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Change Fees "Gone For Good"(WW ex-USA,non-BE), credit for lower fare!, Intl&BE waiver

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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

Old Aug 30, 2020, 2:32 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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
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
(change fee waiver) Terms and Conditions: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html#ChangeFeeTerms

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.

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.
Updated 30 Sept 2021
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.

Originally Posted by spartacusmcfly
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 fine-print on the change rules:
  1. If the new ticket costs less, the residual value from the old ticket is lost
  2. Multiple cancelled reservations cannot be combined to pay for a more expensive ticket
  3. Strictly U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean only (excludes Canada) and excludes Basic Economy and International flights
    1. Worldwide 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.

......
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?)
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Change Fees "Gone For Good"(WW ex-USA,non-BE), credit for lower fare!, Intl&BE waiver

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Old Nov 23, 2020, 12:07 pm
  #256  
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Originally Posted by jsloan
.... UA has announced that they'll be extending that waiver further (but they haven't announced the details yet). ....
reference for those unfamiliar with this pre-announcement,UA will extend BE/International change fee waiver (In response to AA?)
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Old Nov 23, 2020, 1:16 pm
  #257  
 
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Originally Posted by ainternational
Why only apply this to domestic tickets?...
At the peak of pandemic fear, United was losing business to Southwest because of SW's (a) domestic route structure and (b) friendly change fee policy.

When they matched SW, I don't think they expected AA & Delta to leap-frog their announcement by eliminating fees for; int'l, standby, mileage, and full residual credit.

Now, UA is fence-sitting and needs to go all-in (match the others), or be inferior (like for BE fares, where they don't allow a carry-on)

Hence the delayed announcement. UA needs to make a big marketing splash and reclaim their thought-leadership position, or they need to quietly walk away with their tail between their legs.

I think they're trying to figure it out...
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 7:54 am
  #258  
 
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Can I Change My Reservation to Same Flight Due to Fare Drop?

With no change fee, is there a way I can change my existing reservation to the same flights? The fare has dropped and I can't see how to do this online. It appears to only let me change the dates and times.
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 8:34 am
  #259  
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On most non-refundable tickets, there's no change fee, but one doesn't recover the balance. Long discussion about lost residual value in other threads.

If you want to try it, you can cancel the reservation, then re-book same itinerary using the value stored w/ confirmation code under "Cancelled" reservations.

Question I have is does one's awarded PQP reflect the new ticket price or the re-booked cheaper one?

Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Dec 1, 2020 at 10:13 am
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 9:27 am
  #260  
 
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The PQPs will reflect the flight taken and $ paid. So it would be the lower amount.

When you fly using the value left in the credit, then you could get the PQPs on later flights.
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 9:37 am
  #261  
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Originally Posted by gsalem94122
...When you fly using the value left in the credit...
What credit? The dropping of the change fee comes with no residual value on a changed ticket. If one buys (for example) a $300 ticket and changes it to a $200 ticket, there's no change fee, but there's also no residual value under the new scheme (if I understand it correctly). In the "old" days, if one bought $500 ticket, paid $200 to change it, bought a $400 ticket, they'd still have a $100 residual value in form of an ETC.
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 9:42 am
  #262  
 
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Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
...
Question I have is does one's awarded PQP reflect the new ticket price or the re-booked cheaper one?
PQP always reflect the flown fare, this is the most offensive part of the 'no residual' policy, IMO. I don't mind not getting residual if I'm buying a cheap penalty fare (vs. the flexible/refundable options offered system wide for a cost) but the fact that I get absolutely nothing for the forfeited value annoys me endlessly.
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Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 1, 2020 at 10:16 am Reason: Quote updated to reflect Moderator edit
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 10:05 am
  #263  
 
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Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
What credit?
True for now, but hopefully changing soon. With Delta, AA, and SW all offering residual credit, UA should match.
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 10:06 am
  #264  
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Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
What credit? The dropping of the change fee comes with no residual value on a changed ticket. If one buys (for example) a $300 ticket and changes it to a $200 ticket, there's no change fee, but there's also no residual value under the new scheme (if I understand it correctly). In the "old" days, if one bought $500 ticket, paid $200 to change it, bought a $400 ticket, they'd still have a $100 residual value in form of an ETC.
This is correct. United has specifically designed their program to prevent exactly what the OP is trying to do. In this, they are behind their competition, who have switched to a less-punitive style.

