May 7, 2022, 3:00 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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 28, 2020, 8:44 am

#2086

time_stamp

Join Date: Apr 2019

Posts: 251

Quote:

Originally Posted by saaveraward

My international flight in May is still on (won't be soon)... It's interesting my mile re-deposit charge (no status) has gone from $125 to $75 to $50. Won't touch it until it's canceled.

How do you check the redeposit fee? Can you cancel and then back-out somehow?

Mar 28, 2020, 9:06 am

#2087

saaveraward

Join Date: Dec 2010

Posts: 2,654

Quote:

Originally Posted by time_stamp

How do you check the redeposit fee? Can you cancel and then back-out somehow?

Yes. Go in to your reservation, click cancel flight, click cancel trip and redeposit miles... A "checkout" screen will appear. click don't refund - return to manage reservations

Mar 28, 2020, 9:18 am

#2088

time_stamp

Join Date: Apr 2019

Posts: 251

Quote:

Originally Posted by saaveraward

Yes. Go in to your reservation, click cancel flight, click cancel trip and redeposit miles... A "checkout" screen will appear. click don't refund - return to manage reservations

Huh, I got to the final screen under "Redeposit Fee Payment Information" where my choices were "Cancel Trip & Redeposit Miles" or "Don't Refund - return to Manage Reservations" and I still don't see anything at all about a fee.

Last edited by time_stamp; Mar 28, 2020 at 12:15 pm Reason: removed pic

Mar 28, 2020, 9:26 am

#2089

saaveraward

Join Date: Dec 2010

Posts: 2,654

Quote:

Originally Posted by time_stamp

Perhaps your miles can be re-deposited for free?

Mar 28, 2020, 9:31 am

#2090

time_stamp

Join Date: Apr 2019

Posts: 251

Quote:

Originally Posted by saaveraward

Perhaps your miles can be re-deposited for free?

Maybe!? I don't have status, but I'm (barely) over 60 days out.

Mar 28, 2020, 10:15 am

#2091

Babymule

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Houston TX

Programs: UN 1K MM, Marriott-LT TitanElite, Hyatt Glob; HH-Gold

Posts: 74

New routing is crazy

Quote:

Originally Posted by radonc1

I have 2 RT tickets CLE-ORD-MUC flying out 5/1 and returning 5/11. They were booked in BF (Z fare) and have already been rescheduled by UA to CLE-EWR-MUC (I have not approved the change, just was sent an email by UA. )
I will not need the flight (cruise will be axed in the next week)

Do I have to make a change to the tickets before 3/31 to maintain their value?

It seems like United's policy is constantly changing to accommodate the constantly changing situation. If you know you are not going to take the flight, why wait? When you cancel it, I suggest you print off the reservation with your confirmation number and ticket number so you have everything you need when you wish to apply it to a future ticket.

I am in almost the identical situation. My flight through MUC was for May 2. I have a group of 6 of us (3 couples). My husband and I are 1K. My cash, GPU cleared ticket was rebooked for a 42 hour experience flying IAH-SFO-MUC-HER, all still with PZ seats. However, the record is broken and one of the legs is misaligned. I get an error when I try to change it, and one fight is missing from the "select seats" portion.
My husband's mileage tickets (IN first) was also re-booked IN for IAH-IAD-LHR-MUC-HER. We both connect to the same flight from MUC to HER. When I attempt to change my husband's ticket, it says "we are unable to complete your request".
Another couple who was booked on their non-elite status tickets, are now re-routed IAH-EWR-LHR-MUC-HER - HOWEVER, they land in LHR after the connecting flight to MUC takes off.

I am trying to be respectful and wait until we get closer to May 1st to call or contact the 1K desk for help adjusting the tickets. We are not willing to spend 42 hours in airports and would rather move our flight to that Monday, when it appears to have better, more direct options. I also don't want to waste the airlines time to have the new flights change or get canceled.

We are still willing to take our trip, (if the airlines are still flying. It appears that Greece is ahead of the US and will be open to accept us).

Has anyone had success calling or email for a flight a month out?

Mar 28, 2020, 10:24 am

#2092

USA_flyer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: SAN

Programs: Nothing, nowhere!

Posts: 23,336

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonElite

I don’t know the answer to your question specifically (what does UA website currently say?) but I would strongly advise against booking with an OTA.

you reminded me to look at the UA website. Apparently they can do the 3 tix for £1.3k which, also includes baggage on a normal economy fare.

I think that is a good deal. Now I just need to persuade the missus this is something we need to spend money on 😇

Mar 28, 2020, 10:45 am

#2093

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat

Posts: 66,980

Quote:

Originally Posted by USA_flyer

I'm not sure where to ask this so I'm plonking it here.

I found dirt cheap tickets LON-LAX for christmas time travel which, I really want to book. If I book now will I be able to change the ticket to a date in the future if travel is unable to go ahead? I would be booking with a OTA. Fare is less than £1k for 3 tix so if I end up eating it, it's not going to cause too many issues.

Thanks in advance.

Tickets presently purchased from UA can be changed for free for next 12 months (if plated as 016 tickets) however, there is no residual value is the new tickets are cheaper -- see link
Note the OTA may have additional change rules.

