Jun 12, 2013, 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)
Jun 27, 2023, 11:18 am
#241
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 496
Thanks, but I really don't need the lecture. I know the risks of opting to take a connection versus direct flight. In my case I decided to roll the dice and book UA in an effort to get more segments so I can maintain 1K this year.
Jun 27, 2023, 12:29 pm
#242
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,985
Jul 4, 2023, 9:07 pm
#243
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: United MP 1K, SPG Gold
Posts: 186
Does Original Routing Credit (ORC) still exist w/ MileagePlus?
Sorry if this has already been answered but I tried to do a search and the results are only from pre PQD days.
I was flying from PHL to EWR to HND but my PHL to EWR leg was cancelled. I will still be flying from EWR to HND though. The customer service agent wasn't able to answer if I was able to get original routing credit PQD's for my originally booked itinerary. I would have barely hit 1K with the itinerary i booked and if i don't get credit for any portion of my originally booked flight i would not hit the 1K PQD Spend criteria. anyone go through this before?
Thanks!
I was flying from PHL to EWR to HND but my PHL to EWR leg was cancelled. I will still be flying from EWR to HND though. The customer service agent wasn't able to answer if I was able to get original routing credit PQD's for my originally booked itinerary. I would have barely hit 1K with the itinerary i booked and if i don't get credit for any portion of my originally booked flight i would not hit the 1K PQD Spend criteria. anyone go through this before?
Thanks!
Jul 4, 2023, 9:30 pm
#245
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,783
... I was flying from PHL to EWR to HND but my PHL to EWR leg was cancelled. I will still be flying from EWR to HND though. The customer service agent wasn't able to answer if I was able to get original routing credit PQD's for my originally booked itinerary. I would have barely hit 1K with the itinerary i booked and if i don't get credit for any portion of my originally booked flight i would not hit the 1K PQD Spend criteria. anyone go through this before?...
If it was a "schedule change" and you received no refund / credit, the ticket price was unchanged, then is no need for ORC, the PQPs will be the same. You may get fewer PQFs, Advance schedule changes ae not eligible for ORC.
Jul 4, 2023, 11:23 pm
#246
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: United MP 1K, SPG Gold
Posts: 186
If it was a day of travel change and you received no refund, then you should be able to get ORC
If it was a "schedule change" and you received no refund / credit, the ticket price was unchanged, then is no need for ORC, the PQPs will be the same. You may get fewer PQFs, Advance schedule changes ae not eligible for ORC.
If it was a "schedule change" and you received no refund / credit, the ticket price was unchanged, then is no need for ORC, the PQPs will be the same. You may get fewer PQFs, Advance schedule changes ae not eligible for ORC.
Jul 5, 2023, 5:37 am
#247
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,985
unless you got a refund for that segment your PQP and consequently RDM should indeed be exactly the same as before. If not, MP can correct it.
Jul 8, 2023, 11:33 am
#248
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriot Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 30
No Mileage Credit When UA Rebooked Us for A Cancelled Flight
I was loyal to UA by paying more to fly on UA than on Delta to get from SLC to ATL for me and my two daughters. UA canceled the flight for mechanical reasons and an FA started pulling people from the plane as they rebooked them. UA then pulled me and my two daughters from the flight, saying they had rebooked us on a Delta flight.
After seeing I didn't receive any type of flight credit (PQF, or PQP), I spoke with an MP agent, who said I wasn't entitled to any credits since I didn't fly UA or a partner airline. Without having read the fine print, that didn't seem reasonable since I did my part to remain loyal to UA, and I shouldn't be punished twice for its mechanical failure (first the canceled flight, then not crediting me any miles.)
After speaking to two CSR, using the online "Missing Credit" form, and emailing MileagePlus, I exhausted my efforts with UA telling me it will not even credit me for my original originally booked itinerary because it decided to rebook me on Delta. I didn't request to be on Delta, UA did that without consulting me.
UAs response seems contrary to the intention of a loyalty program. I could have booked that same trip on Delta (which was non-stop) at a lower cost but instead booked a 2-segment flight that costs more on UA metal from UA's website to remain loyal, and they robbed me of my miles.
It seems UA would have credited me for the flight booked, even though it had to rebook me. Is this response for canceled flights normal, or did I just have the misfortune of encountering three uninformed and unusually unhelpful agents?
