GS Agents not informing of change fees?
Feb 15, 2019, 2:08 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
They way UA can devalue GS benefits at their whim with impunity as it was always just an informal waiver.
Given that some agents do waive fees for GS, it's fair to assume that you'll be told when they are assessing a change fee.
Feb 15, 2019, 2:32 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Isn't that how United turned "Dao" into a verb? I think we can do better than that. A nuanced approach to many things in life is in order, including airlines change fees. I don't agree with waiving change fees for United's highest-revenue customers as a policy, but on a case-by-case basis, it isn't so terrible.
The OP's complaint appears to be the lack of breakdown in the change fee versus the fare difference. Knowing the why behind the complaint, it strikes me as a little petty. But a breakdown is the appropriate way to quote a change because that's how it shows up on your credit card and that's how United's fare rules treat it.
The OP's complaint appears to be the lack of breakdown in the change fee versus the fare difference. Knowing the why behind the complaint, it strikes me as a little petty. But a breakdown is the appropriate way to quote a change because that's how it shows up on your credit card and that's how United's fare rules treat it.
"Nuanced approach" leads to OP's such as this as well as the folks who claim at the gate that they've always been able to board with their steamer trunk as a carry on. They are probably correct and they have come to rely on it.
Feb 15, 2019, 3:58 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Given how difficult it is to read the fare rules on United.com, it is perfectly reasonable to expect an agent to disclose any required fees when making a change, regardless of the expectation of a waiver.
Feb 15, 2019, 4:23 pm
#19
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976
I called today to use the proceeds of a cancelled ticket.
The agent asked me what flights I wanted and she priced the itin.
She told me the add/collect and then told me that there would be a $200 fee.
I told her thanks, but my original was under a weather waver.
She checked the record and verified it was.
Then she only charged me the extra $80.
But she mentioned the fee. And every single time I have called to do this (albeit only a few times a year), they always mention the fee.
I would assume the OP's was a one-off.
The agent asked me what flights I wanted and she priced the itin.
She told me the add/collect and then told me that there would be a $200 fee.
I told her thanks, but my original was under a weather waver.
She checked the record and verified it was.
Then she only charged me the extra $80.
But she mentioned the fee. And every single time I have called to do this (albeit only a few times a year), they always mention the fee.
I would assume the OP's was a one-off.
Feb 16, 2019, 3:56 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,618
Changing a flight tomorrow, I see how it goes. First change as GS. From reading this thread nothing seemed to be guaranteed. Will post follow up in a few days.
Feb 16, 2019, 8:41 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,178
It's always YMMV, but I'd say in most cases as GS, fees were waived... and in some cases, even slight fare differences were too....especially if the flights I was moving around on were wide open.
Feb 17, 2019, 2:55 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,884
Feb 17, 2019, 5:51 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 1,267
OP here. This post wasn't to complain, I was just asking other's experiences. The fact that change fees weren't disclosed twice in a row made me think that GS had changed their internal policy or approach to disclosing said information.
Also, both cases were a buy up..... therefore, I would have 10000% requested a waiver if I had been informed.
At the end of the day, I was charged what I was told - in total - and that's fine. I'll just make sure I ask the question moving forward.
Also, both cases were a buy up..... therefore, I would have 10000% requested a waiver if I had been informed.
At the end of the day, I was charged what I was told - in total - and that's fine. I'll just make sure I ask the question moving forward.
Feb 17, 2019, 1:40 pm
#24
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: 66,852
Feb 21, 2019, 1:45 pm
#26
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: EWR
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Gold (Current Platinum), United Mileage Plus, Avis Preferred
Posts: 850
OP here. This post wasn't to complain, I was just asking other's experiences. The fact that change fees weren't disclosed twice in a row made me think that GS had changed their internal policy or approach to disclosing said information.
Also, both cases were a buy up..... therefore, I would have 10000% requested a waiver if I had been informed.
At the end of the day, I was charged what I was told - in total - and that's fine. I'll just make sure I ask the question moving forward.
Also, both cases were a buy up..... therefore, I would have 10000% requested a waiver if I had been informed.
At the end of the day, I was charged what I was told - in total - and that's fine. I'll just make sure I ask the question moving forward.