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
Feb 4, 2021, 10:50 am
#331
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
UA has been allowing some passengers to convert their flight credit to Electronic Travel Credit. This is not a published policy, and since -- as you note -- it's a workaround to the "UA keeps the residual value" policy, it could go away any time. The guy did you a favor.
Personally, I'd be ecstatic that UA waived this policy in my favor. (The policy itself is the primary reason that I haven't been buying speculative tickets -- I'm not willing to trade a higher-cost ticket for a lower-cost one).
Feb 5, 2021, 6:28 am
#332
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: United Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 66
It was an easy sell...if I couldn't get it credit I would have waited a while and called back until I got someone willing to give me the credit...I also buy plenty of tickets on UA and I told him I was going to use the credit towards some tickets to Thailand, which isn't a lie, I am buying 5 tickets soon to that destination, so why wouldn't they want to keep me as a customer?
Feb 5, 2021, 10:59 am
#333
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
It was an easy sell...if I couldn't get it credit I would have waited a while and called back until I got someone willing to give me the credit...I also buy plenty of tickets on UA and I told him I was going to use the credit towards some tickets to Thailand, which isn't a lie, I am buying 5 tickets soon to that destination, so why wouldn't they want to keep me as a customer?
As for keeping you as a customer:
1 - I don't think UA cares much about any particular customer's business
2 - Whoever came up with this keep-the-residual policy seems to think that they won't lose customers over it, or that the customers they lose aren't profitable.
3 - Now that you know the policy, if you really plan to continue to buy expensive tickets from UA, I'm not sure what to tell you. I'd just point out that their competition has also dropped change fees but allow you to keep the residual amount when a fare drops.
Feb 6, 2021, 3:03 pm
#334
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: United Platinum, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 66
I will just be more careful, knowing about the residual thing now.....I mostly use United and Spirit...I might try American and Delta as well.
Feb 8, 2021, 3:41 pm
#335
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 46
Just spent 30 minutes on the phone with a CSR from United. Don't think she knew what she was about. Asked to speak to her supervisor. She put me on hold and I was disconnected 5 minutes later. Ugh!
I'll probably call back tomorrow, but in the meantime I thought I'd post my fact pattern (and question) below:
1) My wife and I had tickets to fly from EWR to Aruba for March of 2020 (booked sometime in 2019). Cancelled the flight in mid February of 2020 due to the start of the pandemic. United issued me an ETC for the value of the fare ($1,200) to be used within 24 months.
2) On July 20, 2020, I used the ETC to purchase tickets for my wife and I to try again to travel to Aruba in March of 2021. Decided to fly business class so we paid the fare differential (about $400).
3) On January 10, 2021, we decided to push that trip back a month (so now traveling in April). Paid an additional fare differential of about $150.
According to United Website it says the following under "a travel waiver is in effect for this flight":
If you decide to make a change to your reservation, change fees will be waived (but any difference in ticket price may apply) if the change you make follows these guidelines:
After putting me on hold the first time, she returned and said I could cancel my flight and had until July of 2022 to re-book (24 months from ticket issue date). When I said that was not consistent with what was detailed on the United site (under my trips) or with United's policy (which was 12 months), she put me on hold again. This time she returned and said I had until January 10 of 2022 to re-book if I wanted to cancel my ticket. When I asked how she determined that, she said it was 12 months from the ticket issue date.
I told her I thought it was the "original" ticket issue date that mattered, otherwise I could perpetually cancel each re-booking and extent the FTC out indefinitely. She had no reply to that. Thus the reason I asked to speak with her supervisor.
I believe I have to not only make changes prior to 7/30/2021, but we need to initiate travel by that date. However, I am puzzled by the travel waiver language which says, "If you are not ready to change your flight by 7/30/2021, you can instead cancel your flight and receive a credit to rebook later".
What do you folks who know this stuff better than me think applies here?
Sorry for the long post, but thought it better to get all the facts out.
I'll probably call back tomorrow, but in the meantime I thought I'd post my fact pattern (and question) below:
1) My wife and I had tickets to fly from EWR to Aruba for March of 2020 (booked sometime in 2019). Cancelled the flight in mid February of 2020 due to the start of the pandemic. United issued me an ETC for the value of the fare ($1,200) to be used within 24 months.
2) On July 20, 2020, I used the ETC to purchase tickets for my wife and I to try again to travel to Aruba in March of 2021. Decided to fly business class so we paid the fare differential (about $400).
3) On January 10, 2021, we decided to push that trip back a month (so now traveling in April). Paid an additional fare differential of about $150.
