Grace B

I had an interesting experience last week using an award Y ticket FCO-BRU (SN), BRU-ARN (SN), ARN-MMX (SK).

I was upgraded on the first flight, and then the second flight was delayed by 90+ mins, resulting in my missing the connecting flight to MMX.

This likely mis-connect was obvious while at BRU, but the SN staff would not try to re-accommodate me, saying I would have to sort it out at ARN with SK. Well, at ARN the SK staff said it was SN's responsibility and also would not help. However they pointed me towards SN's handling agent who they said should be able to help

As it turned out, the agent (Aviator) was very helpful and did mange to rebook me on to an ARN-CPH flight, the last one of the day. I was happy with this as my final destination was actually Copenhagen. I booked MMX as this was the only flight available as an award (it's only a 20 minute train ride away from CPH).

The point seems to be, if travelling on a UA award ticket and using multiple partner airlines, your fortunes seem to be in the lap of the gods in the case of IRROPS. I just got lucky, it seems.

jsloan

Both the SN and SK agents were mostly correct; the SK agents more so.

Misconnects that appear to be obvious prior to departure don't always materialize, so whereas the staff at BRU could have redirected you immediately, I'm not surprised that they didn't. The SK agents were correct that upon arrival at ARN, it was the late-delivering carrier's responsibility to handle rebooking, which they then did. The system worked exactly as designed.

searchforfulfillment

I am a 1K using miles for the 7am BOI-DEN-IAD with my wife. To be safe on a non SA carrier connection at IAD, I would like to take the 5am flight, but the miles required to change are exorbitant. As we each have a bag to check to IAD, what advice would be the best here?

oskidunker

jsloan

Does the 5 AM flight also go through DEN? Standby is permitted along the same routing, but not along a different routing, and can be challenging with a bag.

As a 1K, you may be able to get a bag checked through to a non-*A carrier, although that's against general UA policy, but asking for a standby bag to be given to a non-*A carrier is probably a bridge too far. I'd be keeping my fingers crossed that award inventory will open on the 5 AM and then you can change to it.

searchforfulfillment

Thanks; the earlier flight has the same routing. It would be great to pass the time in IAD at out in one of the lounges.

zitsky

I have the basic email receipt and history from the United app. If I have two passengers and there is a separate entry JOE -50,000 miles and SALLY -50,000 miles was the total miles used 50,000 or 100,000? I'm a little confused because I see multiple entries in my history showing AIR TRAVEL AWARD and AIR AWARD REDEPOSIT more than once when I don't recall making changes during that time period. I thought I could just look at my history and it would give me the total but I'm not certain how to interpret what I see.

WineCountryUA

I find it useful to dump the UA report to an Excel file (on the web site) and sort the various categories, separating out awards from upgrades from earnings from flight or credit cards. Tends to be clearer when sorted.

zitsky

Thanks. When I see "-50,000 zitsky" 12 times, I don't think a report will help. I haven't booked an award for a few years and was just expecting to see one transaction for each person. I did check the receipt but I don't see where it shows miles booked. I see cash/credit payments easily.

EDIT: I have my answer after finding my original receipt. The answer is 50,000 per person. The individual miles and total is clearly shown on the original receipt. I'm still confused why I don't see that information on a receipt that I requested 15 minutes ago. I'll look at it more carefully.

fumje

I have found that some schedule changes result in redeposit and re-withdrawal. I never initiated anything for those, but the line items show up in my MP activity.

Is it possible you've had some (or several) schedule adjustments?

zitsky

I know of one change but not 5 or 10.

cfischer

One way of finding out is to hit the change flight button' and it will show the miles and $$$ it would apply to the new ticket.