View Poll Results: What do you think of the recent UA changes in Changes fees?
Good idea: No Domestic Change fee w/ no rebooking residual AND No Standby fee/Free SDC all elites
148
64.35%
Good idea: No Domestic Change fee w/ no rebooking residual but NOT No Standby fee/Free SDC all elite
25
10.87%
Good idea: No Standby fee/Free SDC all elite but NOT No Domestic Change fee w/ no rebooking residual
18
7.83%
Neutral /don’t care about either
30
13.04%
Don’t like / think either is a good idea
9
3.91%
Voters: 230. You may not vote on this poll
Aug 30, 2020, 2:32 pm
Last edit by: DELee
Latest Update: 23 December 2021:
"Change fees are gone" (change fee waiver): https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html#changefeesaregone
(change fee waiver) Terms and Conditions: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html#ChangeFeeTerms
New fine print (1 April 2021)
The fine-print on the change rules:
Related Threads
AA Eliminates Many Change Fees, Other Benefits 31 Aug 2020
Delta to Eliminate Change Fees on Domestic Tickets [Consolidated Thread]
Alaska Eliminates Change Fees (9/1/2020)
UA will extend BE/International change fee waiver (In response to AA?)
"Change fees are gone" (change fee waiver): https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html#changefeesaregone
We've permanently gotten rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. There also won't be change fees for other international travel originating in the U.S. Learn more
For all other standard Economy and premium cabin tickets, change fees are waived through January 31, 2022. Basic Economy tickets can only be changed if they’re issued by December 31, 2021, for travel commencing by December 31, 2021. See terms and conditions
For all other standard Economy and premium cabin tickets, change fees are waived through January 31, 2022. Basic Economy tickets can only be changed if they’re issued by December 31, 2021, for travel commencing by December 31, 2021. See terms and conditions
Tickets: Applies to standard fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and January 31, 2022, and Basic Economy fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and April 30, 2021, or Basic Economy tickets issued between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021.
Changes/Cancellations: Customers with Basic Economy fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and April 30, 2021, or between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021, or standard fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and January 31, 2022, will be permitted to change without paying a change fee. If the new flight is priced higher, the customer may change for no change fee but must pay the fare difference. If the new flight is priced lower, the customer may change without paying a change fee, and standard fare tickets may be given residual value in the form of a future flight credit. If you purchased your ticket from a third-party agency, please check with the issuing agency for the rules of your ticket. Contract fares such as special bulk fares sold by travel agencies (e.g., opaque) may not be eligible for free changes. Any changes or cancellations must occur prior to ticketed travel date.
Please note: As of August 30, 2020, we no longer have change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. We also no longer have change fees for international travel originating in the U.S. For more information visit united.com/changefee.
Fare validity: This applies to all standard fare tickets issued through January 31, 2022, all destinations, all points-of-sale, all travel dates available for sale, provided ticket number starts with 016. It also applies to Basic Economy fare tickets issued through April 30, 2021 or Basic Economy tickets issued between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021, all destinations, all points of sale, provided the ticket number starts with 016.
Miscellaneous: Fares, fees, rules and offers are subject to change without notice. Seats are capacity-controlled and may not be available on all flights or days. Some fares are nonrefundable except during the first 24 hours after purchase. Other restrictions may apply.
Changes/Cancellations: Customers with Basic Economy fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and April 30, 2021, or between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021, or standard fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and January 31, 2022, will be permitted to change without paying a change fee. If the new flight is priced higher, the customer may change for no change fee but must pay the fare difference. If the new flight is priced lower, the customer may change without paying a change fee, and standard fare tickets may be given residual value in the form of a future flight credit. If you purchased your ticket from a third-party agency, please check with the issuing agency for the rules of your ticket. Contract fares such as special bulk fares sold by travel agencies (e.g., opaque) may not be eligible for free changes. Any changes or cancellations must occur prior to ticketed travel date.
Please note: As of August 30, 2020, we no longer have change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. We also no longer have change fees for international travel originating in the U.S. For more information visit united.com/changefee.
Fare validity: This applies to all standard fare tickets issued through January 31, 2022, all destinations, all points-of-sale, all travel dates available for sale, provided ticket number starts with 016. It also applies to Basic Economy fare tickets issued through April 30, 2021 or Basic Economy tickets issued between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021, all destinations, all points of sale, provided the ticket number starts with 016.
Miscellaneous: Fares, fees, rules and offers are subject to change without notice. Seats are capacity-controlled and may not be available on all flights or days. Some fares are nonrefundable except during the first 24 hours after purchase. Other restrictions may apply.
