Jun 12, 13, 8:18 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
What is ORC?
ORC=Original Routing Credit: Claiming credit for your original routing as you originally booked it in the event you are rerouted on flights that earn fewer miles than you originally booked.
When do I qualify for ORC?
If you are flying a UA flight on a UA-issued ticket and crediting to UA Mileage Plus, then generally after being rebooked during IROPS due to a misconnect or canceled flight (regardless of the cause--weather, mechanical, ATC delays, etc.) on a more direct routing than you originally booked that earns fewer United miles. This includes being rebooked on other airlines, even if they are not United partners, as well as being rebooked on other UA flights or UA partner flights.
What if I SDC and then have IROPS?
Reports suggest SDCing AAA-BBB to AAA-XXX-BBB and then having IROPS where you are placed back on AAA-BBB, that ORC might be denied for AAA-XXX-BBB. As your original purchase was AAA-BBB.
Unknown what would happen in more complex situations, such as you traveled to XXX and then IROPS occurred, you would probably just be better without ORC.
You will generally not qualify for ORC under the following circumstances:
A reroute during a VDB has been an open issue (best if you can get the VDB marked INVOL but still should be possible -- may take some pushback if refused)
How do I get ORC?
ORC will not post automatically (even if a gate agent assures you otherwise). You will have to call in or write into the MPSC (Mileage Plus Service Center--NOT the reservations center or Premier reservations line), provide your record locator or e-ticket number, and state that you were rerouted at United's request and would like to receive the mileage as you originally booked. You cannot do this until the miles for the flights you actually flew posted (which, for United metal, is usually shortly after your flight, as of mid-2019) and at least 5 days have passed between the original VDB flight date and the date of the request for ORC. If the agent grants you ORC, and you have UA miles already posted from the flights you actually took, they will send it to auditing. After about a week the miles for the flights you actually flew will be removed from your account and the miles for the original routing will be deposited, so check and make sure that your original routing would have indeed given you more miles than you actually earned!
If you were rebooked on a carrier which isn't a United partner (i.e. AA, DL, etc.), you can generally credit the flight you actually flew to that carrier's mileage program and still claim ORC with UA.
Any tips to ensure I am successful?
When dealing with UA over a rebooking that will earn you fewer miles, make sure the agent marks your ticket as "INVOL." When the MPSC sees this note, they will be much more likely to quickly agree to grant you ORC. The absence of "INVOL" on your ticket makes the agent think you may have voluntarily rerouted yourself on a shorter itinerary, in which case you wouldn't be able to claim ORC.
Automated rebookings (the kind where you misconnect and then check your itinerary or go to a kiosk after landing and find yourself already booked on another flight) generally seem to properly be marked "INVOL," so you should be fine in these cases. You can see if your ticket was marked "INVOL" by clicking on the "View Receipt" function for your itinerary on united.com; it will be shown next to "Fare Rules" below the fare breakdown section, like so:
Note that some people have reported success in claiming ORC on VDB rebookings if they were able to successfully persuade the agent to mark the itinerary "INVOL."
Is there ORC for MM / Lifetime credit? for PQDs?
Yes and Yes (Generally included but to be safe specifically mention these in your request)
Can a get a refund?
It is believed that requesting a refund will block the ability to request ORC.
Other issues?
You may run into difficulty if any of the following are true:
The first two may not be impossible to overcome, but you may need to work harder to get the credit (YMMV, though, especially if both #1 and #2 are true).
The third one is a different case--you need to request credit through the program you're crediting to, as third parties don't have the ability to make adjustments to programs they don't own (UA can't adjust your LH balance, for example--they can only send LH a feed of what flights that person flew, a process which is automated and tied to their operations system).
Archive of older posts - Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Archive)
ORC=Original Routing Credit: Claiming credit for your original routing as you originally booked it in the event you are rerouted on flights that earn fewer miles than you originally booked.
When do I qualify for ORC?
If you are flying a UA flight on a UA-issued ticket and crediting to UA Mileage Plus, then generally after being rebooked during IROPS due to a misconnect or canceled flight (regardless of the cause--weather, mechanical, ATC delays, etc.) on a more direct routing than you originally booked that earns fewer United miles. This includes being rebooked on other airlines, even if they are not United partners, as well as being rebooked on other UA flights or UA partner flights.
What if I SDC and then have IROPS?
Reports suggest SDCing AAA-BBB to AAA-XXX-BBB and then having IROPS where you are placed back on AAA-BBB, that ORC might be denied for AAA-XXX-BBB. As your original purchase was AAA-BBB.
Unknown what would happen in more complex situations, such as you traveled to XXX and then IROPS occurred, you would probably just be better without ORC.
