May 7, 2022, 3:00 pm

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Active thread; UA-Schedule changes; +25% TATL 2022 capacity, Q2 TPAC down 65% vs 2019; June changes

UA publishes a schedule for 330 days in advance (called Beginning of Schedule) and in the past would make tweaks quarterly and things would be fairly settles 3-4 months out. Updates would occur Friday evening / Saturday morning (Chicago time). Routine additions could occur anytime.
20 Oct 2021

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWR764

In the earnings call today, UA noted that has been transitioning back to its 'normal' (pre-pandemic) 90-day schedule load process, which should be complete in the very near future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UA Insider

The only thing constant is change and at United Airlines, some of the fees associated with changes related to flying are gone for good. The carrier announced today that it is permanently getting rid of change fees on all standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S., effective immediately. And starting on January 1, 2021, any United customer can fly standby for free, regardless of fare type, on a flight departing the day of their travel, a first among U.S. carriers, while MileagePlus® Premier® members can confirm a seat on a different flight on the same day with the same departure and arrival cities as their original ticket if a seat in the same ticket fare class is available.

United is also extending its waiver for new tickets issued through December 31, 2020, to permit unlimited changes with no fee. This policy applies to all ticket types issued after March 3, 2020 and is valid for domestic and international travel.

The new change fee policy applies to all standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S. 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and customers will not be limited in the number of times they adjust their flights.

Additionally, United is giving customers more flexibility to change their flights on the day of their travel so they can head home if a meeting ends earlier or enjoy a few more hours on vacation. With the ability to list for same-day standby for free, customers will now have an option to take a different flight with the same origin and destination airports as their original itinerary if space is available at departure. This enhanced option will be available to all customers for travel within the U.S. and to and from international destinations beginning on January 1, 2021. Customers who want to switch flights will be able to add themselves to the standby list through United’s award-winning mobile app, on united.com or at the airport no later than 30 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and one hour before departure on international flights.

The carrier is also improving the travel experience for its MileagePlus members including waiving all redeposit fees on award travel for flights changed or cancelled more than 30 days before departure and allowing all MileagePlus Premier members to confirm a different flight on the day of their travel. As a way to thank MileagePlus Premier members for their loyalty, beginning January 1, 2021, all Premier members will be able to confirm a seat for free on a different flight with the same departure and arrival cities as their original ticket. This expanded option will allow MileagePlus Silver members and above to confirm a new seat in the same ticket fare class if space is available. Earlier this year, United announced that it will extend status for MileagePlus Premier and United Global Services® members through January 2022. United also reduced thresholds for Premier qualification by 50 percent for each status level, to make reaching an even higher status tier easier.

For more information on United’s new flexible travel policies, visit https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/change-fee.html.

Quote:

Change is here. Change fees are gone.We’re permanently getting rid of change fees for most Economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the United States. This includes Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more

For all other destinations, change fees are waived through December 31, 2020. See terms and conditions

Quote:

We’re extending electronic certificatesTo give you more flexibility when you travel, electronic certificates are now valid for 24 months from the date they were issued. This includes all currently valid electronic certificates and all new ones issued on or after April 1, 2020.

This policy change will automatically appear, but it may not be reflected everywhere right away. We’d appreciate your patience as we work to make that happen.

Quote:

Award flight redeposit fees waived

We’re waiving redeposit fees for award flights issued on or before December 31, 2020, that are canceled at least 30 days before the departure date. You can also change your award flight with no fee. Learn more about changing or canceling your award flight.

International travel advisories and waivers

For more information about international travel:

View our current travel waivers
See our country-specific travel updates
Search by destination for passport, visa and health requirements provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for detailed information on coronavirus by country[/quote]

CARES service exemptions for United
United Exemption 042520 FINAL ISSUED.pdf
United Airlines 2nd Exemption_051220_FINAL ISSUED.pdf
latest (tentative) -2020-5-5 Order to Show Cause

Other Resources and Statistics

COVID19 UA-Schedule {Archive}

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Mar 14, 2020, 1:17 pm

#1651

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,421

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussienarelle

I am assuming that when United cancels the flight i get a refund and not ETCs?

Never assume. The answer is "maybe." There are multiple reports of UA referring to their new schedule change policy and refusing to provide a refund if the rebooking is within their parameters (currently +/- 6 hours of your booked time).

