May 7, 2022, 3:00 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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}

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 11, 2020, 11:49 am

#1351

dcchi

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: Chicago (ORD)

Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold, AA Gold

Posts: 566

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueman2

Not sure when this happened, but FCO has now been added to the "Northern Italy" waiver. Guess they need to rename that waiver.

That's a good catch. I've been religiously checking multiple times a day and haven't noticed that (probably because it was still titled "Northern Italy"....I guess FCO isn't in Sicily?).

However, can someone tell me what the difference is between the Italy waiver (even with FCO) and the general waiver they have for all travel now? Isn't it the same? Are there advantages to what is specifically listed for Italy? I am failing to see any difference (even if the wording is different), but I'm guessing there is some nuance that I'm not catching. Can someone enlighten me on it?

Thanks.

Mar 11, 2020, 11:58 am

#1352

RandomBaritone

Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: BOS

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

Posts: 2,306

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcchi

However, can someone tell me what the difference is between the Italy waiver (even with FCO) and the general waiver they have for all travel now? Isn't it the same? Are there advantages to what is specifically listed for Italy? I am failing to see any difference (even if the wording is different), but I'm guessing there is some nuance that I'm not catching. Can someone enlighten me on it?

Having availed myself of the Italy waiver earlier this week—and educated the UA phone agents on it in the process—I believe the chief difference is that if you are willing to keep the same origin, destination, and ticketed cabin and only change dates/routing, not only are the change fees waived, but any fare difference is waived as well.

As I mentioned upthread, this applies to any ticket on 016 stock, including codeshares. I found it very helpful.

Mar 11, 2020, 11:59 am

#1353

blueman2

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: SFO South Bay

Programs: UA 2MM

Posts: 3,052

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcchi

Only real difference is the ability to move to another flight with same city pair before June 30 in same class with no change in price. For example, I could have bought a P fare, but can move to a C or J fare for same city pair and it costs nothing. Nice benefit, but since it requires moving to a flight that departs before June 30, not of much use to me. No way I will be traveling to FCO before June 30.

Mar 11, 2020, 12:15 pm

#1354

RandomBaritone

Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: BOS

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

Posts: 2,306

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueman2

Nice benefit, but since it requires moving to a flight that departs before June 30, not of much use to me. No way I will be traveling to FCO before June 30.

It’s funny you say that; I didn’t think I’d be able to travel before June 30 because of professional commitments, but when those lifted, I jumped on the waiver. Currently heading to VCE on May 17. And I’m not alone: the hotel where we’ll be staying staying is booked solid in May, even though they’re a ghost town now.

Knock on wood, but it appears the market has spoken, and folks think this will be long gone in 6-8 weeks. Fingers crossed.

Mar 11, 2020, 12:24 pm

#1355

zagat4

Join Date: Jun 2007

Programs: United

Posts: 84

UA domestic flight change / cancel waiver question.

I am due to fly EWR - Fort Meyers on Friday. Was told on the app I could get a waiver to change at no fee or travel within one year of issue date. If I don't know my new travel dates, what do I do? If I cancel will I get credit without penalty ? That would be ideal. Or do I need to sort out probable or possible new dates and try to book that way and cross fingers ? They don't make it very clear. Sorry if this has been covered.

Mar 11, 2020, 12:36 pm

#1356

EsquireFlyer

Formerly known as CollegeFlyer

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: JRA

Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*

Posts: 6,716

Quote:

Originally Posted by zagat4

+1 to this question! I called United and the agent was even more confused than I was about the interactions of overlapping waiver policies.

Mar 11, 2020, 12:44 pm

#1357

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,421

Quote:

Originally Posted by zagat4

Yes. You can cancel and rebook later. You will not be able to get a refund, but the credit will be stored in the reservation, and you will be able to use it later.

For most tickets booked prior to March 3, if the new ticket you want to buy is cheaper than the older ticket, you'll get the remainder in an Electronic Travel Credit to be used within one year.

Mar 11, 2020, 12:45 pm

#1358

random.parts

Join Date: Dec 2019

Posts: 177

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCIE_Flyer

Edit: Just received said follow-up e-mail, and it includes the following stock language: "Change fees will apply when you use the remaining future flight credit." So not clear if doing this online is the right approach as yet (but again, believe this is probably just generic canned language).

