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
Jun 9, 2021, 8:33 am
#481
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
Thanks for explaining. I was looking for the catch because it felt too good to be true.
Jun 10, 2021, 11:26 am
#483
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,770
Jun 12, 2021, 10:55 am
#484
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Got to use the new policy yesterday - decided to stay an extra day on my upcoming HNL-SFO-LAS roundtrip (now that I don't need Covid test to reenter Hawaii my travel plans are far more flexible) - the change resulted in a $39 FFC, so that is very good news. The bad news was my change online resulted in an error which required a call to reissue the ticket - the agent had difficulty - lengthy hold - and finally reissued. Overall the policy change very much worked in my favor.
Jun 14, 2021, 8:34 am
#485
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: FRA, JFK
Programs: BAEC GGL, A3*S, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,001
I find the website quite confusing when it comes to changing a flight.
My situation is the following one, I am on FRA-EWR-FRA in P (PNCDE60W), flew the outbound, and am now trying to have the return date changed (to 3 weeks prior).
I won't be in violation of any stay requirements whatsoever and even the itin itself is unchanged (UA960).
When changing the reservation on the website I was told that no fare difference applied but that I had to call in to have the ticket reissued.
Now I'm being told that I need to pay $54 in fare difference.
Maybe my reading of the fare rules is wrong, but doesn't the following mean that there shouldn't be a fare difference?
I checked how much a similar ticket would be when booked today using the ITA Matrix and the difference indeed comes out to $54.
The fare associated with PNCDE60W must've increased slightly in the meantime and YQ is also different (and taxes obviously).
I'm just trying to figure out whether I indeed have to pay the difference (i.e. the agent on the phone is right) or whether my understanding of the fare rules is correct.
My situation is the following one, I am on FRA-EWR-FRA in P (PNCDE60W), flew the outbound, and am now trying to have the return date changed (to 3 weeks prior).
I won't be in violation of any stay requirements whatsoever and even the itin itself is unchanged (UA960).
When changing the reservation on the website I was told that no fare difference applied but that I had to call in to have the ticket reissued.
Now I'm being told that I need to pay $54 in fare difference.
Maybe my reading of the fare rules is wrong, but doesn't the following mean that there shouldn't be a fare difference?
Code:
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
I checked how much a similar ticket would be when booked today using the ITA Matrix and the difference indeed comes out to $54.
The fare associated with PNCDE60W must've increased slightly in the meantime and YQ is also different (and taxes obviously).
I'm just trying to figure out whether I indeed have to pay the difference (i.e. the agent on the phone is right) or whether my understanding of the fare rules is correct.
Jun 14, 2021, 8:58 am
#486
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,365
I find the website quite confusing when it comes to changing a flight.
My situation is the following one, I am on FRA-EWR-FRA in P (PNCDE60W), flew the outbound, and am now trying to have the return date changed (to 3 weeks prior).
I won't be in violation of any stay requirements whatsoever and even the itin itself is unchanged (UA960).
When changing the reservation on the website I was told that no fare difference applied but that I had to call in to have the ticket reissued.
Now I'm being told that I need to pay $54 in fare difference.
Maybe my reading of the fare rules is wrong, but doesn't the following mean that there shouldn't be a fare difference?
I checked how much a similar ticket would be when booked today using the ITA Matrix and the difference indeed comes out to $54.
The fare associated with PNCDE60W must've increased slightly in the meantime and YQ is also different (and taxes obviously).
I'm just trying to figure out whether I indeed have to pay the difference (i.e. the agent on the phone is right) or whether my understanding of the fare rules is correct.
My situation is the following one, I am on FRA-EWR-FRA in P (PNCDE60W), flew the outbound, and am now trying to have the return date changed (to 3 weeks prior).
I won't be in violation of any stay requirements whatsoever and even the itin itself is unchanged (UA960).
When changing the reservation on the website I was told that no fare difference applied but that I had to call in to have the ticket reissued.
Now I'm being told that I need to pay $54 in fare difference.
Maybe my reading of the fare rules is wrong, but doesn't the following mean that there shouldn't be a fare difference?
Code:
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
I checked how much a similar ticket would be when booked today using the ITA Matrix and the difference indeed comes out to $54.
The fare associated with PNCDE60W must've increased slightly in the meantime and YQ is also different (and taxes obviously).
I'm just trying to figure out whether I indeed have to pay the difference (i.e. the agent on the phone is right) or whether my understanding of the fare rules is correct.
