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

These are the two rules for this thread:

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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Sep 22, 2022, 10:57 am

#736

Johhny5Alive

Join Date: Oct 2018

Programs: United

Posts: 35

I hope this is an easy question...

If I obtain United Gold status, I will be awarded Marriot Gold status. Can I use Marriot Gold to status match for Hilton?

Sep 22, 2022, 2:36 pm

#737

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: 52,140

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johhny5Alive

Can I use Marriot Gold to status match for Hilton?

That's a question for the Hilton forum. Hilton may ask for proof of stays to qualify for a match (if they even do matches), or they may not even match Marriott Gold to anything.

jsloan likes this.

Sep 22, 2022, 2:48 pm

#738

Johhny5Alive

Join Date: Oct 2018

Programs: United

Posts: 35

Thank you for your response! I will move repost on the Hilton forum.

Sep 23, 2022, 9:34 am

#739

EmailKid

Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now

Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold

Posts: 14,429

AC cancelled my return flight, so now I only have outbound (separate tickets).

Outbound is AC ticket with first leg in a few days on UA, and I upgraded with miles to FC.

Are the miles gone for good, or can I CX the upgrade and get the miles back? (doubt I can get money back for AC original ticket).

Sep 23, 2022, 10:01 am

#740

WineCountryUA

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmailKid

... Are the miles gone for good, or can I CX the upgrade and get the miles back? (doubt I can get money back for AC original ticket).

If you cancel the segment, the miles will be returned

To downgrade a upgrade can be done at the gate but you are at the mercy of remaining economy seats

To downgrade before day of travel is difficult on a UA ticket, not sure it is possible if on a non-US ticket

EmailKid likes this.

Sep 26, 2022, 7:33 pm

#741

EmailKid

Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2002

Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now

Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold

Posts: 14,429

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

If you cancel the segment, the miles will be returned
.....

Well, turns out AC screwed up their onward flight, and after AC agent fiddled with it for a while, it looked like it was not going to be easy to fix, so it was CXed (the whole ticket).

Three days later, no refund of miles, so I spent an hour (OK 58 min 25 sec) on the phone with UA, but finally got the miles back. Did not want to risk this falling through the cracks as I do not know if miles refund is supposed to be automatic.

Sep 27, 2022, 3:12 am

#742

kabochya

Join Date: Nov 2016

Posts: 4

If I book a multi-city ticket with the excursionist perk SFO-EWR, GVA-LCY, SEA-SFO, what am I expected to pay in fees if I change the second and third leg after I already start the first leg? Does the "originating from US" cover all legs or it is per leg?

Sep 27, 2022, 9:22 am

#743

WineCountryUA

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabochya

You should be fine, depending on award availability.

Additionally at the moment UA is not charging on any award changes regardless of originating location.

Best not to use an agent, if you can avoid, as the use of excursion perks might not be considered in the spirit of what UA intended.

jsloan and SPN Lifer like this.

Sep 27, 2022, 12:45 pm

#744

cajunguy

Join Date: May 2014

Location: LAX

Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB

Posts: 537

Does anyone know what time during the day United post their flights? Right now I'm looking on their schedule/calendar and it's through Aug 30, 2023. Tomorrow they'll post Aug 31, 2023.....but at what time?

Sep 27, 2022, 12:49 pm

#745

WineCountryUA

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajunguy

A bit after midnight Chicago time. Generally not a good idea to purchase as the first few days tend to be full fares and the idea that award space or upgrade space is released then is generally outdated

cajunguy likes this.

Sep 27, 2022, 1:36 pm

#746

cajunguy

Join Date: May 2014

Location: LAX

Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB

Posts: 537

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

Trying to plan out a trip to Japan later next Autumn and right now I can see UA flights until Aug 30. I want to go mid to late Sept. Will be looking for award space, 2 seats, west coast. I really don't want to miss out on snagging those 2 seats if I can even if it means being online at midnight central time.

Is there a lag in days/hours for award space release?

Sep 27, 2022, 1:45 pm

#747

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,419

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajunguy

If you mean at "standard" (high) levels, they have last-seat availability. You can get an award ticket on any flight United flies.

If you mean at "saver" levels -- that's what WineCountryUA was saying. The days of routinely including saver award space on flights at T-330 went away years ago. There might be saver space, but there's no real reason to think that there will be. There aren't any saver awards on the August 30th flights (at least in the quick search I did ex-ORD), and I promise you it's not because a bunch of people stayed up until midnight to grab them all.

Cheaper inventory might arrive after days, weeks, months, or never. They open it if they think they'll have extra seats they can't sell.

SPN Lifer and cajunguy like this.

Sep 27, 2022, 2:42 pm

#748

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

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

Posts: 56,480

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

Cheaper inventory might arrive after days, weeks, months, or never. They open it if they think they'll have extra seats they can't sell.

For UA saver business to Japan, "never" gets my vote.

SPN Lifer likes this.

Oct 1, 2022, 3:27 am

#749

terrapin_flyer

Join Date: Oct 2006

Programs: SPG, OnePass, AAdvantage

Posts: 11

Award Ticket Missing Redposit / Service Center

I had an award ticket (United ticketed / AC metal) that was the second leg of an RT award that I cancelled on the phone with agent due to a family emergency. (I subsequently purchased a ticket to a different location). The agent cancelled my ticket and told me that my miles would be redeposited within 6 weeks. They have yet to be redeposited and it's been 8 weeks.

(1) Is this typical?
(2) Is the best remedy to call the Service Center?
(3) I am a Platinum today but will be a 1K next week. Any reason to wait or is there just one service center for everyone?

Thank you!

Oct 1, 2022, 8:35 am

#750

WineCountryUA

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsaroff

~~No but the redeposit will show at the date of booking, not the date of cancellation~~

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsaroff

(2) Is the best remedy to call the Service Center?
(3) I am a Platinum today but will be a 1K next week. Any reason to wait or is there just one service center for everyone? ...

~~Calling MPSC is better than Reservations and there is really just one set of MPSC agents but the wait might be less as a 1K vs Plat. I would not wait.~~

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 1, 2022 at 10:18 pm Reason: missed it was partially flown