5 in res., 1 to drop outbound but need return
Dec 17, 2018, 8:04 am
#1
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5 in res., 1 to drop outbound but need return
The family (3 Silver kids, Gold wife and 1k me) are booked EWR-ORD-EWR, all on same PNR.
But I’m already in Chicago, so I would like to have them fly EWR-ORD without me. Though I would still want to fly the return ORD-EWR with them...
Was going to call 1K desk to ask, but figured FT might a good place to start.
So my question: is this feasible? Or is it a case of splitting me off in a different PNR and I’ll lose my return because I don’t fly the outbound?
Thanks for any advice!
But I’m already in Chicago, so I would like to have them fly EWR-ORD without me. Though I would still want to fly the return ORD-EWR with them...
Was going to call 1K desk to ask, but figured FT might a good place to start.
So my question: is this feasible? Or is it a case of splitting me off in a different PNR and I’ll lose my return because I don’t fly the outbound?
Thanks for any advice!
Dec 17, 2018, 8:05 am
#2
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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Posts: 193
Title is supposed to read “5 in res”, not “red”... Can’t seem to find a way to edit it.
[Moderator edit: Edited the thread title per OP's notes.]
[Moderator edit: Edited the thread title per OP's notes.]
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Dec 17, 2018 at 8:42 am Reason: See note above.
Dec 17, 2018, 8:33 am
#3
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Split off the PNR (but wait until the day of flight, in case there's a delay or schedule change allowing you to refund/schedule for free). Then you need to call in to drop the segment and reprice.
Might also be worth it to just book a new o/w.
Might also be worth it to just book a new o/w.
Dec 17, 2018, 9:01 am
#4
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First, if you no show, it will not affect the remaining four. Each passenger has his own e-ticket and the PNR is simply an administrative convenience (especially where everyone has status for purposes of a bag if you are checking at all).
Second, you then have a decision to make. If you do nothing and the EWR-ORD flight is neither cancelled not significantly delayed, you will have no showed and your return to EWR will be cancelled because of the no show. At that point, you will need to purchase a new ticket ORD-EWR. Depending on whether you meet advance purchase requirements and fare bucket availability, that return might be dirt cheap or eye-poppingly expensive. No way to predict in advance. If the flight is delayed or cancelled, you may then cancel your outbound without fee. If you do cancel your outbound and your ticket is thus rebooked, there is at least a $200 change fee and there may be a fare difference as well.
The bottom line is that what you choose to do won't affect your family, but there is no good way of predicting what will happen to you. Thus, it all depends on risk tolerance.
Second, you then have a decision to make. If you do nothing and the EWR-ORD flight is neither cancelled not significantly delayed, you will have no showed and your return to EWR will be cancelled because of the no show. At that point, you will need to purchase a new ticket ORD-EWR. Depending on whether you meet advance purchase requirements and fare bucket availability, that return might be dirt cheap or eye-poppingly expensive. No way to predict in advance. If the flight is delayed or cancelled, you may then cancel your outbound without fee. If you do cancel your outbound and your ticket is thus rebooked, there is at least a $200 change fee and there may be a fare difference as well.
The bottom line is that what you choose to do won't affect your family, but there is no good way of predicting what will happen to you. Thus, it all depends on risk tolerance.
Dec 17, 2018, 1:35 pm
#5
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One slight nuance to the above:
If OP stays on the PNR since all are Elite, the processing of elite upgrades is a good test of the system as is baggage allowance (3 bags x 70 as Gold domestically is 2 bags) and priority boarding (1K versus Gold). Honestly, the verbiage on United is not clear in terms of which priority would apply. If it was one Premier companion, priority is 1K, but one can also read the below as applying the lowest (Silver) priority.
If I were OP, I would book ORD-EWR on miles now and hope for a weather or schedule issue.Companion policy
One companion traveling on a paid ticket on the same reservation as a Premier member is eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades on select flights, and may be confirmed with the same priority as the Premier member, even on the day of departure. If the companion is a Premier member, the upgrade will be processed according to the highest Premier status level in the reservation.
If a reservation includes three or more travelers, and only one is not a Premier member, the Complimentary Premier Upgrades will be processed according to the lowest Premier status level in the reservation.
If OP stays on the PNR since all are Elite, the processing of elite upgrades is a good test of the system as is baggage allowance (3 bags x 70 as Gold domestically is 2 bags) and priority boarding (1K versus Gold). Honestly, the verbiage on United is not clear in terms of which priority would apply. If it was one Premier companion, priority is 1K, but one can also read the below as applying the lowest (Silver) priority.
If I were OP, I would book ORD-EWR on miles now and hope for a weather or schedule issue.Companion policy
One companion traveling on a paid ticket on the same reservation as a Premier member is eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades on select flights, and may be confirmed with the same priority as the Premier member, even on the day of departure. If the companion is a Premier member, the upgrade will be processed according to the highest Premier status level in the reservation.
If a reservation includes three or more travelers, and only one is not a Premier member, the Complimentary Premier Upgrades will be processed according to the lowest Premier status level in the reservation.
Dec 17, 2018, 4:40 pm
#6
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Thank you guys for the thorough answers, all makes total sense!
That same flight is available as a saver award, so I'll book that as a just-in-case and see what happens.
Thanks!
That same flight is available as a saver award, so I'll book that as a just-in-case and see what happens.
Thanks!
Dec 17, 2018, 4:48 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
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Not sure if award tix are different but I just learned the hard way that UA’s systems scan for simultaneous bookings and cancel one of them without further ado. Had this happen twice in the past month. I guess it’s one of the ‘benefits’ you get for identifying yourself by your MP #.
Dec 17, 2018, 5:55 pm
#9
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Dec 17, 2018, 6:06 pm
#10
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Dec 17, 2018, 6:12 pm
#11
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No different. Two tickets for one person on the same flight, regardless of payment type, are subject to cancellation.
Dec 18, 2018, 1:18 am
#12
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It’s taking a chance, but could OP just have his wife scan his boarding pass on the way out and claim that they wanted an extra seat?
Note that I’ve never done the Extra Seat thing so I know very little about how it works.
Note that I’ve never done the Extra Seat thing so I know very little about how it works.
Dec 18, 2018, 1:41 am
#13
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The GA should not allow that and it will mess up the departure headcount.
See How to buy an extra seat? "EXTRASEAT" for paid or award flights
