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 15, 2020, 5:10 am

#1681

chavala

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: MFR

Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold

Posts: 2,885

What a nightmare.
Got a text from a friend last night while in Cornwall re the Trump announcement (while 3 cocktails into my birthday celebration!)
Ran back to hotel to call UA and change flight to today. Forgot they wouldn’t recognize my Skype number and had message “2+ hour wait for agent”. HUCA with MP# and no hold time at all. Got UG confirmed but $193 more.
Insane drive at 4am in rainstorm, clutching steering wheel and not daring to blink the entire way
LHR complete chaos with Americans trying to get home. Just arrived lounge. I never saw it so crowded.

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 15, 2020 at 1:04 pm Reason: split post

Mar 15, 2020, 5:19 am

#1682

britNY

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: BA, United

Posts: 71

Quote:

Originally Posted by chavala

why the insane panic? I might have finished my cocktail and waited til today at least. Are all flights completely cancelled after today? You will unfortunately have an insanely long wait at wherever you land by the sound of it! Good luck!

Mar 15, 2020, 5:29 am

#1683

ua1flyer

Join Date: Aug 2008

Location: ord,ewr

Programs: Lifetime UA GS 22 million,AA 1m ,Hilton Li fetime diamond,marriott lifetime platinum hyatt diamond

Posts: 1,000

Quote:

Originally Posted by mendicantmonk

Arrivals not suspended - but mandatory 14-day self-isolation for all international arrivals, even citizens.

“We are seeking to assist Australians coming home by ensuring that the flights continue to run, but when they come home, they will be spending another 14 days in self isolation.”

https://www.news.com.au/travel/trave...54f33be3ac1996

Thanks for the clarification . 14 days of Isolation in both directions? No Thanks.

Mar 15, 2020, 7:24 am

#1684

hoopics

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: Arlington, VA

Posts: 397

Quote:

Originally Posted by wco81

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.

I was scheduled to fly IAD-BRU at the end of the month, with a paid upgrade to Polaris. The nonstop was cancelled, and I was involuntarily re-routed IAD-EWR-BRU, with the upgrade applied to the new flights. I called to request a refund, as the underlying trip isn't going forward. I was told that as of this morning, non-stop cancellations and involuntary re-routes do NOT result in refunds -- only application of your funds to a credit file good for 12 months from date of ticketing (not travel). Worse, as of this morning paid upgrades are held in suspense (not added to the credit file), and valid ONLY on the same routing when you re-book. They said that isn't their final policy -- they're considering what to do with the issue of paid refund requests -- but paid refunds will NOT be refunded to the original form of payment as was the case apparently until yesterday for other travel waiver cancellations. The agent said they're keeping a list of people in that situation, and I should check back in a week once things calm down. They also said that on credit files that can't be used by 12 months from ticketing, they'll consider refunds at that time. But not now.

So...yeah. They're hemorrhaging money and changing the rules on the fly to keep as much of it in house as possible. I understand it, but I don't like it.

Mar 15, 2020, 8:36 am

#1685

W126Pilot

Join Date: Jun 2016

Location: DAR / CDG

Programs: A3 Gold; FB Gold; Hertz Gold

Posts: 54

Hi everyone,

Any idea why UA 57 EWR-CDG was cancelled for today, March 15th? UA rebooked me on tomorrow's UA 57, but as Paris is home for me, I'm nervous that it will cancel too and that I'll end up stuck in the US.

Am I correct in understanding that they are cancelling certain flights to consolidate them, considering how low the loads are? Any other wise thoughts from you all?

Mar 15, 2020, 9:15 am

#1686

djmp

Join Date: Jul 2002

Location: SF Bay Area

Programs: UA GS 2MM

Posts: 947

Quote:

Originally Posted by chavala

Hmmm. That’s not going to help things. Was the food and beverage service open?

Mar 15, 2020, 9:47 am

#1687

chavala

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: MFR

Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold

Posts: 2,885

Quote:

Originally Posted by djmp

Hmmm. That’s not going to help things. Was the food and beverage service open?

Yes. Breakfast and not covered at all. I steered clear.
My flight is full of mostly Americans who also changed their flights yesterday as soon as they heard the news.
We were all talking about it while boarding. Get home before the new ban takes effect on Tuesday. There was a huge collective sigh when we took off and a bit of applause.
Everyone wondering if they’ll make their connection in IAH.

Mar 15, 2020, 10:00 am

#1688

IAH-OIL-TRASH

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: Honolulu Harbor

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 15,024

If you need to change plans, the SDC actually might be a bad way to go nowadays. Instead of grabbing whatever is offered via the SDC, it worthwhile to re-price with new itinerary. I believe a SDC just scoots you over onto new flights is same booking class available w/o re-pricing. The lack of change fee and lowered prices allowed me to chop $346 (in form of ETC) off a $970 multiple destination OGG-LAS-IAH-OGG ticket.

Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Mar 15, 2020 at 10:16 am

Mar 15, 2020, 10:42 am

#1689

seanp7

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: NYC, FLL

Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold

Posts: 6,324

Quote:

Originally Posted by chavala

Yeah this happened to me Friday:
- Called 1K line. 30 second wait. Changed my flight home. Friendly agent (who said on Thursday they had 2000 people on hold at peak).
- No status colleague tried to amend ticket. 85 mins on hold (I was at work).
- I called on his behalf. 1 min wait; ticket changed in 2 mins with $0 change fee and $0 fare difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH

First-hand report of inane response.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opini...ge%2Fstory-ans

I'm a subscriber, so I don't know if this'll hit a paywall, but WP sent notice that coronavirus material might be available w.o. subscription

Non-subscriber here - no paywall for that one ^

Mar 15, 2020, 11:06 am

#1690

britNY

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: BA, United

Posts: 71

Quote:

Originally Posted by az22

Wow look at the loads on these EWR-SFO flights. J going out half empty, Y deserted. Bunch of wide bodies, more so than usual.

Not good. Won’t be surprised if UA starts consolidating theses flights soon.

5pm update on domestic travel I think. We know more then

Mar 15, 2020, 11:32 am

#1691

RNE

Join Date: Sep 2005

Location: JZRO

Posts: 9,169

Any guesses when UA is likely to cancel May flights to/from FCO and MXP?

Mar 15, 2020, 11:55 am

#1692

cfischer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: BOS/EAP

Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat

Posts: 32,063

Quote:

Originally Posted by RNE

Any guesses when UA is likely to cancel May flights to/from FCO and MXP?

some time in April when they have a better idea how things are evolving?

Mar 15, 2020, 12:41 pm

#1693

TravellingMan

Join Date: Apr 2005

Location: DEN

Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.

Posts: 2,862

Just made it through the LHR-DEN flight. The flight was oversold one day before and on the day of the flight it went to 60-70% empty. Plenty of folks who thought of circumventing the Schengen ban by taking the flight out of LHR were not allowed to check in.

The DEN airport was a breeze to get through. Good to be back, now to see when I will be able to travel again (domestically or internationally.)

Also cancelled a TPAC ticket for next week. The agent was not willing to give me a refund but as the flight was cancelled she finally relented and issued me a refund.

Mar 15, 2020, 2:05 pm

#1694

Aussienarelle

Join Date: Oct 2015

Location: SAN

Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM

Posts: 3,219

Have a friend who has been working in DR and supposed to fly home tomorrow to the UK. He is not allowed to fly to UK via USA and from 6am tomorrow no direct flights DR to UK. He lives in the UK.

That sounds like a UK directive

My sister's flight from the UK to Spain on Saturday was one of the last through and after that flights were turned back. She lives in Spain.

That was a Spanish directive.

So UA may still showing flights for March going to the UK and taking bookings but not sure they will be allowed to land. I am fine to be quarantined neither the USA or the UK. I just do not want to pay for a flight that gets turned back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravellingMan

...Also cancelled a TPAC ticket for next week. The agent was not willing to give me a refund but as the flight was cancelled she finally relented and issued me a refund.

My SFO-LHR flight still shows as going next week. It has not been cancelled. Am guessing I am going to need to play chicken as I want the cash not an ETC so good to read you got your refund.

Of course if UA were willing to grant me 1K status next year with PlusPoints I would willingly take the ETCs as I would choose to fly with them. As it stands I will not be 1K next year and unable to use PlusPoints. Hence my game of chicken with them over the refund.

Last edited by Aussienarelle; Mar 15, 2020 at 3:41 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member

Mar 15, 2020, 2:48 pm

#1695

dcchi

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: Chicago (ORD)

Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold, AA Gold

Posts: 566

Wanted to share my experience. We had a 1.5 week EWR-FCO roundtrip for later this week. Booked in January for family spring break trip. Had been waiting to see how things proceeded with United's FCO flights. Over the weekend, when United finally made schedule changes to European flights, the flight finally showed up with error messages. Was debating when was the best time to call (I believe the Premier Silver number, if there is such a thing) and called earlier this afternoon.

Automated message said the wait time was greater than 90 minutes. I held for just under an hour until a CSR came on the line. I told her my confirmation number, and that there were now error messages related to the flight. She looked it up and told me the flights were cancelled. She said that, because these were nonrefundable tickets, I was offered a credit (for use within a year) or a change fee waiver. I replied that I was looking for a refund since the flights were cancelled. She looked into something for a few minutes and then reiterated that was the best she could do. I reiterated that I was seeking a refund (and explained that this was a spring break trip because we have school age children and that booking a flight by next January would not help us since school schedules don't work out for us.) She then put me on hold to check with a support person. After a few minutes she came back on and said that they couldn't do any better. She also offered to rebook our flight via connecting flights (which I assume would've been on partner airlines). I then asked to speak with a supervisor.

After a few minutes, the supervisor came on. I repeated my request and explained that if they gave me a two-year credit, that could potentially work (so I could do spring break NEXT year) or I wanted a refund. He then said that he already had started processing the refund and said that his agent was mistaken and that a refund was available to me since the flight was cancelled. He put me on hold for a few minutes and then came back on to confirm that the refund should be processed within 7 business days to the original credit card I used.

I will believe the refund when I see it, but all in all, relatively painless, cordial agents and satisfactory outcome.