United changed my saver award flight and set me up to fail - entitled to a free swap?
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
AFAIK, that's a permanent change. When I went through last month I saw the immigration officer give someone a bright card (similar to what they use for people with Pre-check going through a normal line) which I can only but presume meant that the person had to go through customs checks - but I have no idea how that is actually enforced, and what's to stop the person simply leaving the card behind?
Even before this change, the customs line was never more than a few minutes long - unless you were sent off to be inspected in which case it could be a very different story.
Even before this change, the customs line was never more than a few minutes long - unless you were sent off to be inspected in which case it could be a very different story.
David
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,446
Without GE, it is absolutely possible to get stuck at the end of a long line at SFO. Just check the CBP data (https://awt.cbp.gov/). While average wait time is usually under 20 minutes, maximum wait time (for those are unlucky and arrive at the wrong time or are sitting at the back of the plane) regularly extends 30-90 minutes. The security lines can also be really bad for those without Pre. I entered at G last evening around 6 pm and the regular line looked to be 20 minutes+.
#34
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: ANC, NYC
Posts: 327
For those of us who booked the 60k biz awards, would you approach an adverse schedule change any differently? My SYD-SFO-EWR has dropped to a 95 min connection, which I see should be fine, but any tighter and I'd start to sweat.
#35
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
True, but the max is the worst case. Most times of day the average to clear is below 30min. If the OP is most likely to fit the worst case, i.e. sitting at the back of the plane, walking slowly, non-US passport, no trusted traveller — entirely possible — then the new connection (as noted, below MCT) could be inadvisable. But I do still believe that for most passengers in most situations, 75min is adequate at SFO to make the connection without extraordinary measures. Anyway, it's getting a bit academic at this point.
Not if I had GE and Pre and am not checking a bag. That scenario, I'd expect to be at the gate no longer than 25 minutes after the door opens. Add 30 minutes if you're checking a bag - should still be plenty of time. No GE/Pre, that's when the concern arises.
#36
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,760
as those are both UA operated and there are frequent SFO-EWR, if it gets too tight, just call and get on a later SFO-EWR. Will be no problem in UA providing extra inventory.
#37
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,932
JN is always available unless the J cabin is sold out. UA will change you to a later flight.
#38
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,760
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,962
see wiki
Hotels? for 1K irrops (WX, MX, ...)? [Consolidated Q&A 2015-forward]
It's not really on any publicized *alliance/United page, other than the (could be outdated?) *Alliance employee manual
Probably better to rely on trip insurance (credit card or otherwise paid imaurance
Hotels? for 1K irrops (WX, MX, ...)? [Consolidated Q&A 2015-forward]
It's not really on any publicized *alliance/United page, other than the (could be outdated?) *Alliance employee manual
Probably better to rely on trip insurance (credit card or otherwise paid imaurance
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,350
Will be plenty of time. Baggage is usually efficient at SFO and terminals are close. In unlikely event it doesn’t work just have a backup plan ready for the LAX flight.
of course the best strategy which I always follow is to use GE and never check luggage. I’m usually out of customs in 5 minutes.
of course the best strategy which I always follow is to use GE and never check luggage. I’m usually out of customs in 5 minutes.
OP: Call UA, point out that 75 minutes is below minimum connection time, and ask for your preferred solution, whether that's an earlier flight from Asia, flying through a different gateway, or ending travel in LAX. Search the UA site for available awards and ignore the number of miles they're asking for.
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,715
The thing is, it's not plenty of time. Not because a passenger will or will not be able to make the flight -- because UA won't even allow him to check in. The ticket will be flagged as being below MCT.
OP: Call UA, point out that 75 minutes is below minimum connection time, and ask for your preferred solution, whether that's an earlier flight from Asia, flying through a different gateway, or ending travel in LAX. Search the UA site for available awards and ignore the number of miles they're asking for.
OP: Call UA, point out that 75 minutes is below minimum connection time, and ask for your preferred solution, whether that's an earlier flight from Asia, flying through a different gateway, or ending travel in LAX. Search the UA site for available awards and ignore the number of miles they're asking for.
Of course there are times when 75 minutes would not be sufficient. All I can do is share my experience at my home airport. I have been through SFO customs at least 100x in the past 2 decades. Without checked bags I am literally curbside within 5-10 minutes of deplaning most of the time thanks to Global Entry. Without GE I have known people who waited anywhere from 0-120 minutes. A complete roll of the dice. And for sure checked bags can easily take 30 minutes, which may miss the cutoff for the next flight.
