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
Dec 10, 2020, 10:29 am
#301
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
Same way it's a bad look for UA to be the only airline to ban carry-ons on Basic fares?
Or for UA to fail to match AA's lifting of upgrade restrictions on Basic fares?
Or for UA to fail to match AA or DL in honoring lifetime club access?
UA is becoming more uncompetitive, but not sure they care about looks.
Or for UA to fail to match AA's lifting of upgrade restrictions on Basic fares?
Or for UA to fail to match AA or DL in honoring lifetime club access?
UA is becoming more uncompetitive, but not sure they care about looks.
Is that family going to risk losing $6,000-$9,000 or simply book on AA or Delta? Kirby & team got caught flat-footed here. They started the fee-elimination trend, in the name of doing what's right for the customer. However, when others took the same path, to it's logical end, UA demurred.
What's funny is still no official announcement from UA, just reports from various need outlets. What sloppy marketing and PR execution by UA. I have often defended Kirby's operating initiatives, but not here. Simply poor execution by UA. They went from leader to inferior-outlier in a matter of 30 days...
Dec 10, 2020, 10:52 am
#302
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,353
BE fares and lifetime club access are niche areas. When a family of 6 book a European vacation this July, they're spending $9,000-$12,000 in airfare. Maybe some in the party won't have their vaccine by then, so it might turn into a vacation to Mexico for $3,000.
Is that family going to risk losing $6,000-$9,000 or simply book on AA or Delta? Kirby & team got caught flat-footed here. They started the fee-elimination trend, in the name of doing what's right for the customer. However, when others took the same path, to it's logical end, UA demurred.
What's funny is still no official announcement from UA, just reports from various need outlets. What sloppy marketing and PR execution by UA. I have often defended Kirby's operating initiatives, but not here. Simply poor execution by UA. They went from leader to inferior-outlier in a matter of 30 days...
Is that family going to risk losing $6,000-$9,000 or simply book on AA or Delta? Kirby & team got caught flat-footed here. They started the fee-elimination trend, in the name of doing what's right for the customer. However, when others took the same path, to it's logical end, UA demurred.
What's funny is still no official announcement from UA, just reports from various need outlets. What sloppy marketing and PR execution by UA. I have often defended Kirby's operating initiatives, but not here. Simply poor execution by UA. They went from leader to inferior-outlier in a matter of 30 days...
I've steered most of our flying to UA for a long time, but at this point I wouldn't book a paid UA ticket or recommend that anyone I know do. Award flights sure (well, once they fix their system to properly implement the 30-day award redeposit). A bit of an empty threat since I will have no business travel until at least late 2021, and pretty small chances for personal travel too, but still...
Dec 11, 2020, 4:00 pm
#303
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: 66,850
UA has now released more information on the dropping of international change fees
Recognizing that flexibility is more important to you than ever, we're making more changes for the better. Going forward, there are no change fees on international flights that originate from the United States.
We're also extending our policy of no change fees for Basic Economy – just purchase your ticket now through March 31, 2021.
This is in addition to permanently eliminating change fees on most Economy and all premium cabin tickets when you travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which United was the first U.S. legacy airline to announce earlier this year. And starting in January, if you want to take an earlier United flight on the same day, you'll be able to join the standby list for free, departing from anywhere in our network.
We hope this makes your future travel planning easier – learn more on united.com.
We're also extending our policy of no change fees for Basic Economy – just purchase your ticket now through March 31, 2021.
This is in addition to permanently eliminating change fees on most Economy and all premium cabin tickets when you travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which United was the first U.S. legacy airline to announce earlier this year. And starting in January, if you want to take an earlier United flight on the same day, you'll be able to join the standby list for free, departing from anywhere in our network.
We hope this makes your future travel planning easier – learn more on united.com.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 11, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Dec 11, 2020, 5:20 pm
#304
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Interestingly, in the FAQ:
Q: Do I have to choose a new flight right away?
A: No. If you cancel your flight and don’t choose a new one right away, you’ll get a flight credit that you can use up to one year from your original ticket issue date.
Q: If my new flight cost less, will you refund the difference?
