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)
Sep 10, 18, 2:12 pm
#286
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 64,551
Any recent experiences in getting ORC & response times from Mileage Plus?
I had to reroute Saturday due to flight delays, from BZN-SFO-LAX-IAD to BZN-LAX-IAD, which in Z was ~810 PQM less. No, I didn't deliberately select that routing; I would have preferred BZN-SFO-IAD, personally, but believe the timing of the flights put a fare break in which .bomb resolved by offering the extra connection (it also offered several other redeye segments, like SFO-SAN-IAD and SFO-SEA-IAD).
BZN-SFO was at the time delayed 3 hours and would have put me into SFO in time only for the red-eye in Y on SFO-IAD (missing the SFO-LAX connections, both my booked one and the subsequent one), so I suggested they put me on BZN-LAX and just keep the rest of the itin intact.
I probably won't need the 810 PQM, but you never know.
I had to reroute Saturday due to flight delays, from BZN-SFO-LAX-IAD to BZN-LAX-IAD, which in Z was ~810 PQM less. No, I didn't deliberately select that routing; I would have preferred BZN-SFO-IAD, personally, but believe the timing of the flights put a fare break in which .bomb resolved by offering the extra connection (it also offered several other redeye segments, like SFO-SAN-IAD and SFO-SEA-IAD).
BZN-SFO was at the time delayed 3 hours and would have put me into SFO in time only for the red-eye in Y on SFO-IAD (missing the SFO-LAX connections, both my booked one and the subsequent one), so I suggested they put me on BZN-LAX and just keep the rest of the itin intact.
I probably won't need the 810 PQM, but you never know.
Sep 10, 18, 7:50 pm
#287
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Originally Posted by exerda
Any recent experiences in getting ORC & response times from Mileage Plus?
Sep 11, 18, 4:54 pm
#288
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat
Posts: 148
Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
From the wiki
However, you can always try
However, you can always try
Sep 17, 18, 10:36 pm
#289
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: United MP 1K, SPG Gold
Posts: 178
Just submitted a request- i was scheduled to fly through KIX which is closed due to the airport being damaged by a typhoon. I called to rebook during a travel waiver period and flew through NRT and onto my final destination NGS instead.
Sep 29, 18, 12:00 pm
#290
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: STL
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 72
Quick question for the expert fliers
Was scheduled 8:05pm DTW-ORD 9:12 ORD-STL yesterday booked into C/M fare classes. Got a notice around 11pm that inbound flight was delayed and so pushed back departure from DTW until 8:41pm Seemed unlikely that I would make the ORD-STL leg since I would now be arriving as the doors closed on that leg. Checked online saw another flight departing DTW through IAD to STL, but only had E+ available. Called premier desk and asked if they could move me to the other flight so I wouldn't get stuck in ORD overnight which they did for $0. (Can't same day change $0 since currently Silver).
With me voluntarily asking to switch flights will my PQM/PQS post at the original fare (C) or the new fare M and am I able to request a refund for the change in fare class? The agent on the phone said my C fare was :"actually an economy fare that allowed me to book into the premium cabin". If I am eligible for the higher PQM/PQS and refund, which is the best line to call?
I wouldn't normally quibble about a few hundred miles, but I should make Gold this year if all my projects stay on track. If 1 or 2 fall through, it will be really close at <500. Will take every PQM I can get my hands on to ensure I have Gold for next year. (Job change in July, so now am flying 2-3x / month and the E+ at booking and SDC flexibility will be really helpful).
I learned a lot from reading through this thread. Any advice would be greatly appreciated so I have the best information when I call in next week after seeing how everything posts tomorrow.
Was scheduled 8:05pm DTW-ORD 9:12 ORD-STL yesterday booked into C/M fare classes. Got a notice around 11pm that inbound flight was delayed and so pushed back departure from DTW until 8:41pm Seemed unlikely that I would make the ORD-STL leg since I would now be arriving as the doors closed on that leg. Checked online saw another flight departing DTW through IAD to STL, but only had E+ available. Called premier desk and asked if they could move me to the other flight so I wouldn't get stuck in ORD overnight which they did for $0. (Can't same day change $0 since currently Silver).
With me voluntarily asking to switch flights will my PQM/PQS post at the original fare (C) or the new fare M and am I able to request a refund for the change in fare class? The agent on the phone said my C fare was :"actually an economy fare that allowed me to book into the premium cabin". If I am eligible for the higher PQM/PQS and refund, which is the best line to call?
I wouldn't normally quibble about a few hundred miles, but I should make Gold this year if all my projects stay on track. If 1 or 2 fall through, it will be really close at <500. Will take every PQM I can get my hands on to ensure I have Gold for next year. (Job change in July, so now am flying 2-3x / month and the E+ at booking and SDC flexibility will be really helpful).
