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 9, 2020, 11:49 am

#1171

IAH-OIL-TRASH

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: Honolulu Harbor

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 15,026

Quote:

Originally Posted by starchoice

...I noticed an itinerary change upon checking my reservation. Strangely, I received no e-mail from United about this....

Not strange - unfortunately, lack of notification e-mail is almost standard.

Mar 9, 2020, 12:04 pm

#1172

LifetimeGS

Join Date: Feb 2020

Location: BOS/SFO

Programs: United 4MM GS, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Lifetime Diamond

Posts: 307

Quote:

Originally Posted by starchoice

UA's official policy is :

I purchased a ticket before March 3rd. I noticed an itinerary change upon checking my reservation. Strangely, I received no e-mail from United about this. I took advantage of their policy allowing for changes where there is more of a thirty minute difference. I changed the day (as allowed) also. I am wondering if, should I need it, they would allow me to make a change under the current March 3 - March 31 policy. I am guessing that "original ticket issue date" may be a point of contention.

Interestingly, I have had to make two changes due to schedule changes, and on each of the modified reservations there is now 'your reservation is eligible for a waiver' banner that was not there before

Mar 9, 2020, 1:18 pm

#1173

mduell

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2007

Location: Houston

Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold

Posts: 12,693

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

So are they parking all the retrofitted 772s? I assume the 789 is considerably more efficient, but they're essentially un-Polarizing virutally all the SFO routes. Not a great way to spur new paid bookings.

I don't think people still flying longhaul are flying for the product experience. They're flying because they really need to be somewhere.

Mar 9, 2020, 1:25 pm

#1174

RandomBaritone

Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: BOS

Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear

Posts: 2,306

Just wanted to get some expert input on how best to handle my situation. Spouse + I have tickets on UA stock/LH metal BOS>MUC>VCE on April 12, then we’d planned to visit FLR and BCN before heading home on April 25. UA’s existing VCE waiver is not especially helpful for us, because:

We’ve checked other destinations for the same dates, and every place we’d consider would cost us another $1,000 or so. Plus there’s the notion that going elsewhere in Europe in April is unwise; experts seem to believe that the virus will spread farther before it settles down.
We can’t wholly reschedule the trip for May/June due to professional commitments. We could do July or August, but the waiver doesn’t allow for travel after June 30, so we’d have to shell out another $1,000.

I know my best option at this point is to wait and hope the flight is canceled. Our BOS>MUC leg is on a LH A380, and I’ve heard they grounded the fleet, meaning there will be some change to either the aircraft or the schedule. But I’m concerned UA’s new “25-hour rule” means that if they can rebook us onto any flight into VCE on or about April 12—even if the times don’t work for us or would rob us of a full day of our vacation—we won’t have other options.

Are phone agents able to waive or bend the rules about when the waiver ends and whether changes to destination trigger additional fare collections? If they’d let us swap our flights for July or August, I think we’d just do that, but I can’t justify dropping $1,000 when we’d already paid for our vacation.

Is there anything I’m overlooking? What do folks recommend? If it matters, I was once Platinum on UA, but I’ve let my status lapse and switched much of my flying to DL over the past year. The irony is that we’re both fairly young and in fine health, so we’d typically just laugh off any concerns. Rather, it’s the prospect of being quarantined or a vector for transmission to others that has forced our hand.

Mar 9, 2020, 1:25 pm

#1175

COSPILOT

Join Date: Nov 2007

Location: Colorado

Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE

Posts: 5,660

Quote:

Originally Posted by mduell

I don't think people still flying longhaul are flying for the product experience. They're flying because they really need to be somewhere.

I was expecting to see a reduction in demand for mainland-Hawaii flights, but so far flights remain pretty full from what I can see. Obviously plenty of leisure travelers haven’t stopped coming here, yet...

Mar 9, 2020, 1:35 pm

#1176

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,415

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomBaritone

But I’m concerned UA’s new “25-hour rule” means that if they can rebook us onto any flight into VCE on or about April 12—even if the times don’t work for us or would rob us of a full day of our vacation—we won’t have other options.

It's not that you won't have other options, it's that they're going to try hard to hold onto your money instead of refunding it. You'll always be able to call up and say "that routing doesn't work for me."

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomBaritone

Are phone agents able to waive or bend the rules about when the waiver ends and whether changes to destination trigger additional fare collections? If they’d let us swap our flights for July or August, I think we’d just do that, but I can’t justify dropping $1,000 when we’d already paid for our vacation.