New fine print (1 April 2021)
- You can change Basic Economy tickets without change fees if the ticket is issued by April 30, 2021,
- and all other international travel without change fees if the ticket is issued by May 31, 2021.
- If the new flight is priced lower, the customer may change without paying a change fee, and may be given residual value in the form of a future flight credit.
Tickets: Applies to standard fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and December 31, 2021, and Basic Economy fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and April 30, 2021, or Basic Economy tickets issued between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021.
Changes/Cancellations: Customers with Basic Economy fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and April 30, 2021, or between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021, or standard fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and December 31, 2021, will be permitted to change without paying a change fee. If the new flight is priced higher, the customer may change for no change fee but must pay the fare difference. If the new flight is priced lower, the customer may change without paying a change fee, and standard fare tickets may be given residual value in the form of a future flight credit. If you purchased your ticket from a third-party agency, please check with the issuing agency for the rules of your ticket. Contract fares such as special bulk fares sold by travel agencies (e.g., opaque) may not be eligible for free changes. Any changes or cancellations must occur prior to ticketed travel date.
Please note: As of August 30, 2020, we no longer have change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. We also no longer have change fees for international travel originating in the U.S. For more information visit united.com/changefee.
Fare validity: This applies to all standard fare tickets issued through December 31, 2021, all destinations, all points-of-sale, all travel dates available for sale, provided ticket number starts with 016. It also applies to Basic Economy fare tickets issued through April 30, 2021 or Basic Economy tickets issued between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021, all destinations, all points of sale, provided the ticket number starts with 016.
Miscellaneous: Fares, fees, rules and offers are subject to change without notice. Seats are capacity-controlled and may not be available on all flights or days. Some fares are nonrefundable except during the first 24 hours after purchase. Other restrictions may apply.
Changes/Cancellations: Customers with Basic Economy fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and April 30, 2021, or between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021, or standard fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020, and December 31, 2021, will be permitted to change without paying a change fee. If the new flight is priced higher, the customer may change for no change fee but must pay the fare difference. If the new flight is priced lower, the customer may change without paying a change fee, and standard fare tickets may be given residual value in the form of a future flight credit. If you purchased your ticket from a third-party agency, please check with the issuing agency for the rules of your ticket. Contract fares such as special bulk fares sold by travel agencies (e.g., opaque) may not be eligible for free changes. Any changes or cancellations must occur prior to ticketed travel date.
Please note: As of August 30, 2020, we no longer have change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for flights within the U.S., or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. We also no longer have change fees for international travel originating in the U.S. For more information visit united.com/changefee.
Fare validity: This applies to all standard fare tickets issued through December 31, 2021, all destinations, all points-of-sale, all travel dates available for sale, provided ticket number starts with 016. It also applies to Basic Economy fare tickets issued through April 30, 2021 or Basic Economy tickets issued between May 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 for travel commencing between August 11 and December 31, 2021, all destinations, all points of sale, provided the ticket number starts with 016.
Miscellaneous: Fares, fees, rules and offers are subject to change without notice. Seats are capacity-controlled and may not be available on all flights or days. Some fares are nonrefundable except during the first 24 hours after purchase. Other restrictions may apply.
I just went through the process on a post-April 1st itinerary and was issued the new FFC vs ETCs. The agent tried to explain the new FFCs in detail:
The Bad:
1. No more ETC
2. No transferability
3. No combinability
4. Given there is no combinability, there is no more date-pushing (meaning new expiration date is most favorable of combined cert dates)
The Good:
5. Can use multiple towards a single itinerary (up to 10 she said)
6. Can pull from multiple accounts (3 from yours, 3 from spouse), so you don't have to split the locator to use from multiple accounts
7. Can be used on partner itineraries as long as one segment is UA
8. The FFCs show up in the account of the recipient and the booker. So I can see my spouse's FFCs if I booked the itenerary
9. FFCs now show up as a payment method in the app booking flow. For multi-passenger FFCs, both passengers show up!
I can live with all this, in exchange for no change fees, and reclaiming residual!
The Bad:
1. No more ETC
2. No transferability
3. No combinability
4. Given there is no combinability, there is no more date-pushing (meaning new expiration date is most favorable of combined cert dates)
The Good:
5. Can use multiple towards a single itinerary (up to 10 she said)
6. Can pull from multiple accounts (3 from yours, 3 from spouse), so you don't have to split the locator to use from multiple accounts
7. Can be used on partner itineraries as long as one segment is UA
8. The FFCs show up in the account of the recipient and the booker. So I can see my spouse's FFCs if I booked the itenerary
9. FFCs now show up as a payment method in the app booking flow. For multi-passenger FFCs, both passengers show up!
I can live with all this, in exchange for no change fees, and reclaiming residual!