You will generally not qualify for ORC under the following circumstances:
- A change to your itinerary made in advance
- A United-initiated schedule change made prior to departure
- A voluntary change made during travel (i.e. SDC, walking away from a segment, etc.)
A reroute during a VDB has been an open issue (best if you can get the VDB marked INVOL but still should be possible -- may take some pushback if refused)
How do I get ORC?
ORC will not post automatically (even if a gate agent assures you otherwise). You will have to call in or write into the MPSC (Mileage Plus Service Center--NOT the reservations center or Premier reservations line), provide your record locator or e-ticket number, and state that you were rerouted at United's request and would like to receive the mileage as you originally booked. You cannot do this until the miles for the flights you actually flew posted (which, for United metal, is usually shortly after your flight, as of mid-2019) and at least 5 days have passed between the original VDB flight date and the date of the request for ORC. If the agent grants you ORC, and you have UA miles already posted from the flights you actually took, they will send it to auditing. After about a week the miles for the flights you actually flew will be removed from your account and the miles for the original routing will be deposited, so check and make sure that your original routing would have indeed given you more miles than you actually earned!
If you were rebooked on a carrier which isn't a United partner (i.e. AA, DL, etc.), you can generally credit the flight you actually flew to that carrier's mileage program and still claim ORC with UA.
Any tips to ensure I am successful?
When dealing with UA over a rebooking that will earn you fewer miles, make sure the agent marks your ticket as "INVOL." When the MPSC sees this note, they will be much more likely to quickly agree to grant you ORC. The absence of "INVOL" on your ticket makes the agent think you may have voluntarily rerouted yourself on a shorter itinerary, in which case you wouldn't be able to claim ORC.
Automated rebookings (the kind where you misconnect and then check your itinerary or go to a kiosk after landing and find yourself already booked on another flight) generally seem to properly be marked "INVOL," so you should be fine in these cases. You can see if your ticket was marked "INVOL" by clicking on the "View Receipt" function for your itinerary on united.com; it will be shown next to "Fare Rules" below the fare breakdown section, like so:
Fare Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
INVOL;CXL BY FLT DT/
INVOL;CXL BY FLT DT/
Is there ORC for MM / Lifetime credit? for PQDs?
Yes and Yes (Generally included but to be safe specifically mention these in your request)
Can a get a refund?
It is believed that requesting a refund will block the ability to request ORC.
Other issues?
You may run into difficulty if any of the following are true:
- You're not flying on a UA-issued ticket (recent 2022 reports suggest this is possible)
- The rebooking was done by a third-party due to IROPS on that third party carrier
- You're not crediting to UA MP
The first two may not be impossible to overcome, but you may need to work harder to get the credit (YMMV, though, especially if both #1 and #2 are true).
The third one is a different case--you need to request credit through the program you're crediting to, as third parties don't have the ability to make adjustments to programs they don't own (UA can't adjust your LH balance, for example--they can only send LH a feed of what flights that person flew, a process which is automated and tied to their operations system).
Archive of older posts - Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Archive)
Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Merged)
Nov 14, 17, 12:26 am
#212
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 56
Originally Posted by UA_Flyer
I contacted Mileage Plus and they contacted LH.
Nov 15, 17, 8:33 pm
#213
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 298
Miles for Cancelled Flight
I had a C Class Lufthansa / Austrian trip last month on which the last leg VIE-EWR was cancelled for "technical reasons". Austrian rerouted me on an Austrian flight VIE-CDG and then Air France CDG-JFK.
I requested Delta miles for the Air France flight, but they rejected it saying even if it was flown by Air France, it was still an Austrian ticket. I then requested the original route miles from United, and they too said no, saying they know this can be "confusing" but some of United's partners have partners that are not United partners (though as far as I know Air France is not a partner of Austrian).
I emailed some higher up contacts at United who have been surprisingly helpful in the past, but have received no reply.
My next step is to file a DOT complaint, but any ideas which airline I should be getting the miles from?
I requested Delta miles for the Air France flight, but they rejected it saying even if it was flown by Air France, it was still an Austrian ticket. I then requested the original route miles from United, and they too said no, saying they know this can be "confusing" but some of United's partners have partners that are not United partners (though as far as I know Air France is not a partner of Austrian).
I emailed some higher up contacts at United who have been surprisingly helpful in the past, but have received no reply.
My next step is to file a DOT complaint, but any ideas which airline I should be getting the miles from?
Nov 15, 17, 8:47 pm
#214
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 18,318
Originally Posted by trebex
I had a C Class Lufthansa / Austrian trip last month on which the last leg VIE-EWR was cancelled for "technical reasons". Austrian rerouted me on an Austrian flight VIE-CDG and then Air France CDG-JFK.
