Jan 6, 2019, 12:17 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.

UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, goalie, Pat89339, WineCountryUA

These are the two rules for this thread:

Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to a new / existing thread if appropriate.
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.

Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:

United MileagePlus Master Wiki

"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary

Here is a link to recent previous threads:
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2018]

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 [2019]

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May 24, 2019, 8:01 pm

#511

rickyticktick

Join Date: Apr 2019

Posts: 7

Quick question about booking UA operated flights on other airlines.

So I know that any UA operated flight is qualified to earn miles (based on the UA website) although the miles earned would be dependent on the fare.
However, what if I were to book the UA operated flight through miles from another airline ie. book a UA operated flight from Singapore Airlines with Singapore Airline miles. Would I still qualify for UA miles? If so, how would the "fare" be determined?

May 24, 2019, 8:44 pm

#512

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 rickyticktick

what if I were to book the UA operated flight through miles from another airline ie. book a UA operated flight from Singapore Airlines with Singapore Airline miles. Would I still qualify for UA miles?

No. Award tickets never earn miles.

May 27, 2019, 7:14 am

#513

Dantrav

Join Date: Aug 2009

Posts: 166

Changes to Award ticket booked on partner award

I’m thinking of booking an economy award and hoping a business class would open up. If it did, do I have to call that partner to change the United flight or whom? Could I actually change it by using my United miles in any way?

Whats the best way to consider this?

May 27, 2019, 8:06 am

#514

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,413

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dantrav

You would call United. In addition to the difference in the number of miles, a change fee of up to $125 per person would apply, depending upon how far prior to departure and your status level with United.

May 27, 2019, 9:35 am

#515

Dantrav

Join Date: Aug 2009

Posts: 166

But if I booked the flight with Singapore airlines or a Avianca miles would I still call United for the up class change and miles to provide?

May 27, 2019, 10:07 am

#516

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,413

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dantrav

But if I booked the flight with Singapore airlines or a Avianca miles would I still call United for the up class change and miles to provide?

Sorry, I misunderstood the question. You always call whatever program you used to book the flight. So, if you use your Singapore KrisFlyer miles to book a United flight, you’d call Singapore Airlines to make the change, and you’d be subject to the rules of that program in terms of fees and anything else.

It is not possible to use the miles from two different programs to book one award — you can’t book the original flight with KrisFlyer miles and then call United and use United MileagePlus miles to upgrade it to business.

May 28, 2019, 5:06 pm

#517

abhilife2001

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: PDX

Programs: Don't think it matters...

Posts: 5,240

Open UMP account, transfer miles and book ticket instantly ?

Hello,
So I need to book a OW (PDX - AMS) ticket and seems UA MP is the ideal option looking at price & convenience. Was going to transfer points from CC and just realised that points in spouse account and I am not a AU there and she does not have a UA MP account.
Question - Can she just open the account today (opened already), transfer Chase UR miles and book a ticket instantly or is there some minimum flights she needs to take ?

Just want to be sure. Thx

May 28, 2019, 5:24 pm

#518

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,466

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhilife2001

Hello,
Question - Can she just open the account today (opened already), transfer Chase UR miles and book a ticket instantly or is there some minimum flights she needs to take ?

There is no minimum number of flights or other waiting period. But you should ALWAYS confirm that award space is available before you transfer points.

May 28, 2019, 6:41 pm

#519

abhilife2001

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: PDX

Programs: Don't think it matters...

Posts: 5,240

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

There is no minimum number of flights or other waiting period. But you should ALWAYS confirm that award space is available before you transfer points.

thank you for the confirmation.. I checked award space availability on UA website using my login, so will go ahead and transfer the necessary miles.
thanks for your prompt response .

May 28, 2019, 10:47 pm

#520

abhilife2001

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: PDX

Programs: Don't think it matters...

Posts: 5,240

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

There is no minimum number of flights or other waiting period. But you should ALWAYS confirm that award space is available before you transfer points.

Done and ticket booked.. thanks for your help.

May 29, 2019, 3:11 pm

#521

abaheti

Join Date: Oct 2011

Location: BUR / LAX

Programs: UA MM/Gold; WN A-list; HH something depending; Marriott Gold

Posts: 1,554

I'm MM/*G and have an old UA Visa. United credit card holders and elites see extra award inventory. Is there any difference between what I'll see as a *G/MM and a United cc holder? And are all UA cards treated the same in this respect?

In other words, if I drop my United cc, will I lose access to "extra" award inventory or does it all come from the same bucket as Gold "extra" inventory? (Deliberately not asking about the post Nov-15 dynamic award craziness as I know no one knows how that may impact the extra award inventory.)

Thanks.

May 29, 2019, 3:19 pm

#522

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,413

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaheti

The extended inventory for Premier members and qualifying cardholders is identical.

abaheti likes this.

May 30, 2019, 9:03 am

#523

Daneel

Join Date: Dec 2018

Posts: 20

Hi,

I'm trying to work out if I'll get free baggage on flights I've booked. I used points on United to book two economy tickets on the United site, LGA->YUL. The flight is operated by Air Canada. I will be flying with my mother. I currently have MileagePlus Platinum status, and when I look at my account on United, it suggests that I have free checked baggage.

I have three questions:
- Is free first checked bag based on my Mileageplus status at the time of booking or travel? I expect my status to expire before I travel, perhaps dropping down to just "member"
- The T&Cs I can find appear to indicate that the free checked bag applies only to flights operated by United, yet the information in my account currently is in conflict with that, suggesting I do have a free checked bag even though the fight is operated by Air Canada.
- Any differences in application to my mother who has no status with either United or Air Canada?

Thanks!

May 30, 2019, 9:53 am

#524

dalameda

Join Date: Sep 2017

Posts: 53

Has united done away with its saver availability in advance of changing to a dynamic award pricing? i am trying to book award tickets for 4 in J for March 28, 2020 SFO IAD (nothing like planning ahead) but see nothing. Do they release saver closer to the flight or am I just SOL.

May 30, 2019, 9:56 am

#525

SLINKYTRAVEL

Join Date: Mar 2018

Posts: 139

Good afternoon all! Quick question: if I cancel a United award does it 1) auto kick back to inventory 2) delayed kick back to inventory 3) sometimes it never shows up again....my predicament: i needed to book a United Polaris flight with an infant ticket and made a rookie infant booking mistake of sending my Amex points to Lifemiles ( infant is 10% of fare) to book the adult flight instead of AirCanada (only a flat 10k or $100 fee)...current business class fare for flight is a tad under $10,000!! I am still within the 24hr cancelation bubble/booking window...thank you!