Aug 24, 2017, 1:59 pm
Last edit by: DELee
Update: 06 Sept 2017 - Latest waiver posting
Previous waivers:
Update: 30 Aug 2017
Update (08/29/17 15:50 CDT):
Booking waiver now extended through 12 September and changes covered through November 15th
Update (08/28/17 11:15 am EDT): Waiver extended through 05 September and rebooking and changes now covered through 20 September
Update 6PM (Central Time) 27 Aug 2017
IAH closure extend to 7PM 28 August
Update (08/27/17 12:45 pm EDT): Waiver extended through 31 August and rebooking and changes now covered through 13 September
Posted 27 August 2017 morning
Updated UA travel waiver for Harvey ( including IAH) 26 Aug 2017 = rebooking extend to 11 Sept
Updated UA travel waiver for Harvey ( including IAH) as of noon (Central Time) 25 Aug 2017
UA travel waiver (including IAH) for Harvey as 3PM (Central Time) 24 Aug 2017
Previous waivers:
Update: 30 Aug 2017
Hurricane Harvey continues to affect flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast
United flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast continue to be affected by Hurricane Harvey. There are now a limited number of flights operating between Houston and other major U.S. airports, but many flights to and from Houston continue to be canceled.
Please check your flight status before you go to the airport, and sign up to receive flight status messages in the event of changes. Also note that road conditions around the airport continue to be poor, so travelers should carefully plan their travel to and from the airport.
If you have an upcoming United flight that includes travel through Houston, we recommend postponing your travel until conditions improve. The Houston area is extremely taxed and may not have the resources to offer hotel and restaurant services to Houston visitors.
Travelers with booked flights to, from or through the Texas and Gulf Coast area can use our travel waiver to change their flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls due to the severity of the situation, so we recommend using united.com or the United app.
United flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast continue to be affected by Hurricane Harvey. There are now a limited number of flights operating between Houston and other major U.S. airports, but many flights to and from Houston continue to be canceled.
Please check your flight status before you go to the airport, and sign up to receive flight status messages in the event of changes. Also note that road conditions around the airport continue to be poor, so travelers should carefully plan their travel to and from the airport.
If you have an upcoming United flight that includes travel through Houston, we recommend postponing your travel until conditions improve. The Houston area is extremely taxed and may not have the resources to offer hotel and restaurant services to Houston visitors.
Travelers with booked flights to, from or through the Texas and Gulf Coast area can use our travel waiver to change their flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls due to the severity of the situation, so we recommend using united.com or the United app.
Booking waiver now extended through 12 September and changes covered through November 15th
FAA Advisory for IAH
Due to WEATHER/ HURRICANE HARVEY, the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) was closed as of Aug 28 at 09:38 AM CDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Aug 30 at 04:00 PM CDT.
Due to WEATHER/ HURRICANE HARVEY, the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) was closed as of Aug 28 at 09:38 AM CDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Aug 30 at 04:00 PM CDT.
Hurricane Harvey is affecting flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until at least noon on Thursday, August 31, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app.
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until at least noon on Thursday, August 31, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app.
AIRPORT STATUS INFORMATION
provided by the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center
George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) Real-time Status
.....
Due to WEATHER/ HURRICANE HARVEY, the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) was closed as of Aug 27 at 10:24 AM CDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Aug 31 at 12:00 PM CDT.
provided by the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center
George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) Real-time Status
.....
Due to WEATHER/ HURRICANE HARVEY, the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH) was closed as of Aug 27 at 10:24 AM CDT. The date/time when the airport is expected to reopen is Aug 31 at 12:00 PM CDT.
Update 6PM (Central Time) 27 Aug 2017
IAH closure extend to 7PM 28 August
Hurricane Harvey is affecting flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until 7 p.m. on Monday, August 28, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app if possible.
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until 7 p.m. on Monday, August 28, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app if possible.
