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
Jul 24, 2021, 8:14 am
#601
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: UK
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 66
Follow up question.
The story so far:- My wife and I each have ETCs worth $275 (Total $550) expiring August 2021.
We each have further ETCs worth $1050 (Total $2100) expiring October 2021.
Thanks to FT contributors we now know that we can use ETCs for purchasing USA originating flights up to almost a year in advance. Furthermore we understand that we can cancel the flight(s) purchased with the ETCs in order to book the flight that we really want (once UK-US travel is allowed again) as long as the travel start date commences within 12 months of the previously purchased ticket.
So far so good.
My intention is to purchase flights in Aug and Oct which - when cancelled - would generate two FFCs. Would I be allowed to use both FFCs towards the purchase of a new itinerary?
I suspect not?
As my wife and I always travel together, my desire would be to have us both on the same PNR. This is so that when we have our seemingly inevitable travel problems that we are at least rebooked together.
At the moment I am assuming that I will need to purchase a $550 ticket in, say, my wife's name and later a $2100 ticket in my name. Later we would need to each cancel these and then each use our own FFC towards what would be individual tickets/PNRs? Is this correct?
Finally, would an agent be able to combine our individual tickets or somehow link them? Or would it be better to call an agent once we know the actual flights we want before we use our FFCs?
Thanks.
The story so far:- My wife and I each have ETCs worth $275 (Total $550) expiring August 2021.
We each have further ETCs worth $1050 (Total $2100) expiring October 2021.
Thanks to FT contributors we now know that we can use ETCs for purchasing USA originating flights up to almost a year in advance. Furthermore we understand that we can cancel the flight(s) purchased with the ETCs in order to book the flight that we really want (once UK-US travel is allowed again) as long as the travel start date commences within 12 months of the previously purchased ticket.
So far so good.
My intention is to purchase flights in Aug and Oct which - when cancelled - would generate two FFCs. Would I be allowed to use both FFCs towards the purchase of a new itinerary?
I suspect not?
As my wife and I always travel together, my desire would be to have us both on the same PNR. This is so that when we have our seemingly inevitable travel problems that we are at least rebooked together.
At the moment I am assuming that I will need to purchase a $550 ticket in, say, my wife's name and later a $2100 ticket in my name. Later we would need to each cancel these and then each use our own FFC towards what would be individual tickets/PNRs? Is this correct?
Finally, would an agent be able to combine our individual tickets or somehow link them? Or would it be better to call an agent once we know the actual flights we want before we use our FFCs?
Thanks.
Jul 24, 2021, 9:48 am
#602
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
If the ticket you end up changing to is less than $1325 each, you'll get the difference back in a form that can be used on new, two-person bookings.
Also, note that UA has currently been issuing new ETCs, with expiration two years from the current date, when someone cancels a refundable ticket purchased with ETC. So, if your $1325 ticket is refundable, you could try to take advantage of that to get a two-year extension, either by cancelling immediately or by cancelling toward the date of your placeholder flight. The latter approach gets you even more time, but it relies on UA continuing to issue brand new ETCs for refunds in this scenario.
No. Once you've started by creating two separate PNRs with the tickets in them, there's nothing that an agent can do to link them together as FFC. The only thing that would be possible would be a refund to an ETC and then starting from there.
Jul 25, 2021, 3:14 am
#603
Join Date: Apr 2021
Programs: Miles and more
Posts: 12
While UA has no cancellation fees for many bookings made directly with UA, however when using an OTA, they may have their own change fees, refund policies and/or other restrictions.
You can try to get UA to "takeover" the ticket, UA may do this but UA has been pushed by some large agencies to honor the role of the TA. In the past when UA would takeover the ticket it is charged a fee for doing this.
You can try to get UA to "takeover" the ticket, UA may do this but UA has been pushed by some large agencies to honor the role of the TA. In the past when UA would takeover the ticket it is charged a fee for doing this.
Jul 25, 2021, 7:39 am
#604
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,891
When you buy from a travel agent, you are agreeing to them managing the ticket. Some charge fees for making changes, because, well…this is how they make money. Others will just pass on the costs the airline charges, and charge for other things.
Jul 25, 2021, 9:17 am
#605
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: DUS
Programs: United-1K+2MM, Bonvoy-LifetimeGold,IHG-Diamond-Ambassador
Posts: 355
Ticketrules
I have a ticket booked in December 2020 for a flight in August 2021 from FRA to IAH. (I was a dreamer)
If I rebook this ticket to November 2021 (for example) does it hold the "change for free"-rule even if booked not by the 31th of July?
And even it priced higher?
Thanks in advance
If I rebook this ticket to November 2021 (for example) does it hold the "change for free"-rule even if booked not by the 31th of July?
And even it priced higher?
Thanks in advance
Jul 25, 2021, 10:31 am
#606
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
I have a ticket booked in December 2020 for a flight in August 2021 from FRA to IAH. (I was a dreamer)
If I rebook this ticket to November 2021 (for example) does it hold the "change for free"-rule even if booked not by the 31th of July?
