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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Oct 8, 2019, 12:30 pm

#976

JimInOhio

Join Date: Jun 2014

Programs: UA MM

Posts: 4,126

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenSCL

Therefore, please allow a few rookie questions:

- I am surprised that I have not received a formal recognition (aka automated email) that my status challenge was completed. Are UA usually not doing that? I understand that they will also send a welcome kit, but have read that this takes a couple of weeks.
- My digital card now shows valid until 01/20, but the status is supposed to extend into 2021. When will this be updated?
- Is there such thing as a „soft landing“, if you don‘t qualify for your current status or any higher tier?

Thanks for some constructive replies and please apologise, if any of the answers that I am looking for, could be found elsewhere.

Regarding the digital card... it won't update to show a 2021 expiration until the end of this coming January.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 8, 2019 at 3:05 pm Reason: cleanup after moved

Oct 8, 2019, 12:31 pm

#977

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

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

Posts: 56,455

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

If the upgrades clear, your Economy Plus fees will be refunded.

Almost certainly will have to request a refund, as UA's default is to keep the money.

Oct 8, 2019, 12:50 pm

#978

SenSCL

Join Date: Aug 2015

Location: SCL

Programs: LH FTL, LATAM Platinum, KL Silver, UA Premier Silver

Posts: 121

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimInOhio

Regarding the digital card... it won't update to show a 2021 expiration until the end of this coming January.

Thanks, that‘s a first piece of valuable information!

Does UA still provide physical cards?

Oct 8, 2019, 3:02 pm

#979

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: 66,854

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenSCL

...- Is there such thing as a „soft landing“, if you don‘t qualify for your current status or any higher tier? ....

Generally no (except for GS)
Does UA offer "soft status landings"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SenSCL

...
Does UA still provide physical cards?

Only for Plats and higher -- will take 4-6 weeks
2019 Premier Kit discussion - contents, pictures, actual delivery, ....

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 8, 2019 at 3:09 pm

Oct 9, 2019, 11:25 am

#980

jlemon

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: LFT

Programs: AA Plat, lots of AA, AS, DL, UA miles, former top level CO Elite (sigh...)

Posts: 10,795

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

Almost certainly will have to request a refund, as UA's default is to keep the money.

Thanks!

Oct 10, 2019, 5:13 am

#981

absdotan99

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2015

Posts: 54

I have an upcoming flight on UA metal aaa-bbb-ccc, ddd-bbb-aaa. The aaa-bbb leg was successfully upgraded by GPU. I need to change the ddd-bbb-aaa segment. If I do that from the united.com, would that affect my upgraded flight aaa-bbb? I recall that in the past the agent said to me that I should wait until I flew the upgraded flight and then request changes. Is that still correct?

Last edited by absdotan99; Oct 10, 2019 at 9:25 am

Oct 10, 2019, 10:51 am

#982

shadowline

Join Date: Oct 2014

Posts: 447

I am United Silver (thru Marriott), looking to book an Economy trip LHR-DEN-LHR with a friend of mine.

Can I book 1x Basic Economy ticket (for my friend), and 1x Economy ticket (for me), on one PNR?

The way I understand it, doing it this way would mean we have 2x luggage between us, and would be able to get Economy Plus seats for both of us - is this correct?

Oct 10, 2019, 11:09 am

#983

threeoh

Join Date: Sep 2014

Posts: 2,531

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowline

Can I book 1x Basic Economy ticket (for my friend), and 1x Economy ticket (for me), on one PNR?

No, everyone on the PNR has to have the exact same itinerary, booking code, etc.

Oct 12, 2019, 8:48 am

#984

mfirst

Join Date: Oct 2018

Programs: United 1k, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador and LT-Gold

Posts: 1,660

even as a 1K, I am not immune to middle seats in the back of the plane

Oct 12, 2019, 9:20 am

#985

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 mfirst

even as a 1K, I am not immune to middle seats in the back of the plane

If your work forces you to travel at last minute, I can see that, but in my over 20 years of travel starting with no status, I have NEVER sat in a middle seat except by choice to be in an exit row. My philosophy is, if I can't get a decent seat, I will NOT fly and either not go or go some other time. I've never found a fare low enough to break that rule @:-)

Oct 12, 2019, 12:25 pm

#986

MojaveFlyer

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: BOS

Programs: UA MM

Posts: 1,580

I am gold, by virtue of being MM, and my wife is also by virtue of the MM spousal/partner benefit. If I get an award ticket for her and my son, using my award miles, will they both be able to book into E+ with seat selection at time of purchase (i.e., go for the exit rows)? Domestic Y itin. I *think* so but I haven't done this for a while so not sure. Thanks in advance!!

Oct 12, 2019, 1:59 pm

#987

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 MojaveFlyer

Yes.

Oct 13, 2019, 1:41 pm

#988

MojaveFlyer

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: BOS

Programs: UA MM

Posts: 1,580

Thanks! Those of you who attend to this thread are the best!!

Oct 14, 2019, 7:24 pm

#989

cmatthews11

Join Date: May 2017

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite (Lifetime Gold), United 1K

Posts: 128

Wasn't sure where to pose this question - is it just me, or is there a significant drop in availability in First Class/Business seats? I initially noticed this when checking my upcoming flight on 3/1 to Kona, HI (see screenshot)... but i'm also noticing it for routine flights to San Francisco as well.