April 10 - United Revises Several Travel Policies and Fees (Standby/Baggage/Pets)
Apr 9, 2010, 11:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
April 10 - United Revises Several Travel Policies and Fees (Standby/Baggage/Pets)
http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,52142,00.html
Confirmed same-day travel changes
On the same day of travel as your scheduled itinerary, you can confirm a seat on an alternate United flight within three hours of the time of your request. If eligible seats are available on the alternate flight, your change will be confirmed for a $75 fee.*
You can request a confirmed same-day travel change during online check-in or at an EasyCheck-inŪ kiosk at the airport. You may also see a customer service representative at the airport check-in counter or call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331).
* Confirmed same-day travel changes are available only for flights that are wholly within the United States.
* Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable).
* Alternate flights must be scheduled to depart within three hours of your request. For flights departing more than three hours after your request, the standard change fee policy will apply.
* The confirmed same-day travel change fee is non-refundable and will be collected at the time when the change request is made.
Unconfirmed same-day standby
You can also choose to stand by for a seat on an alternate United flight on the same day of travel as your scheduled itinerary.
For travel on or after April 28, 2010, with tickets purchased on or after April 10, 2010, a $50 fee may apply in each direction of travel.
If you request same-day standby, your name will be added to the standby list for the selected flight, and you will receive a departure management card for that flight when you complete check-in. Your name will be called at the departure gate if a seat is available on the selected flight, and your departure management card will then be replaced with a boarding pass. You will not be charged the $50 fee until/unless you board a standby flight.
You can request same-day standby during online check-in or at an EasyCheck-inŪ kiosk at the airport. You may also see a customer service representative at the airport check-in counter.
* Same-day standby is available only for flights within or between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
* Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable).
* Standby flights must be scheduled to depart on the same day as your original ticketed flight.
* The same-day standby fee is non-refundable. Payment information must be provided when requesting standby, but the fee will only be charged upon boarding of a standby flight.
*Global ServicesSM customers, Mileage PlusŪ members with 1KŪ status, and customers traveling on Standard Award tickets or fully refundable tickets are exempt from fees for confirmed same-day travel changes and unconfirmed same-day standby.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53409,00.html
Policy updates
To continue offering our customers flexibility and choice in their travel experiences, and to make planning easier, we are implementing changes to several fees. These changes will be effective for tickets purchased on or after April 10, 2010. For the fees that are decreasing, all passengers will be presented with the new, lower fee amounts for travel on or after April 10, 2010, regardless of ticketing date.
Special items, oversized, overweight and excess baggage
We are implementing a clearer and simpler fee structure for special items and oversized, overweight and excess baggage. In many cases, the new fee is a decrease from the previous fee. First and second bag fees are not impacted by this change. View updated fees
View the updated policy for:
* Special items
* Oversized, overweight and excess baggage
Pets
For pet fees, most international flights will now match current pricing for flights within the U.S., which is $125 each way for pets in the cabin as carry-on and $250 each way for pets in kennels as checked baggage. View updated fees and policy
Same-day standby
A new $50 charge is being introduced for customers who choose to voluntarily stand by for another flight on the same day as their scheduled flight within or between the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. As before, voluntary standby is not offered for other international travel. View updated policy
Confirmed same-day travel changes
On the same day of travel as your scheduled itinerary, you can confirm a seat on an alternate United flight within three hours of the time of your request. If eligible seats are available on the alternate flight, your change will be confirmed for a $75 fee.*
You can request a confirmed same-day travel change during online check-in or at an EasyCheck-inŪ kiosk at the airport. You may also see a customer service representative at the airport check-in counter or call 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331).
* Confirmed same-day travel changes are available only for flights that are wholly within the United States.
* Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable).
* Alternate flights must be scheduled to depart within three hours of your request. For flights departing more than three hours after your request, the standard change fee policy will apply.
* The confirmed same-day travel change fee is non-refundable and will be collected at the time when the change request is made.
Unconfirmed same-day standby
You can also choose to stand by for a seat on an alternate United flight on the same day of travel as your scheduled itinerary.
For travel on or after April 28, 2010, with tickets purchased on or after April 10, 2010, a $50 fee may apply in each direction of travel.
If you request same-day standby, your name will be added to the standby list for the selected flight, and you will receive a departure management card for that flight when you complete check-in. Your name will be called at the departure gate if a seat is available on the selected flight, and your departure management card will then be replaced with a boarding pass. You will not be charged the $50 fee until/unless you board a standby flight.
You can request same-day standby during online check-in or at an EasyCheck-inŪ kiosk at the airport. You may also see a customer service representative at the airport check-in counter.