I requested Delta miles for the Air France flight, but they rejected it saying even if it was flown by Air France, it was still an Austrian ticket. I then requested the original route miles from United, and they too said no, saying they know this can be "confusing" but some of United's partners have partners that are not United partners (though as far as I know Air France is not a partner of Austrian).
I emailed some higher up contacts at United who have been surprisingly helpful in the past, but have received no reply.
My next step is to file a DOT complaint, but any ideas which airline I should be getting the miles from?
I requested Delta miles for the Air France flight, but they rejected it saying even if it was flown by Air France, it was still an Austrian ticket. I then requested the original route miles from United, and they too said no, saying they know this can be "confusing" but some of United's partners have partners that are not United partners (though as far as I know Air France is not a partner of Austrian).
I emailed some higher up contacts at United who have been surprisingly helpful in the past, but have received no reply.
My next step is to file a DOT complaint, but any ideas which airline I should be getting the miles from?
You should be able to get credit from Delta for the Air France segment. It shouldn't matter that it was an Austrian ticket, as long as you had an Air France flight number. If Austrian happens to have a codeshare on CDG-JFK, you may be out of luck based upon my reading of the Delta rules, but that would be an exceptionally strange codeshare since they're non-alliance partners. (Non-alliance codeshare routes tend to be local, not transoceanic). I can tell you that I personally got Delta credit for a China Eastern flight booked on a United ticket last year. (It was originally ticketed that way, not due to IRROPS, but the point stands). DL never questioned the ticket stock.
You should also be able to get Original Routing Credit from United, but they'll need to get Austrian involved and I've seen reports that it can be tricky to get everyone to agree. Basically, Austrian will have to agree to pay United for the miles, but I believe you need to go through MileagePlus to initiate the process, since those are the miles you actually want. Another person had a similar story within the past week -- different carriers but the same idea.
Nov 15, 17, 10:46 pm
#215
Moderator: United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.85MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 62,332
Originally Posted by trebex
... My next step is to file a DOT complaint, but any ideas which airline I should be getting the miles from?
This was not a UA ticket and no UA flights -- not a UA issue either.
You will need to go thru OS to resolve thus and you may find out ORC is not a common policy.
MPCS may be able to able help but it is not their issue.
Nov 20, 17, 4:06 am
#216
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Scotland / New York City
Programs: United 1K, United 1MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 31
Cancelled flight from UK, losing status - options?
I was due to fly on a flight from EDI to EWR last week and an hour after the departure time the announcement was made that the aircraft was unserviceable (fault with a door) and the flight was cancelled. I called my travel agent who managed to get me an alternative route (United's offers were useless) and so I flew the same day using icelandair, arriving some 10hrs later than planned.
I have 2 issues/queries:
1. What are my rights to compensation under the EU rules (do these apply to US carriers?). Going onto the United "Customer Appreciation" site they offer a $300 e-certificate, which isn't even covering my increased costs for the different flight, airport transfer etc. Is this in addition to any legally required compensation, or if I take this is that all they will offer? Am I right in thinking as this was a flight over 3500km I should be entitled to €600 for a complete cancellation?
2. Somewhat my bigger issue - I needed this flight to retain my Gold status. Without the PQMs I'm short and for the first year in 20 years I won't have gold next year. This makes a difference to me as I use it for the E+ upgrade, and do about 10 return trips uk->us a year, having to pay for the E+ seating assignment is going to work out around $2500+ in cost. Is there any way they will honor the miles (I would intend to negotiate this before asking about the compansation in #1) - whats the best way to approach this, and with who?
I have 2 issues/queries:
1. What are my rights to compensation under the EU rules (do these apply to US carriers?). Going onto the United "Customer Appreciation" site they offer a $300 e-certificate, which isn't even covering my increased costs for the different flight, airport transfer etc. Is this in addition to any legally required compensation, or if I take this is that all they will offer? Am I right in thinking as this was a flight over 3500km I should be entitled to €600 for a complete cancellation?
2. Somewhat my bigger issue - I needed this flight to retain my Gold status. Without the PQMs I'm short and for the first year in 20 years I won't have gold next year. This makes a difference to me as I use it for the E+ upgrade, and do about 10 return trips uk->us a year, having to pay for the E+ seating assignment is going to work out around $2500+ in cost. Is there any way they will honor the miles (I would intend to negotiate this before asking about the compansation in #1) - whats the best way to approach this, and with who?
