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
Sep 1, 2017, 10:48 pm
#361
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: WN, AA, UA, DL
Posts: 1,313
Sep 1, 2017, 11:08 pm
#362
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
The waiver extends for travel booked through 9/12. Flights can be rebooked into positive space (fare difference waived) until 11/15. This isn't new; it's been in place for a few days, and is listed in the wiki.
Sep 4, 2017, 8:35 am
#363
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,146
Getting to 6am flight with Curfew in Houston
So I've never been in a city with a curfew before, so not really sure how this works.
I have a 6am flight this Friday which I'm hoping actually stays on schedule as its IAH-EWR. Since the curfew doesn't end until 5am, am i technically allowed to be driving to the airport before that? I'll be leaving college station around 3:15am, probably getting into the Houston area around 4:15am, to plan on arriving at IAH by 4:45am. I've noticed there were flights that departed IAH today at 5:15am and 6am, so it seems that its not an issue. But i just want to be sure I wont be stopped or anything, because if so I would leave a little earlier.
Thanks!
I have a 6am flight this Friday which I'm hoping actually stays on schedule as its IAH-EWR. Since the curfew doesn't end until 5am, am i technically allowed to be driving to the airport before that? I'll be leaving college station around 3:15am, probably getting into the Houston area around 4:15am, to plan on arriving at IAH by 4:45am. I've noticed there were flights that departed IAH today at 5:15am and 6am, so it seems that its not an issue. But i just want to be sure I wont be stopped or anything, because if so I would leave a little earlier.
Thanks!
Sep 4, 2017, 9:12 am
#365
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 19,502
So I've never been in a city with a curfew before, so not really sure how this works.
I have a 6am flight this Friday which I'm hoping actually stays on schedule as its IAH-EWR. Since the curfew doesn't end until 5am, am i technically allowed to be driving to the airport before that? I'll be leaving college station around 3:15am, probably getting into the Houston area around 4:15am, to plan on arriving at IAH by 4:45am. I've noticed there were flights that departed IAH today at 5:15am and 6am, so it seems that its not an issue. But i just want to be sure I wont be stopped or anything, because if so I would leave a little earlier.
Thanks!
I have a 6am flight this Friday which I'm hoping actually stays on schedule as its IAH-EWR. Since the curfew doesn't end until 5am, am i technically allowed to be driving to the airport before that? I'll be leaving college station around 3:15am, probably getting into the Houston area around 4:15am, to plan on arriving at IAH by 4:45am. I've noticed there were flights that departed IAH today at 5:15am and 6am, so it seems that its not an issue. But i just want to be sure I wont be stopped or anything, because if so I would leave a little earlier.
Thanks!
Sep 4, 2017, 9:15 am
#366
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 564
So I've never been in a city with a curfew before, so not really sure how this works.
I have a 6am flight this Friday which I'm hoping actually stays on schedule as its IAH-EWR. Since the curfew doesn't end until 5am, am i technically allowed to be driving to the airport before that? I'll be leaving college station around 3:15am, probably getting into the Houston area around 4:15am, to plan on arriving at IAH by 4:45am. I've noticed there were flights that departed IAH today at 5:15am and 6am, so it seems that its not an issue. But i just want to be sure I wont be stopped or anything, because if so I would leave a little earlier.
Thanks!
I have a 6am flight this Friday which I'm hoping actually stays on schedule as its IAH-EWR. Since the curfew doesn't end until 5am, am i technically allowed to be driving to the airport before that? I'll be leaving college station around 3:15am, probably getting into the Houston area around 4:15am, to plan on arriving at IAH by 4:45am. I've noticed there were flights that departed IAH today at 5:15am and 6am, so it seems that its not an issue. But i just want to be sure I wont be stopped or anything, because if so I would leave a little earlier.
Thanks!
Sep 4, 2017, 11:02 am
#367
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
IAH is within the Houston city limits. Also, it is NNE of downtown, not NW.