I learned a lot from reading through this thread. Any advice would be greatly appreciated so I have the best information when I call in next week after seeing how everything posts tomorrow.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 29, 18 at 5:21 pm Reason: moved to master thread
Sep 29, 18, 1:57 pm
#291
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 9,842
Originally Posted by Lynnie_Bee
Quick question for the expert fliers
Was scheduled 8:05pm DTW-ORD 9:12 ORD-STL yesterday booked into C/M fare classes. Got a notice around 11pm that inbound flight was delayed and so pushed back departure from DTW until 8:41pm Seemed unlikely that I would make the ORD-STL leg since I would now be arriving as the doors closed on that leg. Checked online saw another flight departing DTW through IAD to STL, but only had E+ available. Called premier desk and asked if they could move me to the other flight so I wouldn't get stuck in ORD overnight which they did for $0. (Can't same day change $0 since currently Silver).
With me voluntarily asking to switch flights will my PQM/PQS post at the original fare (C) or the new fare M and am I able to request a refund for the change in fare class? The agent on the phone said my C fare was :"actually an economy fare that allowed me to book into the premium cabin". If I am eligible for the higher PQM/PQS and refund, which is the best line to call?
I wouldn't normally quibble about a few hundred miles, but I should make Gold this year if all my projects stay on track. If 1 or 2 fall through, it will be really close at <500. Will take every PQM I can get my hands on to ensure I have Gold for next year. (Job change in July, so now am flying 2-3x / month and the E+ at booking and SDC flexibility will be really helpful).
I learned a lot from reading through this thread. Any advice would be greatly appreciated so I have the best information when I call in next week after seeing how everything posts tomorrow.
Was scheduled 8:05pm DTW-ORD 9:12 ORD-STL yesterday booked into C/M fare classes. Got a notice around 11pm that inbound flight was delayed and so pushed back departure from DTW until 8:41pm Seemed unlikely that I would make the ORD-STL leg since I would now be arriving as the doors closed on that leg. Checked online saw another flight departing DTW through IAD to STL, but only had E+ available. Called premier desk and asked if they could move me to the other flight so I wouldn't get stuck in ORD overnight which they did for $0. (Can't same day change $0 since currently Silver).
With me voluntarily asking to switch flights will my PQM/PQS post at the original fare (C) or the new fare M and am I able to request a refund for the change in fare class? The agent on the phone said my C fare was :"actually an economy fare that allowed me to book into the premium cabin". If I am eligible for the higher PQM/PQS and refund, which is the best line to call?
I wouldn't normally quibble about a few hundred miles, but I should make Gold this year if all my projects stay on track. If 1 or 2 fall through, it will be really close at <500. Will take every PQM I can get my hands on to ensure I have Gold for next year. (Job change in July, so now am flying 2-3x / month and the E+ at booking and SDC flexibility will be really helpful).
I learned a lot from reading through this thread. Any advice would be greatly appreciated so I have the best information when I call in next week after seeing how everything posts tomorrow.
Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Merged)
may have more pertinent information for you.
However, the short answer is yes, you should be able to request credit for your original itinerary.
When you write or call, emphasise that you made the change only because you would have mis-connected, and you otherwise would not have chosen to reroute. The rules are a little bit squishy, but you shouldn't get pushback.
Sep 29, 18, 2:04 pm
#293
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 9,842
I perhaps should have also mentioned that you can't both request ORC and get a refund, or at least I have never heard of both being granted. The refund for the changed fare class may be quite small. I would assume you can ask how much it is before actually committing to it. Note that if someone else (e.g., your work) paid for the ticket, the refund probably would be due back to them rather than to you.
Sep 29, 18, 7:29 pm
#294
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: STL
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 72
I will ask about the credit, but am not expecting much. My work only pays for economy since we bill back to clients. The incremental fare was out of my pocket to get home on Friday night, but is kind of sunk at this point. Day of seat occupancy was high with planes on all the routes I was looking at going at at ~100%. I am not too chapped about it, just curious what should be happening. Not a big deal today since this was a short flight and relatively inexpensive, but that may not be the case in the future. Knowledge is really what I am after so next time I am prepared on the best way to handle the situation.
Thank you again for the insights. I appreciate the info!
Edit - called in after the flights posted to my account. They updated the PQM/PQS on the affected segments. Posted to my account immediately.
Thank you again for the insights. I appreciate the info!
Edit - called in after the flights posted to my account. They updated the PQM/PQS on the affected segments. Posted to my account immediately.
Last edited by Lynnie_Bee; Sep 30, 18 at 9:09 am Reason: more info
Oct 3, 18, 10:26 am
#295
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: GUW
Posts: 483
So I'm going to try this, but don't have high hopes, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate them. Was flying LH from FRA-LHR when the LH flight was cancelled. Re-booked by LH onto BA (where I successfully credited miles to AA), but I would really like to get my 500 PQM as it may help push me over at the end of the year.
