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, 8:56 pm
#226
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: COS
Programs: UA Gold/1.5MM (several years running now!), Marriott LTTE, Hertz Prez
Posts: 1,899
I'd guess that either your upgrade cleared during the cancellation process -- I could imagine an automated system kicking in and saying, "look at all of this new inventory!" -- or the agent decided to do you a favor. Either way, it's unlikely to matter much; if you do need to rebook again, there are reports that people with F tickets are being offered Y options on United.com anyway, and if an agent is looking at the ticket manually, it'll be pretty obvious that it was an upgrade. Of course, there's always a chance that the agent would try to preserve your upgrade in that scenario, so I guess it's "might help you down the line" after 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.
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, 10:40 pm
#227
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
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.
Aug 28, 2017, 10:59 pm
#228
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS after 40+ SFO/OAK
Programs: UA MM (recovering former 1K), Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 550
This is unprecedented
Combination of duration of closure of a major US hub weather-caused and length of travel waiver, at least IME. Interested in any other opinions.
Agree with earlier comments regarding the currently posted opening date/time being a best case, and T+1,2,3 for normal ops to resume. Until things settle down, I'd avoid IAH if you can.
For those wanting an overview of current roadway conditions in the Houston area, go here:
http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/
The current picture is attached -- like I implied, never seen anything like it.
Agree with earlier comments regarding the currently posted opening date/time being a best case, and T+1,2,3 for normal ops to resume. Until things settle down, I'd avoid IAH if you can.
For those wanting an overview of current roadway conditions in the Houston area, go here:
http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/
The current picture is attached -- like I implied, never seen anything like it.
Aug 28, 2017, 11:43 pm
#229
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Programs: UA Plat-2MM, Marriott Life Titanium, Hyatt something
Posts: 1,888
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 29, 2017, 1:23 am
#230
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
My husband is supposed to fly lax-Tpa on sep 5. He can't leave until after 1230pm, and dies not want a red-eye. The only option is via Iah. What are thoughts with regard to the flight operating by then.
Aug 29, 2017, 6:29 am
#231
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
Sep 5 is at the end of the travel waiver, however DL has a routing through ATL leaving LAX at 13:00 and arriving into TPA at 23:56. UA should rebook him onto other airlines.
Aug 29, 2017, 7:07 am
#233
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
While one could certainly ask, UA is likely to be reluctant to rebook onto DL a week in advance. If things still look dire by the weekend, or the flight is actually cancelled, there's a better chance.
Aug 29, 2017, 9:12 am
#234
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
Also for the OP- if you husband could leave at 12:10 he could connect through SFO on the nonstop to TPA which UA should be able to confirm him in today.
Aug 29, 2017, 10:10 am
#235
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Personally I would not book anything via IAH or HOU over the next 2 weeks if you absolutely positively have to be somewhere by a specific time. Why risk the anxiety and aggravation?
In the normal course the authorities will strive to open the airports ASAP but here the employees may have trouble getting there due to road closures, evacuations, etc. so service may be limited even when things open and you certainly won't want to get stuck here if there are irregular ops.
I have a conference scheduled in October but I am not booking any air travel now as I expect many of our internal events will be cancelled, postponed or relocated.
Aug 29, 2017, 11:30 am
#236
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
What they "can" do and what they are actually doing aren't necessarily the same thing.
A relative of mine is at a Latin American city (not posting specifics for privacy reasons). She is scheduled to fly to Canada via IAH tomorrow. United offers once-daily service from that location to IAH, and does not offer service to any other city. The only other airline with non-stops to the US is American, with a daily flight to DFW.
With tomorrow's flight to IAH clearly not an option, at this point UA is only offering her a seat on the Thursday flight to IAH. They refused to put her on the AA flight, even though there is space available on Tue and Wed (at least, according to AA.com).
What is somewhat perplexing is that the Thursday flight that UA rebooked her onto arrives into IAH prior to the currently-scheduled re-opening of the airport. So I fear that she won't actually fly on Thursday after all.