Update (08/27/17 12:45 pm EDT): Waiver extended through 31 August and rebooking and changes now covered through 13 September
Posted 27 August 2017 morning
Hurricane Harvey is affecting flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until noon on Monday, August 28, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app if possible.
Due to Hurricane Harvey, United flights to and from Houston Intercontinental are canceled until noon on Monday, August 28, and additional flights to and from Texas and the Gulf Coast may be affected. If you have planned travel, please see our travel waiver below to change your flight. Please note that we are experiencing a high volume of calls, so we recommend using united.com or the United app if possible.
Updated UA travel waiver for Harvey ( including IAH) 26 Aug 2017 = rebooking extend to 11 Sept
Updated UA travel waiver for Harvey ( including IAH) as of noon (Central Time) 25 Aug 2017
UA travel waiver (including IAH) for Harvey as 3PM (Central Time) 24 Aug 2017
Travel Waiver: Gulf Coast Tropical Weather (25 Aug - 12 Sept, 2017) - Affects IAH
Aug 28, 2017, 5:33 pm
#211
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: TPE
Programs: UA Gold, HA Premier, Hertz #1 Gold PC, SBUX Gold
Posts: 603
Ah okay thanks. I just re-booked from IAH to DEN from Thursday to Friday but my new flight Friday morning is also still listed. Can't really avoid the waiver dates at all because I'm supposed to be in Boulder for meetings over the weekend. Good news is it's a hub to hub route with very high frequency, so even if my flight in the morning doesn't go there are still plenty more loaded into the schedule and my hope is UA doesn't have to be back at full opps on Friday to at least run some IAH-DEN flights. Agent who re-booked me also noted there is still a lot of availability on the route throughout the day.
Aug 28, 2017, 5:48 pm
#212
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Hertz PC
Posts: 657
Because of all the reroutes if you find a hub to hub flights full consider a smaller airport connection.
MCI, DSM, OMA for example connect to all the hubs. Sure it's same for most places. Will take longer but it will get you there.
MCI, DSM, OMA for example connect to all the hubs. Sure it's same for most places. Will take longer but it will get you there.
Aug 28, 2017, 5:52 pm
#213
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: COS
Programs: UA Gold/1.5MM (several years running now!), Marriott LTTE, Hertz Prez
Posts: 1,899
Aug 28, 2017, 5:58 pm
#214
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal (ONT), PVD/BOS, JAX, RSW
Programs: AA/US PlatPro & 1.05MM, DL Plat (challenge), UA dirt
Posts: 3,189
I do know (from experience) that FAR, DSM, RAP are used a connection points when the ORD-DEN is off of the normal schedule.
Aug 28, 2017, 6:17 pm
#215
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM, I miss GS
Posts: 113
I live near downtown Houston and fortunately I am safe and dry; sad watching everything around here though.
I have had several flights canceled this week, both business and personal. I did get noticed that my Friday morning IAH-SNA was canceled and was easily able to rebook the afternoon flight through the website. I had to call and change my work flight; a very nice lady answered on the third ring and changed my itinerary to next week no issues. I then asked about my flights Friday; she said Thursday was only hub-hub and as they slowly got back into operation. There is still a reasonable chance the friday afternoon flight would cancel and she suggested to book IAH-LAX for the best chance; keep it between the big airports for now. Less than a 5-minute conversation overall.
Very happy with United on this call / IRROP.
I have had several flights canceled this week, both business and personal. I did get noticed that my Friday morning IAH-SNA was canceled and was easily able to rebook the afternoon flight through the website. I had to call and change my work flight; a very nice lady answered on the third ring and changed my itinerary to next week no issues. I then asked about my flights Friday; she said Thursday was only hub-hub and as they slowly got back into operation. There is still a reasonable chance the friday afternoon flight would cancel and she suggested to book IAH-LAX for the best chance; keep it between the big airports for now. Less than a 5-minute conversation overall.
Very happy with United on this call / IRROP.
