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 10, 2020, 7:17 am

#1231

JimInOhio

Join Date: Jun 2014

Programs: UA MM

Posts: 4,129

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Machine

Where are you seeing that? Is there a link you can provide perhaps? Thanks

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...l#nochangefees

Mar 10, 2020, 7:19 am

#1232

mgiannetto

Join Date: Jul 2013

Posts: 46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Machine

Where are you seeing that? Is there a link you can provide perhaps? Thanks

When I bring up the reservation online there are a series of options. One is change flight and another is cancel flight. When I click on cancel flight it takes me to a page which shows the full value I paid for the ticket. There is no indication that there is a cancellation fee.

The question I have is do I need to book a replacement flight and travel within 12 months of the original ticket date (for me that was July 2019)? If so, what happens if I don't? Will they deduct $400 (two of us traveling) or will I lose the full value of the tickets. On hold with United now. Says wait will be one hour. So I'll hang on and see what the agent says.

Mar 10, 2020, 7:23 am

#1233

tys90

Join Date: Sep 2012

Posts: 586

If I pull up a reservation and hit cancel, it says this:

Credit
$XXX.XX
Future flight credit. Please use confirmation number ______ to return to this cancelled reservation in My Trips and make changes for a future trip. Change fees may apply.

However, it's not applying any change fees, which makes sense given the waiver. I have a question, since the credit is tied to the confirmation, do I have to use that credit for the person that ticket was booked for or can I use the credit on someone else?

EDIT: Tried to cancel a BE ticket online and it wouldn't let me cancel. Anyone else able to cancel a BE flight?

Last edited by tys90; Mar 10, 2020 at 7:30 am

Mar 10, 2020, 7:32 am

#1234

mgiannetto

Join Date: Jul 2013

Posts: 46

Quote:

Originally Posted by tys90

If I pull up a reservation and hit cancel, it says this:

Credit
$XXX.XX
Future flight creditPlease use confirmation number ______ to return to this cancelled reservation in My Trips and make changes for a future trip. Change fees may apply.

However, it's not applying any change fees, which makes sense given the waiver. I have a question, since the credit is tied to the confirmation, do I have to use that credit for the person that ticket was booked for or can I use the credit on someone else?

In my experience, the credit is attached to the person who was flying, but I am not an expert on this.

WRT the comment that change fees may apply, I think they won't apply a change fee if you travel within one-year of the date you purchased the original ticket, but will apply a change fee if you use the credit and fly more than 12 months from the date you purchased the original ticket. Still on hold waiting for an agent...

Mar 10, 2020, 7:33 am

#1235

taipeipeter

Join Date: Dec 2005

Location: Taiwan

Programs: UA, CX, BR

Posts: 718

my experience

Cancelled 2 flights bought in January, flying end of March. No problem with credit; fine print says may be subject to change fees. A call to the agent said there would be no change fees, and also that residual could be applied to new tickets. I guess I'll see how it works out when I need to get new tickets (within a year).

Mar 10, 2020, 7:44 am

#1236

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 MBS MillionMiler

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!

Happened quicker than I thought, and very generously, nonetheless...I hopped on this right away and revised 3 bookings late last night including dodging a midcon redeye that was much cheaper at booking than the flight the next day.

But that takes me to a question. I didn't cancel and rebook...Rather I just changed the flight. It says I'm due a $120 refund in the form of an ETC...But I don't see it anywhere. Is it mailed separately? Something I need to call in for?

Mar 10, 2020, 7:52 am

#1237

tr3k

Join Date: Oct 2018

Posts: 1,656

Quote:

Originally Posted by random.parts

Looks like it does - have a travel waiver notice on an upcoming award reservation

It did, "sort of". No waiver notice or anything, but I called and they did waive the change fee.

Mar 10, 2020, 7:58 am

#1238

cfischer

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2005

Location: BOS/EAP

Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat

Posts: 32,074

Following Delta again. Well, at least they are followers ... could be worse.

Mar 10, 2020, 8:00 am

#1239

JetAway

Join Date: Jul 2002

Location: Virginia, USA

Posts: 4,511

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS MillionMiler

It should show up in an email in a few days. Call if you receive nothing in a week.

Mar 10, 2020, 8:04 am

#1240

mgiannetto

Join Date: Jul 2013

Posts: 46

Quote:

Originally Posted by taipeipeter

Agent finally answered. One the phone with them now. Said since my tickets were purchased in 2019, I operate under the 2019 rules. This means I can cancel at any time prior to departure (July 13, 2020 for me) and as along as I book new travel by that date (can happen anytime in the future as far out as United schedules its flights) there will be NO change fee assessed.

It appears the language on the web site about needing to book AND fly within 12 months of the original ticket issuance date applies the the cancellation fee in effect in 2020 prior to this latest Coronavirus related change. There is no requirement to fly within 12 months of the original ticket issuance date for tickets booked in 2019.

IMPORTANTLY, the ticketing agent said that the future travel against which the travel credit will be used must be booked by CALLING into the reservations department as the United Website will otherwise try and assess a change fee if booking online. I hope she knows what she is talking about.

Mar 10, 2020, 8:04 am

#1241

MaxQ

Join Date: Mar 2010

Posts: 2

What about refunds for prepaid "extras" such as Economy Plus?

I have tickets to Costa Rica for next week, and now see the travel waiver language on the My Trip page. If I go to cancel flight option, it shows my fare paid (base fare plus taxes) and indicates a change fee is possible. No further detail or information. I assume its a placeholder and will assume the generic change fee waiver language is in effect. However, I noticed there is no refund/credit for the fees we prepaid for Economy Plus. A friend on the same flight is seeing the same thing regarding the $398 advance upgrade to Business Class that he purchased at time of ticketing. I'm happy to get back the ~$600 per ticket of course, but would be even happier to also get a refund or credit for the ~$130 per ticket that we paid for Economy Plus. :-)

Thanks to all the folks taking the time to post real-time information and advice, and answering random questions!

Mar 10, 2020, 8:06 am

#1242

Flying Machine

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: LAX

Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club

Posts: 6,852

Thanks United

I had a trans Atlantic basic economy ticket, Booked in October 2019 for travel to start end of March 2020 to France. I just called United and even though my original ticket was partially paid with an ECERT, the full value of the ticket can be applied to any itinerary, to any destination as long as travel commences by October 20 20 (which is one year from the original ticketing date) Agent also said to keep track of the original PNR so you can access this ticket and its value. Very happy United that I was able to make this change especially with a basic economy ticket. It was such a great fare to Paris I wanted to try BE, However, it looks like I can travel in any class going forward. Good luck to everyone else in a similar situation

Mar 10, 2020, 8:10 am

#1243

slice

Join Date: Apr 2011

Posts: 464

For the waiver instituted in the last 24 hours (all tickets issued on/before March 2, for travel March 9 - April 30), can the value be applied only to a single future ticket, or across multiple tickets?

Mar 10, 2020, 8:13 am

#1244

Flying Machine

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: LAX

Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club

Posts: 6,852

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgiannetto

See my post above I have to commence travel by one year after the original ticketing date

Mar 10, 2020, 8:18 am

#1245

veezer

Join Date: May 2005

Location: SJC/BWI

Programs: UA 1P

Posts: 45

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS MillionMiler

Quote:

Originally Posted by JetAway

It should show up in an email in a few days. Call if you receive nothing in a week.

If they issue an ETC for difference in fare after changing flight, how long will that ETC be valid for? Will it also expire 1 year from original booking date? I have a booking made in mid-May last year, so I have to rebook before mid-May this year, but it would be nice to have at least the difference in fare be applicable for a new flight booking after mid-May..