If the new ticket costs less, the residual value from the old ticket is lostMultiple cancelled reservations cannot be combined to pay for a more expensive ticketStrictly U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean only (excludes Canada) and excludes Basic Economy and International flightsWorldwide until Dec 31, 2020
United Airlines Permanently Eliminates Change Fees
Applies to all Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S.;
Airline also announces complimentary standby travel, becomes only U.S. airline that will let all customers in all classes of service fly same-day standby for free
With these new options, United gives more flexibility than any other U.S. carrier when customers' travel plans change
Video(1) Photos(1)
CHICAGO, Aug. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The only thing constant is change and at United Airlines, some of the fees associated with changes related to flying are gone for good. The carrier announced today that it is permanently getting rid of change fees on all standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S., effective immediately. And starting on January 1, 2021, any United customer can fly standby for free on a flight departing the day of their travel regardless of the type of ticket or class of service, a first among U.S. carriers, while MileagePlus Premier members can confirm a seat on a different flight on the same day with the same departure and arrival cities as their original ticket if a seat in the same ticket fare class is available.
United is also extending its waiver for new tickets issued through December 31, 2020, to permit unlimited changes with no fee. This policy applies to all ticket types issued after March 3, 2020 and is valid for domestic and international travel. With these improvements, no U.S. airline gives their customers more flexibility when booking – and changing – their travel plans than United Airlines.
"Change is inevitable these days – but it's how we respond to it that matters most. When we hear from customers about where we can improve, getting rid of this fee is often the top request," said Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, in a video message to customers. "Following previous tough times, airlines made difficult decisions to survive, sometimes at the expense of customer service. United Airlines won't be following that same playbook as we come out of this crisis. Instead, we're taking a completely different approach – and looking at new ways to serve our customers better."
The new change fee policy applies to all standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S. 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and customers will not be limited in the number of times they adjust their flights.
Additionally, United is giving customers more flexibility to change their flights on the day of their travel so they can head home if a meeting ends earlier or enjoy a few more hours on vacation. With the ability to list for same-day standby for free, customers will now have an option to take a different flight with the same origin and destination airports as their original itinerary if space is available at departure. This enhanced option will be available to all customers for travel within the U.S. and to and from international destinations beginning on January 1, 2021. Customers who want to switch flights will be able to add themselves to the standby list through United's award-winning mobile app, on united.com or at the airport no later than 30 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and one hour before departure on international flights.
The carrier is also improving the travel experience for its MileagePlus members including waiving all redeposit fees on award travel for flights changed or cancelled more than 30 days before departure and allowing all MileagePlus Premier members to confirm a different flight on the day of their travel. As a way to thank MileagePlus Premier members for their loyalty, beginning January 1, 2021, all Premier members will be able to confirm a seat for free on a different flight with the same departure and arrival cities as their original ticket. This expanded option will allow MileagePlus Silver members and above to confirm a new seat in the same ticket fare class if space is available. Earlier this year, United announced that it will extend status for MileagePlus Premier and Global Services members through January 2022. United also reduced thresholds for Premier qualification by 50 percent for each status level, to make reaching an even higher status tier easier.
For more information on United's new flexible travel policies, visit https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...hange-fee.html.
......
Applies to all Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S.;
Airline also announces complimentary standby travel, becomes only U.S. airline that will let all customers in all classes of service fly same-day standby for free
With these new options, United gives more flexibility than any other U.S. carrier when customers' travel plans change
Video(1) Photos(1)
CHICAGO, Aug. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The only thing constant is change and at United Airlines, some of the fees associated with changes related to flying are gone for good. The carrier announced today that it is permanently getting rid of change fees on all standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S., effective immediately. And starting on January 1, 2021, any United customer can fly standby for free on a flight departing the day of their travel regardless of the type of ticket or class of service, a first among U.S. carriers, while MileagePlus Premier members can confirm a seat on a different flight on the same day with the same departure and arrival cities as their original ticket if a seat in the same ticket fare class is available.
United is also extending its waiver for new tickets issued through December 31, 2020, to permit unlimited changes with no fee. This policy applies to all ticket types issued after March 3, 2020 and is valid for domestic and international travel. With these improvements, no U.S. airline gives their customers more flexibility when booking – and changing – their travel plans than United Airlines.