Aug 28, 2017, 6:25 pm
#216
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Philly
Programs: AA : GOLD
Posts: 118
Last night around 11pm Eastern, got the cancellation notice for my wife's Tuesday morning flight MID->IAH->PHL that I booked with miles. I called to change, was on hold about 15 minutes and the agent told me the next flight would be Thursday.
I asked to fly out of CUN, since I checked and there was space on a few flights. She told me that routing changes were allowed .. (this is crazy).
In the end, I booked my own flight on AA out of CUN. I cancelled the United flight, received a full refund of the miles and taxes.
Still pretty crazy that last night they were telling their agents to keep the same routes through IAH.
I asked to fly out of CUN, since I checked and there was space on a few flights. She told me that routing changes were allowed .. (this is crazy).
In the end, I booked my own flight on AA out of CUN. I cancelled the United flight, received a full refund of the miles and taxes.
Still pretty crazy that last night they were telling their agents to keep the same routes through IAH.
Aug 28, 2017, 7:15 pm
#217
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,226
One of my agents spent 3 hours in the queue for our executive priority agency desk, so I can't imagine what the hold times are for regular reservations and the 1k line. Was able to rebook our clients out to this weekend given their LHR flight is canceled through Thursday and the agent on the phone warned Friday may be likely too - all in all, the process was seamless, simple and quick aside from the wait time and they opened the mileage ticket inventory space to do the rebook without any prodding. Clients are happy, we are happy, so we will call this is a win.
Aug 28, 2017, 7:18 pm
#218
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: TPE
Programs: UA Gold, HA Premier, Hertz #1 Gold PC, SBUX Gold
Posts: 603
I live near downtown Houston and fortunately I am safe and dry; sad watching everything around here though.
I have had several flights canceled this week, both business and personal. I did get noticed that my Friday morning IAH-SNA was canceled and was easily able to rebook the afternoon flight through the website. I had to call and change my work flight; a very nice lady answered on the third ring and changed my itinerary to next week no issues. I then asked about my flights Friday; she said Thursday was only hub-hub and as they slowly got back into operation.
I have had several flights canceled this week, both business and personal. I did get noticed that my Friday morning IAH-SNA was canceled and was easily able to rebook the afternoon flight through the website. I had to call and change my work flight; a very nice lady answered on the third ring and changed my itinerary to next week no issues. I then asked about my flights Friday; she said Thursday was only hub-hub and as they slowly got back into operation.
Aug 28, 2017, 7:55 pm
#219
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
Aug 28, 2017, 8:08 pm
#220
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: COS
Programs: UA Gold/1.5MM (several years running now!), Marriott LTTE, Hertz Prez
Posts: 1,899
Quick rebooking question follows...
9/1 flights into/out of IAH cxl. Rebooked 9/2. Original fare was Q w/ long-shot 17.5k/$125 upgrade on request (one revenue F seat left one week out). Assumed something nice was done for me w/ updated rez showing P (no mention from CSR at the time, noticed during after-the-fact seat selection). However, just got the updated receipt, and it definitely reflects the miles deduction and addcollect. So is this just one of those "might help you down the line if further rebooking is required" type of things?
No griping here whatsoever, just seeking understanding...
Thx all
9/1 flights into/out of IAH cxl. Rebooked 9/2. Original fare was Q w/ long-shot 17.5k/$125 upgrade on request (one revenue F seat left one week out). Assumed something nice was done for me w/ updated rez showing P (no mention from CSR at the time, noticed during after-the-fact seat selection). However, just got the updated receipt, and it definitely reflects the miles deduction and addcollect. So is this just one of those "might help you down the line if further rebooking is required" type of things?
No griping here whatsoever, just seeking understanding...
Thx all
Aug 28, 2017, 8:33 pm
#222
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 19
Does anyone have any sense yet of when it would be reasonable to book a flight into IAH?
I'm a Houston resident who was overseas this weekend, and I used the travel waiver to book a flight for today to another location in the US where I have relatives. I want to book a flight back to Houston, and I'm nervous to wait until everything is all clear because there may not be availability then, but I'm worried that if I book too soon I may not be able to fly in or leave the airport.
