Feb 12, 2022, 11:13 pm

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, 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 [2022]

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May 9, 2022, 9:49 am

#301

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: 66,832

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksprat

Hi all - newbie to United but have secured Gold through a status match which I should easily be able to keep. My questions are as follows:

How do upgrades work for Transatlantic flights? Obviously I've got the options for Cash and Miles+Cash in my booking. What does the "Waitlist" do for me as a Gold member? Do complementary upgrades tend to happen at the airport if I ask?

Thanks!

As mentioned no CPU on TATL and the chance for a Gold waitlisted request is poor. There can be space on booking for a few locations but once waitlisted, higher elites are more likely to clear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkerr

Regarding access to UA's lounge. Do I need to be flying UA in order to use the lounge? I have their lounge access c.c.
Thanks

For accessing UCs you need to be flying UA or *A partner that day, And without status / membership, it needs to be the departing flight
Club member/one-time pass access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner)

May 9, 2022, 9:55 am

#302

pkerr

Join Date: May 2002

Location: St Louis, MO

Programs: AA L.T. PLT

Posts: 3,276

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

As mentioned no CPU on TATL and the chance for a Gold waitlisted request is poor. There can be space on booking for a few locations but once waitlisted, higher elites are more likely to clear.

For accessing UCs you need to be flying UA or *A partner that day, And without status / membership, it needs to be the departing flight
Club member/one-time pass access changes Nov 1, 2019 (same day BP on UA or partner)

Darn... Oh well. Thanks for the info.

May 9, 2022, 10:09 am

#303

EJRofChicago

Join Date: May 2022

Location: Arlington, Virginia

Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Aeroplan 25k, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold

Posts: 194

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkerr

Regarding access to UA's lounge. Do I need to be flying UA in order to use the lounge? I have their lounge access c.c.
Thanks

You'll need to have a boarding pass for United OR another Star Alliance carrier departing that day.

May 12, 2022, 4:47 pm

#304

Missylob

Join Date: May 2022

Posts: 7

Odd question

Hey, first time poster and not a very frequent flyer.
Wondering if FA/pilots are allowed to take food gifts from passengers?
I’m a farmer from WI and plan on bringing fresh cheese curds on my international flights across the world for myself to snack on, wondering if WI cheese curds are something the flight crews I encounter would enjoy receiving or if they are even allowed to accept something like that?
I’d be getting them straight from my milk factory so they’d be labeled but in a bag with a twist tie. Thanks for any response!

May 12, 2022, 4:53 pm

#305

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: 66,832

Welcome to FT!, Missylob

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missylob

....
Wondering if FA/pilots are allowed to take food gifts from passengers?
I’m a farmer from WI and plan on bringing fresh cheese curds on my international flights across the world for myself to snack on, wondering if WI cheese curds are something the flight crews I encounter would enjoy receiving or if they are even allowed to accept something like that?
I’d be getting them straight from my milk factory so they’d be labeled but in a bag with a twist tie. Thanks for any response!

Kind of you to think of the crew.

You may find the crews a bit reluctant to take non-sealed non-branded goods. Unfortunately in this day and age, one does need to be careful accepting items from stranger

Missylob likes this.

May 12, 2022, 5:49 pm

#306

UAFAM

Join Date: Apr 2018

Posts: 572

TSA should be ok with it, but take them out of your carry on bags, and put them in a separate bins (Incase if TSA decides to examine them).

May 12, 2022, 6:03 pm

#307

sfvoyage

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: San Francisco

Posts: 2,343

If I redeem my UA miles for a SQ ticket, can I cancel the award booking at any time prior to departure date for a refund of miles & taxes? Is there still a mileage redeposit fee? (I'm UA Gold. Couldn't find the fees chart on united.com)

May 12, 2022, 6:35 pm

#308

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: 66,832

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfvoyage

Award ticketing options/service fees
If you cancel more than 30 days in advance of travel there are no fees to redeposit

If inside the 30 days prior to travel, you can change to ticket to a date 31 days out abd then cancel. If not originating from USA there may be a fee to make the change. Fees are reduced for UA Gold.

May 12, 2022, 6:52 pm

#309

Missylob

Join Date: May 2022

Posts: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

Welcome to FT!, Missylob

Kind of you to think of the crew.

You may find the crews a bit reluctant to take non-sealed non-branded goods. Unfortunately in this day and age, one does need to be careful accepting items from stranger

Thats what I figured, sad we live in the sorta age where you have to worry about people killing you with cheese or food lol.

Never be able to fly in anything but UAs 31” economy but I think it may be us back in the cramped seats that appreciate the crew the most, they got a really hard job keeping 200+ uncomfortable people happy for 15-17 hrs lol. And I’m in awe of pilots after going down the aviation video rabbit hole.
Telling them thank you don’t seem like enough to me but not sure what I could do to show how much I appreciate the flight crew?

May 12, 2022, 6:58 pm

#310

UAFAM

Join Date: Apr 2018

Posts: 572

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missylob

Telling them thank you don’t seem like enough to me but not sure what I could do to show how much I appreciate the flight crew?

They LOVE Starbucks/Dunkin Gift cards!

Missylob likes this.

May 12, 2022, 8:24 pm

#311

Missylob

Join Date: May 2022

Posts: 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAFAM

They LOVE Starbucks/Dunkin Gift cards!

Thats a great idea!! Thank you!!! I wasn’t sure if those sorta things were allowed or not. Thanks again😁

May 12, 2022, 8:37 pm

#312

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,406

Quote:

Originally Posted by Missylob

I’m a farmer from WI and plan on bringing fresh cheese curds on my international flights across the world for myself to snack on, wondering if WI cheese curds are something the flight crews I encounter would enjoy receiving or if they are even allowed to accept something like that?

Cheeses are usually fine, but make sure you read the customs protocols for your destination(s) if you plan on carrying food like that.

May 12, 2022, 9:33 pm

#313

mahasamatman

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2004

Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)

Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis

Posts: 52,134

Quote:

Originally Posted by findark

Cheeses are usually fine

Specifically hard cheeses. Soft cheeses can be problematic.

May 13, 2022, 2:30 am

#314

lsquare

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Mar 2010

Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG

Posts: 19,896

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahasamatman

Specifically hard cheeses. Soft cheeses can be problematic.

Why?

May 13, 2022, 5:24 am

#315

VRFast

Join Date: Dec 2019

Location: IAH

Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite

Posts: 698

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahasamatman

Specifically hard cheeses. Soft cheeses can be problematic.

For TSA this is a good site: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-...tcanibring/all

Back a couple of years our jar of peanut butter was "arrested" at the TSA checkpoint, but it sounds like TSA is getting better at "common sense" food items being safe. Better scanning equipment perpaps?