You may have additional leverage if your return flight is cancelled, because EC.261 protections apply to it, and they appear to call for a refund in this situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussienarelle

So is the best bet to wait until they cancel one of the flights on the itinerary to get an actual refund? TIA.

Yes. You are extremely unlikely to get a refund unless your flight gets cancelled first.

Mar 14, 2020, 1:25 pm

#1652

lmwong1977

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: SFO

Programs: HH Gold, CC Gold

Posts: 292

Sorry, cant quote post above on my phone but my direct to cdg was changed to a connecting as direct was cancelled. Originally 2:40p to an 8 am flight to ord onward to cdg. Return was just hour change but connecting via ewr and ord. Claimed 25 hour change would only qualify said no 6 hour rule just 25. Said ticket was unfundable anyway. Offered instead to extend the credit to 15 month expiration instead of the usual 12 with mult free changes during the 15 months. They really don't want to give money back. Going call again later - try some intl cs line.

Mar 14, 2020, 1:29 pm

#1653

Weatherboy

Join Date: Mar 2001

Location: New York / Hawaii

Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond

Posts: 5,178

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNLbasedFlyer

Waikiki is still open for business. There were 2 cases in Hawaii - with another 2 added in Kauai today (visitors). Some events getting cancelled like St. Patricks downtown block party, half marathon, etc - but otherwise, not seeing restaurant/bar closures.

As far as the other islands - I suspect they are open for business as well.

On the Big Island, we're under the assumption that interisland and mainland travel won't be around much longer, so if anything, there's an appreciation for healthy folks opting to "lock-down" here ahead of what is likely a death-blow to the tourism industry. Healthy people and dollars will be welcomed with much "aloha."

Kauai does have a 100-person maximum lock-down in effect today and we do expect similar stuff across the islands. This means no public or private gathering of that size, which extends to weddings, luaus, etc. I expect limits on resort activities including restaurants/bars there. So if you opt to spend quarantine in paradise, you'll enjoy fragrant fresh breezes and awesome sunsets, but don't expect the typical vacation experience...especially in the coming days/weeks.

Mar 14, 2020, 1:44 pm

#1654

HNLbasedFlyer

Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: HNL

Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold

Posts: 6,447

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weatherboy

While things can change instantly, I'm just not seeing that way of thinking on Oahu (especially a flight ban). I could see the 100 person limit happening and luau's taking a hit - but I'm going to stay optimistic restaurants/bars/pools will be exempted unless cases rise to a level seen in Seattle/NYC

Mar 14, 2020, 1:52 pm

#1655

britNY

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: BA, United

Posts: 71

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNLbasedFlyer

question is: does a Hawai’i want a stream of people from NYC visiting? As much as I’d like to I kinda think it would be selfish to impose.

Mar 14, 2020, 2:07 pm

#1656

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: 66,861

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmwong1977

UA recently backtracked on the 25+ hour to a new 6+ hour require. There are a lots of things that were "true" a day or two ago that have changed and it has been that way for the past few weeks, daily changes. Immensely confusing but reality
Schedule change refund policy changed from 2+ hrs to 25+ hrs now 6+ hrs 12 March 2020

Mar 14, 2020, 2:13 pm

#1657

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: 66,861

While we personally are intensely focused on our local areas or where we might be traveling, there are better places for these non-UA related discussions. Either the specific Destinations forums or Coronavirus and travel

There is plenty for this UA and UA traveler forum to discuss, so let's focus out discussion there and use the other forums are appropriate.

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

Mar 14, 2020, 2:14 pm

#1658

bluedemon211

Join Date: Mar 2014

Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM

Posts: 1,201

Clarification on tickets booked before March 31

A couple of questions I have after trying to better understand the "no change fee" on tickets if booked by March 31, 2020:

-Can I change my travel multiple times or do I only get 1 free change and then have to pay for any subsequent changes?

-Can I use a previously cancelled ticket for a new booking (with the normal $200 change fee) and then have the new ticket qualify as a no change fee booking?

Sorry if this is answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find a definitive answer. Thank you !

Mar 14, 2020, 2:46 pm

#1659

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,421

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluedemon211

Like most things in airfare, it’s extremely complicated. The fares currently being offered allow for an unlimited number of changes. However, if the change that you want doesn’t fit all of the requirements of the original fare, and thus requires repricing, in many cases you’re going to be using current fares at the time of reissue. If UA is no longer offering this waiver at that point, that may reintroduce a change fee for subsequent changes. So the answer is, at least one free change will be allowed, but in some cases, that will be all you get, absent a new waiver being issued.