A: No. If your new flight costs less, you’ll be able to change for free but will not receive a refund of the fare difference.
It is silent on the residual of the "flight credit" of the new itinerary with a lower price (other than it's not refundable).
This is still in the fare rule in a dummy domestic booking:
The Residual Value Will be Ignored language is also in an international fare rule.
Q: Do I have to choose a new flight right away?
A: No. If you cancel your flight and don’t choose a new one right away, you’ll get a flight credit that you can use up to one year from your original ticket issue date.
Q: If my new flight cost less, will you refund the difference?
A: No. If your new flight costs less, you’ll be able to change for free but will not receive a refund of the fare difference.
It is silent on the residual of the "flight credit" of the new itinerary with a lower price (other than it's not refundable).
This is still in the fare rule in a dummy domestic booking:
RESIDUAL VALUE WILL BE IGNORED/FORFEITED ON NON-REFUNDABLE FARE TICKETS -- COLLECT FARE DIFFERENCE IF APPLICABLE
The Residual Value Will be Ignored language is also in an international fare rule.
Dec 11, 2020, 5:48 pm
#305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
The lack of any statement about credit should be viewed as an indication that you won't get any. They are still intending to keep the residual if the new fare is lower.
Dec 11, 2020, 6:39 pm
#306
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
The fact I don’t need to choose a new flight right away softens the blow of no residual credit
Looks like my earlier question is answered - as long as it is 016 stock I am covered (the SFO-HKG xfer to CX scenario)
Looks like my earlier question is answered - as long as it is 016 stock I am covered (the SFO-HKG xfer to CX scenario)
Dec 11, 2020, 10:20 pm
#307
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
It really isn't that simple -- you will definitely be able to buy a 016 ticket in that scenario that has a change fee. Unfortunately -- as per usual -- the people who write United's copy know next to nothing about the product they actually sell, so they write really, really, really poorly.
Is it possible that you could use the FAQ to get UA to drop a change fee that they'd be entitled to charge according to the fare rules? Absolutely. "Going forward, you also won’t have change fees for other international travel that originates in the U.S." That's a solid argument; I just don't know if it will really resonate with an agent who's looking at a computer that's saying a fee is due. And it almost certainly won't work with an OTA, even on 016 stock.
Of one thing I am 100% certain: It is absolutely impossible for UA to eliminate all change fees from the fare rules of all itineraries originating in the US that are sold on their website, unless they start offering substantially fewer flights. That's because they don't write all of those fares. As in the example from my earlier response, you can buy a ticket on United.com that includes a fare written by OZ or BR or CX or... etc., and UA does not have the authority to waive those fare rules.
Dec 12, 2020, 11:06 am
#308
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 376
Hello, can I ask if my reading of the rules is correct:
1. If I purchase a ticket direct from United, to/from a non-US city, then as long as I purchase it before 31 March, all change fees are waived, although forum members feel there is some ambiguity in interpretation in case the trip includes segment(s) operated by a partner?
2. United is offering to permanently waive change fees for US-origin international flights purchased after 31 March. Is the origin part referring to the ticket as a whole? So if it's a roundtrip, say SFO-YVR-SFO on UA, and after I fly the outbound, I want to change the return portion YVR-SFO ...the fee is still waived? And if the ticket is RT in the opposite order, YVR-SFO-YVR, there will be a change fee even if I only want to change the return SFO-YVR? The website says 'You're traveling to ... international destinations from the US'. I wasn't sure what 'traveling to' meant in this context.
1. If I purchase a ticket direct from United, to/from a non-US city, then as long as I purchase it before 31 March, all change fees are waived, although forum members feel there is some ambiguity in interpretation in case the trip includes segment(s) operated by a partner?
2. United is offering to permanently waive change fees for US-origin international flights purchased after 31 March. Is the origin part referring to the ticket as a whole? So if it's a roundtrip, say SFO-YVR-SFO on UA, and after I fly the outbound, I want to change the return portion YVR-SFO ...the fee is still waived? And if the ticket is RT in the opposite order, YVR-SFO-YVR, there will be a change fee even if I only want to change the return SFO-YVR? The website says 'You're traveling to ... international destinations from the US'. I wasn't sure what 'traveling to' meant in this context.