"Change is inevitable these days – but it's how we respond to it that matters most. When we hear from customers about where we can improve, getting rid of this fee is often the top request," said Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, in a video message to customers. "Following previous tough times, airlines made difficult decisions to survive, sometimes at the expense of customer service. United Airlines won't be following that same playbook as we come out of this crisis. Instead, we're taking a completely different approach – and looking at new ways to serve our customers better."
The new change fee policy applies to all standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S. 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and customers will not be limited in the number of times they adjust their flights.
Additionally, United is giving customers more flexibility to change their flights on the day of their travel so they can head home if a meeting ends earlier or enjoy a few more hours on vacation. With the ability to list for same-day standby for free, customers will now have an option to take a different flight with the same origin and destination airports as their original itinerary if space is available at departure. This enhanced option will be available to all customers for travel within the U.S. and to and from international destinations beginning on January 1, 2021. Customers who want to switch flights will be able to add themselves to the standby list through United's award-winning mobile app, on united.com or at the airport no later than 30 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and one hour before departure on international flights.
The carrier is also improving the travel experience for its MileagePlus members including waiving all redeposit fees on award travel for flights changed or cancelled more than 30 days before departure and allowing all MileagePlus Premier members to confirm a different flight on the day of their travel. As a way to thank MileagePlus Premier members for their loyalty, beginning January 1, 2021, all Premier members will be able to confirm a seat for free on a different flight with the same departure and arrival cities as their original ticket. This expanded option will allow MileagePlus Silver members and above to confirm a new seat in the same ticket fare class if space is available. Earlier this year, United announced that it will extend status for MileagePlus Premier and Global Services members through January 2022. United also reduced thresholds for Premier qualification by 50 percent for each status level, to make reaching an even higher status tier easier.
For more information on United's new flexible travel policies, visit https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...hange-fee.html.
......
AA Eliminates Many Change Fees, Other Benefits 31 Aug 2020
Delta to Eliminate Change Fees on Domestic Tickets [Consolidated Thread]
Alaska Eliminates Change Fees (9/1/2020)
UA will extend BE/International change fee waiver (In response to AA?)
Change Fees "Gone For Good"(WW ex-USA,non-BE), credit for lower fare!, Intl&BE waiver
Sep 2, 2020, 2:08 pm
#196
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
The fact is these airlines all follow each other and they all end up basically matching the others in some way or another. There are no revolutionary CEOs or management teams in the industry who have re-invented the financials that basically require a taxpayer bailout every decade or so. The only thing revolutionary is the ways management dreams up to line their pockets when times are going well.
I know this board likes to dump on Southwest, but they have a significantly different business model (no premium cabins, no regional affiliates, less reliance on hub/spoke, single aircraft type) and have had different policies on checked bags, change fees, etc. for 10-15 years, I don't recall them taking a taxpayer bailout before Covid, and they move more passengers domestically than any of the "big three".
Not to mention Spirit/Frontier -- much smaller players -- are also writing their own playbook (or copying European ULCCs) very profitably.
Sep 2, 2020, 6:48 pm
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,228
If you define "the industry" as DL/AA/UA, then sure, they all copy each other.
I know this board likes to dump on Southwest, but they have a significantly different business model (no premium cabins, no regional affiliates, less reliance on hub/spoke, single aircraft type) and have had different policies on checked bags, change fees, etc. for 10-15 years, I don't recall them taking a taxpayer bailout before Covid, and they move more passengers domestically than any of the "big three".
Not to mention Spirit/Frontier -- much smaller players -- are also writing their own playbook (or copying European ULCCs) very profitably.
I know this board likes to dump on Southwest, but they have a significantly different business model (no premium cabins, no regional affiliates, less reliance on hub/spoke, single aircraft type) and have had different policies on checked bags, change fees, etc. for 10-15 years, I don't recall them taking a taxpayer bailout before Covid, and they move more passengers domestically than any of the "big three".
Not to mention Spirit/Frontier -- much smaller players -- are also writing their own playbook (or copying European ULCCs) very profitably.
Sep 2, 2020, 7:58 pm
#198
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
We are likely to see airlines roll out nice perks for traveling for the next couple years, but rest assured, all these fees will be back once things turn around. Maybe not in 9 months, but give it 2 years, and we will see.
My advice is to take advantage of this. Book super cheap tickets when they pop up. Change the ticket if the trip is not needed and apply the credit elsewhere.
