DELee

Actually, you because you said:

I think it is a huge issue for two reasons.

One, is that now folks are funneled into fewer flights. For myself, my biggest worry was that we had lost our seat assignments in J - and that any wholesale shifts in folks from one flight to another usually end poorly as evidenced by the assigned seat thread after plane swaps.

Two, is that the later one is notified of this big of a change, the fewer options that may be available to switch to make plans work because now I'm competing against even more folks for fewer seats on fewer flights.

I and my wife don't have much flexibility to hit the Oz Fest since we were already arriving into SYD the day it starts. Trying to reschedule our flight to make it to SYD either forces us to leave earlier - which is now true since we have to travel up to SFO and which can be problematic if flow control is in full force on May 22nd in the evening - or take another path that's even longer such as LAX-IAH-SYD and is not what we'd signed up for.

Also it now really impacts our planning in arriving at LAX - since our LAX-SFO flight departs at 7:30 PM, instead of arriving directly into LAX at 8 PM or so for a 10:30 PM LAX-SYD departure, we're now guaranteed to deal with rush hour at LAX.

Look, we've never made this flight ever - this will be our very first to anywhere in Australia. We don't have much flexibility in the arrival piece. And affording to get into J when we need to be there isn't something I can necessarily replicate if UA's flights are now full because I was notified days after everyone else.

Again, if UA is going to muck with their flights, let us know as soon as it happens - not hours or days later when recovery options have already started to shrink, even for flights that may be weeks or months in the future.

David

dgcpaphd

Am I reading your note correctly?

Did you write that UA is allowing you to go LAX-SYD-PER?

I had my flight from LAX to SYD changed to go from LAX to SFO then to SYD.

You might want to check on your routing -

WineCountryUA

LAX-SYD is still possible, but not every day of the week. So if you are will to change the travel day ahead or back one day, LAX-SYD is an option.

dgcpaphd

Thank you very much for this information.

When I read your post, I immediately checked UA's site and saw, indeed, that I can avoid those connecting flights UA assigned to me, post ticketing.

All I had to do, as you suggested, was move my departure flight forward by one day and my return flight by one day - Bingo, the non stop flights are there.

I called UA and without any problem got back my non stops on that very long flight.

The only item left open is changing hotels in Sydney which is an easy online maneuver.

You are the hero of the day - thank you again -

zebranz

Just some fun for me.
I have the NZ "promotion" ORD-SYD-ORD in business. My outbound routed ORD-LAX-SYD on UA and of course no LAX-SYD UA839 flight anymore. My UA reservation said to call UA (assumed due to cancellation they had taken over ticket). But after 20 minutes on phone with "1K line" (haha), was told to call NZ. OK, called NZ who told me UA839 flight was operating and confirmed. Another laugh. After I suggested they verify with UA or try to book the flight for the date another 20 minutes. Then told me because I used OTA go back to them to call NZ. OK, no problem. I was in KUL and had Skype. Called OTA and first informed flight is confirmed. After going through same talk understood was canceled for Thursday's. I suggested either ORD-IAH-SYD on UA or leave my ORD-LAX on UA as is and rebook LAX-SYD to LAX-AKL-SYD on NZ. Then told they called NZ on 3 different phone numbers and no answer! I gave them the USA 800 number I Skyped and after another 35 minutes told they spoke with NZ but Travel Agent desk not open to make changes! Not sure I believe that one. Said they would call Monday and offer the alternatives to NZ. Now Monday night in London (on my way to NRT). Will see what happens. Not concerned as August flight and after I am back home later this week can spend an hour on hold while I catch up on paperwork.

riphamilton

try to DM them on twitter (it's worth creating an account solely for issues like these). they tend to put 'better' agents on social media teams, plus you don't have to waste time on the phone.

kirkwoodj

behyx

Hi all!

I am flying Panama City (PTY) to Sydney (SYD) using UA, and it was a PTY - LAX - SYD with comfortable 5 hours transit in LAX.

However now they changed my flight to :

PTY - LAX - SFO - SYD

My transit in LAX is 1735 - 1945 (2hr 10mins, Terminal B to Terminal 7), and SFO is 2115 - 2300 (1hr 45mins, Terminal 3 to Terminal I)

Would like to gather information from experienced travellers in LAX and SFO if the transit timings are considered tight?

Also, i'm flying J in both sectors. Do I get to enjoy the new Polaris lounges in both LAX and SFO?

JHake10

You should have access to all Polaris lounges along the way as you're on United metal. The below thread has the access rules.

Consolidated "Polaris Lounge Access Questions" Thread

I hear some bad things of LAX immigration wait times. Do you have Global Entry (if eligible)? A small inbound delay followed by a decent wait for immigration can blow that layover time.

emcampbe

Kacee

Why did they move you off LAX-SYD? I would insist they put me back on, because you're at high risk of a misconnect at SFO.

dkc192

Probably because of the seasonal reduction in LAX-SYD service. I'd agree that OP should seek to move to a one-stop itinerary if possible. If s/he is set on traveling on that day, PTY-IAH-SYD should be available (I believe the LAX/IAH-SYD flights run on alternate days, such that at least one of those is operating on any given day). If s/he is set on flying via SFO for some reason, seek to move to an earlier CM flight and/or change day of travel.

Regardless of itinerary, OP will have Polaris Lounge access at all US airports en route by virtue of the SYD flight in J.

Often1

UA may honor a request for a courtesy change. Both connection times at within MCT and thus it has no obligation to do anything.

Whether the LAX connection is sensible as opposed to "legal" is largely a function of whether OP is a US national, has GE, or traveling with hand luggage only. The more "yes" answers to those three, the better.

If OP does seek a reroute, it is really important to do the research and provide the options you prefer to the UA agent. The easier you make it, the more likely you are to get what you want. You also need to be ready to agree to whatever it is on the spot. The next agent may not be helpful.

Kacee

Makes sense.

The LAX I-D connection is probably okay, but those late-day international connections from Southern California to SFO are extremely high risk due to stacking delays when they have ATC at SFO. I see people miss those all the time when flying back to SFO from LAX, SNA, or SAN.

jsloan

Adding a transfer should be a perfectly valid reason to get a free change under the schedule change policy. However, the CM-operated flights may not be available; OP may need to find an all-UA itinerary.