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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Apr 1, 2021, 9:52 am

#3541

MBS MillionMiler

Used to be MBS PremExec

Join Date: Sep 2000

Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)

Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat

Posts: 5,722

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMK10

My May travels just got smacked around

- MSP-IAD-RDU. The latest routing home from MSP on a Saturday is now at 1:15 PM instead of the 5:30 PM I had booked
- IAD-RDU. United keeps teasing us with a return of the 8:30 AM IAD-RDU nonstop and claiming it'll be on a 738. I booked yesterday and within hours it had reverted to the COVID schedule wherein the first flight is now at 10:50 AM and on an E75. I also lost E+ seats for my family and had to get those back.

United, you are not making it easy.

I have given up all bookings until the schedule is (relatively) cemented. Just not worth it the hassle. I too was always a planner--pre-COVID and now, I always know where and when I'm going somewhere, up to a year in advance, but no less than 6-9 months ahead, and would book accordingly. Now, I pretty much book the day the new schedule sets, which for now means I'll only book up to a return flight on June 2nd. (I do hold F class awards to the Caribbean in December, but that's a rare exception, and I can't WAIT to deal with that mess in October when they set the December 2021 schedule, assuming this all continues).

I will say this...My trip (a couple dozen posts back) to the in-laws (it was taking 11-13 hours to fly it each way, when it can be driven in about 12), those were award tix booked at a time when they were running 7,500 each way. I asked 1K Voice if, because of them blowing the trip up if they'd move me to later in December (over Christmas) as a 'one time courtesy/exception'. It took an eventual e-mail to Kirby's 'office', but they did move us! 'Saver' awards are going for about 36,000 round trip. Saving me a ton of miles. (That is, until that schedule updates and leaves us with a 12-hour flight for what can be driven in 12. :P

And now SHOCKED that my airport is still maintaining the -550 into June, even with many of those frames re-allocated to the point-to-point service announcement like the PIT/IND/STL-PWM/HHH/MYR runs. All other nearby, comparable Michigan airports (FNT, LAN, AZO) are still running straight -200s. But even more shocked to see daily 737 service from DEN-TVC (Traverse City) this summer.

Last edited by MBS MillionMiler; Apr 1, 2021 at 1:27 pm

Apr 1, 2021, 9:56 am

#3542

glbltvlr

Join Date: Jun 2015

Posts: 710

DEN-GRR is showing an A319 for my trip in two weeks. Not sure I believe that, but maybe they really are starting to increase capacity.

Apr 1, 2021, 10:22 am

#3543

LIH

Join Date: Feb 2016

Location: ORD | LGA | 2E

Programs: UA GS 1.6MM UC | AA CK 0.7MM AC | Bonvoy Ambassador | Hyatt Globalist | Hertz PC

Posts: 1,054

Quote:

Originally Posted by glbltvlr

CNBC reported earlier this week that AA was seeing booking levels at 90% of pre-Covid levels, with similar fleet capacity numbers. That clearly means significant fare increases. If you haven't booked domestic travel already, prepare for significant fare increases and limited scheduling options.

For sure seeing this show up in my May bookings. A lot of domestic routes that I've been flying consistently over the last year are up 20% or so in premium cabin pricing.

Apr 1, 2021, 1:18 pm

#3544

rch4u

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: RIC

Programs: UA 1K MM

Posts: 3,387

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS MillionMiler

I have given up all bookings until the schedule is (relatively) cemented. Just not worth it the hassle.

Why? Lock in the cheap fares based on the pre-COVID 100% capacity schedule - then, when the schedule change hits, capacity is drastically reduced, and fares skyrocket, just change to whichever flights you want free of charge - or cancel and get a refund. It's a no brainer - zero risk, only upside potential.

Apr 1, 2021, 1:37 pm

#3545

spartacusmcfly

Join Date: Jan 2018

Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium

Posts: 1,250

Quote:

Originally Posted by rch4u

Exactly. Once the final schedules are published, and the revenue management system engages, fares skyrocket. Kirby isn't sitting at his desk with an abacus per route. Revenue management systems control pricing and the pricing is very different when supply is 4x higher than the final supply.

Book now and take advantage of the free changes when things settle...

Apr 1, 2021, 1:42 pm

#3546

HNLbasedFlyer

Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: HNL

Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold

Posts: 6,447

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacusmcfly

Once the final schedules are published, and the revenue management system engages, fares skyrocket.

Book now and take advantage of the free changes when things settle...

I agree. What I see typically on the Hawaii routes - fare is low pre-schedule change - jump up considerably at schedule change - but then does eventually come more down to earth.