* Same-day standby is available only for flights within or between the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
* Available only for identical routings (same origin, destination and connection city, if applicable).
* Standby flights must be scheduled to depart on the same day as your original ticketed flight.
* The same-day standby fee is non-refundable. Payment information must be provided when requesting standby, but the fee will only be charged upon boarding of a standby flight.
*Global ServicesSM customers, Mileage PlusŪ members with 1KŪ status, and customers traveling on Standard Award tickets or fully refundable tickets are exempt from fees for confirmed same-day travel changes and unconfirmed same-day standby.
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53409,00.html
Policy updates
To continue offering our customers flexibility and choice in their travel experiences, and to make planning easier, we are implementing changes to several fees. These changes will be effective for tickets purchased on or after April 10, 2010. For the fees that are decreasing, all passengers will be presented with the new, lower fee amounts for travel on or after April 10, 2010, regardless of ticketing date.
Special items, oversized, overweight and excess baggage
We are implementing a clearer and simpler fee structure for special items and oversized, overweight and excess baggage. In many cases, the new fee is a decrease from the previous fee. First and second bag fees are not impacted by this change. View updated fees
View the updated policy for:
* Special items
* Oversized, overweight and excess baggage
Pets
For pet fees, most international flights will now match current pricing for flights within the U.S., which is $125 each way for pets in the cabin as carry-on and $250 each way for pets in kennels as checked baggage. View updated fees and policy
Same-day standby
A new $50 charge is being introduced for customers who choose to voluntarily stand by for another flight on the same day as their scheduled flight within or between the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. As before, voluntary standby is not offered for other international travel. View updated policy
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Apr 10, 2010 at 1:56 am Reason: consolidating threads to keep discussion focused
Apr 9, 2010, 11:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,655
GS and 1K are exempt from these fees. I kind of think 1P and 2P should also be exempt, but what do I know... More reason to be sure I hit 1K again.
Apr 9, 2010, 11:22 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
Dang 
But I guess it was coming... United was the last standout, and I didn't expect they would resist for long.
But I guess it was coming... United was the last standout, and I didn't expect they would resist for long.
Apr 9, 2010, 11:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Now I get it.....an alignment to the US model.......oh great.....here we go.
Apr 9, 2010, 11:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pasadena, Ca. USA
Programs: UA 1P, AA Plat, Hertz 5*, Avis First, SPG Plat, Hyatt Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 326
I have to agree, as a 1P (I forgot to update my profile), I have gone standby many times and been cleared onto an earlier flight I will miss this benefit. In fact I've been guilty of buying the cheap last flight of the day with the intent to go standby and depart earlier. I really valued that benefit and almost always cleared onto the desired flight. I had divided some of my business to other carriers, I might have to consolidate back to UA for 1K.
One line of the statement did confuse me:
"For travel on or after April 28, 2010, with tickets purchased on or after April 10, 2010, a $50 fee may apply in each direction of travel."
See where it says "may," I assume this is to address people who may have misconnected or are impacted by weather, there won't be a fee for them. However, they could clarify this a bit more....
One line of the statement did confuse me:
"For travel on or after April 28, 2010, with tickets purchased on or after April 10, 2010, a $50 fee may apply in each direction of travel."
See where it says "may," I assume this is to address people who may have misconnected or are impacted by weather, there won't be a fee for them. However, they could clarify this a bit more....
Apr 9, 2010, 11:39 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Pets
For pet fees, most international flights will now match current pricing for flights within the U.S., which is $125 each way for pets in the cabin as carry-on and $250 each way for pets in kennels as checked baggage. View updated fees and policy
For pet fees, most international flights will now match current pricing for flights within the U.S., which is $125 each way for pets in the cabin as carry-on and $250 each way for pets in kennels as checked baggage. View updated fees and policy
Same-day standby
A new $50 charge is being introduced for customers who choose to voluntarily stand by for another flight on the same day as their scheduled flight within or between the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. As before, voluntary standby is not offered for other international travel. View updated policy
A new $50 charge is being introduced for customers who choose to voluntarily stand by for another flight on the same day as their scheduled flight within or between the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. As before, voluntary standby is not offered for other international travel. View updated policy
I don't like that..
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Apr 10, 2010 at 1:58 am Reason: fix html
Apr 9, 2010, 11:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Colorado
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 137
Just another fee to nickel and dime United customers into finding another airline ... this was a fantastic benefit and I feel was a good discriminator for flying United ...