Now on the other side I have (conservatively) been through TSA security at SFO 500x in the past 2 decades (many domestic trips) and with Clear it has never taken me more than 5-10 minutes at a domestic checkpoint and usually far less time. I DK how long it takes for non trusted travelers but my estimate would be 0-20 minutes depending on the terminal and TOD.
So the point - for OP and the many others who come here for advice - is that 75 minutes is easily achievable and in fact provides a small margin for error if you travel without checked bag and the right trusted traveler status. However, it may not provide sufficient time for those who insist on checking baggage, or who can't (or won't) shell a few $$ for precheck or Clear.
#42
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,760
In giving advice to an average traveler, you need to factor in their lack of familiarity with SFO and the process, even for those with GE if not a 100 time user, it takes a little fumbling around and many are not eligible or regular enough to justify the GE process and interview (the first time), and as is clear when you past the bag carousal, many arrining have check bags.
So there is a huge difference between the 100 trip SFO international road warriors vs the average traveler. The 100 trip SFO international road warriors does not come here for advice, soI assume the ones asking advice might be slower than my best time.
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,350
I will certainly defer on MCT questions since I never have encountered that problem. Nor can I opinine on how UA will handle the adjustment process though I find that very hit or miss when I've had other problems like rebooking flights that are cancelled well in advance.
Of course there are times when 75 minutes would not be sufficient. All I can do is share my experience at my home airport. I have been through SFO customs at least 100x in the past 2 decades. Without checked bags I am literally curbside within 5-10 minutes of deplaning most of the time thanks to Global Entry. Without GE I have known people who waited anywhere from 0-120 minutes. A complete roll of the dice. And for sure checked bags can easily take 30 minutes, which may miss the cutoff for the next flight.
Of course there are times when 75 minutes would not be sufficient. All I can do is share my experience at my home airport. I have been through SFO customs at least 100x in the past 2 decades. Without checked bags I am literally curbside within 5-10 minutes of deplaning most of the time thanks to Global Entry. Without GE I have known people who waited anywhere from 0-120 minutes. A complete roll of the dice. And for sure checked bags can easily take 30 minutes, which may miss the cutoff for the next flight.
Now on the other side I have (conservatively) been through TSA security at SFO 500x in the past 2 decades (many domestic trips) and with Clear it has never taken me more than 5-10 minutes at a domestic checkpoint and usually far less time. I DK how long it takes for non trusted travelers but my estimate would be 0-20 minutes depending on the terminal and TOD.
So the point - for OP and the many others who come here for advice - is that 75 minutes is easily achievable and in fact provides a small margin for error if you travel without checked bag and the right trusted traveler status. However, it may not provide sufficient time for those who insist on checking baggage, or who can't (or won't) shell a few $$ for precheck or Clear.
That said, the vast majority of international travelers check luggage. And that was the crux of my advice -- MCT errors should generally be cleared up in advance, since getting stuck in a foreign airport, unable to check in, is a painful experience.
#44
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 2,767
Precheck, Global Entry and Clear are deliberately exclusive programs and the exclusivity is not based simply on ability to pay. And most passengers from Asia 'insist' on checking in bags - that is the normal thing to do for most transpacific travelers.
So unless the OP like you is among a small minority that do not check bags, have GE and precheck and have been through SFO hundred of times then your experience and advice on 75 mins being "plenty of time" to connect from international to domestic is almost certainly not applicable to their scenario.
Also need to factor in that most travelers are not sitting in the front of the plane. Only way you can get from any plane to almost any kerbside in under ten minutes is if you are at front of the plane. For many travelers on a wide body from Asia it can take up to 10 mins just to exit the aircraft alone...
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
For me, this is less of a question of "what's the likelihood of misconnecting" than "what's the cost of misconnecting"
If there are later flights to LAX with space then it's really not a big deal. I said this before, but if SNA is strongly preferred to LAX then why proactively take the worse option? Why not try to make the connection to the more convenient airport, and only settle for the worse option if you have to? Getting from LAX to OC is not quick or cheap.
If would really suck to switch to the LAX flight, only to get to the gate in half an hour and watch your preferred flight leave without you, only to wait longer for a flight to the wrong airport and pay an extra $150 for your ride home.
If there are later flights to LAX with space then it's really not a big deal. I said this before, but if SNA is strongly preferred to LAX then why proactively take the worse option? Why not try to make the connection to the more convenient airport, and only settle for the worse option if you have to? Getting from LAX to OC is not quick or cheap.
If would really suck to switch to the LAX flight, only to get to the gate in half an hour and watch your preferred flight leave without you, only to wait longer for a flight to the wrong airport and pay an extra $150 for your ride home.