Obviously my relative's situation is not dire compared to what some people are experiencing, but nevertheless it seems as though United is taking the cheap way out rather then getting her back home in an expeditious manner.
A relative of mine is at a Latin American city (not posting specifics for privacy reasons). She is scheduled to fly to Canada via IAH tomorrow. United offers once-daily service from that location to IAH, and does not offer service to any other city. The only other airline with non-stops to the US is American, with a daily flight to DFW.
With tomorrow's flight to IAH clearly not an option, at this point UA is only offering her a seat on the Thursday flight to IAH. They refused to put her on the AA flight, even though there is space available on Tue and Wed (at least, according to AA.com).
What is somewhat perplexing is that the Thursday flight that UA rebooked her onto arrives into IAH prior to the currently-scheduled re-opening of the airport. So I fear that she won't actually fly on Thursday after all.
Obviously my relative's situation is not dire compared to what some people are experiencing, but nevertheless it seems as though United is taking the cheap way out rather then getting her back home in an expeditious manner.
As I suspected, her Thursday flight is now canceled. United is refusing to book her on AA. She is now scheduled to leave on Saturday. (originally ticketed for Tuesday).
The United agent said she could cancel her ticket for a refund, but buying a new ticket on AA would cost 3X as much as what she'll get back from United. And what's more, AA doesn't actually fly to her home airport in Canada. The closest she can get on AA is a 4-hour drive from her home. For three times the price. So at this point she is just going to hunker down and wait it out.
Aug 29, 2017, 11:59 am
#237
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Per Floghtaware the airports are set to reopen on Thursday (IAH at noon and HOU at 8am) but not sure anyone knows what operations will be like when they do.
Aug 29, 2017, 12:07 pm
#238
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Location Location (San Francisco)
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, airline free agent
Posts: 729
Quick question. My flights to and from IAH have both canceled. I was going for a meeting that may or may not be re-scheduled.
Do I have to call in to UA to cancel the flights on my end so I don't lose the credit? Can I just cancel on the website? Or do nothing since UA has already canceled the flights?
Do I have to call in to UA to cancel the flights on my end so I don't lose the credit? Can I just cancel on the website? Or do nothing since UA has already canceled the flights?
Aug 29, 2017, 12:32 pm
#239
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Quick question. My flights to and from IAH have both canceled. I was going for a meeting that may or may not be re-scheduled.
Do I have to call in to UA to cancel the flights on my end so I don't lose the credit? Can I just cancel on the website? Or do nothing since UA has already canceled the flights?
Do I have to call in to UA to cancel the flights on my end so I don't lose the credit? Can I just cancel on the website? Or do nothing since UA has already canceled the flights?
You have to refund your tickets. UA will rebook you (eventually) if you do not cancel your reservation and refund the ticket.
Aug 29, 2017, 1:27 pm
#240
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Wesseling, NRW, Germany
Programs: UA *S , MR LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,940
Seems UA is pulling the aircraft stuck in South America out of the continent and back to other hubs. The following flights all are scheduled to depart around the 9pm local mark tonight:
- UA2762 GRU-EWR 763
- UA2764 GIG-SFO 788
- UA2766 EZE-ORD 772
- UA2763 SCL-IAD 763
So in case you are stuck in any of these places which (except GRU) only have UA-lift to IAH normally, this may be an option to get out of the cities. Flights currently look pretty open and available for bookings
This does mean however that the South America operations will need to be restarted from IAH and not, as obviously planned until now, from the other side of the relation. Which, in turn, means that we probably will not see any flights out of SA to IAH before the 1st of September.
Greetings - Dirk
- UA2762 GRU-EWR 763
- UA2764 GIG-SFO 788
- UA2766 EZE-ORD 772
- UA2763 SCL-IAD 763
So in case you are stuck in any of these places which (except GRU) only have UA-lift to IAH normally, this may be an option to get out of the cities. Flights currently look pretty open and available for bookings
This does mean however that the South America operations will need to be restarted from IAH and not, as obviously planned until now, from the other side of the relation. Which, in turn, means that we probably will not see any flights out of SA to IAH before the 1st of September.
Greetings - Dirk