Quote:

Originally Posted by radonc1

... I have 2 RT tickets CLE-ORD-MUC flying out 5/1 and returning 5/11. They were booked in BF (Z fare) and have already been rescheduled by UA to CLE-EWR-MUC (I have not approved the change, just was sent an email by UA. )
I will not need the flight (cruise will be axed in the next week)

Do I have to make a change to the tickets before 3/31 to maintain their value? ....

When were the tickets purchased? How much change of arrival / departure time?

If purchased before 3 March 2020, you need to cancel before the scheduled travel date and need to reschedule by 1 year after the purchase date. In cancelling you may have the option for an Electronic Travel Credit (ETC) good for 1 year from the date you cancelled or you can leave the flight credit (but it must be used in the 1 year period from the original purchase). The ETC is probably the better option for many (hard to use for partner flights..

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 28, 2020 at 10:52 am

Mar 28, 2020, 10:47 am

#2094

IAH-OIL-TRASH

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: Honolulu Harbor

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 15,051

Looks like UA might be suspending all Maui operations very shortly (as of April 9). Will have to travel to HNL to catch UA flights. I don't see anything official, I just don't see UA flights in the days after April 8 when attempting a booking..

Mar 28, 2020, 11:34 am

#2095

amejr999

Join Date: Aug 2004

Programs: Marriott Plat

Posts: 946

Quote:

Originally Posted by saaveraward

Yes. Go in to your reservation, click cancel flight, click cancel trip and redeposit miles... A "checkout" screen will appear. click don't refund - return to manage reservations

I'm just double-checking-- when I click cancel trip on my award booking I see this screen. Is there an additional screen after clicking cancel trip? Thanks.

Mar 28, 2020, 11:39 am

#2096

saaveraward

Join Date: Dec 2010

Posts: 2,654

Quote:

Originally Posted by amejr999

I'm just double-checking-- when I click cancel trip on my award booking I see this screen. Is there an additional screen after clicking cancel trip? Thanks.

I'm on desktop and that's not what I see. The path I posted above leads me to the screenshot I posted.

Mar 28, 2020, 11:46 am

#2097

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,510

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsiFighter37

If I need to get a ticket refunded that departs in May but has a June return date, along with partner flights - do folks think UA will allow the waiver to cover the entire itinerary? Everything is on one PNR.

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by time_stamp

Maybe!? I don't have status, but I'm (barely) over 60 days out.

Based on anecdotal evidence form the forum, I suspect that UA has dropped the redeposit fee to $0 for changes made 61+ days out, and $50 for changes made within 60 days (except for 1K/GS; no fee).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babymule

It seems like United's policy is constantly changing to accommodate the constantly changing situation. If you know you are not going to take the flight, why wait?

Because if you cancel the flight, it becomes a voluntary cancelation, meaning that there is likely no way to get a refund. If you wait until United cancels the flight, you may be able to get a refund -- preferably immediately, but, if UA prevails with their policy, when the ticket expires. There's really no advantage to being in a hurry unless UA does something customer-friendly that you want to take advantage of before the next change.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babymule

I am trying to be respectful and wait until we get closer to May 1st to call or contact the 1K desk for help adjusting the tickets. We are not willing to spend 42 hours in airports and would rather move our flight to that Monday, when it appears to have better, more direct options. I also don't want to waste the airlines time to have the new flights change or get canceled.

And having the new flights change or get cancelled is very much a real possibility. Oscar's latest note says that they expect cuts for May and June to be deeper than those for April. Most of those changes haven't been added to the schedule yet, and some of them might not be until a few days from departure. I'd wait a couple of weeks at a minimum.

Mar 28, 2020, 11:49 am

#2098

amejr999

Join Date: Aug 2004

Programs: Marriott Plat

Posts: 946

Quote:

Originally Posted by saaveraward

I'm on desktop and that's not what I see. The path I posted above leads me to the screenshot I posted.

Weird, perhaps they are doing some kind of test. I will try calling at some point.

Mar 28, 2020, 12:17 pm

#2099

time_stamp

Join Date: Apr 2019

Posts: 251

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

Based on anecdotal evidence form the forum, I suspect that UA has dropped the redeposit fee to $0 for changes made 61+ days out, and $50 for changes made within 60 days (except for 1K/GS; no fee).

I went ahead and canceled and was not charged a redeposit fee. The confirmation did say that refund would not be issued until the request was audited by accounting department. I have no idea if that is normal.

Mar 28, 2020, 12:56 pm

#2100

nikita606

Join Date: Nov 2011

Posts: 41

For flight booked last November to travel in early May - I understand that it is best to wait until United cancels your flight, not the other way around in order to attempt a refund. I'm thinking about trying to rebook for September. If I rebook before March 31, then I can cancel in September without fees if the situation is still bad. If I wait until after March 31 then I would not be able to change the new September booking? I realize that there would not be any residual value if I change the September ticket. Do I have that right? If I have to cancel in September how long do I have to reuse that ticket? United seems to be offering ETC or future flight credit. Would it be best to try to get ETC first and then book in September. If I have to cancel the September booking I would then have a year from the date I got the ETC to use the credit? So confusing . . .