Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United's Announcement and FAQ
Kacee's Interpretation
Main Impact Since October 6
Useful Links
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Award booking questions/ issues/ routing/ excursionist problems / help
Kacee's Interpretation
Main Impact Since October 6
- Fee Changes such as platinum members are subject to various award fees
- No more free stopover - replaced with Excursionist Perk
- Agents no longer have the ability to find routings that do not show up on united.com
- Manually constructing trips using multi-city search results in multiple award fares being charged
- Changing any segment MIGHT require current availability for all existing Os&Ds in the PNR (as if a brand new booking is made) - YMMV
- Singapore Airlines segments are priced separately (add-ons)
Useful Links
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Award booking questions/ issues/ routing/ excursionist problems / help
UA award booking,change questions/fees/issues/routing/excursionist problems {Archive}
#1996
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
Hi everyone, I'm booking a roundtrip flight from Chicago to Europe with a stopover and open jaw. When I search for the first part of the trip using the one way option on United's website, (ORD->SPU) I see a 30k saver award, 13 hour flight at 7:10pm. The flight itinerary goes from ORD to ZRH, then ZRH to ZAG, and finally ZAG to SPU. If I select roundtrip or multi-city and search on the same departing date as before, I get the 7:10pm initial flight to ZRH, but then it has an 8 hour layover that goes from ZRH to SPU. Why does it give me the same initial flight but not the same flights after changing to roundtrip or multi-city? They are priced the same also.
I was recently told I couldn't put together multiple one-ways and have someone from customer service book them together like a multi-city. Anyone have experience with this or know of a way to help?
Thanks
I was recently told I couldn't put together multiple one-ways and have someone from customer service book them together like a multi-city. Anyone have experience with this or know of a way to help?
Thanks
#1997
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,337
I'm planning an NYC-NBO trip, and was trying to figure out if there was any use for the Excursionist perk while I was there. My understanding is the free one-way would have to be used within the Central Africa region. Is that correct? So no going to Morocco or Egypt as a side trip. I had thought about going to the Seychelles, but it doesn't seem like I can get there from Nairobi. The only real option seems to be Nairobi - Johannesburg, which I don't really have a use for. Thought I'd ask for any other thoughts. Thanks!
Agents should still be able to book multi-city trips in order to take advantage of the Excursionist Perk, if each of the flights from an origin to a stopping point show up on one-way searches. While you can no longer hook up individual flights in order to try to create custom connections without adding to the mileage cost, you should still be able to book e.g. SFO-HKG / HKG-SIN / SIN-SFO as a single award by calling if the flights you want show up on SFO-HKG, HKG-SIN, and SIN-SFO searches.
#1998
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Hmm gotcha, when you did this did it still factor in the excursionist perk? So I could initially book the one way that I want, then immediately add in the stopover and return flight and still come out with the same cost in miles?
#1999
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,337
And, even if it didn’t, you could just call and cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. So, there’s no reason not to try it.
#2000
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,844
BOS-LAX-BOS Thanksgiving Strategy..
Hello, I am seeking some assistance/strategy in booking a coach award for my Son (Platinum sponsored)
I would like for him to travel on 11/21 to LAX and on 11/25-26 back to BOS
No Savers are available, as I would assume, however.. many UA Explorer/Premier options available at 25K OW (Standard)
Never redeemed a UA Standard Domestic award before (too rich for my blood)..
I'm hoping once I ticket I could request Saver if for some reason space opens (may be moot due to the Holiday) But if that's what I'm trying for what is the best procedure to do so.. (are free changes to lower classes permissible?)
Cash fares are so high it makes the Standard plausible..
Any advice regarding this query would be greatly appreciated
And I assume I should do this before November 1st the 25K may go up then?
Thanks in advance and Safe Travels
I would like for him to travel on 11/21 to LAX and on 11/25-26 back to BOS
No Savers are available, as I would assume, however.. many UA Explorer/Premier options available at 25K OW (Standard)
Never redeemed a UA Standard Domestic award before (too rich for my blood)..
I'm hoping once I ticket I could request Saver if for some reason space opens (may be moot due to the Holiday) But if that's what I'm trying for what is the best procedure to do so.. (are free changes to lower classes permissible?)
Cash fares are so high it makes the Standard plausible..
Any advice regarding this query would be greatly appreciated
And I assume I should do this before November 1st the 25K may go up then?
Thanks in advance and Safe Travels
Last edited by Flying Machine; Oct 24, 2017 at 11:32 am
#2001
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,378
Can I change it to a flight that is not the same origin/destination as the original flight?
To provide context, the flight I have now is KOA-HNL-ORD. I would like to change it to KOA-LAX. I understand there is a change fee for this, but for now I just want to know if this is an option.
To provide context, the flight I have now is KOA-HNL-ORD. I would like to change it to KOA-LAX. I understand there is a change fee for this, but for now I just want to know if this is an option.