Would booking a flight for labor day be reasonable? If I book it now would it still be covered by the weather waiver?
I'm a Houston resident who was overseas this weekend, and I used the travel waiver to book a flight for today to another location in the US where I have relatives. I want to book a flight back to Houston, and I'm nervous to wait until everything is all clear because there may not be availability then, but I'm worried that if I book too soon I may not be able to fly in or leave the airport.
Would booking a flight for labor day be reasonable? If I book it now would it still be covered by the weather waiver?
Aug 28, 2017, 8:33 pm
#223
formerly FrequentFlyKid
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Programs: United Global Services, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, National Executive Elite
Posts: 981
UA Agents
I was notified that my Wednesday morning ORD-CLE flight was cancelled due to Harvey related displacements, etc. I had to call the 1K desk twice today and went straight to an agent. Had a great (quick) conversation with both of them. They're all working mandatory four hour of OT each day until at least Thursday. They're tired and stressed out as well. I would suggest we all have some empathy and understanding for them as well. (Not that it seemed like anyone wasn't already, but just something that struck me today).
Aug 28, 2017, 8:37 pm
#224
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Quick rebooking question follows...
9/1 flights into/out of IAH cxl. Rebooked 9/2. Original fare was Q w/ long-shot 17.5k/$125 upgrade on request (one revenue F seat left one week out). Assumed something nice was done for me w/ updated rez showing P (no mention from CSR at the time, noticed during after-the-fact seat selection). However, just got the updated receipt, and it definitely reflects the miles deduction and addcollect. So is this just one of those "might help you down the line if further rebooking is required" type of things?
No griping here whatsoever, just seeking understanding...
Thx all
9/1 flights into/out of IAH cxl. Rebooked 9/2. Original fare was Q w/ long-shot 17.5k/$125 upgrade on request (one revenue F seat left one week out). Assumed something nice was done for me w/ updated rez showing P (no mention from CSR at the time, noticed during after-the-fact seat selection). However, just got the updated receipt, and it definitely reflects the miles deduction and addcollect. So is this just one of those "might help you down the line if further rebooking is required" type of things?
No griping here whatsoever, just seeking understanding...
Thx all
You may get a pleasant surprise and some extra PQMs if it posts as P; the system might also notice during the crediting process and have it post as ZQ. And, it's remotely possible -- but not likely -- that you'll end up back down in Y during check-in. Once you get ticketed in F, you normally stay there barring further IRROPS. However, I'd make sure to save that receipt so that you can get the proper downgrade compensation, in the unlikely chance it comes up. Otherwise, enjoy your upgraded ride.
Aug 28, 2017, 8:45 pm
#225
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
I had to call for a friend of mine who was flying using my miles. He was auto-reaccommodated from IAH to ORD Sunday night but ORD was messed up Monday afternoon.
The airport agent told him they would not reroute him through SFO claiming the flight was full (yet, a hour before departure, at least 30 seats on the A319 was open). So, I had to call. The call went through right away on the 1K line. The agent listened to my gripe, confirmed there was availability but we decided to not do anything - my friend was lined up at the queue at the gate trying to change.
Eventually, the airport agents moved him to an earlier ORD flight but that would have mis-connected as the delays grew. Finally, they moved him to the SFO flight.
Does rerouting require more keystrokes so agents would rather risking mis-connects than reroute?
I think if the airport agents were more helpful, then the phone agents jobs would be easier.
The airport agent told him they would not reroute him through SFO claiming the flight was full (yet, a hour before departure, at least 30 seats on the A319 was open). So, I had to call. The call went through right away on the 1K line. The agent listened to my gripe, confirmed there was availability but we decided to not do anything - my friend was lined up at the queue at the gate trying to change.
Eventually, the airport agents moved him to an earlier ORD flight but that would have mis-connected as the delays grew. Finally, they moved him to the SFO flight.
Does rerouting require more keystrokes so agents would rather risking mis-connects than reroute?
I think if the airport agents were more helpful, then the phone agents jobs would be easier.