This does not feel like a change in fare to me -- if I look at historical prices for that fare, it's gone from €1425 in November to €1525 in January to €1625 in February, and seemingly held constant since then. (I didn't check every day, mind you, just a few scattered dates). $54 is about €45, which doesn't seem like a value that they'd be using, at least for the fare. (I don't know of a historic repository for YQ data -- the current YQ appears to be €412 RT).
Rather, this feels like a change in exchange rate. If the dollar has declined vs. the Euro since you bought your ticket, that might explain an odd number like $54. (Looking at a quick chart, if you bought your ticket in March, USD/EUR was at a peak, and it's dropped about 2% since then, which would roughly match the values you're displaying).
As to whether or not they're supposed to collect this -- I doubt it, but I don't know that I can prove it. But if you originally paid in Euro on a non-US card, and are calling the US number, I might try calling the German number and see if you get a different answer.
Jun 14, 2021, 9:14 am
#487
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: FRA, JFK
Programs: BAEC GGL, A3*S, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,001
Thank for looking into it.
Paid in USD with my US-issued credit card and was calling the US number.
I didn't think about exchange rates, that's a good point. Since the ticket is ex-DE if the fare is priced in EUR that would explain it.
I'll give the German number a try later. That's a good idea!
Paid in USD with my US-issued credit card and was calling the US number.
I didn't think about exchange rates, that's a good point. Since the ticket is ex-DE if the fare is priced in EUR that would explain it.
I'll give the German number a try later. That's a good idea!
Jun 14, 2021, 11:40 am
#489
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,770
There is no change fee for 016 UA Tickets for flights (note this may change tickets issued after 31 July 2021 for trips originating in Europe and other international locations when the ex-non-USA waiver expires). Applies to all carriers on 016 tickets (all thought it is a bit unclear how UA will handle non-codeshares - but that's UA's problem)
Jun 14, 2021, 12:36 pm
#490
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 410
There is no change fee for 016 UA Tickets for flights (note this may change tickets issued after 31 July 2021 for trips originating in Europe and other international locations when the ex-non-USA waiver expires). Applies to all carriers on 016 tickets (all thought it is a bit unclear how UA will handle non-codeshares - but that's UA's problem)
Jun 14, 2021, 12:48 pm
#491
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: FRA, JFK
Programs: BAEC GGL, A3*S, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,001
Thank for looking into it.
Paid in USD with my US-issued credit card and was calling the US number.
I didn't think about exchange rates, that's a good point. Since the ticket is ex-DE if the fare is priced in EUR that would explain it.
I'll give the German number a try later. That's a good idea!
Paid in USD with my US-issued credit card and was calling the US number.
I didn't think about exchange rates, that's a good point. Since the ticket is ex-DE if the fare is priced in EUR that would explain it.
I'll give the German number a try later. That's a good idea!
I explained that I didn't understand why and the person couldn't explain it either and just referred me to United's web support (she forwarded the call).
The person I got on the phone there (now in English and no longer in German, so must be a more cetralized department I guess) had no clue either and reached out to some other department on my behalf.
Ultimately they reissued (actuall, more like revalidated since the ticket number is unchanged) the ticket.
I asked again what the cause was but that person couldn't tell me either.
I think you're right, that this is an exchange rate issue, but I still don't get how their system works in the background.
The website shows no fare difference (well, it does but says that the payment required is $0).
$54 feels wrong on so many levels.
Even if there is a fare difference, why is the entire roundtrip repriced (since the new price is equal what United quotes for a ticket in the same fare bucket issued as of today)?
In my next life I'll be looking for a job in the industry, I really find it fascinating
Jun 14, 2021, 1:14 pm
#492
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,365
If that's the case, even though you already flew part of the journey, the whole ticket (including the part you flew) is being re-converted from NUC, and thus the exchange rate difference applies to the whole trip.
I'm still making a few guesses here, but I think that's what's happening.
At least you were able to get it waived, though.
Jun 20, 2021, 9:17 am
#493
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 947
Yes you get residual credit but you get a "different" type of FFC now, not an ETC
Last edited by djmp; Jun 20, 2021 at 11:41 am
Jun 22, 2021, 4:00 pm
#494
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,686
The fare is priced in Euro but stored in NUC, which is "neutral unit of conversion" (but where 1 USD = 1 NUC, so I don't understand the point). So, it's possible that even though the price didn't change, the underlying fare (measured in NUC) did, and so therefore they're detecting a fare difference.
Jun 22, 2021, 4:42 pm
#495
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,365
You could accomplish the same thing by allowing the fare itself to include a currency code, but that would presumably take a multi-billion-dollar retrofit.
Thanks!