Nov 20, 17, 4:28 am
#217
Join Date: May 2007
Location: All over
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 175
Under EU 261/2004, you should be entitled the full 600eur given the parameters of the trip and cancellation. The only questionable aspect is your having rebooked yourself instead of taking one of UA's options. Would any of UA's options have gotten you to your final destination within a few hours of your original scheduled arrival? Also worth nothing that, given you rebooked yourself, you are entitled a full refund of your original UA ticket.
Regarding retaining status, write in to United explaining your situation and requesting Original Routing Credit (use those exact words) for the trip. They should give you all of the original RDM/PQM etc. that you would have earned.
Regarding retaining status, write in to United explaining your situation and requesting Original Routing Credit (use those exact words) for the trip. They should give you all of the original RDM/PQM etc. that you would have earned.
Nov 20, 17, 4:41 am
#218
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Scotland / New York City
Programs: United 1K, United 1MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by WingnutSYD
Under EU 261/2004, you should be entitled the full 600eur given the parameters of the trip and cancellation. The only questionable aspect is your having rebooked yourself instead of taking one of UA's options. Would any of UA's options have gotten you to your final destination within a few hours of your original scheduled arrival? Also worth nothing that, given you rebooked yourself, you are entitled a full refund of your original UA ticket.
Regarding retaining status, write in to United explaining your situation and requesting Original Routing Credit (use those exact words) for the trip. They should give you all of the original RDM/PQM etc. that you would have earned.
Regarding retaining status, write in to United explaining your situation and requesting Original Routing Credit (use those exact words) for the trip. They should give you all of the original RDM/PQM etc. that you would have earned.
I'll contact UA and ask for the Original Routing Credit - good info, thanks.
Nov 20, 17, 5:56 am
#219
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: UA 1K (ex-GS), Marriott Titanium (lifetime Plat), Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 904
If the cancellation was marked as “voluntary” vs. “involuntary”, you may not be able to get ORC. You can try asking a few more times with different agents if the first one says no. See the Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Merged) wiki for some of the finer points.
Nov 20, 17, 6:26 am
#220
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,268
As the UA offer would have resulted in at least a 24-hour delay in your arrival at EWR, you may claim EUR 600 under EC 261/2004. UA will pay that out in GBP or US$ if you prefer. Your TA is apparently dealing with the refund. As you rebooked yourself, the FI ticket is on you and will offset on your books against the UA refund.
When making your ORC request, make plain exactly what you are requesting and that the ticket cancellation and refund is requested because the flight was cancelled due to a technical fault.
Do not accept anything else from UA until after the EC 261/2004 is paid. It certainly could be in addition to compensation, but UA is also free to negotiate a settlement with a passenger and you want to be able not to get into a protracted fight about that.
When making your ORC request, make plain exactly what you are requesting and that the ticket cancellation and refund is requested because the flight was cancelled due to a technical fault.
Do not accept anything else from UA until after the EC 261/2004 is paid. It certainly could be in addition to compensation, but UA is also free to negotiate a settlement with a passenger and you want to be able not to get into a protracted fight about that.
Nov 20, 17, 7:11 am
#222
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 11,997
If you took UA's rebooking, on any airline, you should be eligible for ORC. Since you took to self help and had your TA cancel UA and book something else, I don't believe you're eligible for ORC.
Nov 20, 17, 7:36 am
#223
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ireland
Programs: AA Gold (1mm) , Hilton Diamond, Aer Lingus Newbie
Posts: 85
I was on the same flight and took the replacement flight 27 hours later. I rebooked on the phone and got my own hotel as I didn’t want another night in an airport hotel.
Like you I got the $300 apology immediately. I later submitted the feedback form on United.com and less than 24 hours later got a choice of EUR 600 in cash or $900 in vouchers.
I can’t opine on the routing credit as I took the replacement flight and enjoyed an extra night in Edinburgh.
Good luck with the requal.
Like you I got the $300 apology immediately. I later submitted the feedback form on United.com and less than 24 hours later got a choice of EUR 600 in cash or $900 in vouchers.
I can’t opine on the routing credit as I took the replacement flight and enjoyed an extra night in Edinburgh.
Good luck with the requal.
Nov 20, 17, 9:29 am
#224
Join Date: May 2007
Location: All over
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 175
In my experience, United has been quite understanding when it comes to ORC. As Often1 said, just be very explicit in explaining the situation and how none of United's alternative options were at all acceptable. You shouldn't have a problem being granted it.
Also, in my singular experience with 261/2004 comp, I was able to accept the initial apology ecert and subsequently request and receive the EC comp. I've heard similar reports from others as well, but of course YMMV.
Also, in my singular experience with 261/2004 comp, I was able to accept the initial apology ecert and subsequently request and receive the EC comp. I've heard similar reports from others as well, but of course YMMV.
