Is it against the rules to view the United Non-rev website while ona revenue ticket
#16
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Boston MA
Programs: UA 1K/1.5 million miler, SU Gold, JL Sapphire
Posts: 529
So, so far, you have not disclosed anything too compromising publicly. I guess there is no harm done - yet - as far as UA is concerned.
But just discussing any of this in public, while fascinating for the rest of us, is really only tempting fate. For the sake of your friend, I would stop discussing it in public entirely.
But just discussing any of this in public, while fascinating for the rest of us, is really only tempting fate. For the sake of your friend, I would stop discussing it in public entirely.
#17
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Somewhere I've Driven To
Programs: HiltonHonors, IHG Hotels, DL Skymiles
Posts: 2,070
Looking at information and doing something with it (letting others know about inventory management or making a non-rev booking) are two different things - what rule would you be breaking?. Even if you do have access to that information, you do realize that things can change quickly - lists change, people cancel, flights cancel, equipment changes, etc.? Looking at it in advance doesn't really help you.
Why would the thread need to be deleted ? - absolutely no information has been compromised. All we have is a passenger (1K) who is on a revenue ticket with United but also has access to the employee website as an eligible non-rev and is asking if it is okay to LOOK at information on that website.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 12, 2019 at 11:45 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
You are using internal information for the purpose of determining which flights to book in an effort to "game" the system---whether that is choosing a particular flight with the intent of the best chance of an upgrade, or purposely selecting flights that are at/near/over capacity (PBTs) with the intent of seeking either voluntary or involuntary boarding compensation. It more or less is the equivalent of insider trading.
One might say....well how would UA know----but it becomes pretty obvious when there is a certain pattern to individual bookings. Then someone will argue how this is any different from airline employees having access to internal information and doing the same thing---in essence yes they probably do use information to make decisions on flights, but usually its to determine whether they should buy a ticket or play the standby game.
In simplest terms....if you are using the internal information to maximize your 1K benefits or potential for overbooking with the intent of gaining compensation etc......it's a violation of terms for both nonrev benefits and MileagePlus benefits.
You might decide which is more valuable....1K or nonrev benefits?
#19
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: 3,614
So, so far, you have not disclosed anything too compromising publicly. I guess there is no harm done - yet - as far as UA is concerned.
But just discussing any of this in public, while fascinating for the rest of us, is really only tempting fate. For the sake of your friend, I would stop discussing it in public entirely.
But just discussing any of this in public, while fascinating for the rest of us, is really only tempting fate. For the sake of your friend, I would stop discussing it in public entirely.
#20
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: UA1K | *A Gold
Posts: 767
I don’t see why they wouldn’t want you to look at it especially if it encourages you to purchase a rev ticket when you have the option to non-rev.
I don’t see why being a 1K would make any difference in this situation. I know all of those data points aren’t available publicly, but I believe you can call or even ask an agent for all of that..?
Last edited by mr8; Aug 12, 2019 at 1:48 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,938
Why would a non-employee have access to this info to start with??? And what other such loopholes exist wrt proprietary info such as this?
#22
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: 3,614
It used by employees and employees family/sponsor/significant other. I don't know what they are told in terms of confidentiality of the site but per multiple comments above there are apparently "rules" about use of the site and who can and cannot see/visit the site. I am traveling with a spouse of a UA employee on Wed and will ask specifically what the restriction are on use of the site with others. However, I suspect this information is publicly available.
#23
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,090
Yes it is and it never ceases to amaze me when these threads pop up on FT. If you have to question whether or not something is ok.....then it probably isn't.
You are using internal information for the purpose of determining which flights to book in an effort to "game" the system---whether that is choosing a particular flight with the intent of the best chance of an upgrade, or purposely selecting flights that are at/near/over capacity (PBTs) with the intent of seeking either voluntary or involuntary boarding compensation. It more or less is the equivalent of insider trading.
One might say....well how would UA know----but it becomes pretty obvious when there is a certain pattern to individual bookings. Then someone will argue how this is any different from airline employees having access to internal information and doing the same thing---in essence yes they probably do use information to make decisions on flights, but usually its to determine whether they should buy a ticket or play the standby game.