You can cancel at any time for free, and only pay the change fee when you actually rebook the new itinerary, but you have to complete the change within 1 year of the original ticketing date or the miles will be forfeit.
Hello, I am seeking some assistance/strategy in booking a coach award for my Son (Platinum sponsored)
I would like for him to travel on 11/21 to LAX and on 11/25-26 back to BOS
No Savers are available, as I would assume, however.. many UA Explorer/Premier options available at 25K OW (Standard)
Never redeemed a UA Standard Domestic award before (too rich for my blood)..
I'm hoping once I ticket I could request Saver if for some reason space opens (may be moot due to the Holiday) But if that's what I'm trying for what is the best procedure to do so.. (are free changes to lower classes permissible?)
Cash fares are so high it makes the Standard plausible..
Any advice regarding this query would be greatly appreciated
And I assume I should do this before November 1st the 25K may go up then?
Thanks in advance and Safe Travels
I would like for him to travel on 11/21 to LAX and on 11/25-26 back to BOS
No Savers are available, as I would assume, however.. many UA Explorer/Premier options available at 25K OW (Standard)
Never redeemed a UA Standard Domestic award before (too rich for my blood)..
I'm hoping once I ticket I could request Saver if for some reason space opens (may be moot due to the Holiday) But if that's what I'm trying for what is the best procedure to do so.. (are free changes to lower classes permissible?)
Cash fares are so high it makes the Standard plausible..
Any advice regarding this query would be greatly appreciated
And I assume I should do this before November 1st the 25K may go up then?
Thanks in advance and Safe Travels
You have no close-in fee as a Plat, and a Standard Award is last seat availability. In this case, you should wait to book until ~1 day before departure as a Saver award might open up. Only blink and pull the trigger if you preferred itinerary is actually about to sell out.
However, the Nov 1 devaluation is throwing a wrench here. Quite likely a Standard Award will jump up after then for your dates. If you book now, it's $50 to change to a Saver Award later (you cannot waitlist); $100 for both segments if booked separately.
If you are more interested in getting a preferred time and/or routing (like nonstop), I would book now and eat the change fee if a good Saver Award shows up. If saving miles is worth being flexible about routing and maybe coming home Saturday morning, then potentially worth gambling on the extra miles and swiping space close-in.
#2002
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 488
Can I skip excursionist perk flight and still fly the rest of my itin?
#2003
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,844
As jsloan noted, any Hawaii to CONUS replacement would be fine. You need to find award space and pay a change fee, but otherwise you should be good to go.
You can cancel at any time for free, and only pay the change fee when you actually rebook the new itinerary, but you have to complete the change within 1 year of the original ticketing date or the miles will be forfeit.
Normally, my advice would be this:
You have no close-in fee as a Plat, and a Standard Award is last seat availability. In this case, you should wait to book until ~1 day before departure as a Saver award might open up. Only blink and pull the trigger if you preferred itinerary is actually about to sell out.
However, the Nov 1 devaluation is throwing a wrench here. Quite likely a Standard Award will jump up after then for your dates. If you book now, it's $50 to change to a Saver Award later (you cannot waitlist); $100 for both segments if booked separately.
If you are more interested in getting a preferred time and/or routing (like nonstop), I would book now and eat the change fee if a good Saver Award shows up. If saving miles is worth being flexible about routing and maybe coming home Saturday morning, then potentially worth gambling on the extra miles and swiping space close-in.
You can cancel at any time for free, and only pay the change fee when you actually rebook the new itinerary, but you have to complete the change within 1 year of the original ticketing date or the miles will be forfeit.
Normally, my advice would be this:
You have no close-in fee as a Plat, and a Standard Award is last seat availability. In this case, you should wait to book until ~1 day before departure as a Saver award might open up. Only blink and pull the trigger if you preferred itinerary is actually about to sell out.
However, the Nov 1 devaluation is throwing a wrench here. Quite likely a Standard Award will jump up after then for your dates. If you book now, it's $50 to change to a Saver Award later (you cannot waitlist); $100 for both segments if booked separately.
If you are more interested in getting a preferred time and/or routing (like nonstop), I would book now and eat the change fee if a good Saver Award shows up. If saving miles is worth being flexible about routing and maybe coming home Saturday morning, then potentially worth gambling on the extra miles and swiping space close-in.
#2004
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,378
Yeah, it's entirely up to you how much you value a good routing versus saving the miles. I would guess that subject to the constraints: outbound BOS to LAX 21-Nov and inbound LAX to BOS 25-Nov -or- 26-Nov, the chance of seeing a Saver Award r/t is at least 65%, and 90% for at least one direction. However, this might involve things like BOS-EWR-MSP-LAX leaving at 6am.
Each time you change a PNR, it is $50. If you book it all on one PNR, it's $50 to change if you are able to confirm both segments in Saver at the same time. Otherwise, it's $100 for two changes, and it would be easier to have separate PNRs as there is a good chance that the unchanged Standard segment will reprice if you do a change of the other segment.
