Jan 20, 2021, 12:13 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Welcome to this thread to ask your basic, simple questions about United Airlines, its operations, or the MileagePlus program. We know that the airline is complex and we’ve created this thread for new and veteran members to ask those basic questions about United Airlines that you think must have an easy answer but just can’t find it or aren’t sure where to look.

UA Moderator Team
Ocn Vw 1K, l'etoile, J.Edward, goalie, Pat89339, WineCountryUA

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Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to a new / existing thread if appropriate.
Any member who can post a constructive, patient answer is welcome to reply.

Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2021]

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Mar 5, 2021, 1:31 pm

#46

miasmal

Join Date: Oct 2013

Location: KEWR

Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Exec, GE/Nexus

Posts: 501

If I check a luggage and the flight gets cancelled (eg. mechanical problem), do they offload the luggage back down to claim? There are 3 situations I can think of: (1) I get rebooked onto a later flight that day; (2) I get rebooked onto a flight the next day; (3) I don't get automatically rebooked and am in limbo. How will I know whether to search for my luggage or if it's retagged to another flight?

Mar 5, 2021, 1:36 pm

#47

fumje

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 11,464

Quote:

Originally Posted by miasmal

They don't just automatically send it to baggage claim. In any of those situations you're best advised to talk to an agent at the airport and confirm that they are doing whatever it is you want (return it to you or retag with your new flight). You can also track your bags with the app (view your reservation, look for the track bags button) just to confirm what is happening, although it doesn't work flawlessly.

jsloan likes this.

Mar 7, 2021, 9:43 pm

#48

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold

Posts: 10,514

Anyone know the purpose of flight 2695 tomorrow (Monday, March 8, 2021)? https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...210Z/KIAD/KIAD

It looks like the plane flew last a week ago. So this is taking the plane back in the sky for a quick run before putting it back on revenue service (the following day)?

Mar 8, 2021, 5:44 am

#49

fumje

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 11,464

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

I see cancelled from United's status:

Quote:

Mar 8, 2021, 9:56 am

#50

PDXpress

Join Date: Apr 2007

Location: MFR

Programs: Alaska MVP, Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 714

Where does one find all the flights United has on the schedule, including sold out flights?
After the schedule changes last weekend, I'm on UA 4699 PSP-SFO on April 25. That's 7 weeks from now, but is sold out(?) and doesn't show up on a flight search. How do I know that flight really exists?

Mar 8, 2021, 10:35 am

#51

WineCountryUA

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: 66,856

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXpress

One way is to use a service with GDS access such as ExpertFlyer or KVS. Or calling UA and asking.

UA 4699 PSP-SFO on April 25, does appear on still scheduled per EF and inventory is zero'ed out and all seats are occupied or blocked

Another method is to use UA's Flight Status. Normally that will only show the upcoming couple of days, but if you change your device's date to the day before, Flight Status will allow you to investigate those dates. And switch you device back afterwards.

But if it still shows in your bookings, it is still on the schedule.

SPN Lifer and PDXpress like this.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 8, 2021 at 11:08 am Reason: Flight Status method

Mar 8, 2021, 8:57 pm

#52

NYCRachel

Join Date: Jan 2014

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Posts: 385

Trying to book award travel through United to Tokyo from NYC in October. Getting this error message:

It’s possible that because of reduced flight schedules, United or our partner airlines might not fly to some destinations or may only fly on certain days of the week. You can use the calendar below to select another date that may have availability.

Any ideas?

Mar 8, 2021, 9:33 pm

#53

WineCountryUA

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: 66,856

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCRachel

Trying to book award travel through United to Tokyo from NYC in October. Getting this error message:

It’s possible that because of reduced flight schedules, United or our partner airlines might not fly to some destinations or may only fly on certain days of the week. You can use the calendar below to select another date that may have availability.

Any ideas?

It appears the awards booking system is down, I get the same for EWR-SFO or EWR-NRT when selecting Flexible days. But OK if I enter specific days -- are you using the Flexible day search?

Also, are you using city codes NYC, TYO or airport codes EWR, NRT?

NYCRachel likes this.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 8, 2021 at 10:00 pm Reason: two typos

Mar 8, 2021, 9:48 pm

#54

SPN Lifer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Mar 2002

Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)

Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum

Posts: 15,053

Tokyo = TYO

Mar 8, 2021, 10:26 pm

#55

NYCRachel

Join Date: Jan 2014

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Posts: 385

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

I'm using NYC and TYO so I get all the local airports.

Mar 8, 2021, 10:34 pm

#56

WineCountryUA

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: 66,856

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCRachel

I'm using NYC and TYO so I get all the local airports.

That has been known to create issues, it can work but be aware it is not 100% trust worthy

But I suspect the Flexible Dates is the problem in this case

Mar 8, 2021, 10:38 pm

#57

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold

Posts: 10,514

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumje

I see cancelled from United's status:

It's been rescheduled from UA2695 (on Monday, March 7, 2021) to UA2694 (on Tuesday, March 8, 2021) - I think it's some kind of training flight.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...010Z/KIAD/KIAD

Mar 8, 2021, 11:13 pm

#58

NYCRachel

Join Date: Jan 2014

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Posts: 385

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

Thanks. Removing flexible dates worked. I cannot believe how primitive some of these systems are still in 2021!

SPN Lifer likes this.

Mar 10, 2021, 12:04 pm

#59

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold

Posts: 10,514

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

It's been rescheduled from UA2695 (on Monday, March 7, 2021) to UA2694 (on Tuesday, March 8, 2021) - I think it's some kind of training flight.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...010Z/KIAD/KIAD

In case anyone else is interested, the plane (N18220) finally took off after multiple days of cancellation, as flight #2696

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...510Z/KIAD/KIAD

Mar 10, 2021, 12:25 pm

#60

WineCountryUA

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: 66,856

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

In case anyone else is interested, the plane (N18220) finally took off after multiple days of cancellation, as flight #2696

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...510Z/KIAD/KIAD

Given that aircraft 737-800W # 3220, N18220 had not flown since 28 Feb and was the aircraft planned for the IAD-IAD flight on the 8th, I'm going to speculate this was a check flight for the aircraft after some maintenance before putting back into service. Now scheduled for MCO later today as UA2722, a ferry? flight to the MCO service center??

Repooc17 likes this.