Dec 12, 2020, 11:29 am
#309
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
Hello, can I ask if my reading of the rules is correct:
1. If I purchase a ticket direct from United, to/from a non-US city, then as long as I purchase it before 31 March, all change fees are waived, although forum members feel there is some ambiguity in interpretation in case the trip includes segment(s) operated by a partner?
1. If I purchase a ticket direct from United, to/from a non-US city, then as long as I purchase it before 31 March, all change fees are waived, although forum members feel there is some ambiguity in interpretation in case the trip includes segment(s) operated by a partner?
2. United is offering to permanently waive change fees for US-origin international flights purchased after 31 March. Is the origin part referring to the ticket as a whole? So if it's a roundtrip, say SFO-YVR-SFO on UA, and after I fly the outbound, I want to change the return portion YVR-SFO ...the fee is still waived? And if the ticket is RT in the opposite order, YVR-SFO-YVR, there will be a change fee even if I only want to change the return SFO-YVR? The website says 'You're traveling to ... international destinations from the US'. I wasn't sure what 'traveling to' meant in this context.
However, even if you buy a roundtrip ticket, it can sometimes be composed of one-way fares (assuming that they allow end-on-end combination). In those cases, the change fee would still be written into the rules for the flight to the USA, and you'd have to get an agent to agree to waive it.
Dec 12, 2020, 11:58 am
#310
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 376
Correct.
Yes, it refers to the ticket as a whole. It's making another unstated assumption -- that you're buying a roundtrip fare. If you're buying a roundtrip fare, with a US origin, you won't pay any change fees, whether you change the outbound, the return, or both. (However, if the new fare is lower, you'll forfeit the difference). For international travel, the roundtrip fare is usually cheapest, and it's usually what United.com will sell you.
However, even if you buy a roundtrip ticket, it can sometimes be composed of one-way fares (assuming that they allow end-on-end combination). In those cases, the change fee would still be written into the rules for the flight to the USA, and you'd have to get an agent to agree to waive it.
Yes, it refers to the ticket as a whole. It's making another unstated assumption -- that you're buying a roundtrip fare. If you're buying a roundtrip fare, with a US origin, you won't pay any change fees, whether you change the outbound, the return, or both. (However, if the new fare is lower, you'll forfeit the difference). For international travel, the roundtrip fare is usually cheapest, and it's usually what United.com will sell you.
However, even if you buy a roundtrip ticket, it can sometimes be composed of one-way fares (assuming that they allow end-on-end combination). In those cases, the change fee would still be written into the rules for the flight to the USA, and you'd have to get an agent to agree to waive it.
Dec 12, 2020, 7:45 pm
#312
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: 66,850
No concerned about that, more concerned about non-BE fares being increased to make back the lost change fees (and more). It is in all the carrier's best interest to do this. BE fares will be come the normal for the discount buyer and will continue to have change fees.
Dec 14, 2020, 7:49 am
#313
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,124
It's hard to keep track of the little details (at least it is for me). If I cancel a flight, will I have to rebook within 12 months of the original purchase date or fly within 12 months of the original purchase date? Thx
Dec 14, 2020, 8:04 am
#314
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,162
: Do I have to choose a new flight right away?
No. If you cancel your flight and don’t choose a new one right away, you’ll get a flight credit that you can use up to one year from your original ticket issue date.
Dec 14, 2020, 8:16 am
#315
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
My understanding (which would seem to be confirmed by the FAQ at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...hange-fee.html ) is that you only need to rebook, not travel, within 364 days of the original ticket issue date... though this is biased by the treatment of ETCs and the more times I read the FAQ the less positive I am of my position :
:The rules for tickets are FFC into the fare rules. Current UA rules state, for changes made prior to departure (i.e., a wholly unused ticket), "TRAVEL MUST BEGIN WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE ORIGINAL TICKET ISSUE DATE." For changes made after departure (i.e., a partially used ticket -- departure in this case refers to actually flying somewhere, not the originally scheduled departure date of a cancelled itinerary), you get one year from the departure date.