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.

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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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Oct 24, 2022, 2:37 pm

#826

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

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

Posts: 56,470

Quote:

Originally Posted by fattygoose

First time flying trans-atlantic from SFO to AMS. I saw there are 3 possible connecting hubs (ORD, EWR, IAH) with similar schedule/flight time.
I'm wondering if there is any obvious pros/cons for choosing one hub over another, e.g. on-time rate, polaris upgrade chance, luggage handling, lounge, etc.

IAH is much less prone to delays than either ORD or EWR.

Oct 24, 2022, 2:53 pm

#827

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

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

Posts: 10,515

Quote:

Originally Posted by fattygoose

What are nonstop options like?

Oct 24, 2022, 3:03 pm

#828

fumje

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 11,469

Quote:

Originally Posted by fattygoose

On upgrade: I think chance of clearing is best from EWR, more difficult ORD or IAH. Eastbound TATL is always a bit tough, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

IAH is much less prone to delays than either ORD or EWR.

Better for sleep too (if in J).

Oct 24, 2022, 3:16 pm

#829

fattygoose

Join Date: Apr 2019

Programs: UA

Posts: 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

What are nonstop options like?

UA has no non-stop SFO-AMS. I wanted to fly UA because I want to use up PlusPoints, so my options are SFO - EWR/IAH/ORD - AMS.

Oct 24, 2022, 3:25 pm

#830

Lux Flyer

Join Date: May 2017

Posts: 2,281

Quote:

Originally Posted by fattygoose

UA has no non-stop SFO-AMS. I wanted to fly UA because I want to use up PlusPoints, so my options are SFO - EWR/IAH/ORD - AMS.

Why not SFO-FRA on UA and FRA-AMS on LH (UA*)?

Oct 24, 2022, 3:30 pm

#831

fattygoose

Join Date: Apr 2019

Programs: UA

Posts: 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux Flyer

Why not SFO-FRA on UA and FRA-AMS on LH (UA*)?

I'm entering with Schengen visa. I heard if the entry airport is not the country you have visa with, it would raise questions later on. (It's legal but just invites unnecessarily questions)

Oct 24, 2022, 4:12 pm

#832

DCBound2016

Join Date: Apr 2016

Posts: 64

I’ll be on UA989 on 10/29 from IAD to FRA. My booking shows a 6:15pm departure and a 7:10am arrival. I have another flight to a non EU country at 8:30am in FRA so I’m a little concerned with the connection (not checking a bag).

The past few days, UA989 have been leaving at 5:25 pm and landing at 7:25am, so unsure how a 6:15 pm dept time could make it shorter. Any insight? Thanks!

Oct 24, 2022, 4:21 pm

#833

JimInOhio

Join Date: Jun 2014

Programs: UA MM

Posts: 4,130

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCBound2016

It's not shorter. Germany will change to Standard Time while your flight is in the air.

SPN Lifer likes this.

Oct 24, 2022, 4:22 pm

#834

DCBound2016

Join Date: Apr 2016

Posts: 64

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimInOhio

It's not shorter. Germany will change to Standard Time while your flight is in the air.

thank you!

Oct 25, 2022, 5:35 am

#835

absdotan99

Join Date: Jan 2015

Posts: 54

In the past, I used to book LH or LX flights through united.com and get better PQP. Now this option is blocked, can't book any LH or LX flights through united.com. Any reason for that?

Oct 25, 2022, 6:16 am

#836

angetenar

Join Date: Feb 2022

Location: LAX

Programs: UA

Posts: 1,535

Quote:

Originally Posted by absdotan99

In the past, I used to book LH or LX flights through united.com and get better PQP. Now this option is blocked, can't book any LH or LX flights through united.com. Any reason for that?

Do you have an example of such flights that you would book? Can you pull up the flights with Google Flights and then click through to United and book that way?

findark likes this.

Oct 25, 2022, 6:30 am

#837

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

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

Posts: 10,515

Quote:

Originally Posted by absdotan99

In the past, I used to book LH or LX flights through united.com and get better PQP. Now this option is blocked, can't book any LH or LX flights through united.com. Any reason for that?

016 tickets (United issued) will always be based on the fare you paid for PQP purposes on United.com
Not sure what you are referring to about higher or lower PQP.

Oct 25, 2022, 7:31 am

#838

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 absdotan99

In the past, I used to book LH or LX flights through united.com and get better PQP. Now this option is blocked, can't book any LH or LX flights through united.com. Any reason for that?

LH/LX flights solely in Europe trips can not be booked on UA/016 tickets, the LH group prevented that years ago.

Also some non-codeshare LH/LX are difficult to book, Google Flights can usually be used to get those. Again this is not new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

016 tickets (United issued) will always be based on the fare you paid for PQP purposes on United.com
Not sure what you are referring to about higher or lower PQP.

Cheaper and more expensive partner fares usually earn better when using 016 UA tickets. Mid-level better as partner tickets. The precise breakpoints vary depending of fare, fare class, distance and partner type.

Oct 25, 2022, 7:32 am

#839

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

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

Posts: 14,423

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

016 tickets (United issued) will always be based on the fare you paid for PQP purposes on United.com
Not sure what you are referring to about higher or lower PQP.

I assume a case where the fare is higher than the PQP for an LH flight on 220 stock.

Oct 25, 2022, 11:52 am

#840

hightide

Join Date: Nov 2010

Programs: IHG Platinum

Posts: 1,066

CGK-USA costs 44K miles one way and USA-CGK costs 44K miles one way.
However, when I book a return trip CGK-USA & USA-CGK using the exact same flights that I was quoted 44K each way, in the end, UA only charged me 84K miles. What triggers the 4K mile discount?