phkc070408

I had an interesting one last night.

Our flights, EWR-MCO-EWR for late August were changed. Our outbound was changed from a 9:45am departure on a 752 to a 9:30am departure on a 739. Our return was changed from the last departure of the evening at 8:55pm on a 738 to the new last evening departure at 7:00pm on a 739.

Under trip management, UA gave me the normal one chance to make changes penalty free. I changed to the 10:35am outbound, to preserve the 752 (we'll see if that holds in 4 months), and changed our return to the 10:20am departure the next day, to be able to spend more time in Disney the previous day (We were originally going to get a hotel in EWR after the flight, now we'll just get the hotel in MCO before the flight). When I checked out, everything showed as a zero dollar change and all seemed OK.

When I submitted, I received an error, stating that my changes were saved but I need to contact UA to have our itinerary re-ticketed. When I contacted them, the agent told me I need to pay about $200.00 more per person. The agent said that my changes were too significant to warrent a free change. I had to point out that on the way down, all I want is the first flight AFTER my original departure time rather than the first flight BEFORE. For the return, I said that I don't have the ability to make it to the airport in time for a flight almost 2 hours earlier. I then made a math error and pointed out that since the return flight was more then United's 2 hour threshold (It was actually a 1' 55" difference), that I was entitled to a cash refund if I wanted one.

Thankfully I was successful in getting the changes approved without additional payment, but which rule governs? The website said no fare difference, one time only, but then the agent said I still have to pay.

If I'm reading the website right, the statement "... we're happy to try to find other available flight options that meet your needs. ..." means they will make the change with out any payment. However we all know how friendly UA can be at times and I can see that statement interpreted a few different ways, and UA choosing to interpret in a way that is less customer friendly. Also, the statement "other flight options may be available." Keep in mind that other options are almost always available, for additional payment.

(Note: Deciphering very technical text and instructions and trying to determine the author's meaning and intention, with possibly needing to defend myself from discipline if I'm wrong, is a frequent task at my job.)

Schedule Change Policy

WineCountryUA

This are the formal instructions for travel agents on schedule changes of 30 mins to short of the 2 hour refund clause



Your change was well within the rules, the agent was wrong

zappa42m

Yesterday I cancelled two roundtrips. (FRA-EWR, EWR-SFO-LAS-LAX-EWR booked in 07/2020)
FFC's were issued right away. Then I requested a refund for both because of a lot of schedulechanges (all under 2 hours) and the still in place travelban for Germans into the USA.
Today I received mails with ETC's.
Thats fine for me

The DooDah Man

This may not be the most accurate thread for this, but it is related to the issuance of an ETC. The original flight had a partner airline but they won't allow the ETC to be used on any flights that have a partner connection. I thought the original flight was cancelled (May 2020), but they are saying there were no issues and only an ETC applies. Does anyone know of a way to look up historical flights without purchasing a subscription? I've looked quite a bit. UA907 ORD-FRA on 5/26/20.

cfischer

not entirely clear from your post. So if your flight was indeed cancelled in May 2020 then you should get a refund and neither an ETC or FFC. Did you already accept an ETC back in May 2020? And you are now trying to convert that to something else? That is not possible I am afraid. What you can do is use the ETC, buy yourself a refundable UA flight and then use the workaround. Not sure what you are trying to accomplish.

Flying Machine

So was this a two-step process? First you got a future flight credit, then you called in for the ETC?

lsquare

I've been out of the loop on the latest COVID-19 cancellation and flight change policies. I just received my AMEX Platinum and I need to meet the minimum spending requirement. There is probably no better way to do that than to book direct with UA and earn 5x MR points. I want to do some speculative bookings between now and the next few weeks for travel in Q1 2022. This will not only help me meet the MSR, but hopefully take advantage of some good deals. I fully expect to be vaccinated by the end of this year. Obviously no one here will know when borders will re-open. I'm looking at some USA-Canada fares and USA-Asia fares. In the event, I need to cancel due to border closure or other COVID-19 related issues, can I fully cancel and get a refund? If not, will I get a travel credit? If I need to change the flight dates, will I need to pay the fare difference if the fare cost more in the future or a refund if the fare cost less?

Thank you.

WineCountryUA

No if the flight operates on schedule

Yes

If a voluntary change (anything not caused by UA) fare difference will be at issue

Involuntary changes greater than 2 hours or a cancellation and no alternative with 2 hours, then a refund is possible

Involuntary change of more than 30 mins but less than 2 hours -- fare difference will be if the following is followed
Voluntary (non-UA caused changes), you will be responsible for fare difference

Full details in the wiki

lsquare

Since you said I'll get a travel credit if I voluntarily cancel, I'm assuming I'll get a credit deposited into my travel bank? Then I'll have something like 5 years to use the credit? Let's say I book SFO-SIN for January 10, 2022, when is the absolute latest date to cancel and still get a travel credit? I'm assuming I'll receive a credit equivalent to the amount of the fare?

WineCountryUA

No
You will get a FFC good for two years from original flight purchase date. You may be able to change to an ETC good for two years after issued (but not usable for partner flights). No flights go into the Travel Bank (something many would like but not the way it happens today).

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...redit-ffc.html

Fare differences (in your favor) are now handled as a new form of FFC.

Flights can be cancelled anytime prior to the GA closing the flight (but best not to push that limit too close).

lsquare

When is the absolute latest date to cancel and still get a travel credit?

WineCountryUA

Flights can be cancelled anytime prior to the GA closing the flight (but best not to push that limit too close).

lsquare

Thank you and that's good to know. Based on what you said, I feel pretty safe doing these speculative bookings. Since it doesn't appear that I'll get a full refund, I guess I can lock in my 5x MR and CC spend?

SPN Lifer

It is quite clear that The DooDah Man is seeking our assistance in determining whether or not UA 907 was cancelled or actually flew ORD-FRA on Tuesday, 26 May 2020 — and if so, the extent of any schedule change.

We may recall that early in the pandemic, UA was taking an extraordinarily hard line in wrongly denying refunds for cancelled or rescheduled flights (issuing ETCs instead), forcing many to file complaints with the USDOT.

dogloverjb

I booked a business class ticket in early January (used FTC and cc for the balance) and about a week later the fare dropped $130 and remained there. I called 4/11 and they issued me a refund back to the cc for the difference, which was a pleasant surprise. I had a confirmation email from them on 4/15.