JP136

jsloan

Correct.

Not really. The itinerary that you want doesn't really lend itself well to the Excursionist Perk, especially if the only reason to take the first flight is to get the second flight for free. As you point out, there's not much of a savings.

UA intended for you to buy ORD-TPE / TPE-PEK / PEK-ORD and get TPE-PEK for free; the fact that it works with LAS-ORD is likely an oversight on their part (and one which I expect will be eliminated during a future program update).

JP136

jhangilp

I see an issue with excursionist perk when booking mixed class cabin.
I know for a fact that a few months ago this used to work, but it doesn't seem to be the case any longer
1. AAA-BBB-CCC (Mixed Cabin Biz)
2. CCC-DDD (Biz)
3. DDD-AAA (Economy)

I believe the second leg on this trip on Biz should be free, but only the economy was free and so I had no choice, but to book economy flight.
It seems to be happening only when first flight is a mixed cabin as opposed to a full Biz flight. If the first flight is full Biz, then the second flight will be free on Biz.
If this is an error with the system will I be able to call in and have them manually change my flight to a business class flight for free?

jsloan

Yes, this is a pricing error, although whether or not you'll be able to get an agent to fix it, I can't say for sure. It's worth calling to ask.

If the Y segments are on UA, you can also ask to be waitlisted for business on those flights.

jhangilp

The Y segment is domestic, how would I go about getting wait listed for domestic first in this case?

jsloan

When you call, just point out that it's a mixed award, and ask if you could be put on the waitlist for first class on the domestic segment. Don't use the word "upgrade."

jhangilp

Thanks, that helps a lot, I will give them a call to see if I can get both of those done.

jsloan

Happy to help.

If the agent doesn't seem to understand your request, don't argue or escalate -- just HUCA (Hang Up and Call Again). Not all agents are familiar with the waitlist process.

Stgermainparis

We've got 5x award tickets booked via ANA on UA metal IAH-CUN / CZM-IAH next month. Staying in Playa del Carmen. Planned to take the ferry that morning to catch the flight at 1 PM. Today the ferry service was suspended due to bad weather, so now I'd like to have a back up plan if this occurs on the day of our flight home. I'm assuming I'd contact UA that morning if can't get to airport. Is this correct? If so, what is the likelihood that they would be willing to rebook the return leg the next day? Since it was ticketed via ANA, I wasn't sure how this would go down.

belfordrocks

Has there been a change to the excursionist perk lately?

Before, I was of the understanding that any A-B C-C D-E itinerary would have C-C free of charge (each letter being a different zone), however I'm only noticing the excursionist perk applying to itineraries that are A-B C-C B-A. Furthermore, the excursionist leg is pricing in coach, but never in business either. Anyone with any experience?

Stgermainparis

I have a significant flight change (adding an overnight connection) on AC metal ticketed via UA award. There are UA flights that could accommodate us (sold out at our award level), but I am wondering about canceling the award altogether and rebooking from a different departing city. That said, how long does it take UA points to be redeposited? Alternatively, do you think I have any chance of a UA agent making the switch for me without a fee, given the flight change? I'm just trying to figure out all my options.

jsloan

The Excursionist Perk has always required beginning and ending the trip in the same zone. A-B-C-C-D-E was never valid. However, A-B-C-C-D-A should still be valid.

There have been intermittent reports of pricing problems with the Excursionist Perk. I don't know that anyone's found a fix besides calling.

UA will open award space on its flights if you want that option.

If you prefer to have them redeposited, it's usually instantaneous; when it's not, an agent should be able to push them through. You may want to prepare an excuse to explain why the UA flights they offer won't work.

I'd say there's a good chance that an agent will make the switch for you if it seems related -- e.g., flying on about the same dates within the same general part of the world. Anything more complicated and an agent might want to charge a change fee. You can always try it, though, and if they refuse to waive the fee, just ask for the miles to be redeposited.

Stgermainparis

GordonGordon

Tried to book an international award ticket with flights operated by parter airlines flying from A to C via B. When I first booked this award ticket few months back, award seats for A to B was not available, so I booked B to C first and it was successfully ticketed.

This morning I found out award seats for A to B were released by partner airlines and became available, so I called UA to try to add this segment to my existing booking. The UA agent told me that I couldn't just add a segment to my booking, award seats have to be available on both flights (A to B and B to C) in order to change the booking, and she said the 2 flights are married segments, she couldn't just add the flight A to B to my booking; however, B to C is no longer available because I took it few months ago and the partner airlines doesn't release more award seats. Please tell me what I'm supposed to do now. I hanged up and called again, and the other agent told me the same!! I never had this kind of problem before. UA is getting more insane!