OP: Unfortunately, you're not allowed to do what you're attempting. If you have plans to fly United again within the validity of your existing ticket, and expect that fare to be more expensive than what you've paid already, you can buy a new ticket for the lower fare, cancel the older one, and then use the credit (from your original ticket) for your next flight. However, the same rules will apply: if the new flight you're trying to take is less expensive than the one you've already bought, UA will keep the difference.

Originally Posted by lincolnjkc
PQP always reflect the flown fare, this is the most offensive part of the 'no residual' policy, IMO. I don't mind not getting residual if I'm buying a cheap penalty fare (vs. the flexible/refundable options offered system wide for a cost) but the fact that I get absolutely nothing for the forfeited value annoys me endlessly.
We'll have to agree to disagree, then. The most offensive part to me is that they keep my money.

You are correct about the way the system works, however. The extra value disappears -- if you buy a $300 ticket, then change to a $200 ticket, and then change back to a $300 ticket, UA will charge a $100 "fare difference" for the last one.

OP: If you find yourself in this situation, and don't simply want to save the credit for your next flight, keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to buy the lowest fare class. With that same $300 credit, perhaps the K fare is $200, the S is $270, and the L is $310. You'd have the option to switch to the S fare and lose about 30 PQP, or pay $10 in additional collection and get all of your PQPs.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 1, 2020 at 10:17 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by the same member
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 10:14 am
  #265  
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Originally Posted by jsloan
... if the new flight you're trying to take is less expensive than the one you've already bought, UA will keep the difference.
Do you know if one gets PQPs based on original ticket cost (in this case) or new one? Would be a bit annoying if one lost both the residual value AND PQPs...
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 10:21 am
  #266  
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Originally Posted by jsloan
perhaps the K fare is $200, the S is $270, and the L is $310. You'd have the option to switch to the S fare and lose about 30 PQP, or pay $10 in additional collection and get all of your PQPs.
Everyone knows it's G > K > L > T > S > W.

Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
Do you know if one gets PQPs based on original ticket cost (in this case) or new one? Would be a bit annoying if one lost both the residual value AND PQPs...
Nope. You will earn PQP based on the final price you paid and flew. So if you dropped to the $200 ticket you will earn PQP on the $200.

What the others have said is true and I've now done it once or twice. Same ticket dropped in price so I rebooked on the lower fare, cancelled the higher fare and will apply the higher fare to future tickets that I fly that are more expensive than the stored value. I earned PQP on the lower fare ticket that I actually flew.

-RM
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 10:24 am
  #267  
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Originally Posted by RobOnLI
Everyone knows it's G > K > L > T > S > W.
LOL, oops.

Although, it's necessarily that cut and dried. For example, maybe my L fare was a flex ticket...
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 12:19 pm
  #268  
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Originally Posted by jsloan
LOL, oops.

Although, it's necessarily that cut and dried. For example, maybe my L fare was a flex ticket...
correct. There is a fare class pecking order, but pricing can vary. So S > L > K, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest available K fare basis is cheaper than lowest available L fare or even S fare. It usually is, but not always.

it does kind of suck for someone buying a higher price K fare, because that’s the cheapest available, that goes below someone on the upgrade list on a cheap S fare who bought it when that was available.
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 12:36 pm
  #269  
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Originally Posted by emcampbe
...it does kind of suck for someone buying a higher price K fare, because that’s the cheapest available, that goes below someone on the upgrade list on a cheap S fare who bought it when that was available.
Should just go to status, then $ paid, then date/time of purchase - get rid or fare classes. I guess that gets complicated by the pricing of individual segments. Never mind...
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Old Dec 1, 2020, 12:52 pm
  #270  
 
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Originally Posted by RobOnLI
What the others have said is true and I've now done it once or twice. Same ticket dropped in price so I rebooked on the lower fare, cancelled the higher fare and will apply the higher fare to future tickets that I fly that are more expensive than the stored value. I earned PQP on the lower fare ticket that I actually flew.
You earned PQP on the fare paid for the ticket flown from what you've said. You said you cancelled the higher fare and will apply that credit to future tickets so that example doesn't provide any evidence in the case where you applied the higher fare to the lower fare and flew it, thereby losing any residual value. That case is more similar to requesting original mileage when UA changed flights and you got less mileage or fewer segments than originally booked. You may be right but we need to see PQP earned from a case where someone changed from a higher fare to a lower fare.
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