Sep 4, 2017, 11:12 am
#368
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS after 40+ SFO/OAK
Programs: UA MM (recovering former 1K), Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 550
Sep 4, 2017, 11:32 am
#369
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Carolina
Programs: UA LT Gold, American Kettle, Hertz #1 Presidents Circle, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 927
The city has been slowly annexing parts of Harris county over the years. 10 years ago the city limits stopped to well to the east of SH-6. Now the 'Entering Houston' sign on I-10 is about 1 miles to the west of SH-6. I predict that in about 5-10 years all of Harris County will be in the City of Houston, except for those portions are are already incorporated cities.
Sep 4, 2017, 12:02 pm
#370
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 564
I meant NE. I just did not realize the city limits went out that far.
OP, FWIW you would be taking Highways all the way to the airport. Highly doubt the curfew is meant to get in the way of interstate and airline travel. The police have more important things to do right now then escorting someone to the airport...
Last edited by FlyngSvyr; Sep 4, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Sep 4, 2017, 1:18 pm
#371
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,691
Sep 4, 2017, 1:30 pm
#372
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,693
No problem getting in from IAH very early this morning after a much longer-than-expected trip. Hope all are doing well/better.
Sep 4, 2017, 1:48 pm
#373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
The city has been slowly annexing parts of Harris county over the years. 10 years ago the city limits stopped to well to the east of SH-6. Now the 'Entering Houston' sign on I-10 is about 1 miles to the west of SH-6. I predict that in about 5-10 years all of Harris County will be in the City of Houston, except for those portions are are already incorporated cities.
Sep 4, 2017, 7:22 pm
#374
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,514
FYI my cancellation on 8/31 was already refunded to my AMEX on Saturday 9/2. Amazing, I assumed it'd take forever with the IAH mess.
Good job, UA!
Good job, UA!
My data point:
I had a 9/1 MSP-IAH-MSY and a 9/4 return.
The 4th flight (IAH-MSP) on the return was cancelled this morning, and called UAL's general line (no status, got a friendly agent in the Philippines). And according to the agent when at least one flight is cancelled, you ARE eligible for a full refund. I'm super happy to have that happen!
Glad I waited to rebook until soon before leaving, I didn't really need to use the ticket so this was a great solution.
I had a 9/1 MSP-IAH-MSY and a 9/4 return.
The 4th flight (IAH-MSP) on the return was cancelled this morning, and called UAL's general line (no status, got a friendly agent in the Philippines). And according to the agent when at least one flight is cancelled, you ARE eligible for a full refund. I'm super happy to have that happen!
Glad I waited to rebook until soon before leaving, I didn't really need to use the ticket so this was a great solution.
Sep 5, 2017, 10:41 am
#375
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
UPDATE:
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.
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.
So to circle back...
I didn't want to post details publicly beforehand for security reasons...but here's what ultimately happened.
My relative (a young woman in her early 20's with relatively little international travel experience) was in CUU (Chihuahua, Mexico) to attend a friend's wedding. She was scheduled to fly back to Canada via IAH one week ago (Aug 29). Naturally her flight was canceled, along with subsequent days' flights. United refused to put her on the AA flight to DFW, and kept rolling her over day to day.
Eventually she and some other stranded wedding guests decided to risk the 230 mile drive from CUU to ELP (which takes you through some border areas that are subject to State Dep't Travel Warnings.) They had a local driver, who knew the best routes and times of day to travel. (This driver apparently goes to ELP several times a year for shopping, etc.) This happened last Friday, three days after their scheduled departure. The drive to ELP was uneventful.
United was happy to put them all on flights departing ELP...plenty of available seats, with easy routings through DEN. And it meant they were no longer United's problem.
If United's website is accurate, today was literally the first day a United flight left CUU in more than a week. My relative would have been stuck in CUU for an entire week after her scheduled flight (unless United had eventually relented and put her on AA...we'll never know what would have happened had she stuck around).