Jan 16, 2018, 12:49 am
IAH Travel Waiver - 1/16/18
Jan 15, 2018, 12:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
IAH Travel Waiver - 1/16/18
I am scheduled to fly through Houston on Tuesday, 1/16. From what I've gleaned in the forecast, the wintry mix is looking most likely to be in the afternoon. My aircraft originates from Houston in the AM, and my flight is supposed to arrive around 5 PM in IAH.
I don't have any experience connecting through IAH in these conditions. For those with more experience and perhaps more familiarity with the weather and forecast, what would you advise?
I don't have any experience connecting through IAH in these conditions. For those with more experience and perhaps more familiarity with the weather and forecast, what would you advise?
Jan 15, 2018, 12:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
I am scheduled to fly through Houston on Tuesday, 1/16. From what I've gleaned in the forecast, the wintry mix is looking most likely to be in the afternoon. My aircraft originates from Houston in the AM, and my flight is supposed to arrive around 5 PM in IAH.
I don't have any experience connecting through IAH in these conditions. For those with more experience and perhaps more familiarity with the weather and forecast, what would you advise?
I don't have any experience connecting through IAH in these conditions. For those with more experience and perhaps more familiarity with the weather and forecast, what would you advise?
Jan 15, 2018, 12:34 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: DL Diamond, SW A List, HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum United 1K
Posts: 202
Decided (foolishly?) to roll the dice on this one...flying SNA-IAH-STL tomorrow with an E+ aisle on first leg and confirmed UG on second. Alternative routings through DEN or SFO had only MUCH less desirable seats and with a 3 hr lay-over in IAH, I figure I have some cushion...am I nuts?
Speaking of nuts, when I first got the travel waiver, I attempted to reroute SNA-EWR-STL (chasing PQM since i’m on status challenge from the Delta DM program). No dice, according to the 1K line. Do broken fares matter even in IRROPS? The routing came up as valid on the website...?
Speaking of nuts, when I first got the travel waiver, I attempted to reroute SNA-EWR-STL (chasing PQM since i’m on status challenge from the Delta DM program). No dice, according to the 1K line. Do broken fares matter even in IRROPS? The routing came up as valid on the website...?
Jan 15, 2018, 12:34 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
PSP-IAH-DCA
Would prefer arriving into DCA but could also do IAD.
I could go PSP-LAX-IAD (though don’t know if UA will allow that routing), but also would like to avoid the really early morning flight! (I’m also on F IAH-DCA but have accepted I’d likely lose that in a reroute... but would like to get my upgrade fee back if I do.)
Would prefer arriving into DCA but could also do IAD.
I could go PSP-LAX-IAD (though don’t know if UA will allow that routing), but also would like to avoid the really early morning flight! (I’m also on F IAH-DCA but have accepted I’d likely lose that in a reroute... but would like to get my upgrade fee back if I do.)
Jan 15, 2018, 12:40 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
PSP-IAH-DCA
Would prefer arriving into DCA but could also do IAD.
I could go PSP-LAX-IAD (though don’t know if UA will allow that routing), but also would like to avoid the really early morning flight! (I’m also on F IAH-DCA but have accepted I’d likely lose that in a reroute... but would like to get my upgrade fee back if I do.)
Would prefer arriving into DCA but could also do IAD.
I could go PSP-LAX-IAD (though don’t know if UA will allow that routing), but also would like to avoid the really early morning flight! (I’m also on F IAH-DCA but have accepted I’d likely lose that in a reroute... but would like to get my upgrade fee back if I do.)
//Was your IAH-DCA a comp upgrade? If not, if you did upfare it, keeping business availability is doable as long as there is J/D/C/Z/P availability.
There's also PSP-ORD-DCA - https://goo.gl/flights/i8YH4
Last edited by BThumme; Jan 15, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Jan 15, 2018, 12:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Decided (foolishly?) to roll the dice on this one...flying SNA-IAH-STL tomorrow with an E+ aisle on first leg and confirmed UG on second. Alternative routings through DEN or SFO had only MUCH less desirable seats and with a 3 hr lay-over in IAH, I figure I have some cushion...am I nuts?
Speaking of nuts, when I first got the travel waiver, I attempted to reroute SNA-EWR-STL (chasing PQM since i’m on status challenge from the Delta DM program). No dice, according to the 1K line. Do broken fares matter even in IRROPS? The routing came up as valid on the website...?
Speaking of nuts, when I first got the travel waiver, I attempted to reroute SNA-EWR-STL (chasing PQM since i’m on status challenge from the Delta DM program). No dice, according to the 1K line. Do broken fares matter even in IRROPS? The routing came up as valid on the website...?
Jan 15, 2018, 12:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: COS
Programs: UA Gold/1.5MM (several years running now!), Marriott LTTE, Hertz Prez
Posts: 1,899
I faced this exact same challenge in deciding upon a course of action for tomorrow's IAH routing. Because UA gives away nearly all of its domestic F seat inventory days in advance and holds little to nothing in reserve, IRROPS continues to be UA's Achilles' heel for me. I purchase a P fare, and still at times wind up flying in the back while an upgrader on a cheap Y fare flies in the front. Incidentally, can someone please tell me what happens with PQM in such a case? If I accept Y routing on a P fare, am I looking at 100% PQM or ??
