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.
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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Mar 20, 2019, 10:08 pm

#301

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: 66,850

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravelinSperry

Excellent, thank you. It's a domestic itinerary. I'll double check, but sometimes those fare rules are very hard to understand.

Or call in the first 24 hours while changes are still free.
Note some refundable fares still have a cancellation fee (after 24 hours).
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...on-please.html

jsloan likes this.

Mar 21, 2019, 4:59 am

#302

bernyx

Join Date: Aug 2005

Posts: 730

upgrading to Business class from USA to SE asia

I fly often this route but generally uses one world and use the full miles to pay for a ticket. Is there any value in upgrading an economy/ or economy plus on united or partner to business with miles? From what I've randomly looked at it looks like the economy fare would be high and then there's a copay.

Mar 21, 2019, 5:25 am

#303

FlyingHighlander

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: USA

Posts: 1,153

Is it always possible to upgrade? Or do you often get waitlisted when trying to upgrade with miles?

Mar 21, 2019, 5:59 am

#304

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,405

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernyx

Upgrading an economy class ticket with miles is generally not considered a great value. In theory, you can upgrade any United fare except Basic Economy, but the copay is pretty severe. To upgrade a partner flight, you need to purchase a rather expensive ticket. If you have the miles to pay for a saver award, and you can find saver award space, that's generally the preferred route.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingHighlander

Is it always possible to upgrade? Or do you often get waitlisted when trying to upgrade with miles?

It is much more common to be waitlisted than to clear immediately.

FlyingHighlander likes this.

Mar 21, 2019, 6:33 am

#305

bernyx

Join Date: Aug 2005

Posts: 730

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

and I see premium economy can commonly cost around $3000 one way for that routing

Mar 21, 2019, 8:08 am

#306

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

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

Posts: 56,453

Quote:

Originally Posted by bernyx

and I see premium economy can commonly cost around $3000 one way for that routing

One-way international fares are typically very expensive. You will do better purchasing a round-trip ticket.

jsloan likes this.

Mar 21, 2019, 8:40 am

#307

FlyingHoustonian

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Catania, Sicily/South Jersey (PHL)/Houston, Texas/Red Stick/airborne in-between

Programs: United Global Svs, AA PlatPro, WN RR, AZ/ITA Freccia, Hilton Diam, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz Prez, IHG

Posts: 3,546

Greetings and Salutations,

About to make my semi-annual trek to Guam and notice the IAH-HNL-GUM routing now has only a 45 min connection time at HNL. That seems shorter than years past; do you all think that is doable presuming on-time flights as a GS?

Any inputs from other recent flyers are appreciated.

Thanks,
FH

Mar 21, 2019, 10:39 pm

#308

MajorFloyd

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: Hong Kong

Programs: Marco Polo Gold

Posts: 55

Thank you!

Mar 22, 2019, 4:20 pm

#309

SeeBuyFly

Join Date: Dec 2004

Posts: 5,632

Our 735p ORD-MEX flight is delayed...they say 1.5 hrs but the plane has to go to YYZ and back, I estimate it won't leave for MEX until 11pm. How long an official delay is required before they will allow us to get a refund or rebook us?

Mar 22, 2019, 4:36 pm

#310

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

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

Posts: 14,412

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeeBuyFly

Believe official policy is 0h30 for rebook and 2h00 for refund. However, I would not rule out a frame swap if your inbound is from ORD.

Mar 22, 2019, 9:44 pm

#311

SeeBuyFly

Join Date: Dec 2004

Posts: 5,632

Quote:

Originally Posted by findark

Believe official policy is 0h30 for rebook and 2h00 for refund. However, I would not rule out a frame swap if your inbound is from ORD.

Thanks! No swap, flight just took off, over 3 hours late, 1045pm. But rescheduling was no hassle at all, and we were glad to be have been informed of the delay before we left home. AA doesn't do that.

Last edited by SeeBuyFly; Mar 22, 2019 at 9:49 pm

Mar 23, 2019, 12:33 am

#312

Flyz

Join Date: Jun 2013

Posts: 90

Hope this question is not too elementary. I have an Economy seat on a domestic flight in a few days. I want to upgrade to a seat in First by paying, not with miles. At the moment the price to upgrade is $157 per segment. At the moment there's still a good supply of seats available, or at least unassigned, in First. Will the price go down if I wait and try to buy it from the machine at the airport, the morning of the flight? Or will people have been upgraded into those seats by then?

Mar 23, 2019, 5:39 am

#313

StuckinITH

Join Date: Nov 2012

Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum

Posts: 3,477

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyz

Since you don't say your origin and destination it's hard to assess or even tell you if that's a good price and you should jump on it. Remember that other passengers may see that offer and take it. The usual metrics that I read here on FT, $60 per hour of travel is good.

Mar 23, 2019, 5:52 am

#314

Flyz

Join Date: Jun 2013

Posts: 90

I'm not asking so much whether that's a good price — more whether, if seats are still available the morning of the flight (flight leaves at 6:30 am), the price will go down in the last few hours before takeoff. Or are people automatically upgraded that morning, so no seats will be left when I arrive at the airport?

Mar 23, 2019, 6:09 am

#315

StuckinITH

Join Date: Nov 2012

Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum

Posts: 3,477

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyz

You never know. Sometimes they leave two First Class seats that they only upgrade at the gate. Those might go to passengers that SDC into that flight or that purchase the TOD or to upgrades. Sometimes, there are no First Class seats left at all. If I even think that I would like to take a TOD, I do prefer to take it at the earliest time to get a better seat and not the last ones. There is no assurance that price will go down, sometimes they do go up. That's why I gave you the metrics.

If your flight is less than 3 days from now you can check the flight status on the United website to see how many First Class seats are sold. If the flight is further away you can check the number of First Class seats sold on the future flight status on www.cablepick.net/United.