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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Jun 29, 2020, 4:51 pm

#2866

nsx

Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One

Join Date: Sep 1999

Location: California

Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member

Posts: 21,625

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmastron

The thing that isn't clear to me is whether making one change after June 30 would then subject further changes to fees, or if the changed ticket would retain the "no change fee" fare rules and allow multiple changes.

I decided to cancel an early August award booking rather than move it, for exactly this reason.

FWIW Alaska Airlines just extended their waiver through July 31.

Jun 29, 2020, 6:01 pm

#2867

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,417

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmastron

It gets complicated. In general, it's best to assume that you get one change, and that a second change would be under the rules in effect at the time that you make the first one. If you do not change any of the flight details -- same cities, same carriers, same everything except the flight numbers -- there are cases when UA can revalidate the ticket instead of having to reissue a new one, and you might therefore get a second free change. And if you change the return, but not the outbound, there's a good chance that you would be able to use historical fares and therefore probably get a second free change.

Note also that UA will keep any fare difference in its favor. So, if you do manage to make four free changes, and your fare goes from $500 to $400 to $300 to $250 to $500, UA can collect an extra $250 for that last change. You might get someone to waive it for you, but they don't have to do that.

Jun 29, 2020, 6:31 pm

#2868

UAFLYER22

Join Date: Jun 2016

Posts: 148

I have a flight booked on July 1 in the afternoon, but am still not sure if I will be travelling. How late can I cancel this flight? A few hours before takeoff?

Jun 29, 2020, 6:41 pm

#2869

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,417

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAFLYER22

I have a flight booked on July 1 in the afternoon, but am still not sure if I will be travelling. How late can I cancel this flight? A few hours before takeoff?

You can cancel it up until the flight closes and you're declared a no-show, about 15-30 minutes prior to departure.

However, if you booked the flight prior to March 2, and UA does not extend its current waiver, then you would need to make a change by "June 30" -- likely, 23:59 Chicago time -- or you would need to pay any applicable change fee.

Jun 29, 2020, 6:41 pm

#2870

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 UAFLYER22

I have a flight booked on July 1 in the afternoon, but am still not sure if I will be travelling. How late can I cancel this flight? A few hours before takeoff?

A few hours should be fine. As late as the checkin deadline should also be fine but don't cut it so close if you have a problems, there isn't time to call.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...et-credit.html

Jun 29, 2020, 6:43 pm

#2871

UAFLYER22

Join Date: Jun 2016

Posts: 148

Flight was booked June 6. So changes after June 30th are okay?

Jun 29, 2020, 6:45 pm

#2872

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 UAFLYER22

Flight was booked June 6. So changes after June 30th are okay?

Yes, but if the new ticket is cheaper there is no "refund" of the difference and rebooking needs to be within 12 months for original purchase.
See change rules for tickets since 3 March

Jun 30, 2020, 9:02 am

#2873

danpeake

Join Date: Mar 2009

Posts: 2,295

So barring a last minute extension, today is the last day to change a previously booked flight? Or is today the deadline to have the free-change waiver applied to a newly purchased ticket.

IE, if you purchased a ticket in January for travel in September, I could cancel it today without penalty. But if I cancel it on July 1, the regular fare rules (change fee, etc.) would apply?

Jun 30, 2020, 9:08 am

#2874

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,417

Quote:

Originally Posted by danpeake

So barring a last minute extension, today is the last day to change a previously booked flight? Or is today the deadline to have the free-change waiver applied to a newly purchased ticket.

Both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danpeake

IE, if you purchased a ticket in January for travel in September, I could cancel it today without penalty. But if I cancel it on July 1, the regular fare rules (change fee, etc.) would apply?

Correct.

Jun 30, 2020, 9:09 am

#2875

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 danpeake

So barring a last minute extension, today is the last day to change a previously booked flight? ...

Yes, assuming there is less 2 hour schedule change

Quote:

Originally Posted by danpeake

Or is today the deadline to have the free-change waiver applied to a newly purchased ticket. ...

Last day to purchase such as ticket, yes. Again if not extended.

There are at least three different waivers with 30 June date.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danpeake

IE, if you purchased a ticket in January for travel in September, I could cancel it today without penalty. But if I cancel it on July 1, the regular fare rules (change fee, etc.) would apply?

yes

Jun 30, 2020, 9:37 am

#2876

lincolnjkc

Join Date: Feb 2005

Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet

Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC

Posts: 4,168

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

Yes, assuming there is less 2 hour schedule change

Depends on when previously it was booked thanks to the "3 different waivers" mentioned.

If it was booked sometime between the first waivers (March?) and today the fare rules should have the change fee as "no fee" with add-collect for fare diff and forfeit residual which means that even absent a "waiver" a change to that ticket would incur only the fare difference (if higher/wouldn't receive any residual back if cheaper) even if none of the more typical waivers are extended.

Of course if you change that ticket after today and new fare rules apply to the new fare including a more typical penalties section then it's really only one "free" change.

Jun 30, 2020, 9:42 am

#2877

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 lincolnjkc

True, but was avoiding extraneous options that don't apply to OP when the user states

Quote:

Originally Posted by danpeake

.... IE, if you purchased a ticket in January for travel in September, ....?

Jun 30, 2020, 11:33 am

#2878

RJ1

Join Date: Apr 2005

Location: SoCal

Posts: 622

This may have been answered previously, but here goes...

If I have a cancelled flight under the waiver "booked on or before March 2, 2020, for travel June 1 - December 31, 2020", and if I rebook today for, say, a flight later this year, and then have to cancel the rebooked flight, does the ticket still retain the 24 month time period from the 'original' ticket?

Jun 30, 2020, 11:41 am

#2879

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 RJ1

.... If I have a cancelled flight under the waiver "booked on or before March 2, 2020, for travel June 1 - December 31, 2020", and if I rebook today for, say, a flight later this year, and then have to cancel the rebooked flight, does the ticket still retain the 24 month time period from the 'original' ticket?

Most likely no. It will be generally governed by the fare rules on the new ticket. There is one sub-case that may keep the original. If all you do is change dates but the same routing, all UA operated and original fare rules still valid for new circumstances (and a few other conditions), it may get changed in a way to keep the original conditions. But in most cases it will be a new ticket / new fare rules.

Jun 30, 2020, 3:14 pm

#2880

siesta6207

Join Date: Jun 2020

Programs: UA 1k, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC

Posts: 27

Question...1K here...I have to fly from MCO-DCA via EWR on 7/17....What should I expect with the 14 day quarantine mandate for people flying out of FL. Would I be in non-compliance making this trip and flying through EWR??? Or should I call the 1k desk and have me be rerouted via IAH or ORD.