And the fact that the fee will apply for both 1p and 2p is just additional salt on the wound. My experience as a first time 1k this year has been lackluster with the lack of confirmable NC seats for the rest of the year ... and knowing when I drop back to 1P next year, i'll lose another benefit i utilized often.
All these fees just make me feel like United is turning into a discount carrier ... and if i wanted that there are better value options for flying domestically ...
And the fact that the fee will apply for both 1p and 2p is just additional salt on the wound. My experience as a first time 1k this year has been lackluster with the lack of confirmable NC seats for the rest of the year ... and knowing when I drop back to 1P next year, i'll lose another benefit i utilized often.
All these fees just make me feel like United is turning into a discount carrier ... and if i wanted that there are better value options for flying domestically ...
Apr 9, 2010, 11:44 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Apr 9, 2010, 11:50 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
for not including 1Ps and 2Ps...oh well... hopefully, the "may" part of the details will play out ok for my travels
Apr 9, 2010, 11:54 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 774
I have to agree, as a 1P (I forgot to update my profile), I have gone standby many times and been cleared onto an earlier flight – I will miss this benefit. In fact I've been guilty of buying the cheap last flight of the day with the intent to go standby and depart earlier. I really valued that benefit and almost always cleared onto the desired flight. I had divided some of my business to other carriers, I might have to consolidate back to UA for 1K.
One line of the statement did confuse me:
"For travel on or after April 28, 2010, with tickets purchased on or after April 10, 2010, a $50 fee may apply in each direction of travel."
See where it says "may," I assume this is to address people who may have misconnected or are impacted by weather, there won't be a fee for them. However, they could clarify this a bit more....
One line of the statement did confuse me:
"For travel on or after April 28, 2010, with tickets purchased on or after April 10, 2010, a $50 fee may apply in each direction of travel."
See where it says "may," I assume this is to address people who may have misconnected or are impacted by weather, there won't be a fee for them. However, they could clarify this a bit more....
Last edited by okrogius; Apr 10, 2010 at 12:10 am
Apr 9, 2010, 11:55 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: Mileage Plus Dirt, Wyndham Rewards
Posts: 316
Same-day standby
A new $50 charge is being introduced for customers who choose to voluntarily stand by for another flight on the same day as their scheduled flight within or between the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. As before, voluntary standby is not offered for other international travel. View updated policy
A new $50 charge is being introduced for customers who choose to voluntarily stand by for another flight on the same day as their scheduled flight within or between the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. As before, voluntary standby is not offered for other international travel. View updated policy
Apr 9, 2010, 11:55 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
Apr 10, 2010, 12:04 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 774
Comparing this with others:
CO - 50 to change within 24 hours (e.g. 1pm flight, you can change at 1pm day before)
US - 50 to change any point same day (e.g. 1pm flight, you can change at 6am, but only at the airport)
AA - 50 to change within 12 hours (e.g. 1pm flight, you can change at 1am)
DL - 50 to change within 3 hours (e.g. 1pm flight, you can change at 10am)
UA - 75 to change within 3 hours, 50 to change 15 minutes prior...
(AA/DL/US free for all elites. CO offers a 25 discount for golds. Only UA charges full price for low/mid elites.)
UA just went from the best standby, to having the worst of all legacies. I wonder if I can get this on a napkin, along with the #1 on-time message.
CO - 50 to change within 24 hours (e.g. 1pm flight, you can change at 1pm day before)
US - 50 to change any point same day (e.g. 1pm flight, you can change at 6am, but only at the airport)
AA - 50 to change within 12 hours (e.g. 1pm flight, you can change at 1am)
DL - 50 to change within 3 hours (e.g. 1pm flight, you can change at 10am)
UA - 75 to change within 3 hours, 50 to change 15 minutes prior...
(AA/DL/US free for all elites. CO offers a 25 discount for golds. Only UA charges full price for low/mid elites.)
UA just went from the best standby, to having the worst of all legacies. I wonder if I can get this on a napkin, along with the #1 on-time message.
Last edited by okrogius; Apr 10, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Apr 10, 2010, 12:09 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
One big footnote you neglected to include.....
*Global ServicesSM customers, Mileage PlusŪ members with 1KŪ status, and customers traveling on Standard Award tickets or fully refundable tickets are exempt from fees for confirmed same-day travel changes and unconfirmed same-day standby.
Note.....As noted in post #4, OP corrected post to include the footnote information.....
*Global ServicesSM customers, Mileage PlusŪ members with 1KŪ status, and customers traveling on Standard Award tickets or fully refundable tickets are exempt from fees for confirmed same-day travel changes and unconfirmed same-day standby.
Note.....As noted in post #4, OP corrected post to include the footnote information.....