UA changes for Australia - seasonal reductions IAH/LAX, adding SFO-MEL
Feb 10, 2019, 9:34 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
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Posts: 9,005
We had flights LAX-SYD-PER and back, with guaranteed upgrades to business, on a Monday and Wednesday. We are now routed through SFO. We could change to Tuesday/Thursday; current inventory shows upgrades available as well. Is there any reason not to make this change? Do I have to call United?
Feb 10, 2019, 12:15 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,358
UA - Booked non stop but UA later changed it to connecting flight
Hi, I booked and ticketed a round trip non stop flight in business class from LAX to Sydney, Australia. As most of us know, that is a very long flight over many hours.
I booked the flight only as a pleasure flight.
Yesterday I got notice that the flight now has a connection. No explanation was given by UA. The flight now goes north to SFO (frequent delays) then to SYD. Then back to SFO to LAX.
Over the years I have been on many flights where a connecting flight was delayed or cancelled. After such a long flight, I do not want to deal with those semi-frequent occurrences.
Now that the former non stop flight was changed to a connecting flight, I no longer want to take the trip.
Does anyone know why the non stop was changed to a connecting flight?
Is there a possibility the flight will return to a non stop after UA gets many ticketed passengers expressing displeasure?
I booked the flight only as a pleasure flight.
Yesterday I got notice that the flight now has a connection. No explanation was given by UA. The flight now goes north to SFO (frequent delays) then to SYD. Then back to SFO to LAX.
Over the years I have been on many flights where a connecting flight was delayed or cancelled. After such a long flight, I do not want to deal with those semi-frequent occurrences.
Now that the former non stop flight was changed to a connecting flight, I no longer want to take the trip.
Does anyone know why the non stop was changed to a connecting flight?
Is there a possibility the flight will return to a non stop after UA gets many ticketed passengers expressing displeasure?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 10, 2019 at 12:20 pm Reason: moved to existing thread
Feb 10, 2019, 12:23 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
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Does anyone know why the non stop was changed to a connecting flight?
Is there a possibility the flight will return to a non stop after UA gets many ticketed passengers expressing displeasure?
Is there a possibility the flight will return to a non stop after UA gets many ticketed passengers expressing displeasure?
Feb 10, 2019, 12:26 pm
#36
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,834
....
Over the years I have been on many flights where a connecting flight was delayed or cancelled. After such a long flight, I do not want to deal with those semi-frequent occurrences.
Now that the former non stop flight was changed to a connecting flight, I no longer want to take the trip. ...
Over the years I have been on many flights where a connecting flight was delayed or cancelled. After such a long flight, I do not want to deal with those semi-frequent occurrences.
Now that the former non stop flight was changed to a connecting flight, I no longer want to take the trip. ...
Or you can request a longer connection time in SFO to minimize the connection concern.
In the short term, unlikely, as UA can offer multiple alternatives.
Feb 10, 2019, 12:37 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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For the outbound you'll have to leave a few hours earlier, but you'll get to hit-up the Polaris lounges in both LAX and SFO, and you'll get first class on the LAX-SFO flight.
For the return you'll get home a few hours later, but again you'll get the option of going to the Polaris lounges in both SFO and/or LAX (without the change you would have got access to neither. Also arrivals in SFO, but I'm not sure why you'd bother given access to the Polaris lounge).
Given you're flying for pleasure, just something to keep in mind...
If you're still not interested, just call UA. They will move you to another day if that works for you, or allow you to cancel your ticket - all without charge.
Feb 10, 2019, 1:01 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
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I do question the late October restoration of daily Sydney service. Last year, flights were beginning to fill up by the end of September. I would think at least going 5X weekly to/from both locations by the middle of September would better match the gradual seasonal increase in ridership.
Feb 10, 2019, 3:25 pm
#39
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Soooo...was checking on mine and my wife's trip LAX-SYD (May 22)/SYD-LAX (May 31) for Oz Fest 16. Lo and behold, our non-stop flights each way were now LAX-SFO-SYD and SYD-SFO-LAX.
No notification e-mails in my inboxes. No notification change on the app. No notification change posted to the reservation page itself - just that now we were on a connection each way. FWIW, the receipt page still shows the return SYD-LAX NS flight - which is now gone from the schedule as well.
So, some quick digging - it appears that the first gaps in the LAX-SYD NS daily are Wednesday, March 13, 2019 and Thursday, March 14, 2019. Next drops that I can find are all Wednesdays in April and May. Didn't do any digging for SYD-LAX drops.
FWIW.
David
No notification e-mails in my inboxes. No notification change on the app. No notification change posted to the reservation page itself - just that now we were on a connection each way. FWIW, the receipt page still shows the return SYD-LAX NS flight - which is now gone from the schedule as well.
So, some quick digging - it appears that the first gaps in the LAX-SYD NS daily are Wednesday, March 13, 2019 and Thursday, March 14, 2019. Next drops that I can find are all Wednesdays in April and May. Didn't do any digging for SYD-LAX drops.
FWIW.
David
Man, too much "gotta keep an eye on reservations" crap.
David
Feb 10, 2019, 5:19 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
While yes, a phone call and frequently checking reservations can workaround the issues described in this thread -- it really shows UA's systemic failures in basic customer service. Just because a computer pushes out a stupid reroute SYD-LAX-IAH-LAX, doesn't excuse the airline. Nor, in this day of push notifications, e-mail, text and phone call notification, is there any excuse for simply rebooking pax without promptly informing them of changes.
Feb 10, 2019, 6:48 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2007
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And remember, for reservations not made through UA directly it's technically the job of the TA to make the notification, not the airline.
Feb 10, 2019, 7:53 pm
#43
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Most if not everyone on this thread seems to have received notifications for the changes. Yes, it took a few days for some people, but that's for reservations that are months away that's not a huge issue.
And remember, for reservations not made through UA directly it's technically the job of the TA to make the notification, not the airline.
And remember, for reservations not made through UA directly it's technically the job of the TA to make the notification, not the airline.
There's nothing on my Manage Reservations page that shows that the PNR changed:
As soon as United touched and modified my PNR, it should have let me know across all of the devices/inboxes/etc. that it has on file for me. There's no if ands or buts.
I and other customers are having to play this stupid game because UA can't get its IT act together.
David
Feb 10, 2019, 8:02 pm
#44
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In all fairness, give it a week. Legacy IT systems are slow to deal with batches of information this large, and the vast majority of the traveling public doesn't babysit their reservations the way we do. I would expect UA to eventually start notifying and reaching out.
Feb 10, 2019, 8:35 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2007
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