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.

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

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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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Jan 14, 2019, 9:07 pm

#91

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: 66,837

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMBResona

....I'm flying SFO-YYZ and YYZ-IAD on one ticket, as separate segments on a multi-city trip. .

are both flights on AC and does your travel end at IAD? If so, this could a problem ticket -- cabotage
If the second flight is UA operated, it will be OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMBResona

...The AC agent was able to check through my bag to IAD, and assured me that I don't need to pick them up for customs at YYZ.

Does that mean that there's an airside connector of some sort there (like NRT, for instance), or would I still have to go through Canadian customs, then preclear US Customs? ...

probably a better question for a Canadian or AC forum. but in most countries, transit passengers are not subject to the local countries customs / immigration. Whether USCBP will accept bags that have pass-thru a non-USA airport, that feels unlikely but it is outside my knowledge.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 14, 2019 at 9:12 pm

Jan 14, 2019, 9:41 pm

#92

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

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

Posts: 56,450

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMBResona

I'm flying SFO-YYZ and YYZ-IAD on one ticket, as separate segments on a multi-city trip.

The AC agent was able to check through my bag to IAD, and assured me that I don't need to pick them up for customs at YYZ.

Does that mean that there's an airside connector of some sort there (like NRT, for instance), or would I still have to go through Canadian customs, then preclear US Customs?

Pearson has an awesome online connection guide, which says you do not have to clear immigration and customs at YYZ. Toronto Pearson - Connecting

I'm assuming you're on UA YYZ-IAD, otherwise your ticket would be illegal.

Jan 15, 2019, 12:33 am

#93

thedon

Join Date: Jan 2010

Location: Israel, APAC

Programs: UA PG, IHG Diamond Amb

Posts: 186

Quote:

Originally Posted by findark

Part of this is sales city related. From a US POS, I see J9 D9 Z6, but with a UK POS it is indeed J9 D1. I'm not sure what would cause them to actually block J inventory, but it could be a glitch.

This.
There is different inventory, and therefore prices when using different country sites.
However it doesn't block you from booking from sites outside your own country, so always look around.

Jan 15, 2019, 5:35 am

#94

JMBResona

Join Date: Aug 2015

Location: WAS/TYO

Programs: AA PPro, TP Gold, UA Silver, Bonvoy/Hilton Gold, Global Entry

Posts: 296

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

are both flights on AC and does your travel end at IAD? If so, this could a problem ticket -- cabotage
If the second flight is UA operated, it will be OK

probably a better question for a Canadian or AC forum. but in most countries, transit passengers are not subject to the local countries customs / immigration. Whether USCBP will accept bags that have pass-thru a non-USA airport, that feels unlikely but it is outside my knowledge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

Thanks, the customs process turned out to be quick and smooth - to the point where I might actually consider flying through YYZ for my TPAC trips.
And yes, SFO-YYZ was in AC, and YYZ-IAD will be on UA.

Thanks again!

Jan 15, 2019, 5:57 am

#95

fumje

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 11,460

Quote:

Originally Posted by findark

Part of this is sales city related. From a US POS, I see J9 D9 Z6, but with a UK POS it is indeed J9 D1. I'm not sure what would cause them to actually block J inventory, but it could be a glitch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedon

This.
There is different inventory, and therefore prices when using different country sites.
However it doesn't block you from booking from sites outside your own country, so always look around.

So if the US / UK inventories are J9 D9 Z6 / J9 D1 Z0 respectively, and you search with US location to find a Z fare but then enter a UK card (which triggers a switch to UK as POS) does it still permit you to purchase?

Jan 15, 2019, 8:21 am

#96

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,410

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumje

No. The POS change will trigger an inventory revalidation and you'll get a generic error. You can, however, pay with a UK card as a US-based OTA to ticket with US inventory.

Jan 15, 2019, 11:01 am

#97

ajgarett

Join Date: Aug 2018

Programs: United MP 1K, Marriott Gold

Posts: 24

Was CPU upgraded for my first flight of the year - cleared into PZ class as indicated on the receipt. (and as in the past)

However, the mileage plus status shows I was credited for "ZY Class". Miles earned matches the expected PQD * 11, but I got 1.5 PQS instead of 1.

I haven't had this happen before, wondering if it's been seen before.

Jan 15, 2019, 11:12 am

#98

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,410

What was the original fare basis, and did anything unusual happen to the ticket?

Jan 15, 2019, 11:27 am

#99

ajgarett

Join Date: Aug 2018

Programs: United MP 1K, Marriott Gold

Posts: 24

Original fare was in W, one way SEA - SFO. Nothing unusual happened - got upgraded about 30 minutes after check in (at T-24), no irrops or anything.

Jan 15, 2019, 11:45 am

#100

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,410

Weird. I have had unusual postings of the ilk before, but almost always with tickets that have been through a lot more than that.

Jan 16, 2019, 4:25 pm

#101

flyguy6

Join Date: Sep 2017

Programs: WN A-list., Marriott Plat, National EX, UA Silver

Posts: 289

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuckinITH

Can happen too all domestic. My wife got it on a trip to LGA last year. Luckily, we were on different PNRs and I did not get the SSSS. It's just a random event as she's TSA PRE usually.

Update. It turned out to be an IT an issue and neither of us got SSSS. Probably because it was partner award booked with Singapore air. At the airport they weren't able to print our boarding passes and they split the reservation to fix it.

StuckinITH likes this.

Jan 16, 2019, 5:01 pm

#102

nock

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 324

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahasamatman

Yes. The only thing you may not get (depending on how the upgrade is processed) is the PQM bonus.

Thanks for your help. One related question. My layover in SFO is only about 40 minutes (this is what ua suggested). The flight seems to usually be on time, but in the off chance that I miss the second flight after having upgraded for that segment, will UA try to honor that upgrade during rebooking?

Jan 16, 2019, 5:10 pm

#103

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: 66,837

Quote:

Originally Posted by nock

The flight seems to usually be on time, but in the off chance that I miss the second flight after having upgraded for that segment, will UA try to honor that upgrade during rebooking?

Yes but there may or may not be space, so you may have to make a choice between waiting for a flight with space or dropping back to economy to travel sooner. If you end up in economy, you can request a refund (www.united.com/refunds) for the upgrade fee.

nock likes this.

Jan 16, 2019, 5:10 pm

#104

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,393

Quote:

Originally Posted by nock

will UA try to honor that upgrade during rebooking?

Some agents will be more willing to do so than others.

Missing a flight when you're booked up front often leads to a conundrum: fly in Y or wait for a seat in J/F. It's common for the premium seats to fill up, meaning your wait can be substantial.

nock likes this.

Jan 18, 2019, 5:50 pm

#105

gfunkdave

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2002

Location: ORD

Posts: 14,231

Seat Assignment Refund

United canceled a flight I was on after I’d paid $9 for a seat assignment. Do they refund that automatically or do I have to do something? Thanks!