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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Jul 19, 2022, 7:57 am

#541

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

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

Posts: 10,501

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbakker

As I understand it (but I haven't been able to find a website that says so) we earn points up until Dec 31 (for the next year's status) but our benefits don't end until Jan 31? Thanks.

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/premier/qualify.html

Quote:

Your progress toward status is measured by two types of qualifying activity earned during the calendar year (January 1 through December 31). Your status is valid from the day you qualify through the end of the program year:

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/premier.html

Quote:

2023 Premier status expires January 31, 2024.

rbakker likes this.

Jul 19, 2022, 9:06 am

#542

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

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

Posts: 14,410

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbakker

As I understand it (but I haven't been able to find a website that says so) we earn points up until Dec 31 (for the next year's status) but our benefits don't end until Jan 31? Thanks.

Yes - think of it like a one-month grace period while things like a Dec 31 flight post and/or you need to get missing credit.

jsloan and SPN Lifer like this.

Jul 19, 2022, 10:41 am

#543

tods27

Join Date: Jan 2003

Location: DEN

Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium

Posts: 3,930

Just want to confirm my assumptions. I'm looking at flights for next spring DEN-KGL and the best price for Premium Economy is UA DEN-LGA, SN JFK-BRU-KGL. I'm assuming that, if we check bags, we will have to collect them at LGA and re-check them with SN at JFK, correct? The last time I did a connection even remotely like this was LH to JFK and UA out of LGA and I didn't have any checked bags. The absolute cheapest option is only a 2 hour connection, which I'm throwing out as too short (especially if we have to collect bags). The next cheapest is 3:40 and much more comfortable.

Jul 19, 2022, 10:48 am

#544

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,396

Quote:

Originally Posted by tods27

Yes, that's accurate.

tods27 likes this.

Jul 19, 2022, 2:18 pm

#545

JimInOhio

Join Date: Jun 2014

Programs: UA MM

Posts: 4,122

Quote:

Originally Posted by tods27

What day of the week and approximate time would you be making that connection? What’s your risk tolerance, too? It’s a very feasible transfer and I’ve done it in reverse once. I wouldn’t attempt it with anything less than that 3:40 gap, though.

Jul 19, 2022, 3:55 pm

#546

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

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

Posts: 10,501

1 hour: Q70 bus -> E train -> Airtrain

Jul 21, 2022, 8:49 am

#547

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

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

Posts: 10,501

Looking to change an already booked itinerary to a different date, as well as different origin/destination. Wholly US domestic one-way travel.

Does it make a difference between:

1) cancel, take flight credit, and book new flight using the credit
2) change flight and pay differences

TIA!

Jul 21, 2022, 8:50 am

#548

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,396

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

Any credit card benefits may not apply with #1. Other than that, they should work out identically, except that you're more likely to run into faring problems that require a phone call with option 2.

SPN Lifer and Repooc17 like this.

Jul 21, 2022, 10:37 am

#549

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,450

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

Any credit card benefits may not apply with #1. Other than that, they should work out identically, except that you're more likely to run into faring problems that require a phone call with option 2.

Yeah, don't do #2 without checking what the fare would be for the new booking. The pricing is often wrong (too high) when you use the change flights function.

jsloan, SPN Lifer and Repooc17 like this.

Jul 21, 2022, 2:57 pm

#550

chizzle

Join Date: May 2022

Posts: 4

If I get on the waitlist for an MileagePlus upgrade to Polaris class, but change to another flight, does my waitlist status get moved over to the new flight? Or do I get the pts + copay refunded and I have to request a new upgrade?

Jul 21, 2022, 3:12 pm

#551

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: 66,846

Quote:

Originally Posted by chizzle

If I get on the waitlist for an MileagePlus upgrade to Polaris class, but change to another flight, does my waitlist status get moved over to the new flight? ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by chizzle

... Or do I get the pts + copay refunded and I have to request a new upgrade?

yes

Jul 22, 2022, 4:24 pm

#552

NJSkeeter

Join Date: Sep 2020

Posts: 4

I booked two roundtrip flights using miles and yesterday I changed both flights which resulted in me getting 13,700 miles back to my account. How long should I expect to wait for them to end up back in my account? They're not there yet and I can't seem to get a straight answer anywhere.

Jul 22, 2022, 4:26 pm

#553

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,396

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSkeeter

Generally it’s immediate; when it’s not, it may take a few days. If you need them immediately, you can contact the MileagePlus Service Center during their business hours and they can expedite the redeposit.

Jul 22, 2022, 4:32 pm

#554

NJSkeeter

Join Date: Sep 2020

Posts: 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

Awesome thanks. I've gotten answers ranging from 24 hours to 14 business days and could use them sooner rather than later.

jsloan likes this.

Jul 22, 2022, 6:20 pm

#555

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: 66,846

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJSkeeter

Awesome thanks. I've gotten answers ranging from 24 hours to 14 business days and could use them sooner rather than later.

In the worse case those can be correct, but it is rarely a day unless the transactions needs to be reviewed and even then, 2-3 days in most cases. At a week I would be calling regardless and if a need exists sooner.