fredshino

Another question, my GRU-SDU leg, operated by Azul, was changed by an hour. I'm thinking about staying one night in Sao Paulo so I called UA and asked to be put on a different flight on the next day and the lady said she couldn't because staying more than 24h in Sao Paulo would be considered a stopover and that is not allowed outside of the US.

Is this true?

If yes, could I cancel this GRU-SDU leg and make this an open-jaw trip? Outbound IAD-GRU, Inbound SDU-GRU-IAD? Without paying any fees, obviously.

Thanks

WineCountryUA

Strictly speaking this is true (assuming the fare you purchased does not include free stopovers). What is the new connection time?

Assume your present ticket is still a valid connection time, this would be a ticket change which includes a potential change fee (depending on the fare class) and a repricing at today's fares.

These restrictions are bumping against are part pf the deal of purchasing discount fares. Airlines will be glad to sell you a more flexible ticket but at an initially higher cost. The change fees are part of the airlines' revenue model.

jsloan

365RoadWarrior

This is a really ignorant question. It's a blind spot for me, and it's hard to come up with the right search terms. Apologies in advance. (I know it's kind of a StarAlliance question.)

I've got work in Sierra Leone and Liberia. I would like to book a single itinerary through United so I have some "protection" (not exactly the right word) in case of schedule changes and missed connections*. The full itinerary would be a combination of United and Brussels Air flights, originating ORD; really not that complicated. United's fare quotes for a couple of those Brussels Air flights are just nuts. Freetown (FNA) to Monrovia (ROB) booked on Brussels Air is US$240; United prices the segment at US$1,407. If I omit that segment, United won't return a fare at all. I could further deconstruct, so I'm only booking SFO <-> BRU with United and booking the rest directly with Brussels Air at tremendous cost savings. Is there another alternative? Is the fare "gap" likely to decrease as the flight date comes closer? (This happened with some flights to NDJ on EgyptAir.) I am trying to maintain UA status, so that "counts" too.

Again, sorry for my ignorance. Any help greatly appreciated.


* In 2017, I had travel where this proved essential; I would have been stranded without a valid visa. So I'm careful now when I am off-the-beaten-path.

WineCountryUA

A number of airlines are only offering their best prices when priced on their ticket stock, this is called plating. It prevents UA from offering the best prices using those airlines.

Try pricing the whole trip on the Brussels Air site or a third party like Expedia, Orbitz, ...

Do you need the PQDs or are you covered by a waiver?

365RoadWarrior

Thank you very much, WineCountryUA. I do need those PQDs. (I guess the waivers come with credit cards that I can't get.)

WineCountryUA

Plating is a real bummer and is become a greater issue, for more see
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...r-flights.html
Fare Not Combinable?
No longer able to book LH Group intra-Europe only flights on UA 016 ticket stock
United Can't Sell Me a Ticket on SAS, but Expedia Can
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...6-forward.html
and many more --- just search the forum for "plating"

If you book separate tickets, consider a long layover / even an overnight -- protection for delays and have a nice visit. Brussels is a nice place to visit and airport hotels are reasonable (compared to city center)

bullsfan1227

Are Aegean flights bookable through United? I'm specifically looking at ATH ---> JTR in June 2018.

365RoadWarrior

Sincere and huge thanks, WineCountryUA. With that new-to-me term ("Plating") in my vocabulary and the starter links, I actually found a work-around for what I wanted to book....at about a US$2,800 savings (55%). I'll have an open jaw, with the missing link (FNA_>ROB) booked separately on Brussels Air...with ample transition time. I don't care about those 181 PQDs!

By the way, yes Brussel/Bruxelles is nice; I used to live outside the Capital in Antwerpen/Anvers and Gent/Gand, so there may be a long layover before going to the U.S. Again, thank you.

Repooc17

Is this correct?

WineCountryUA

That is an Air Canada flight and the amenity info for partner flights can be off. Find the flight on AC website and see what AC says. It is likely a standard business class meal (included).

Repooc17

Thank you!

ewazak

Long story short, I was "given" MileagePlus silver status in 2017 (did NOT earn it through the usual means) which is good for all of 2018. I do not fly enough on United in a year to earn it on my own. This may seem strange, but I really like the silver benefits (ie, free E+ seat). Any advice on how I could "buy" silver status in the future? In 2017 had about 15,000 PQM and 2,000 PQD. I would expect the same in 2018. Thank you in advance for any advice.

WineCountryUA

You can purchase E+ annual subscriptions Economy Plus subscriptions
Economy Plus Subscriptions -- Q&A, issues, ....

You can purchase Premier Access
"Premier Access" (for non-elites - purchased, credit card preq,..) Q&A [consolidated]

With MP credit cards, you can receive bag fee waivers for 1 or 2 bags
Mileage Plus Branded Credit Card and Checked Baggage Fees
and premier boarding
MileagePlus Explorer priority boarding(?) experiences if CC not used for purchase

And in mid -January you may be given an opportunity to buy up to receive status, last year's offer

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!