This was not a 016 ticket, in fact it was not even a LH ticket (465, Air Astana). I'm going to write to the MPSC - any suggestions. Will include boarding passes, original ticket and re-booked ticket.
This was not a 016 ticket, in fact it was not even a LH ticket (465, Air Astana). I'm going to write to the MPSC - any suggestions. Will include boarding passes, original ticket and re-booked ticket.
Oct 3, 18, 10:52 am
#296
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Silver (1MM), Marriott Amb (LTT)
Posts: 9,692
Originally Posted by Productivity
So I'm going to try this, but don't have high hopes, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate them. Was flying LH from FRA-LHR when the LH flight was cancelled. Re-booked by LH onto BA (where I successfully credited miles to AA), but I would really like to get my 500 PQM as it may help push me over at the end of the year.
This was not a 016 ticket, in fact it was not even a LH ticket (465, Air Astana). I'm going to write to the MPSC - any suggestions. Will include boarding passes, original ticket and re-booked ticket.
This was not a 016 ticket, in fact it was not even a LH ticket (465, Air Astana). I'm going to write to the MPSC - any suggestions. Will include boarding passes, original ticket and re-booked ticket.
Technically you would have to contact LH and ask for original routing credit but they're unlikely to help you since you're asking it to be credited to UA. Worth a shot maybe?
-RM
Oct 23, 18, 5:54 pm
#297
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: CA
Programs: United 1K, Marriott Platinum Premier, Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 8
Question: I am scheduled on a flight Friday from BFL-SFO-EWR-ATL - All in Business Class. Before you all ask, I am taking this crazy routing on purpose, as I need it to hit the IK milestone after I have completed my return flight. The total PQM the entire trip is 14,023 - with 9,935 of them coming BFL-ATL.
My concern is that I only have a 46 minute connection in SFO, and if there is any low ceiling issues, or we get put on a ground hold by SFO, I will miss my flight to EWR. There are other flights available to get me there that day, but my concern is whether or not I will still get credited the same PQM. I need every one of those miles. (I will be at 100,402 after this trip)
One other question - the segment from SFO - EWR is full on that flight. That portion of my trip is booked as J Class. If they are looking for volunteers and I accept - will that affect my PQM? I won't volunteer if it does, but I could take a little later flight and go on a ps 757-200 - which I prefer to the 777.
If I am delayed and rebooked, (Or if I volunteer) - does that affect my PQM - or do I get my original booking credits?
Any help you can give me is appreciated. I want to have a plan before I get to SFO in case I need to re-book. Thanks.
My concern is that I only have a 46 minute connection in SFO, and if there is any low ceiling issues, or we get put on a ground hold by SFO, I will miss my flight to EWR. There are other flights available to get me there that day, but my concern is whether or not I will still get credited the same PQM. I need every one of those miles. (I will be at 100,402 after this trip)
One other question - the segment from SFO - EWR is full on that flight. That portion of my trip is booked as J Class. If they are looking for volunteers and I accept - will that affect my PQM? I won't volunteer if it does, but I could take a little later flight and go on a ps 757-200 - which I prefer to the 777.
If I am delayed and rebooked, (Or if I volunteer) - does that affect my PQM - or do I get my original booking credits?
Any help you can give me is appreciated. I want to have a plan before I get to SFO in case I need to re-book. Thanks.
Oct 23, 18, 6:05 pm
#298
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: 62,375
Originally Posted by HockeyMom93
.... If I am delayed and rebooked, (Or if I volunteer) - does that affect my PQM - or do I get my original booking credits? .....
Voluntary -- that's a problem. Generally, the answer is no but if the agent will mark the change as INVOL, then yes.
Oct 23, 18, 9:07 pm
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 18,353
Originally Posted by WineCountryUA
Voluntary -- that's a problem. Generally, the answer is no but if the agent will mark the change as INVOL, then yes.
That said, your chance of being able to volunteer successfully is essentially nil. You won't be prompted to volunteer at the kiosk (your cabin isn't oversold); if you manage to get onto the list at the gate, the agent has to do extra work in order to take a volunteer from J instead of Y; but, most importantly, with a 46 minute connection, on a flight that runs 12+ times per day, they will already have the volunteers by the time you get to the gate.
Nov 16, 18, 7:50 am
#300
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 951
Have a flight today, but due to the winter storm Avery my meeting was cancelled. Can I still get original routing credit for the flight without flying it? If so how?
The ticket has very little monetary value, so the routing credit is more important to me than getting any $$$ from the value of the ticket.
The ticket has very little monetary value, so the routing credit is more important to me than getting any $$$ from the value of the ticket.