According to United Website it says the following under "a travel waiver is in effect for this flight":
If you decide to make a change to your reservation, change fees will be waived (but any difference in ticket price may apply) if the change you make follows these guidelines:
- Your new travel date is between 03/03/2020 and 7/30/2021
- Changes must be made by 7/30/2021. To change your flight before this date, select Change flight.
- If you are not ready to change your flight by 7/30/2021, you can instead cancel your flight and receive a credit to rebook later. Select "Cancel options" to learn more.
After putting me on hold the first time, she returned and said I could cancel my flight and had until July of 2022 to re-book (24 months from ticket issue date). When I said that was not consistent with what was detailed on the United site (under my trips) or with United's policy (which was 12 months), she put me on hold again. This time she returned and said I had until January 10 of 2022 to re-book if I wanted to cancel my ticket. When I asked how she determined that, she said it was 12 months from the ticket issue date.
I told her I thought it was the "original" ticket issue date that mattered, otherwise I could perpetually cancel each re-booking and extent the FTC out indefinitely. She had no reply to that. Thus the reason I asked to speak with her supervisor.
I believe I have to not only make changes prior to 7/30/2021, but we need to initiate travel by that date. However, I am puzzled by the travel waiver language which says, "If you are not ready to change your flight by 7/30/2021, you can instead cancel your flight and receive a credit to rebook later".
What do you folks who know this stuff better than me think applies here?
Sorry for the long post, but thought it better to get all the facts out.
Last edited by mgiannetto; Feb 8, 2021 at 4:19 pm
Feb 8, 2021, 4:05 pm
#336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
I believe I have to not only make changes prior to 7/30/2021, but we need to initiate travel by that date. However, I am puzzled by the travel waiver language which says, "If you are not ready to change your flight by 7/30/2021, you can instead cancel your flight and receive a credit to rebook later".
What do you folks who know this stuff better than me think applies here?
What do you folks who know this stuff better than me think applies here?
(That said, something's wrong with your dates -- you have something in the past tense but dated this coming July).
Feb 8, 2021, 4:20 pm
#337
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 46
Assuming you have a nonrefundable fare, you need to begin travel by one year from the issue date of your most recent ticket. If you choose not to depart by then, UA may, at its discretion, issue you a new ETC instead. People have been reporting reasonably frequent success. If travel is still difficult / highly restricted by July, I imagine UA will be reasonably understanding.
(That said, something's wrong with your dates -- you have something in the past tense but dated this coming July).
(That said, something's wrong with your dates -- you have something in the past tense but dated this coming July).
Feb 8, 2021, 5:32 pm
#338
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 403
Say I have an economy ticket that I am not going to fly. With the change fee waiver, can I simply find any slightly higher priced "Economy (Fully Refundable)" fare, buy up to that, and then cancel that and get all my money back? Seems too easy
Last edited by shdflyer; Feb 8, 2021 at 5:49 pm
Feb 8, 2021, 6:13 pm
#339
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
That said, if July approaches and it doesn't look like you're going to travel, I'd probably be calling UA and asking for a new ETC, rather than hoping that you'd get this reset timer in your favor.
It is too easy. When a nonrefundable ticket is used to pay for a refundable ticket, the amount of the original ticket remains nonrefundable.
Feb 9, 2021, 5:21 am
#340
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 46
No worries. The correct answer is supposed to be that you'd have to commence travel by 7/20/21, which is one year after your original ticket (the one purchased with the ETC -- the original, original one is no longer relevant because you accepted the ETC). However, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if you were actually able to use the ticket for travel commencing by 1/10/22, because when you paid the add-collect, it likely would have exchanged the original ticket and reissued it, and it's possible that the timer got reset.
That said, if July approaches and it doesn't look like you're going to travel, I'd probably be calling UA and asking for a new ETC, rather than hoping that you'd get this reset timer in your favor.
That said, if July approaches and it doesn't look like you're going to travel, I'd probably be calling UA and asking for a new ETC, rather than hoping that you'd get this reset timer in your favor.
Thanks for the reply. I will follow your advice.
Having said that, I am still a bit puzzled by the language in the travel waiver relating to this flight:
In order for this travel waiver to be applied:
- Changes must be made by 7/30/2021. To change your flight before this date, select Change flight.
- If you are not ready to change your flight by 7/30/2021, you can instead cancel your flight and receive a credit to rebook later. Select "Cancel options" to learn more.
Last edited by mgiannetto; Feb 9, 2021 at 7:03 am
Feb 9, 2021, 8:36 am
#341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
Thanks for the reply. I will follow your advice.
