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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 Mar 25, 2021, 9:23 am
  #376  
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18wheeler_vanrekt: I combined your thread with the existing one to discuss the policy enacted last year. This way you can see that UA's original policy of indefinite change fee removal was for standard economy and premium cabin tickets. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.

Originally Posted by 18wheeler_vanrekt
I could be missing something, but based on my latest read of the United Airlines travel advisories, any Basic Economy fares PURCHASED after March 31st will once again be non-changeable.
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...hange-fee.html


Am I reading that correctly? If so, I'm going to book flights I'm hoping to take with my airline credit while I still have that flexibility. Because after that, I'll basically be waiting for the vaccine and/or travel restrictions and be committing to any saver fares I book from that point onwards...

What are other flyers' thoughts on the end of this "blanket" cancellation policy for Basic Economy fares?
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Old Mar 25, 2021, 9:39 am
  #377  
 
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I was wondering...l cancelled my reservation recently and have a $3000 travel credit. If I rebook and the reservation comes out to $2200, Am I forfeiting the rest or the rest goes back as a residual credit. thank you.
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Old Mar 25, 2021, 11:21 am
  #378  
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Originally Posted by DFWFairy
I was wondering...l cancelled my reservation recently and have a $3000 travel credit. If I rebook and the reservation comes out to $2200, Am I forfeiting the rest or the rest goes back as a residual credit. thank you.
If you have a FFC from a purchase after March 3, 2020. Then yes it would be forfeited.

However, some have been able to request a conversion to ETC and then there would be a residual ETC -- best to try that.
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Old Mar 26, 2021, 11:36 am
  #379  
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Originally Posted by DFWFairy
I was wondering...l cancelled my reservation recently and have a $3000 travel credit. If I rebook and the reservation comes out to $2200, Am I forfeiting the rest or the rest goes back as a residual credit. thank you.
The remaining $800 is still available as a credit.
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Old Mar 26, 2021, 12:20 pm
  #380  
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Originally Posted by Ericka
The remaining $800 is still available as a credit.
This is only true for an Electronic Travel Credit. In most cases, it is not true for Future Flight Credit, which is what you'd normally get when cancelling a reservation. WineCountryUA's answer is spot-on.
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Old Mar 26, 2021, 10:49 pm
  #381  
 
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Originally Posted by DFWFairy
I was wondering...l cancelled my reservation recently and have a $3000 travel credit. If I rebook and the reservation comes out to $2200, Am I forfeiting the rest or the rest goes back as a residual credit. thank you.
It depends what kind of travel credit. If it was a new ETC then yes you'll have residual. If it's just credit on the original itinerary / PNR #, then doing a change will not give you back any residual.
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Old Mar 31, 2021, 9:53 am
  #382  
 
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US basic eco waiver extended through 4/30.
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Old Apr 1, 2021, 12:38 pm
  #383  
 
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Originally Posted by chrisdeaner
the new flights are about 60% of the cost of our current flights and it looks like I would not get an ETC for the difference
I can't find a primary source, but at least according to this blog post from TPG, you are now eligible for an ETC as of today.
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Old Apr 1, 2021, 12:50 pm
  #384  
 
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Originally Posted by jhurwitz
I can't find a primary source, but at least according to this blog post from TPG, you are now eligible for an ETC as of today.
You just made my day! Was able to switch and get a future flight credit. Thank you!!!!
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Old Apr 1, 2021, 2:13 pm
  #385  
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Originally Posted by jhurwitz
I can't find a primary source, but at least according to this blog post from TPG, you are now eligible for an ETC as of today.
There have been various posts to that effect on FT for the past couple of weeks -- unclear exactly what the policy is and what UA will do about the fare rules that state otherwise. For now it appears, if you ask, you have a good chance of getting an ETC (regardless of the fare rules).

Confirmed on united.com
No change fees for new bookings -- Terms and conditions
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Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 1, 2021 at 2:39 pm
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Old Apr 1, 2021, 2:32 pm
  #386  
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Extending fee change waiver on Basic Economy and non-ex_USA international flights AND no longer forfeit lower fare difference
No change fees for new bookings -- Terms and conditions
Tickets: Applies to standard fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020 and May 31, 2021 and Basic Economy fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020 and April 30, 2021.

Changes/Cancellations: Customers with Basic Economy fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020 and April 30, 2021 or standard fare tickets issued between March 3, 2020 and May 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 may be given residual value in the form of a future flight credit. Any changes or cancellation must occur prior to ticketed travel date.

Fare Validity: This applies to all standard fare tickets issued through May 31, 2021 and Basic Economy fare tickets issued through April 30, 2021, all destinations, all points-of-sale, all travel dates available for sale, provided 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 non-refundable except during the first 24 hours after purchase. Other restrictions may apply.
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Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 11, 2021 at 12:58 pm
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Old Apr 1, 2021, 5:10 pm
  #387  
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FYI: UA for Biz e-mail on travel agent issued tix cancel fees:



And the "learn more" link points to: https://jetstream.united.com/#/sub-link/a0F1T00000ETR5jUAH

With the relevant cancel fee table:



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cfischer and shdflyer like this.
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Old Apr 1, 2021, 6:52 pm
  #388  
 
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So UA is no longer retaining the residual if you change to a lower fare? Does this bring UA in line with Delta and AA?
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Old Apr 1, 2021, 6:56 pm
  #389  
 
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Wow, so if one buys a non-refundable Y ticket and ends up not traveling and wants a refund (with $100 penalty), then use a travel agent? Will OTA's like Expedia work?
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Old Apr 1, 2021, 8:27 pm
  #390  
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Originally Posted by spartacusmcfly
So UA is no longer retaining the residual if you change to a lower fare? Does this bring UA in line with Delta and AA?
There have been rumors to that effect, but I'll wait until I see it in the fare rules. It's also not immediately clear from this message whether or not they'd be retaining $100 of the excess value as a change fee.

Originally Posted by shdflyer
Wow, so if one buys a non-refundable Y ticket and ends up not traveling and wants a refund (with $100 penalty), then use a travel agent? Will OTA's like Expedia work?
Give it a couple of days and I suspect that you'd be able to do this yourself for tickets you purchase through United. They're not going to set up a policy that makes it a better deal to use a travel agent than to buy from them directly.
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