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 11, 2020, 9:22 pm

#1441

zombietooth

Join Date: Oct 2009

Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.

Posts: 4,997

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderingkev

So we should have the same policy domestically then ?

I would say that US businesses, states and municipalities already are taking measures that effectively accomplish these goals; the NBA just cancelled their season, there will be no fans allowed for "March Madness", Washington State banned gatherings of more than 250, Austin cancelled the SXSW Festival, Coachella was cancelled as well, etc., etc.

All of the actions by private entities were either taken out of altruism or fear of liability. Motivation doesn't matter because the net effect is more social distancing. The governmental actions are spottier, but are eventually becoming effective.

If you are asking about a flight ban inside the US, I would say that we are nowhere near the wildfire that is currently Italy and so a flight ban isn't necessary. If this thing gets totally out of hand, who knows what could happen, but my opinion is that this outbreak will calm down in a few months in the US.

Last edited by zombietooth; Mar 11, 2020 at 10:51 pm

Mar 11, 2020, 9:39 pm

#1442

J.Edward

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.

Programs: (ಠ_ಠ)

Posts: 9,077

Evening All,

This thread is to discuss operational effects on UA arising from COVID19. Of particular note right now are family and friends of members who're having to scramble to make the best of the just-announced European restrictions. Please keep the discussion here focused on this topic.

Safe Travels,

J.Edward
UA form co-mod

Mar 11, 2020, 9:58 pm

#1443

zoomgirl

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Washington, DC

Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, AA Plat

Posts: 128

Currently in the Seychelles, and have a United award flight booked home Saturday/Sunday routing through FRA. Any wisdom from the FT crowd? How did it work with the China ban? Did United cancel all of their China-US flights immediately, or did a few still fly, but with less passengers?

We’re assuming we could get stuck in Frankfurt (our flight from Africa to Europe is on LH from ADD), but that some flights will need to fly out to get Americans home from Europe or other locations?

Mar 11, 2020, 10:01 pm

#1444

rotnkornkid

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: SFO

Programs: UA GS

Posts: 164

Does anyone know if United will refund PlusPoints if I have an itinerary that has cleared but I need to cancel/reschedule. Context = I am in Australia and am holding a flight back to the US on Saturday, with plans to keep pushing it back day-by-day in case something changes and I need to get home ASAP. Wondering if I should apply PlusPoints to it day-by-day or not. Thanks!

Mar 11, 2020, 10:03 pm

#1445

britNY

Join Date: Nov 2018

Programs: BA, United

Posts: 71

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Edward

just at a loss now. Meant to go to MNL on 3/28 and already arranged to come back via IST on Turkish And avoid NRT. Now not sure if that’s doable and don’t anyway want to expose elderly relatives to this virus. Think will just cxl and rebook to go to somewhere in the US

Mar 11, 2020, 10:05 pm

#1446

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,393

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoomgirl

It took UA about a week to wind down the China flights. My advice would be, if you can get some sooner, do so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoomgirl

We’re assuming we could get stuck in Frankfurt (our flight from Africa to Europe is on LH from ADD), but that some flights will need to fly out to get Americans home from Europe or other locations?

You would think so, but there are no guarantees. The situation changes every day.

Mar 11, 2020, 10:20 pm

#1447

PVDtoDEL

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: SEA/ORD/ADB

Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat

Posts: 7,763

Quote:

Originally Posted by britNY

Flights from IST will continue to operate normally for now..

Mar 11, 2020, 10:29 pm

#1448

iah713

Join Date: Feb 2020

Location: IAH

Programs: UA 1K

Posts: 5

Here's the actual text of the Proclamation, which (unsurprisingly) is very different from that presented in the TV speech. Exemptions are pretty wide, but it will be hard to try to use UK as loophole as some have suggested above. Can't post URL's so try this:

(WH dot gov) presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

Mar 11, 2020, 10:37 pm

#1449

mozilla

Join Date: Jul 2012

Posts: 1,115

Yes, the actual text is very different. Not "all of Europe except the UK," several European countries are exempt as it is just Schengen. Additionally, aliens can be eligible for one of the many exceptions based on their personal situations. The President said there would be a cargo ban from Europe, but cargo remains free to fly in both directions (with US pilots). Kudos to WH staff for quickly releasing the text.

Mar 11, 2020, 10:45 pm

#1450

BBSHOPSINGER

Join Date: May 2016

Location: SLC

Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle

Posts: 768

I'm trying desperately to rescue my retirement celebration trip I have been planning for years, and booked starting 11 months ago.

My wife and I have a round the world award itinerary that includes a connection in FRA and a stop in BUD. The rest of the locations are safe (for now). We're scheduled to leave on 3/24.

Do you think it's worthwhile for me to stay on hold and try to change my stop to LHR? I would need to get United to change my first itinerary to a flight direct from somewhere in the US to LHR, and then at least the first leg of my next booking to SYD. Am I wasting my time? United has always been very accommodating in the past.

Mar 11, 2020, 10:46 pm

#1451

BBSHOPSINGER

Join Date: May 2016

Location: SLC

Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle

Posts: 768

Quote:

Originally Posted by mozilla

I watched the speech and heard him say that there would no cargo ban.

Mar 11, 2020, 10:48 pm

#1452

catocony

Join Date: May 2005

Location: Dulles, VA

Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium

Posts: 2,757

It's a death spiral for travel at the moment. As more and more people cancel, or have governments shut down routes, then more and more flights will be cancelled. Even if you have a flight make it, hotels may start closing, or restaurants, museums, etc. Treat the next month or two as you would a major snowstorm - wait it out. I wouldn't go on a vacation at this point, not out of fear for the virus, but just due to the travel headaches and the chances of a lot of stuff being closed wherever you go.

Mar 11, 2020, 10:52 pm

#1453

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,393

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBSHOPSINGER

IDo you think it's worthwhile for me to stay on hold and try to change my stop to LHR? I would need to get United to change my first itinerary to a flight direct from somewhere in the US to LHR, and then at least the first leg of my next booking to SYD. Am I wasting my time? United has always been very accommodating in the past.

Wasting your time? I guess it depends upon your perspective. If you can find award space, UA will certainly make the changes for you, and award space may be rather plentiful. But nobody knows what flights are actually going to be operating in two weeks, and there's a nonzero chance you'll get stuck in some foreign country. What is the trip worth to you?

I would probably be planning to push things back further, because I expect the travel restrictions to get worse before they get better... and they change every day, so while you might be fine when you leave, you could be spending your entire trip on the phone with UA, trying to change your next leg.

Mar 11, 2020, 10:52 pm

#1454

cesco.g

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 1999

Posts: 11,468

Got a friend booked on a flight from ZRH; EWR & IAD still show seats, incl saverawards available for TH 3/12.

Mar 11, 2020, 10:52 pm

#1455

mozilla

Join Date: Jul 2012

Posts: 1,115

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBSHOPSINGER

I watched the speech and heard him say that there would no cargo ban.

Quote:

... these prohibitions will not only apply to the tremendous amount of trade and cargo, but various other things as we get approval. Anything coming from Europe to the United States is what we are discussing.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings...ddress-nation/