Having said that, I am still a bit puzzled by the language in the travel waiver relating to this flight:
In order for this travel waiver to be applied:
Having said that, I am still a bit puzzled by the language in the travel waiver relating to this flight:
In order for this travel waiver to be applied:
- Changes must be made by 7/30/2021. To change your flight before this date, select Change flight.
- If you are not ready to change your flight by 7/30/2021, you can instead cancel your flight and receive a credit to rebook later. Select "Cancel options" to learn more.
As for the text -- I have no idea what UA is going for there. I have similar messages on my reservations, with different dates, and in each case it seems that they're using the expiration date of the original ticket as a guide. Take a screenshot of it, and if July approaches and you're not traveling, you'll have a basis for your request to get an ETC or extended validity on your flight credit.
Feb 9, 2021, 9:14 am
#342
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 46
No, they're not going to charge you a change fee. The ticket that you bought with the ETC doesn't have a change fee in the fare rules, so they can't go back and add one.
As for the text -- I have no idea what UA is going for there. I have similar messages on my reservations, with different dates, and in each case it seems that they're using the expiration date of the original ticket as a guide. Take a screenshot of it, and if July approaches and you're not traveling, you'll have a basis for your request to get an ETC or extended validity on your flight credit.
As for the text -- I have no idea what UA is going for there. I have similar messages on my reservations, with different dates, and in each case it seems that they're using the expiration date of the original ticket as a guide. Take a screenshot of it, and if July approaches and you're not traveling, you'll have a basis for your request to get an ETC or extended validity on your flight credit.
Feb 19, 2021, 5:42 am
#343
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,015
Hello. Not sure where these questions belong:
1. Travel agent issued 016-stock (only UA flights) two tickets:
One is India-USA.
One is USA domestic
Ticketed today.
Travel agent receipt shows "change fee" (130EUR) for Intl UA trip and 50EUR for domestic UA trip.
Does the "No change fees" only apply to tickets issued directly by UA?
2. These Tickets display correctly on United.com for the passenger's login. (Intl tickets = "P" class; Domestic UA ticket = "D" class). Do not know fare basis.
However under mileage accrued it says "0 miles" .
So, are these tickets likely "special" fares and earn by distance?
In this case, will the traveler (UA Plat) get the bonus PQP (or whatever its called) that is offered till March-31?
Passenger had to go through Travel agent. So, cannot do anything about it.
1. Travel agent issued 016-stock (only UA flights) two tickets:
One is India-USA.
One is USA domestic
Ticketed today.
Travel agent receipt shows "change fee" (130EUR) for Intl UA trip and 50EUR for domestic UA trip.
Does the "No change fees" only apply to tickets issued directly by UA?
2. These Tickets display correctly on United.com for the passenger's login. (Intl tickets = "P" class; Domestic UA ticket = "D" class). Do not know fare basis.
However under mileage accrued it says "0 miles" .
So, are these tickets likely "special" fares and earn by distance?
In this case, will the traveler (UA Plat) get the bonus PQP (or whatever its called) that is offered till March-31?
Passenger had to go through Travel agent. So, cannot do anything about it.
Feb 19, 2021, 7:59 am
#344
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: 66,834
Incorrect / Ineligible projected earning information showing on my itinerary
Not all travel agencies tickets are but they could be
unsure but does not appear to be disallowed
Feb 19, 2021, 7:59 am
#345
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,391
Hello. Not sure where these questions belong:
1. Travel agent issued 016-stock (only UA flights) two tickets:
One is India-USA.
One is USA domestic
Ticketed today.
Travel agent receipt shows "change fee" (130EUR) for Intl UA trip and 50EUR for domestic UA trip.
Does the "No change fees" only apply to tickets issued directly by UA?
1. Travel agent issued 016-stock (only UA flights) two tickets:
One is India-USA.
One is USA domestic
Ticketed today.
Travel agent receipt shows "change fee" (130EUR) for Intl UA trip and 50EUR for domestic UA trip.
Does the "No change fees" only apply to tickets issued directly by UA?
2. These Tickets display correctly on United.com for the passenger's login. (Intl tickets = "P" class; Domestic UA ticket = "D" class). Do not know fare basis.
However under mileage accrued it says "0 miles" .
So, are these tickets likely "special" fares and earn by distance?
However under mileage accrued it says "0 miles" .
So, are these tickets likely "special" fares and earn by distance?
The fare rules should be available when viewing the itinerary on United.com. I'd start there; you should be able to see what UA thinks the penalty is, and if there are any special conditions regarding earnings.
If it's a "special" ticket, the receipt will likely show "BULK" instead of the fare paid.