Also note that these fares call for any residual to be ignored, so if you change to a lower fare, the difference is kept by UA. So, if you buy a $400 ticket, and change to a $300 ticket, and then change to a $500 ticket, even if the changes are all free, you won’t get any money back when you make the first change, and then you’ll pay $200 when you make the second change. Therefore, if you find yourself in this situation, I suggest playing around with the various fare classes on United.com to see if you can find a fare that’s closer to what you already paid. If, instead, you changed from a $400 ticket to a $380 ticket and then to a $500 ticket, you’d only owe them an extra $120, rather than an extra $200.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluedemon211

-Can I use a previously cancelled ticket for a new booking (with the normal $200 change fee) and then have the new ticket qualify as a no change fee booking?

Also “it depends,” but in most cases, yes. This is the corollary of the above rule: as long as your new ticket requires a reissue under currently-valid fares, and not historical fares, you’ll get the benefit of the new fares (but also the same ignore-residual-value rule). You can verify this with an agent, or, if you’re able to make the change online, by checking the fare rules before finalizing the purchase.

Mar 14, 2020, 2:54 pm

#1660

bluedemon211

Join Date: Mar 2014

Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM

Posts: 1,201

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

Thanks jsloan. Informative and timely as always

Mar 14, 2020, 3:15 pm

#1661

gmt4

Join Date: Mar 2018

Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond

Posts: 1,134

Well, so with the new UK travel restrictions compounded with event cancellations that are ramping up in the UK, my events have now been cancelled there. I just cancelled about $5k worth of travel to the UK in late Mar and again in April. My travel was booked in Jan and Feb.

I got right thru on the 1K line. Rep was very friendly and helpful. No baloney, no hassle.

Only thing that slightly ticks me off is I'm essentially giving UA an interest free $5k loan until I can rebook and use my credits. Small potatoes considering the deaths globally and that airlines and people are fighting for their survival and jobs I guess.

Mar 14, 2020, 3:26 pm

#1662

PsiFighter37

Join Date: Mar 2015

Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)

Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC

Posts: 9,011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repooc17

‘Ghost Town:’ NYC Empties Out in Face of Coronavirus

That's a bit extreme. I went out for a 4-mile walk today (it's another gorgeous day out), and there were plenty of folks out. Maybe there weren't people at all the touristy spots, but otherwise foot traffic is par for the course in late winter / early spring in Manhattan.

ETA: When do folks think UA may start extending the waiver? My wife had another conference / retreat pushed from May to the fall now, so I now have a lot of tickets booked for mid-May to PBI that I have no use for at the moment.

Separately, I sure hope I can manage to spend all this UA credit I have effectively already booked before a year is up...it's thousands of dollars already...

Mar 14, 2020, 8:20 pm

#1663

Weatherboy

Join Date: Mar 2001

Location: New York / Hawaii

Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond

Posts: 5,178

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsiFighter37

ETA: When do folks think UA may start extending the waiver? My wife had another conference / retreat pushed from May to the fall now, so I now have a lot of tickets booked for mid-May to PBI that I have no use for at the moment.
..

I would think it's something they roll out gradually, perhaps in 2 week increments, to preserve cash flow and not strain available resources to change/cancel things. In one extreme, if they came out today and said "we're shutting down 'till July", I imagine their customer service & IT infrastructure would collapse at once.

Mar 14, 2020, 9:24 pm

#1664

wco81

Suspended

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: Bay Area

Programs: DL SM, UA MP.

Posts: 12,729

So has anyone here had their flights canceled by UA?

How far in advance did they cancel?

Any hassles in getting a refund or do they try to get you to reschedule or take some credit first?

Or do YOU have to follow through with any reschedule or credit/refund requests?

What triggers a cancellation, because the US govt. gives a travel or health advisory of some kind? Or not enough passengers?

I'm exactly a month out. Some of my accommodations would have to be canceled soon if they cancel the flight.

Mar 14, 2020, 9:46 pm

#1665

LXFlyer

Join Date: Sep 2008

Programs: UA 1P

Posts: 320

So I have a flight with an outbound in April and a return in May. According to my travel agent, because the return is in May, it does not qualify for the (current) waiver -- is that correct? (Flight would've been to non-Schengen Europe, if that matters)