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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Nov 8, 2021, 9:44 am

#4306

ATOBTTR

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2015

Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.

Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium

Posts: 10,360

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfischer

Probably not a LIH-CMH fare? If it is then they might do that. How about LIH-DEN lie-flat? Keeping the HA segment will complicate things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

That is not as much leverage as you might think, it is still a HA flight and UA has limited flexiblity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumje

They still have to pay HA if they put you on a flight with HA. They would rather not do that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by emcampbe

again, my experience there is pretty good flexibility with schedule changes. I’d guess presuming availability, even in only higher fare classes, UA will make the switch fine, especially on UA codeshare flight numbers.

I mean, I suppose, but given UA is already paying for an HA-operated flight, not sure why a different one would be too much of an issue. Again, especially on UA codeshare.

To follow-up, I called UA today and they had no issues exchanging my multi-city LIH-HNL-SFO/SFO-ORD-CMH to a LIH-CMH itinerary, booked as LIH-HNL-IAD-CMH, with LIH-HNL as the UA codeshare, operated by HA. HA even had F seats for sale so I'll get F on that leg too.

HNL-IAD is on a High J Polaris equipped 767-300.

On a slightly related note, I was impressed that it took me less time to get through to UA over the phone as a Silver (less than 10 minutes after getting through all the menus), than it has taken me to get through to DL as a Platinum over the past 1.5 years.

Nov 8, 2021, 9:58 am

#4307

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,423

Nice! Long overwater flight and you get to avoid the clown show of HA Y

Nov 8, 2021, 10:54 am

#4308

ATOBTTR

FlyerTalk Evangelist

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Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by findark

Nice! Long overwater flight and you get to avoid the clown show of HA Y

Yes. Happy to avoid island hopping on HA in Y and of the options from HI to the mainland, HNL-IAD seemed the most preferable based on departure time and flight length and seat options.

On the topic of avoiding the "clown show" (as you put it) of HA Y, Island hopping on HA in Y is enough to convince me that having some status, even if it's the lowest level, on a program is far superior to having no status. During this same trip, we have a separate island hopper (OGG-LIH) on HA where I just bought up to F at booking. When it comes to HA, I've now found it's worth it to just buy F when island hopping, especially if you plan on checking bags. I get an exemption from HA's bag fees as a military member, but for those who don't, the premium to buy F on HA over Y if you book early is usually about $50 and if you're checking bags, you'll spend that much in bag fees anyway so you may as well pay for F and get a FC seat and FC check-in rather than paying about the same amount of money in the end and having to ride in Y and deal with the crowds and zoo at check-in (which I'm willing to pay the premium for F even if I do get free bags in Y just to avoid the clown show).

Last edited by ATOBTTR; Nov 8, 2021 at 3:29 pm

Nov 8, 2021, 2:43 pm

#4309

emcampbe

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2006

Location: SFO/SJC

Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold

Posts: 14,891

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATOBTTR

As I mentioned, UA is pretty flexible with invols. Glad you got what you were looking for.

As for the call, yes, I've found the call center fairly easy to get through to these days. There was a point where the waits were relatively lengthy (I'm a silver as well), but noticed recently I've had little to no wait, I think since maybe somewhat after Labor Day, I haven't waited more than 5 minutes or so to speak to a human. That said, I've also used the text option at times when I think its made sense - a convenient option for certain things, IMO, though definitely not all.

Nov 10, 2021, 7:21 am

#4310

Cledaybuck

Join Date: Jun 2015

Location: DAY

Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards

Posts: 4,953

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATOBTTR

Good to know as I have something similar booked in March (CMH-SFO/SFO-OGG). Right now that CMH-SFO flight still exists, but it has been pushed back several times before so I am not counting on it. Not sure if you asked, but would a refund on the entire itinerary have been an option?

Nov 10, 2021, 8:32 am

#4311

ATOBTTR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Cledaybuck

DOT requires a refund being offered if segments or added or there's a change in operating carrier. I had a segment added (SFO-CMH became SFO-ORD-CMH) and an additional carrier was added (ORD-CMH is operated by a Regional Carrier), so I would have qualified for a DOT refund under both of those rules. But I didn't even ask because I didn't need to since UA gave me my most preferred option at an even exchange, though I was prepared to ask for one if UA wouldn't have switched me for an even exchange. I may have requested a refund and booked another option on another airline.

I have CMH-DEN-OGG on the outbound on a separate ticket from my return. My layover at DEN has been shortened by about 20 min due to one minor schedule change but otherwise nothing crazy there. Though if it gets too short, I may ask if UA would rebook me to have CMH-DEN/overnight at DEN/DEN-OGG or ask for CMH-ORD/overnight at ORD/OGG, even if I have to pay out of pocket to overnight at DEN or ORD.

Nov 12, 2021, 5:51 pm

#4312

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

January tweaks occurring right now. Includes the CES flights to/from Vegas as are being discussed in a thread below.

Nov 12, 2021, 5:53 pm

#4313

flyingrohit

Join Date: Sep 2016

Location: SNA (home), LAX, BOM/PNQ, LHR

Programs: UA 1K/*G, Marriott Gold Elite, IHG Platinum, HHonors Silver

Posts: 965

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS MillionMiler

January tweaks occurring right now. Includes the CES flights to/from Vegas as are being discussed in a thread below.

