the runway for 45m due to traffic in VIE. The good news is that we gained 15m in the air and by running through the airport I made the connection to TLV. In hindsight my husband said it was not worth the stress on the first flight. You need to input the uncertainty of a delayed flight.)
Jul 11, 2019, 9:20 am
#2140
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
I tend to book flights 3-6 months in advance, which usually results in some (usually) minor schedule change. United is very consistent about emailing me schedule change notifications. I booked a Thanksgiving flight about 6 weeks ago, and yesterday I happened to notice in the app that UA had changed my return flight. They actually put me on the flight I originally wanted to take, but didn't because it was much more expensive than the flight I ended up booking (which is now no longer on the schedule). I did not receive an email notification for this schedule change.
This is the first time I can ever recall not getting an email notification from UA. I'm curious if this was a one-off/temporary glitch, or if UA's schedule change notification system is broken.
This is the first time I can ever recall not getting an email notification from UA. I'm curious if this was a one-off/temporary glitch, or if UA's schedule change notification system is broken.
Jul 11, 2019, 10:16 am
#2141
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,200
I tend to book flights 3-6 months in advance, which usually results in some (usually) minor schedule change. United is very consistent about emailing me schedule change notifications. I booked a Thanksgiving flight about 6 weeks ago, and yesterday I happened to notice in the app that UA had changed my return flight. They actually put me on the flight I originally wanted to take, but didn't because it was much more expensive than the flight I ended up booking (which is now no longer on the schedule). I did not receive an email notification for this schedule change.
This is the first time I can ever recall not getting an email notification from UA. I'm curious if this was a one-off/temporary glitch, or if UA's schedule change notification system is broken.
This is the first time I can ever recall not getting an email notification from UA. I'm curious if this was a one-off/temporary glitch, or if UA's schedule change notification system is broken.
Jul 11, 2019, 2:05 pm
#2142
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
Your experience re: getting an email notification for schedule changes is the exception rather than the rule based on my experience. I almost never get an email. I do my normal Saturday morning review of all my reservations to look for the "red banner" telling me of a change and proceed accordingly.
Jul 17, 2019, 1:23 pm
#2143
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 5
Cancelled flight. Can I change/get hotel room?
I was booked on the UA flight from Iah to Mco that leaves at 7:30 am on August 21. And then they cancelled the flight and put me on the next flight at 10 am. Except I need to be in Orlando before 1:30(my new arrival time).
I know now that United can change my flight for me for no charge but I am wondering if I can change my flight to the day ahead of time and then they pay for my hotel. They are the ones that cancelled my flight and they didn’t even notify me.
So will United pay for my hotel because of their cancellation? Or do I just have to get to Mco late?
I know now that United can change my flight for me for no charge but I am wondering if I can change my flight to the day ahead of time and then they pay for my hotel. They are the ones that cancelled my flight and they didn’t even notify me.
So will United pay for my hotel because of their cancellation? Or do I just have to get to Mco late?
Jul 17, 2019, 1:30 pm
#2144
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
You could probably change to the night before, But because this is a schedule changes this far in advance... I really don't see UA getting you a hotel.
Another option would be to not accept the schedule change, and book with someone else. A quick check shows several WN flights that get you there well before 1:30
Another option would be to not accept the schedule change, and book with someone else. A quick check shows several WN flights that get you there well before 1:30
Jul 17, 2019, 1:31 pm
#2145
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
No is the short answer. If you don't like the new arrival time you can ask for a refund of the ticket and book with someone else.