BTW, I understand I would have gotten credits if UA had rebooked me on UA or partner flights. So this question specifically relates to when UA proactively rebooks passengers on non-partner flights when it has a mechanical failure. Thanks!
After seeing I didn't receive any type of flight credit (PQF, or PQP), I spoke with an MP agent, who said I wasn't entitled to any credits since I didn't fly UA or a partner airline. Without having read the fine print, that didn't seem reasonable since I did my part to remain loyal to UA, and I shouldn't be punished twice for its mechanical failure (first the canceled flight, then not crediting me any miles.)
After speaking to two CSR, using the online "Missing Credit" form, and emailing MileagePlus, I exhausted my efforts with UA telling me it will not even credit me for my original originally booked itinerary because it decided to rebook me on Delta. I didn't request to be on Delta, UA did that without consulting me.
UAs response seems contrary to the intention of a loyalty program. I could have booked that same trip on Delta (which was non-stop) at a lower cost but instead booked a 2-segment flight that costs more on UA metal from UA's website to remain loyal, and they robbed me of my miles.
It seems UA would have credited me for the flight booked, even though it had to rebook me. Is this response for canceled flights normal, or did I just have the misfortune of encountering three uninformed and unusually unhelpful agents?
BTW, I understand I would have gotten credits if UA had rebooked me on UA or partner flights. So this question specifically relates to when UA proactively rebooks passengers on non-partner flights when it has a mechanical failure. Thanks!
Jul 8, 2023, 11:35 am
#250
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,271
This is an easy fix. Call the MileagePlus Servicing Center, Original reservation and ticket number in hand. Ask for “original routing credit.” The agent should be able to process the request for you.
Jul 8, 2023, 11:38 am
#251
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,453
Did you take a refund from UA? It seems no, but that is a determinative question for what should happen.
Assuming no refund, the key phrase is that you want original routing credit after an involuntary reroute. In my experience, that is best handled by writing a short note to MPSC (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...leageplus.html). The note should only say you were originally booked on X, but due to cancellation, you were involuntarily rerouted on Y, and you request original routing credit. Don't include anything about relative price, FA "pulling people", etc. — those will just be confusing noise.
Assuming no refund, the key phrase is that you want original routing credit after an involuntary reroute. In my experience, that is best handled by writing a short note to MPSC (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...leageplus.html). The note should only say you were originally booked on X, but due to cancellation, you were involuntarily rerouted on Y, and you request original routing credit. Don't include anything about relative price, FA "pulling people", etc. — those will just be confusing noise.
Jul 8, 2023, 11:41 am
#252
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,783
MileagePlus Service Center
Jul 8, 2023, 11:44 am
#253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,471
ORC is not automatic. You need to call in.
The agent did you a favor by putting you on a nonstop with Delta. Would you like to be further delayed with UA?
Bad move here. As you have experienced first hand, United does not care about your loyalty.
Even on a good day, you have increased delayed/cancellation risks by taking two flights instead DL's nonstop, never mind the additional travel and layover time.
The agent did you a favor by putting you on a nonstop with Delta. Would you like to be further delayed with UA?
Bad move here. As you have experienced first hand, United does not care about your loyalty.
Even on a good day, you have increased delayed/cancellation risks by taking two flights instead DL's nonstop, never mind the additional travel and layover time.
Jul 10, 2023, 4:34 pm
#254
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriot Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 30
Jul 10, 2023, 4:36 pm
#255
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriot Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 30
Did you take a refund from UA? It seems no, but that is a determinative question for what should happen.
Assuming no refund, the key phrase is that you want original routing credit after an involuntary reroute. In my experience, that is best handled by writing a short note to MPSC (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...leageplus.html). The note should only say you were originally booked on X, but due to cancellation, you were involuntarily rerouted on Y, and you request original routing credit. Don't include anything about relative price, FA "pulling people", etc. — those will just be confusing noise.
Assuming no refund, the key phrase is that you want original routing credit after an involuntary reroute. In my experience, that is best handled by writing a short note to MPSC (https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...leageplus.html). The note should only say you were originally booked on X, but due to cancellation, you were involuntarily rerouted on Y, and you request original routing credit. Don't include anything about relative price, FA "pulling people", etc. — those will just be confusing noise.