I cancelled a flight booked before March since I did not yet have new dates...just went in to manage booking to change the cancelled flight in the app and the change fee was showing as waived

Mar 11, 2020, 12:53 pm

#1359

emcampbe

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2006

Location: SFO/SJC

Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold

Posts: 14,891

The other thing: before March 3, many (though likely not all, but also, any fare I've ever booked) has rules allowing the residual value from any rebooking to be returned if the rebooked fare is lower. Post March 3, most fares filed (maybe all, but who knows for sure) has rules that specify to agents that the residual value for any rebooked lower fares to be ignored. That means, with fares that mostly getting lower, having booked pre-March 3 can get the benefit of that, while those booking March 3 and later won't.

In fact, personally, I think that not having access to the residual is a bigger deal than the new policy not allowing refunds unless a schedule change is 25 hours or more. I'm hoping the residual restriction stops being listed in fare rules once the change fee becomes active again.

Mar 11, 2020, 12:58 pm

#1360

emcampbe

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2006

Location: SFO/SJC

Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold

Posts: 14,891

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWR764

Interesting... Does it go to an ETC under the rewritten fare rules if the reissued ticket is lower? Or is the fare differential (to the customer's benefit) on the exchange just ignored?

t

the fare rules now showing up commonly, where they weren't before, specifically say the residual value must be ignored - ie, UA keeps it.

Mostly before the no change fees promotion was added, many fares (pretty sure any I've ever booked), specify that the residual from rebooked lower fares go into an ETC (wording is a bit different, but that's essentially what it explains).

Mar 11, 2020, 1:18 pm

#1361

JetAway

Join Date: Jul 2002

Location: Virginia, USA

Posts: 4,511

Quote:

Originally Posted by zagat4

I tried to re-book a cancelled flight online and the website wants to charge me $200. This flight falls within the latest waiver.

Mar 11, 2020, 1:19 pm

#1362

emcampbe

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2006

Location: SFO/SJC

Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold

Posts: 14,891

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAalltheway

Where in the T&C does it guarantee a middle seat? Wasn't it merely implied that at check-in you get whatever is left? What was on offer was last available seats, not guaranteed discomfort. Getting a middle seat as a last resort was never complained about as you inherently pay for 'last available seats.' But if the cabin is wide open, it seems they are 'punishing' you, for not buying more then BE.

The point is that the major topics discussed in this thread (tickets waivers, change policies) largely only apply to leisure travelers. Biz travelers on major contracts book flexible tickets anyway, and most of them have been grounded - there is no way to capture that market back for the time being. UA's policy clearly intend to recapture leisure travelers in the next month; this is one just one more example where their customer unfriendly policies are counter productive to their efforts.

this topic is pretty OT for this thread, and IME, should be moved to the BE thread.

that said, BE doesn’t ‘guarantee’ any specific type of seat. It does, as noted, provide for UA to assign a seat that remains available, whatever it is. It doesn’t say it will be the least desirable seat, no, but it also doesn’t specify the best available seat. Most reports show BE flyers getting decent seats where available, including E+ at times, though a couple of more recent reports show seat assignments that were less desirable than others available. C’est la vie with BE.

interestingly enough, even with BE, there is a method to get the type of seat you want - by purchasing it in advance - and when I’ve seen it, it’s even not that much (I‘ve seen midcons for $12). IME, if you’re only willing to buy a basic fare, and not even willing to spend a few bucks on a seat assignment - you’ve got no right to complain about the seat you get. Don’t know why you willingly pay the basic fare, but expect the extras.

Mar 11, 2020, 1:20 pm

#1363

drewdawg199

Join Date: Jun 2009

Location: LAX

Programs: HH Diamond, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, AS MVP Gold

Posts: 549

Apologies if this has been asked already, but say I have an award flight (booked last year) on UA metal that is scheduled to depart in mid-April. Can I use the waiver to change the flight to a distant date, and then request it be cancelled at a later time and redeposited for no charge as a Platinum (>61 days before the new departure date)?
Thanks

Mar 11, 2020, 1:21 pm

#1364

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,421

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewdawg199

That should be possible, yes.

Mar 11, 2020, 1:35 pm

#1365

milepig

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2004

Location: ORD

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 16,901

Quote:

Originally Posted by random.parts

I cancelled a flight booked before March since I did not yet have new dates...just went in to manage booking to change the cancelled flight in the app and the change fee was showing as waived

Same thing for me - flight was booked on 1/23 for travel the third week of March. I just went online, hit cancel, the ensuing screen showed a amount do to as the full amount of the ticket. I hit "confirm" and the refund was issued - 3-4 days later it was on my company account, full refund, no questions.