The return of the 100+ person long CPU list

Nov 15, 2021, 8:42 am

#4314

ATOBTTR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ATOBTTR

I have CMH-DEN-OGG on the outbound on a separate ticket from my return. My layover at DEN has been shortened by about 20 min due to one minor schedule change but otherwise nothing crazy there. Though if it gets too short, I may ask if UA would rebook me to have CMH-DEN/overnight at DEN/DEN-OGG or ask for CMH-ORD/overnight at ORD/OGG, even if I have to pay out of pocket to overnight at DEN or ORD.

This past weekend's schedule change did just this - my layover in DEN got cut down even further. When I originally booked it was ~1 hour 45 min. Then in one schedule change, DEN-OGG moved earlier, shortening the layover to ~1 hr 25 min. Now this weekend, CMH-DEN was moved later and now my layover is just a hair over an hour. Not sure that I'm comfortable with that given I'm departing a location prone to winter weather going through a hub prone to winter weather. In addition to this layover not providing a lot of cushion to begin with, this doesn't leave an appropriate window to verify pre-clearance and get the wrist band, if it's still a requirement in February (which I expect it will be).

So that leaves me with the following options:
-Ask to switch to a routing via ORD (CMH-ORD-OGG) with an ~1 hr 32 min layover. Not sure this is any less risky than a 1 hour connection via DEN to be honest though.
-Ask to switch to switch to a routing via ORD that has a 3 hour layover but departs CMH at 6:00 AM. Much greater cushion but a 6 AM flight. Ugggh (even if I do stay by CMH overnight).
-See if UA would allow me to fly CMH-DEN the day prior and overnight at DEN at my expense. This isn't the worst option since I was planning to drive to CMH the night prior and overnight by CMH anyway. The one risk I see here is getting "stuck" in DEN if I get to DEN on the day prior then get hit with winter weather in DEN on the day I'm scheduled to fly DEN-OGG. (I guess that's what travel insurance is for though, right?)
-Keep as is for now and review closer to travel date as there may be additional schedule changes anyway.

Nov 15, 2021, 10:46 am

#4315

cfischer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ATOBTTR

All seem like reasonable options. UA should have no problems allowing this.

Nov 15, 2021, 11:14 am

#4316

HNLbasedFlyer

Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: HNL

Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold

Posts: 6,447

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATOBTTR

Don't worry about the silly wristband - you can get cleared at OGG - and likely very quickly since most people will be pre-cleared.

An hour is plenty of time for a connection and if DEN is going to get hit with a winter storm you'll certainly know ahead of your flight and can ask UA for changes at that time. And in my experience - DEN handles winter very well except for the epic storms that you'll have plenty of notice for.

Nov 15, 2021, 2:06 pm

#4317

tstauck

Join Date: Oct 2016

Location: SBA

Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC

Posts: 941

Agreed on the wristband. I flew LAX-HNL and the wristband line was far longer there, than the line when arriving. I waited about 20 min in line in LAX and it was still all the way around the corner and gave up. About 10 min instead when landing.

Nov 15, 2021, 8:47 pm

#4318

ATOBTTR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HNLbasedFlyer

Don't worry about the silly wristband - you can get cleared at OGG - and likely very quickly since most people will be pre-cleared.

I'd prefer to have it done so I can just head out though but I agree, but probably not the end of the world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HNLbasedFlyer

An hour is plenty of time for a connection and if DEN is going to get hit with a winter storm you'll certainly know ahead of your flight and can ask UA for changes at that time. And in my experience - DEN handles winter very well except for the epic storms that you'll have plenty of notice for.

True to an extent. If the issue is at DEN, then there's a good chance if my inbound is delayed, then my outbound may be delayed too. But part of the reason I would prefer a bigger cushion is if the issue is at my origin at CMH, which can be prone to winter weather too. If CMH has delays while DEN is running fine, a 1 hour connection does not leave a lot of cushion for a departure delay out of CMH to still make the connection in DEN.

Nov 16, 2021, 7:12 am

#4319

zdog2x

Join Date: Mar 2014

Programs: 1K

Posts: 220

With connection times under an hour and potentially landing in A and departing from B you will likely make your flight as OGG will depart from the center of B … even with a small delay. Your bags? Maybe, maybe not. As someone who flies through DEN for every trip I now try and book connections > 1hr.

Nov 16, 2021, 9:40 am

#4320

ATOBTTR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by zdog2x

Yes - bags making the connection is always a concern too, especially if there are delays that cut down the layover time. My personal MCT is often closer to 90 min, particularly if going through airports prone to weather during certain parts of the year. I know some would consider that extreme/unnecessary but that's my personal preference.

Given that I was planning to overnight at CMH the night before anyway, I'm leaning towards asking UA to let me fly CMH-DEN the day prior and then overnight at my own expense at DEN and then fly DEN-OGG on the day I'm scheduled to do so. For the piece of mind, all I'm out is a the price difference in a hotel for DEN over CMH and an extra day of parking at the airport.