Sep 3, 2020, 5:32 am
#199
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SJC
Programs: Southwest, Alaska, United, American Airlines
Posts: 994
I wouldn't be so quick to presume fees will return...the operating and financial assumptions underlying them will largely no longer apply even as the pandemic's impact wanes. Remember that, among other things, North American air travel faces much more vigorous competition (e.g., robust videoconferencing) than was the case in prior decades. Reloading air travel with punitive fees will only encourage companies to keep air travel at minimal levels.
Now, if Zoom starts charging $200 fees to change a meeting time, all bets are off.
Now, if Zoom starts charging $200 fees to change a meeting time, all bets are off.
Sep 4, 2020, 7:14 am
#200
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,115
Now that things have settled down a bit, is it reasonable to predict that the US domestic fare market will slowly but surely evolve towards the EU fare market model once travel has picked up again but PR-wise it would still be way too early to re-introduce change fees?
* Cheap fares are non-changeable/use it or lose it - and the definition of "cheap fares" will gradually and silently be extended from Basic Economy to the cheaper 80% of all fares, including First.
* Fares that do include no-fee change flexibility will be sold at a differential that could easily cost significantly more than the typical $200 change fee we knew. But the "permanent" promise is kept: the change fee will be $0.
Will this be the way how the carriers will ultimately win?
* Cheap fares are non-changeable/use it or lose it - and the definition of "cheap fares" will gradually and silently be extended from Basic Economy to the cheaper 80% of all fares, including First.
* Fares that do include no-fee change flexibility will be sold at a differential that could easily cost significantly more than the typical $200 change fee we knew. But the "permanent" promise is kept: the change fee will be $0.
Will this be the way how the carriers will ultimately win?
Sep 4, 2020, 3:25 pm
#201
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Now that things have settled down a bit, is it reasonable to predict that the US domestic fare market will slowly but surely evolve towards the EU fare market model once travel has picked up again but PR-wise it would still be way too early to re-introduce change fees?
* Cheap fares are non-changeable/use it or lose it - and the definition of "cheap fares" will gradually and silently be extended from Basic Economy to the cheaper 80% of all fares, including First.
* Fares that do include no-fee change flexibility will be sold at a differential that could easily cost significantly more than the typical $200 change fee we knew. But the "permanent" promise is kept: the change fee will be $0.
Will this be the way how the carriers will ultimately win?
* Cheap fares are non-changeable/use it or lose it - and the definition of "cheap fares" will gradually and silently be extended from Basic Economy to the cheaper 80% of all fares, including First.
* Fares that do include no-fee change flexibility will be sold at a differential that could easily cost significantly more than the typical $200 change fee we knew. But the "permanent" promise is kept: the change fee will be $0.
Will this be the way how the carriers will ultimately win?
Sep 4, 2020, 9:42 pm
#202
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott platinum, lifetime platinum
Posts: 974
I don't think I like this.
No change fees going forward, but if you have a $500 ticket you want to change for free, and the new ticket is $300, you forfeit the $200 difference. No travel certificate issued for the difference. Not good.
Purchase one way tickets whenever possible to help offset this. Some unsavvy travelers who aren't frequent fliers are going to get screwed by this.
No change fees going forward, but if you have a $500 ticket you want to change for free, and the new ticket is $300, you forfeit the $200 difference. No travel certificate issued for the difference. Not good.
Purchase one way tickets whenever possible to help offset this. Some unsavvy travelers who aren't frequent fliers are going to get screwed by this.
Sep 4, 2020, 10:04 pm
#203
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
I don't think I like this.
No change fees going forward, but if you have a $500 ticket you want to change for free, and the new ticket is $300, you forfeit the $200 difference. No travel certificate issued for the difference. Not good.
Purchase one way tickets whenever possible to help offset this. Some unsavvy travelers who aren't frequent fliers are going to get screwed by this.
No change fees going forward, but if you have a $500 ticket you want to change for free, and the new ticket is $300, you forfeit the $200 difference. No travel certificate issued for the difference. Not good.
Purchase one way tickets whenever possible to help offset this. Some unsavvy travelers who aren't frequent fliers are going to get screwed by this.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...-policies.html
Eta it's not the policy they are changing but the published fare rules. Very sneaky.
Last edited by prestonh; Sep 4, 2020 at 10:11 pm
Sep 4, 2020, 10:20 pm
#204
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,211
I don't think I like this.
