Flight Cancelled, Changing Destination from Domestic to International
Jul 7, 2019, 6:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 36
Flight Cancelled, Changing Destination from Domestic to International
I fly fairly regularly from IAD -> BTV on United. Unfortunately, United's reliability has decreased on this route. If the IAD-> BTV domestic flight gets cancelled am I able to reroute on the IAD->YUL international flight. They are fairly close (2 hours apart). I would be carrying a passport, no checked baggage, and UA silver.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jul 7, 2019, 6:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Highly unlikely - typically UA will require both origin and destination airports to remain the same. Doing IAD-YUL probably would give you a $300 international fare change fee (plus fare differential). It can’t hurt to try, but keep expectations low - and I say this as a 1K who wouldn’t expect much help from UA on this front either...
Jul 7, 2019, 7:09 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
During irregular operations, United may put you on a flight to another city near your original destination. In your case, you want to change BTV to YUL. Customer Service agents let me switch between ORF and RIC (90 miles apart) a number of times as long as I provided my own transportation to home.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Jul 7, 2019, 10:02 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 812
In my recent experience, the United App will proactively allow you to select a different airport when rebooking due to irrops, with a warning that you are responsible for your own ground transportation if you do select a different airport.
Jul 7, 2019, 10:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,159
If there was a change fee (and as others have said, it's unlikely in an IROPS situation), then the fee would be the change fee on the original ticket - typically $200.
Jul 8, 2019, 4:49 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412
As others have suggested, try the app; if that doesn’t work, try calling — maybe a couple of times — and then try an airport agent.
Jul 8, 2019, 5:14 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
IRROPS
I have done it as well. IAD-SYR was cancelled due to weather and I re-routed IAD-YOW. Tix needed to be re-written and I did this in the UA club lounge in Terminal E.
Jul 8, 2019, 9:47 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
The app is very liberal with nearby airports during irrop. Once you get the red ! - it allows you to rebook typically within 250 miles whether same day or future days if seat are available.
Jul 8, 2019, 12:09 pm
#11
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,138
In irrops, UA will almost always allow a reroute to a nearby city provided you waive any responsibility for the transportation charges from there (e.g. no taxi, uber, bus, rental car, etc., will be paid by UA).
Jul 8, 2019, 12:37 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 881
Jul 8, 2019, 12:38 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,412
It depends upon your passport.
Jul 8, 2019, 1:08 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,159
In addition to the passport requirement, any non-US/non-CA citizens will require pre-authorization from the Canadian government to even check in for a flight to Canada - either in the form of an eTA or a visa.
(OK, so you could claim the 'e' specifically relates to the fact it's not 'paper', but...)
(OK, so you could claim the 'e' specifically relates to the fact it's not 'paper', but...)