In simplest terms....if you are using the internal information to maximize your 1K benefits or potential for overbooking with the intent of gaining compensation etc......it's a violation of terms for both nonrev benefits and MileagePlus benefits.
You might decide which is more valuable....1K or nonrev benefits?
You are using internal information for the purpose of determining which flights to book in an effort to "game" the system---whether that is choosing a particular flight with the intent of the best chance of an upgrade, or purposely selecting flights that are at/near/over capacity (PBTs) with the intent of seeking either voluntary or involuntary boarding compensation. It more or less is the equivalent of insider trading.
One might say....well how would UA know----but it becomes pretty obvious when there is a certain pattern to individual bookings. Then someone will argue how this is any different from airline employees having access to internal information and doing the same thing---in essence yes they probably do use information to make decisions on flights, but usually its to determine whether they should buy a ticket or play the standby game.
In simplest terms....if you are using the internal information to maximize your 1K benefits or potential for overbooking with the intent of gaining compensation etc......it's a violation of terms for both nonrev benefits and MileagePlus benefits.
You might decide which is more valuable....1K or nonrev benefits?
#24
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Platinum, OZ Diamond, AC Prestige25K
Posts: 129
If OP has access to the non-rev site for legitimate reasons, I see no reason why he shouldn't use it to glean operational information. From a terms of service perspective, no one can definitely say that OP wasn't legitimately contemplating booking a non-rev ticket on the flight he's searching up. Even if he had already purchased a revenue ticket, he could have every intention to cancel that revenue ticket (e.g. if he notices that there seem to be lots of empty spots).
#25
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
So if OP were on a business trip and looking at load info to maximize the chance of an upgrade, OP could not have been contemplating a non-rev journey as an alternative.
#26
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: 3,614
Perhaps I am not understanding you, are you saying that someone with access to the site buying a ticket for business purposes is not allowed to lay eyes on the site in an attempt to maximize chance of upgrade (assuming eligible)? If so then that is crazy, believe me it is done all the time. Yes, you are expressly forbidden to use non-rev travel for business purposes but those that I know will always take a peak at the loads and see what flight may give them the best chance for a CPU/instrument upgrade. I have never heard that that was forbidden.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
You would have to read the exact terms of the applicable agreements to get the correct answer. It is a highly technical question and cannot be answered by speculation. Enforcement of such a rule would be nearly impossible as a practical matter, though.
#28
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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If OP has access to the non-rev site for legitimate reasons, I see no reason why he shouldn't use it to glean operational information. From a terms of service perspective, no one can definitely say that OP wasn't legitimately contemplating booking a non-rev ticket on the flight he's searching up. Even if he had already purchased a revenue ticket, he could have every intention to cancel that revenue ticket (e.g. if he notices that there seem to be lots of empty spots).
Are we sure that OP is supposed to have access to the employee nonrev site? My impression is that the employee is supposed to use the website (where there would be employee rules regarding legitimate use of the information) to help the nonrev buddy make informed decisions about what flights to try to get on, etc. I'm not convinced that the employee is supposed to share log in or other access information with friends who might want to fly nonrev as guests of the employee.
#29
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,886
... I have the impression from the nonrevs I know that this is explicitly forbidden on DL, i.e. you cannot list for a flight that you previously held a revenue ticket (which makes a ton of sense, for the same reason they don't want revenue pax to "hold" upgrade space by booking award tickets and cancelling at the last minute) -- is that also the case on UA?
#30
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,938
Are we sure that OP is supposed to have access to the employee nonrev site? My impression is that the employee is supposed to use the website (where there would be employee rules regarding legitimate use of the information) to help the nonrev buddy make informed decisions about what flights to try to get on, etc. I'm not convinced that the employee is supposed to share log in or other access information with friends who might want to fly nonrev as guests of the employee.
There's no way a company is going to allow non-employee access ...
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 13, 2019 at 12:25 am Reason: Unneeded comments removed