No change fees going forward, but if you have a $500 ticket you want to change for free, and the new ticket is $300, you forfeit the $200 difference. No travel certificate issued for the difference. Not good.
Purchase one way tickets whenever possible to help offset this. Some unsavvy travelers who aren't frequent fliers are going to get screwed by this.
No change fees going forward, but if you have a $500 ticket you want to change for free, and the new ticket is $300, you forfeit the $200 difference. No travel certificate issued for the difference. Not good.
Purchase one way tickets whenever possible to help offset this. Some unsavvy travelers who aren't frequent fliers are going to get screwed by this.
If United is causing the difference to be forfeited, they are not in line with other competitors.
Sep 4, 2020, 10:30 pm
#205
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: 66,857
How often in past few years have your refared a ticket for more than the change fee?
How often in the past few years have you not changed a ticket due to the change fee?
How often in the past few years have you changed a ticket and paid the change fee?
For me, historically, I have paid more in change fees than I got in refares and many times, when a change would have been usefully decided not to due to the change fee.
Now going forward I know UA might try to increase the fare to make up the difference, but competitive pressure will restrain this some.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 4, 2020 at 10:52 pm Reason: clarified timeframe
Sep 4, 2020, 10:39 pm
#206
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
How often in past few years have your refared a ticket for more than the change fee?
How often in the past few years have you not changed a ticket due to the change fee?
How often in the past few years have you changed a ticket and paid the change fee?
For me, historically, I have paid more in change fees than I got in refares and many times, when a change would have been usefully decided not to due to the change fee.
Now going forward I know UA might try to increase the fare to make up the difference, but competitive pressure will restrain this some.
How often in the past few years have you not changed a ticket due to the change fee?
How often in the past few years have you changed a ticket and paid the change fee?
For me, historically, I have paid more in change fees than I got in refares and many times, when a change would have been usefully decided not to due to the change fee.
Now going forward I know UA might try to increase the fare to make up the difference, but competitive pressure will restrain this some.
Sep 8, 2020, 9:52 am
#207
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 53
I have a question about the dropping of change fees, and changing a booking. We are booked from EWR to SFO in April. I noticed today that the tickets were about $200 less than when I bought them. If this was southwest, I would just go online, change the flight and get a credit. United is allowing me to change the flight, but at the same cost as the original, so no credit. In this case, should I cancel the flights and make a new booking at the cheaper fare? Will the website algorithms catch that and not give me the cheaper fare?
Sep 8, 2020, 10:00 am
#208
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,165
I have a question about the dropping of change fees, and changing a booking. We are booked from EWR to SFO in April. I noticed today that the tickets were about $200 less than when I bought them. If this was southwest, I would just go online, change the flight and get a credit. United is allowing me to change the flight, but at the same cost as the original, so no credit. In this case, should I cancel the flights and make a new booking at the cheaper fare? Will the website algorithms catch that and not give me the cheaper fare?
Sep 8, 2020, 10:40 am
#209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
I have a question about the dropping of change fees, and changing a booking. We are booked from EWR to SFO in April. I noticed today that the tickets were about $200 less than when I bought them. If this was southwest, I would just go online, change the flight and get a credit. United is allowing me to change the flight, but at the same cost as the original, so no credit. In this case, should I cancel the flights and make a new booking at the cheaper fare? Will the website algorithms catch that and not give me the cheaper fare?
1 - Especially if you purchased these tickets within the last 30 days, try calling, telling them that the price is now lower, and ask if you can get a credit for the difference. You may be offered a credit for the fare difference less a $50-per-ticket "administrative fee."
2 - If you fly United regularly enough to make use of future flight credit, book the new tickets as a new reservation, and then cancel the old ones for use toward a future trip, at least as expensive as your credit, for the same travelers. This results in more cash outlay up front, but allows you to benefit from 100% of the lower price, as long as you'll use the resulting credit before it expires
3 - You can call United and ask if you can convert your reservation to Electronic Travel Credit (not Future Flight Credit). Then, use the ETC to buy new tickets at the lower price. This has several risks -- it may take several days (or even a couple of weeks) for the ETC to be delivered, even if they agree to offer it, and if your flights are impacted by a future cancellation or significant schedule change, you'd be unable to get a refund to your original form of payment -- you'd be stuck with an ETC.
4 - If you were originally traveling in economy, check the prices for business class instead, even if in only one direction; if nothing else, this might be an opportunity to get an inexpensive upgrade. (Don't forget to count the price of luggage, if applicable, when considering the total cost of the upgrade).
Hope this helps.
. Good luck!