Travel Waiver: Northeast Winter Weather 27-28 May 2022
 

Got an email about possible disruptions because of storms (flying from LGA -> ORD on 5/28, and returning on 5/30) and being able to change flights free of charge, except looking at the weather forecast there doesn't appear to be any inclement weather in Chicago, and possibly some rain on Saturday (and nothing on Monday).

I also checked https://jetstream.united.com/#/all-travel-waiver and there doesnt seem to be any travel waivers listed. Any ideas whats going on?

Yup. Travelling DCA >>> ORD and got the same email

But when I check the weather forecast, there is absolutely nothing on thunderstorms. Hope this isn't a creative way to manage anticipated staff shortages.

Waiver is posted on here: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...l/notices.html (as Northeast Winter Weather, at the end of May lol).

The DL forum has a pretty helpful explanation (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34280853-post10.html) — it's not ORD but LGA — thunderstorms in the NYC area on Friday will probably mess things up

haha yea, exactly. i was looking at maybe taking an evening flight Friday, but if anything the weather looks worse Friday than it does on Saturday...

thanks!

I received the same email - I am flying LAX to EWR on Saturday morning and connecting to a flight to Rome that evening in business. My problem is this ticket was booked through Amex Platinum travel and is a codeshare ticket with Brussels Airlines. When I called United, they said I would have to call Amex if my flight is cancelled or delayed (which I understand) but that there is nothing I can do unless or until my current flights are cancelled or delayed.

Does that sound correct? There aren't a lot of business seats open on those Rome flights.

I guess I just wait and see?

Waiver: Northeast Winter Weather

winter?? end of May??

another cut and paste error of a previous waiver??

Winter weather is especially rare in Puerto Rico during the last weekend of May. :cool:

Does anyone know if they just send this email to everybody who has a flight in and out of those airports hoping that some people will change and that they’ll have fewer people to deal with if there’s a problem? Or is this email actually targeted at flights they think will be disrupted? Because if it’s the former, then I’m not going to worry too much at this point. If it’s the latter, maybe I’ll worry a little more. But American Express travel tells me there’s nothing I can do other than cancel and do a whole new booking, until United actually makes a decision on the flight.

Weather waivers have become more frequent and wider in scope over the last few years for this reason. They are designed to entice passengers with flexibility (or fear of disruption) to avoid traveling during the potentially affected timeframe, so there are fewer people to reroute when things fall apart. They aren't necessarily targeted at specific flights, although in most cases, shorter hauls and UAX operations will be delayed/canceled first.

I actually view it as 'customer-friendly' - let customers sort themselves out if they have flexible plans, and it's win-win for everyone involved.

Tornado watch up in the greater dmv area. Severe weather passing through mid day.

got the same email.. flying 6 passengers (in business) TPA-EWR-GVA.. with 6 passengers in business the next available date for us would go from 5/28 to 6/1.. really debating what to do. I think i'll just roll with it and hope our flight to EWR doesn't get cancelled or delayed considerably (2.5hr layover)