Jan 15, 2018, 12:54 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
I faced this exact same challenge in deciding upon a course of action for tomorrow's IAH routing. Because UA gives away nearly all of its domestic F seat inventory days in advance and holds little to nothing in reserve, IRROPS continues to be UA's Achilles' heel for me. I purchase a P fare, and still at times wind up flying in the back while an upgrader on a cheap Y fare flies in the front. Incidentally, can someone please tell me what happens with PQM in such a case? If I accept Y routing on a P fare, am I looking at 100% PQM or ??
I think the flexibility that UA offers on these waivers is best in class. I don't usually travel in Biz (other then upgrades), but with a little creativity in routing, it's still possible to find something. That of course is up to how much you really care or free time you have to make it work.
Jan 15, 2018, 1:05 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
UA will allow almost anything, it's actually quite nice. I just made a change that most people would deem me clinically insane for tomorrows waiver, but made sense to me. With that said, I don't know how lenient UA is for weather changes for changing co-terminals, but you could really make a case for that if you really wanted to.
//Was your IAH-DCA a comp upgrade? If not, if you did upfare it, keeping business availability is doable as long as there is J/D/C/Z/P availability.
There's also PSP-ORD-DCA - https://goo.gl/flights/i8YH4
//Was your IAH-DCA a comp upgrade? If not, if you did upfare it, keeping business availability is doable as long as there is J/D/C/Z/P availability.
There's also PSP-ORD-DCA - https://goo.gl/flights/i8YH4
UA usually doles out upgrades and there are few if any seats left for IRROPS IME. But will see!
Jan 15, 2018, 8:01 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 69
There is also a waiver for Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio for 1/16.
Scheduled to fly ORD > AUS direct at 7:35PM. Assuming the storm will be over by then, and roads in better shape. But it's an ERJ-175. Wonder if I'd have better luck flying ORD > IAH > AUS on 737s a bit earlier in the day.
Scheduled to fly ORD > AUS direct at 7:35PM. Assuming the storm will be over by then, and roads in better shape. But it's an ERJ-175. Wonder if I'd have better luck flying ORD > IAH > AUS on 737s a bit earlier in the day.
Jan 15, 2018, 9:35 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
Well, PSP-ORD-DCA was full when I got around to calling. But got PSP-LAX-IAD without an issue. Agent was quick and efficient: have to thank the good agents on the Premier line!
Also, check your flights: PSP-IAH got canceled sometime this afternoon, and the app didn't send me a notification. I only found out because TripIt decided to give me Pro functionality for this trip, and I got an email that it was canceled.
Also, check your flights: PSP-IAH got canceled sometime this afternoon, and the app didn't send me a notification. I only found out because TripIt decided to give me Pro functionality for this trip, and I got an email that it was canceled.
Jan 15, 2018, 10:20 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,686
Route around, don't try to come through IAH tomorrow. The FAA's goal is 30 min delays, but I'm skeptical, and even if maintained it will be at the expense of cancellations.
Jan 16, 2018, 2:15 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum; Hyatt Diamond/GLOB
Posts: 738
As a Houstonian, let me just say that we have no clue how to function with winter weather. We close schools and most of the city with the forecast of potential ice/snow. If the temperature gets near 32 degrees, it is the lead story on the local news.
If bad weather actually hits the airport, few connections would be safe. We just do not have the equipment necessary (nor the experience) to handle ice/snow in an efficient manner.
UA certainly has issues, but the flexibility with their weather waivers has always been stellar for me. When I've had advanced notice, I've been able to pull off perfectly suitable (and often beneficial) alternatives.
If bad weather actually hits the airport, few connections would be safe. We just do not have the equipment necessary (nor the experience) to handle ice/snow in an efficient manner.
UA certainly has issues, but the flexibility with their weather waivers has always been stellar for me. When I've had advanced notice, I've been able to pull off perfectly suitable (and often beneficial) alternatives.
Jan 16, 2018, 6:14 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: DL Diamond, SW A List, HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum United 1K
Posts: 202
I’ve heeded the warnings and booked a routing through SFO. Seats in the very back of the bus but hey, at least they’re aisle 😊
As an unexpected bonus, was re-booked into full Y...is that standard procedure in IRROPS around here? Very nice from a PQM perspective!
Interestingly, the routing through EWR I’d asked about previous (and was denied) was the first option I was offered...however, only middle seats and they have their own weather issues so thanks but no thanks.
As an unexpected bonus, was re-booked into full Y...is that standard procedure in IRROPS around here? Very nice from a PQM perspective!
Interestingly, the routing through EWR I’d asked about previous (and was denied) was the first option I was offered...however, only middle seats and they have their own weather issues so thanks but no thanks.
Jan 16, 2018, 9:14 am
#15
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 69
ORD > IAH flights seem to be running fine today. Still deciding whether to take my direct ORD > AUS or route ORD > IAH > AUS (mainly due to earlier departure time, not so much the extra ~450 PQM, but will take those too 
)
EDIT: Today's first 3 flights IAH > AUS have been canceled. The 4:25PM is delayed 1 hour. Looking more like I should stick with my direct ORD > AUS.
)EDIT: Today's first 3 flights IAH > AUS have been canceled. The 4:25PM is delayed 1 hour. Looking more like I should stick with my direct ORD > AUS.
Last edited by SpicyMeatball; Jan 16, 2018 at 9:40 am