No, you cannot.
No, you cannot.
#2005
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,844
Yeah, it's entirely up to you how much you value a good routing versus saving the miles. I would guess that subject to the constraints: outbound BOS to LAX 21-Nov and inbound LAX to BOS 25-Nov -or- 26-Nov, the chance of seeing a Saver Award r/t is at least 65%, and 90% for at least one direction. However, this might involve things like BOS-EWR-MSP-LAX leaving at 6am.
Each time you change a PNR, it is $50. If you book it all on one PNR, it's $50 to change if you are able to confirm both segments in Saver at the same time. Otherwise, it's $100 for two changes, and it would be easier to have separate PNRs as there is a good chance that the unchanged Standard segment will reprice if you do a change of the other segment.
No, you cannot.
Each time you change a PNR, it is $50. If you book it all on one PNR, it's $50 to change if you are able to confirm both segments in Saver at the same time. Otherwise, it's $100 for two changes, and it would be easier to have separate PNRs as there is a good chance that the unchanged Standard segment will reprice if you do a change of the other segment.
No, you cannot.
#2006
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 194
As jsloan noted, any Hawaii to CONUS replacement would be fine. You need to find award space and pay a change fee, but otherwise you should be good to go.
You can cancel at any time for free, and only pay the change fee when you actually rebook the new itinerary, but you have to complete the change within 1 year of the original ticketing date or the miles will be forfeit.
You can cancel at any time for free, and only pay the change fee when you actually rebook the new itinerary, but you have to complete the change within 1 year of the original ticketing date or the miles will be forfeit.
#2007
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,378
Thank you so much for the timely and detailed reply I have a strategy now. I didn't think that there's a 65% chance of something opening up on a saver level it's a bit of a gamble with the November 1st change so I have a few days to work on this so I'm not in a rush to book today. I guess it may be worthwhile to keep a very close eye on this. Thanks again and safe travels
Good luck!
I believe so, but only 90% sure. The rules should require you to change like-for-like but it's probably worth asking an agent (when you're ready to rebook) if you want to try that change.
#2008
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Do you still feel this is due to it being "the most difficult month for J awards".
I definitely do not. Something has happened although I do not know what but it is a remarkable difference from what was available for July & August when I was checking frequently and lots was available.
To not see a single J award - not even a "mixed award" - for the entire month is more than a coincidence.
JMO.
Last edited by Paulchili; Oct 26, 2017 at 11:11 pm
#2009
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,399
TATL from the west coast has always been a challenge. Nor has it ever reliably opened at the beginning of the schedule. The only way we were able to book in advance to Europe this past April was to grab OS LAX-VIE as soon as the route was introduced.
Also, note that UA's award calendar is not accurate and regularly gives false negatives. You have to actually click on dates to see if there are available flights. For example, the calendar shows totally blank for TATLs from LAX and SFO next summer, but on many days there are actually saver J award seats. I checked a handful of random dates and saw J on AC, LO, LX, and TK.
The absence of advance LH J awards is a bit unusual and has previously been commented on by Gary Leff.
#2010
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Coincident with what?
TATL from the west coast has always been a challenge. Nor has it ever reliably opened at the beginning of the schedule. The only way we were able to book in advance to Europe this past April was to grab OS LAX-VIE as soon as the route was introduced.
Also, note that UA's award calendar is not accurate and regularly gives false negatives. You have to actually click on dates to see if there are available flights. For example, the calendar shows totally blank for TATLs from LAX and SFO next summer, but on many days there are actually saver J award seats. I checked a handful of random dates and saw J on AC, LO, LX, and TK.
The absence of advance LH J awards is a bit unusual and has previously been commented on by Gary Leff.
TATL from the west coast has always been a challenge. Nor has it ever reliably opened at the beginning of the schedule. The only way we were able to book in advance to Europe this past April was to grab OS LAX-VIE as soon as the route was introduced.
Also, note that UA's award calendar is not accurate and regularly gives false negatives. You have to actually click on dates to see if there are available flights. For example, the calendar shows totally blank for TATLs from LAX and SFO next summer, but on many days there are actually saver J award seats. I checked a handful of random dates and saw J on AC, LO, LX, and TK.
The absence of advance LH J awards is a bit unusual and has previously been commented on by Gary Leff.
I am aware of the OS flights and was willing to pay for SFO-LAX if the OS flights were available out of LAX but none were. I even looked specifically for TK flights, even though they involved overnight stay in IST and we know what the current situation with that is. No matter as those flights were not available anyway.
The point I am making is that I was closely monitoring these routes for 2 months in order to prepare myself for all my options when my date arrived. There were many options with UA, LH, TK, OS and LX during those 2 months but nothing for September.
Please tell me what YOU see for that route from Sept 11 to 14th.