And even it priced higher?
Thanks in advance
If I rebook this ticket to November 2021 (for example) does it hold the "change for free"-rule even if booked not by the 31th of July?
And even it priced higher?
Thanks in advance
A second change, in November, is trickier. Assuming that UA does not extend their "no changes" window for international origins beyond July 31, the answer depends upon whether or not a new fare was required. If the ticket price is higher, a new fare will definitely be required, and you will get the fare rules in effect on that higher ticket, including a fee for future changes.
Note that unless UA extends ticket validity again, travel needs to begin by one year after the date of your purchase -- so if you try November, and have to change it again, you may not be able to change it beyond December. You may be able to get a sympathetic agent to help you out, but it's not guaranteed.
Jul 25, 2021, 10:11 pm
#607
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,524
Assuming no cost difference between two one-ways, or perhaps meeting a Mile Play target, is there any benefit in booking a round trip nowadays? (e.g. ability to make changes to the return flight using historical fares).
Jul 25, 2021, 10:27 pm
#608
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
That is a potential benefit on most fares, yes (but read the fare rules to make sure). Furthermore, as part of using historical fares, it normally uses the original ticketing date for advance purchase calculations, meaning that you might be able to move a flight up a couple of days without having to pay the walk-up fare.
Jul 28, 2021, 8:20 am
#609
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
That is a potential benefit on most fares, yes (but read the fare rules to make sure). Furthermore, as part of using historical fares, it normally uses the original ticketing date for advance purchase calculations, meaning that you might be able to move a flight up a couple of days without having to pay the walk-up fare.
Jul 28, 2021, 1:18 pm
#610
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,891
$25 may not sound like much, but we usually travel as a family of 4. Which is $100 each trip, and this is usually 3 - 4 times per year. depending on the fare, the savings can be more. So this is another reason to book one ways to Canada - the no change fees just makes this even more of a no brained
Jul 28, 2021, 9:20 pm
#611
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,524
Jul 30, 2021, 3:36 pm
#612
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
The non-USA/Mexico/Caribbean change fee waiver has been extended to 30 September 2021.
So with the exception of BE fares, there are no change fees WorldWide for UA for tickets issued by 30 September 2021.
So with the exception of BE fares, there are no change fees WorldWide for UA for tickets issued by 30 September 2021.
Jul 31, 2021, 1:00 pm
#613
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 403
I'm confused.
I have a FFC worth $750
When I go to purchase a $500 ticket using the FFC it says the additional cost is $0 and when I click through it shows the ticket cost to be the full value of the FFC.
I thought FFC could be used to purchase multiple tickets.
Thanks for helping me understand.
ps fwiw the original $750 ticket was purchased using a $670 ETC plus $80 cash.
I have a FFC worth $750
When I go to purchase a $500 ticket using the FFC it says the additional cost is $0 and when I click through it shows the ticket cost to be the full value of the FFC.
I thought FFC could be used to purchase multiple tickets.
Thanks for helping me understand.
ps fwiw the original $750 ticket was purchased using a $670 ETC plus $80 cash.
Last edited by shdflyer; Jul 31, 2021 at 1:31 pm
Jul 31, 2021, 1:40 pm
#614
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
I'm confused.
I have a FFC worth $750
When I go to purchase a $500 ticket using the FFC it says the additional cost is $0 and when I click through it shows the ticket cost to be the full value of the FFC.
I thought FFC could be used to purchase multiple tickets.
Thanks for helping me understand.
ps fwiw the original $750 ticket was purchased using a $670 ETC plus $80 cash.
I have a FFC worth $750
When I go to purchase a $500 ticket using the FFC it says the additional cost is $0 and when I click through it shows the ticket cost to be the full value of the FFC.
I thought FFC could be used to purchase multiple tickets.
Thanks for helping me understand.
ps fwiw the original $750 ticket was purchased using a $670 ETC plus $80 cash.
However, after that experience, if I were in your situation, I'd call rather than trying to change it online. As we've seen, the online change system can be a little weird.
Jul 31, 2021, 1:49 pm
#615
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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I'm confused.
I have a FFC worth $750
When I go to purchase a $500 ticket using the FFC it says the additional cost is $0 and when I click through it shows the ticket cost to be the full value of the FFC.
I thought FFC could be used to purchase multiple tickets.
Thanks for helping me understand.
ps fwiw the original $750 ticket was purchased using a $670 ETC plus $80 cash.
I have a FFC worth $750
When I go to purchase a $500 ticket using the FFC it says the additional cost is $0 and when I click through it shows the ticket cost to be the full value of the FFC.
I thought FFC could be used to purchase multiple tickets.
Thanks for helping me understand.
ps fwiw the original $750 ticket was purchased using a $670 ETC plus $80 cash.
Some have reported this straightens out in the end, but I would just call instead.
You are correct, normally you should get a residual FFC for the decrease.
Is this a corner case, special conditions for either the original or new ticket? like Basic Economy?