gusd

There’s a long line at the checkin/ticketing/customer service desk that would take longer than how much time you have to get to the gate, but you have your phone in your hand...

WineCountryUA

Back to the OP's initial issue, my question, has UA ever allowed new ticketing within 30 minutes o departure. I'm not aware it has.

Second question, has UA allowed SDC within 30 minutes of departure without GA involvement. Less sure about this but believe no.

Jimmie Jet

Not on United but on Qantas, I was checking in with the desk in Sydney for a flight to Melbourne, flights are every hour, my flight was 2 hours away I was going to have some lounge time , I only had a man purse for luggage , no roll aboard even

The checkin counter was zero line as was security right beside it, if there is no line at the checkin I often use them instead of the kiosk

The check in told me the flight in T-30 min is lightly loaded if you want go to the gate and see if they will let you on it

I walked to the gate showed them my boarding pass for 2 flights later and with a press of a few buttons I was on the flight. they closed the doors about 10 minutes after I boarded

So I think the GA has a lot of control if they have the time to mess with it

I got home 2 hours early but got put in coach from business for the hour, not a deal breaker, the upgrades got the seats as front was full back was 50%

TA

And isn't it the case that if a passenger were added, the flight would have to be reopened, W&B numbers need to be rerun, all the printouts must be redone, etc, basically starting the process all over again?

rmadisonwi

A couple years ago, I was flying through YYZ en route to ORD on AC. Bad storms in Chicago had all the flights messed up, and ultimately, AC cancelled my scheduled departure. Of course, they told us all to go to the customer service desk, who could do nothing but tell us to call an 800 number and get rebooked for the next day. Because I had a checked bag, I had to go to baggage claim, re-enter Canada (was in preclearance area). Meanwhile, I saw on the UA app that there was a flight scheduled out in a few minutes, but was delayed at least an hour and a half (AC, for some reason, couldn’t just put us on that flight). So while I’m standing at the AC customer service counter waiting for the escort back to the Canadian side/baggage claim, I booked that flight myself.

Yes, I could have technically waited until I got to the check-in counter, but I figured, a bird in the hand...

Since the flight was delayed, the check-in counter was still able to check me in plus take my bag, but having the reservation already booked made the process significantly easier and faster.

BThumme

Not making this thread about upgrades, but a situation like this would take care of itself if UA didn't wait until the absolute very last second to process final upgrades - if UA doesn't want to have its GAs deal with all of that, then the seat should not have been open in the first place, and the GA then can manage standbys and such. This is the game United wants to play to try and (rightfully so) make as much revenue as it can.

sbm12

I once bought a walk-up ticket on the LGA-DCA shuttle <8 minutes from departure. But I did it at the counter, not online. I completely understand not selling seats online inside that window as the number of "other" systems involved can get messy if someone isn't manually reviewing the situation and making decisions about it.

Often1

UA, just like AA, not quite sure about DL, has within the past year, not only had this has a policy but now prevents agents other than the GA from tampering with the load at the check-in deadline (international or domestic).

People on FT routinely rant that carriers, especially UA, louse up changes (whether outright or SDC), upgrades, and standbys and accuse GA's of all forms of misconduct in the process. While I can't speak to every GA in the world, the bulk of these problems come when another agent interferes in a flight close to departure and under gate control.

This is a zero sum game. If you are the passenger calling in / logging in, you are on the short end of the stick. If you are the passenger at the gate, this is what causes all manner of problems including the cancellation of upgrades as well as delays while it all gets sorted out.

Nothing is instant because the GA still has to assign seats, call passengers and the passenger still has to scan the BP and physically board. By locking everybody else out and leaving everything to the gate, the process works.

ermintrude

GS used to be able to force this if various factors allowed however I don't know if this is still the case.

ski

I thought UA.com bookings have been an hour before departure for awhile now.

eng3

I agree, I don't recall ever being able to do this on the website. I think an agent can do it but not through the normal system.
I think SDC on the web and app has a built in cut off. If you try, you'll get a message telling you its too late and to call in.

I'm pretty sure you can do a normal change and definitely cancel your ticket less than 30min from departure on the website.

ctownflyer

I've booked a UA flight at T-20 airside when a flight on another airline was scrubbed.

Catbert10

I'm in the group that wonders why there is an expectation that the web site would allow booking after the point where you can no longer check-in.

nomad420

I have heard of people buying full fare tickets at <T1 AT THE COUNTER but not online.

doobierw

New policy was announced internally nearly a month ago: "Effective Oct. 19, customers will need to create or change their revenue tickets and MileagePlus award bookings at least 30 minutes ahead of scheduled departure on all self-serve booking channels."
I seem to recall reading that the change was made based on feedback from CSAs on changes that could be made to help them get flights out on time.

DRW