Large schedule change - automatically accepted?
Feb 9, 2023 | 11:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, AY Gold, Accor Plat, various CC hotel status
Posts: 2,981
Large schedule change - automatically accepted?
United sent me two e-mails within a period of 4 minutes: one announcing a significant schedule change (arrival 7 hours later than planned, a 2 hour connection became a 12 hour connection) and an eticket receipt for the new itinerary. On the website the trips appears to be confirmed and there is no option for no-cost changes or cancel (unlike schedule changes in the past, even when the schedule change was minor).
I want to either change for free to a more convenient schedule or cancel the itinerary for a full refund. Do you have any advice? I'm guessing that if i call the agent will see the new itinerary as accepted and it will be a battle...
I want to either change for free to a more convenient schedule or cancel the itinerary for a full refund. Do you have any advice? I'm guessing that if i call the agent will see the new itinerary as accepted and it will be a battle...
Feb 9, 2023 | 11:17 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,778
No, agent can see original itinerary even if the waiver didn't get applied to reservation as it should have. So there should be no pushback if you want a change.
Some agents do get confused, but if you catch one of those when you call, politely end and HUCA.
Some agents do get confused, but if you catch one of those when you call, politely end and HUCA.
Feb 9, 2023 | 11:26 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 2,212
I've had this happen to me, and there weren't any problems. It went something like "Hello, there was a schedule change affecting XXX flight, and the itinerary that I've been rebooked on doesn't work for me because of a 12 hour connection. I would like to be reaccomodated on flight YYY". I've also had a lot of success with the online chat for schedule change fixes.
Feb 9, 2023 | 11:30 am
#4
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,134
Feb 10, 2023 | 9:08 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Still going through ORD security when boarding has already started
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Hyatt Disco, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,322
Come prepared to ask for specific flights to change to. That will give you the best chance of success without having to HUCA.
Feb 11, 2023 | 12:51 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,648
Any chance this works with Award tickets? (I'm going to try anyway once I find out the tolerance level of my family members.)
I have award tickets in business for 6 (full JN!) but it involves a partner so that will complicate matters. The schedule change increased the layover from 5 to 8+ hours on the partner. The partner flight is in Y, so maybe that allows more flexibility. (He says, hopefully!)
I have award tickets in business for 6 (full JN!) but it involves a partner so that will complicate matters. The schedule change increased the layover from 5 to 8+ hours on the partner. The partner flight is in Y, so maybe that allows more flexibility. (He says, hopefully!)
Feb 11, 2023 | 1:02 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,720
Any chance this works with Award tickets? (I'm going to try anyway once I find out the tolerance level of my family members.)
I have award tickets in business for 6 (full JN!) but it involves a partner so that will complicate matters. The schedule change increased the layover from 5 to 8+ hours on the partner. The partner flight is in Y, so maybe that allows more flexibility. (He says, hopefully!)
I have award tickets in business for 6 (full JN!) but it involves a partner so that will complicate matters. The schedule change increased the layover from 5 to 8+ hours on the partner. The partner flight is in Y, so maybe that allows more flexibility. (He says, hopefully!)
Feb 11, 2023 | 1:59 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,648
I figured this was the case. Unfortunately, we have 1 or 2 nervous flyers who want to fly as part of the group, so this limits our options if partner inventory is limited. (As it is, they already are in Y on the partner flight, not that it matters much in Europe.) I'm in Europe and I just don't feel like dealing with this issue to sort it out with them right now, especially on Super Bowl Weekend.
Feb 17, 2023 | 10:12 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, AY Gold, Accor Plat, various CC hotel status
Posts: 2,981
New update: I got the refund, but part of it in form of travel credits (that I used to book the flight originally). I thought that in case of major schedule changes I was entitled to a full cash refund. Is this the case?
Feb 17, 2023 | 10:20 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 25,720
You're entitled to a refund to the original form of payment. If the original form of payment was a travel credit, then that's what you get back.