Yes. The former is more likely than the latter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomBaritone

Is there anything I’m overlooking? What do folks recommend?

I recommend patience. Perhaps UA will expand the waiver to make it more useful. Perhaps the situation will look very different in a month. Perhaps airfare to alternate dates or destinations will drop as demand plummets. You have the advantage of time, so I'd use it.

Mar 9, 2020, 2:02 pm

#1177

RandomBaritone

Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: BOS

Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear

Posts: 2,306

Further to my earlier message, I’ve just learned that our commitments in May can possibly be shifted, which would enable us to avail ourselves of the waiver as it’s written.

But every time I check UA’s “change flight” tool—when it doesn’t error out, that is—the only fare options I’m given are astronomical, even though we’re not changing destinations, only dates. Is the tool junk, meaning I need to brave the wait times and call in? Or does the waiver rule allowing free changes to any routing in the same ticketed cabin only apply to UA metal, and not to codeshares?

Mar 9, 2020, 2:03 pm

#1178

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,415

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomBaritone

Is the tool junk

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomBaritone

Or does the waiver rule allowing free changes to any routing in the same ticketed cabin only apply to UA metal, and not to codeshares?

Possibly? This is tougher to say. Most waivers, historically, have been UA-metal only, with an occasional report of success changing to a codeshare. I suspect that's still what they'd prefer, but you might get an agent willing to make an alternate interpretation.

Mar 9, 2020, 2:22 pm

#1179

IAH-OIL-TRASH

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: Honolulu Harbor

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 15,026

Quote:

Originally Posted by COSPILOT

I have 3 itineraries through mid-May with Hawaii flights. No changes over the weekend and only a few F seats have opened (I rightly or wrongly assume COVID-19 related cancellations) - not enough for my PP upgrades to clear. My neighbor manages a flower shop at Wailea. She's seen 3 (non-local) weddings, a T-Mobile (mainland attendees) conference, and a Mahi Pono (local ag company) conference cancelled recently. There are definitely some effects starting to percolate. One of the weddings was cancelled as Bridezilla's perfect wedding dress wouldn't be ready in time because certain lace and trim stuff from China was delayed (due to the virus).

The Four Season is offering a kamaaina (local) rate of $399 (with free parking and some dining deals!). No thanks...

Mar 9, 2020, 2:27 pm

#1180

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

Lucky just reported that DL is waiving change fees for ALL OLDER BOOKINGS, for travel from now until 30 April (rebooked to flights for travel until December 31). http://bit.ly/38xgmax

Hoping UA matches! But don't they only copy DL's 'bad' things?

Any speculation from our resident gurus as to if, and when UA will follow suit? Really hoping to change a flight later this week!

Mar 9, 2020, 2:30 pm

#1181

mduell

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: May 2007

Location: Houston

Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold

Posts: 12,693

Quote:

Originally Posted by COSPILOT

Which were never Polaris and have nothing to do with the hard product change I was replying to.

Mar 9, 2020, 2:32 pm

#1182

Weatherboy

Join Date: Mar 2001

Location: New York / Hawaii

Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond

Posts: 5,178

Quote:

Originally Posted by COSPILOT

I believe one 777 into HNL from SFO was dropped from the schedule. KOA flights I've checked are crazy empty.

Mar 9, 2020, 2:33 pm

#1183

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,470

Quote:

Originally Posted by mduell

I don't think people still flying longhaul are flying for the product experience. They're flying because they really need to be somewhere.

That doesn't mean they're not paying attention to what they're getting for their money.

I'm still booking flights and am certainly taking into account overall product quality.

Mar 9, 2020, 2:36 pm

#1184

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,470

Quote:

Originally Posted by COSPILOT

I flew back from HNL this morning. My outbound from LAX on DL was full, the return via PHX on AA was lightly booked and lots of NRSA rode up front.

I was watching the SFO-HNL flights and they are not selling out like they were a month ago. P fares widely available on the 772s, which has not been the case for the past year or so.

Mar 9, 2020, 2:40 pm

#1185

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,415

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS MillionMiler

Hoping UA matches! But don't they only copy DL's 'bad' things?

Any speculation from our resident gurus as to if, and when UA will follow suit? Really hoping to change a flight later this week!

I suspect UA would be the third mover. If AA follows suit, expect UA to do the same the next day. Note that UA may still keep the "equal or greater value" provision in their waiver, if they do issue it. And, yes, they can actually do that for older bookings too, in that they could simply refuse to waive the change fee unless you're willing to ignore the excess value. At least you'd have a choice, though.