Jan 1, 2018, 9:57 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Welcome to this thread to ask your basic, simple questions about United Airlines, its operations, or the MileagePlus program. We know that the airline is complex and we’ve created this thread for new and veteran members to ask those basic questions about United Airlines that you think must have an easy answer but just can’t find it or aren’t sure where to look.

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Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to other threads if the question deserves its own thread.
Any member who can post a constructive, patient answer is welcome to reply.

Generally, there are not long discussions of an issue in this thread. If it appears that is needed, the posts will be moved to an existing thread or used as the start of a new separate thread.

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Here is a link to recent previous threads:
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2017]

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part II]

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2016 Part I]

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 -Part II]...

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 Thread]...

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2018]

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Jul 22, 2018, 3:08 pm

#961

FlyerTalker70

Join Date: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,359

My friend (who is UA Platinum) has some unused RPUs that will go to waste next year (he mainly travels on non-UA *Metal or UA Intl' metal)

Is it allowed for him to apply his RPUs to some upcoming itineraries I have with UA? How does that work?

-James

Jul 22, 2018, 3:12 pm

#962

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold

Posts: 10,509

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

You give your friend the PNR info. He can call in to apply.

Jul 22, 2018, 3:22 pm

#963

FlyerTalker70

Join Date: Nov 2017

Posts: 3,359

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

You give your friend the PNR info. He can call in to apply.

Can the RPU be applied to a flight that departs after the expiration date if I've booked and applied the RPU before the expiration? Also by how much would the RPU increase my upgrade odds (they're all domestic CPU eligible flights like LAX to IAD)?

Thanks,
. James

Jul 22, 2018, 3:46 pm

#964

mahasamatman

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2004

Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)

Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis

Posts: 52,140

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

Can the RPU be applied to a flight that departs after the expiration date if I've booked and applied the RPU before the expiration?

No.

Jul 22, 2018, 3:47 pm

#965

EmailKid

Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now

Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold

Posts: 14,429

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

No. At any rate, pretty sure UAL.com won't allow it if someone tries.

Jul 22, 2018, 3:49 pm

#966

fumje

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 11,462

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

RPU must be applied to a flight departing before its expiry.

With RPU applied, upgrade can be cleared before CPU window if R opens, or it gets prioritised ahead of all non-GS CPU if not.

Jul 22, 2018, 6:09 pm

#967

1KChinito

Join Date: Jul 2003

Location: SFO

Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM

Posts: 5,532

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2simpso

As @findark mentioned, it is easier and faster for your friend to sponsor you online than calling in. If for any reason you are not upgraded, make sure to let your friend know. Sometimes RPU does not get re-deposited to sponsor's account. If that is the case, your sponsor needs to call Mileage Plus.

Jul 22, 2018, 6:28 pm

#968

jen2045

Join Date: Jul 2018

Posts: 7

Prirority boarding?

I used miles to book my most recent trip but paid the taxes and fees using my Mileage Plus Explorer card. Will this get me in boarding group two?

Jul 22, 2018, 7:05 pm

#969

fumje

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 11,462

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen2045

I used miles to book my most recent trip but paid the taxes and fees using my Mileage Plus Explorer card. Will this get me in boarding group two?

It's supposed to.

Jul 22, 2018, 7:20 pm

#970

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,416

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahasamatman

What findark was describing is that the front cabin must be marketed as Polaris and not just as Business or First. It doesn't matter how you actually got into the premium cabin. You'll get your lounge access.

Right - "J or F" as in the cabin, not the booking code. Technically you're on a "Polaris-marketed flight" even if in Economy, and I don't know maybe some *G thinks that means PL access or something

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen2045

I used miles to book my most recent trip but paid the taxes and fees using my Mileage Plus Explorer card. Will this get me in boarding group two?

Yes. You don't even need to use the card at all to get Group 2 boarding; paying the fees of an award ticket should also get you the free bag though.

Jul 23, 2018, 1:01 am

#971

laxmillenial

Join Date: Jan 2016

Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat

Posts: 1,700

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Glenny

This may be a question for it's own thread but hoping someone can help.
I travel from Houston, Tx to Colombo, Sri Lanka 3 to 4 times a year for work. I used to take IAH->SFO->SIN->CMB. Singapore to Colombo was on Sri Lanka Airlines so no miles or dollars but was only four hours. A trip would net me about 20000 miles and would run about 1600USD plus upgrades to Economy plus round trip. The prices appear to have changed recently as this trip is running over 2300 for me each way. The economical way for me is now from Houston to London to CMB with the last 10 hours being on Sri Lanka airlines. This would result in about a 8k miles round trip which is no bueno.

So the questions are:

1. Anyone know why the focus on sending me through London these days?
2. Tips and tricks for booking a higher mileage run from IAH to CMB? I can do Turkish Airlines which is about 13k miles but no PQD.

Thanks!

1. Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but it appears you choose London as your routing now due to price? So wouldn't the focus be you sending yourself through London to keep the trip 'economical'?
2. How are you booking your trips? If you book your trip via United.com, you should be receiving PQD.

Aussienarelle likes this.

Jul 24, 2018, 2:57 pm

#972

BThumme

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: DTW/MBS

Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold

Posts: 3,525

Back to splitting reservations:

If I book a r/t, and on the outbound opt to split it for upgrade purposes, will that mean the return portion of the itinerary is split as well? Or will it keep that intact until checkin for the return.

Jul 24, 2018, 3:00 pm

#973

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat

Posts: 66,855

Quote:

Originally Posted by BThumme

The entire itin is split including any unflown segments. Getting your elite benefits applied on the return to companions can be done but is manually and only at the airport.

Jul 25, 2018, 8:48 pm

#974

Aussienarelle

Join Date: Oct 2015

Location: SAN

Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM

Posts: 3,219

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussienarelle

I may be worried unnecessarily, as apart from a recent diversion due to DEN weather, my flights this year have been on-time (which is a huge improvement from the last couple of years of about 50% canx/delay rate).

However, I have a couple of international flights where I have only a 22 hour turn around time - arrive, collect luggage, get home, unpack, repack, sleep and return to airport. Both the arriving and departure flights are on United. So if my flight from Japan is cancelled/delayed by more than 15 hours is it likely United would rebook me on a later flight to London at no cost? As I said it may be a moot issue but would like to be aware of what I may need to do in such a situation as I am meeting family in London which is why the timing is what it is.

TIA

Quote:

Originally Posted by findark

While they have no contractual obligation to help, United has a track record of being very reasonable in a situation like that. I would expect positive space rebooking to get you where you need to go.

So it did happen, my NRT-SFO flight was cancelled, but I called as soon as it was cancelled and United rebooked me on NRT-IAH and I get home five hours later (currently). As I was already checked in (SGN-NRT leg flown), they kept me in Polaris Business. It is good to have status in IRROPs. Keeping my fingers crossed the typhoon does not way lay the trip.

Jul 26, 2018, 11:21 am

#975

RNE

Join Date: Sep 2005

Location: JZRO

Posts: 9,169

What days of the week does United fly nonstop from EWR-SXM and vice versa?
What dates bookend this service?