Apr 1, 2021, 2:43 pm

#3547

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,417

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS MillionMiler

By booking that far in advance, you were likely paying quite a bit more for the exact same flight that you would have gotten if you had waited.

Apr 1, 2021, 3:18 pm

#3548

MBS MillionMiler

Used to be MBS PremExec

Join Date: Sep 2000

Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)

Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat

Posts: 5,722

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsloan

By booking that far in advance, you were likely paying quite a bit more for the exact same flight that you would have gotten if you had waited.

I didn't say I was booking that far out. Just that I know my schedule that far ahead and by booking, by 'accordingly', I meant usually 2-3 months prior when I thought the fare was reasonable enough, or if inventory started to dry up--not my first rodeo and am well aware of all of that after 20 years on FT

. It's the same as I'm doing now, just booking 5-8 weeks ahead, and only when the schedule is set...I know almost all of my business trips from now until Feb 2022--in a normal world I'd indeed book when I thought the fare was at its best, usually a few months out, but never when I learned I was going somewhere 8-11 months prior to the trip.

I've had too much trouble with UA reservations, even the 1K line. I usually buy P/Z fares, and booking beyond the finalized schedule has been an extra hassle for me. In fall 2020, It took me 3 calls on a schedule change (2 HUCA), with a supervisor involved to move me to F on my first/last flights that went from a CRJ-200 to a -550, "Sir, you booked your flights were a coach fare that gave you a free upgrade to F, but on those flights, you didn't pay for a F seat on your first (and last) segments" (I am paraphrasing, but the typical pushback). Eventually, they 'did me a favor' and put me in F, even after showing them that the 'new' fare, including F on all segments was the same price, or even cheaper--but if I canceled and re-booked that one in particular, the fare did drop by the time the schedule finalized, so had I not found an agent who'd give me a 'one time exception'

, I could have canceled and re-booked it, but because of their new 'lose it if the fare is less', I would have been out, in that case, about $40 in PQD and 440 miles. Just ain't worth it to me. I'll wait until the schedule is settled. YMMV.

Apr 1, 2021, 3:23 pm

#3549

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,417

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS MillionMiler

My bad. I read more into what you wrote than I should have.

Apr 1, 2021, 3:24 pm

#3550

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 MBS MillionMiler

...I could have canceled and re-booked it, but because of their new 'lose it if the fare is less', .....

Which is now history
We are back to credit on lower fare changes.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...l#post33144546

Apr 1, 2021, 3:48 pm

#3551

cesco.g

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 1999

Posts: 11,468

Eff 6 May IAD-ZRH vv goes daily, except T eastbound/W westbound. Operated by the 76L.
EWR-ZRH will relaunch 3x weekly on a 789 to boot.
The IAD route is offering Premium Economy fare buckets.

Apr 1, 2021, 4:34 pm

#3552

MBS MillionMiler

Used to be MBS PremExec

Join Date: Sep 2000

Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)

Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat

Posts: 5,722

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

Which is now history
We are back to credit on lower fare changes.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...l#post33144546

I. Did. Not. Know. That. ...That does change the equation slightly. Thanks!

Apr 2, 2021, 4:32 am

#3553

jp12687

Join Date: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,116

Global services with first flight booked in over a year and issues

First flight booked months ago ORD-HPN flying with a lap child so wanted to be on a smaller plane where we wouldn’t have to share a row and can be in the bulkhead.

united just canceled the HPN segments (and possibly all of them) and didn’t rebook us. Don’t see many good options and the $ flights from EWR and LGA are at worse times and cost 4x the HPN flight.

not a good start to my flying career again

Apr 2, 2021, 6:26 am

#3554

mfirst

Join Date: Oct 2018

Programs: United 1k, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador and LT-Gold

Posts: 1,661

sounds unfortunate - sorry about the headache
as I have been doing more flying - but always the same routes, I am finding that there are many flights that seem to appear and disappear and often on short notice... I think UA is testing the waters to see demand - if there is a lot, they try to add more flights - if minimal, they cut back and/or combine 2 morning (or evening) flights into 1..... all in a state of flux as they figure out what is going on

spring break and easter are not making it any easier.....

Apr 2, 2021, 7:16 am

#3555

Repooc17

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2017

Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold

Posts: 10,515

Given the current travel landscape, airline schedules are generally good for the next 30-60 days (exact timing vary by carrier and latest updates); schedules beyond are placeholder only.

Both AA and UA have suspended nonstop flying between ORD and HPN for a while now.