UA award travel newbie question
Jan 11, 2007, 1:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
UA award travel newbie question
Sorry, but couldn't find it...
I'm ready to book my first UA award trip. It's a rare intl flight
in business for Christmas. I guess I can do it 331 days ahead,
what time do they release those seats, midnight New York time?
Does United let you book your first flight
and hold it until the return flight becomes available?
It seems I can't do such a thing online...
Thanks, Andrew
I'm ready to book my first UA award trip. It's a rare intl flight
in business for Christmas. I guess I can do it 331 days ahead,
what time do they release those seats, midnight New York time?
Does United let you book your first flight
and hold it until the return flight becomes available?
It seems I can't do such a thing online...
Thanks, Andrew
Jan 11, 2007, 1:08 pm
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,139
Jan 11, 2007, 1:11 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: UA ex-1K (now nothing), Hilton Gold
Posts: 567
Be aware that if your flights aren't available 330 days out, you shouldn't give up -- not all award seats are released at that point. Some will likely be dribbled out piecemeal over the entire time between 330 days out and the flight.
Jan 18, 2007, 11:11 am
#4
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Thanks, but can you answer the 2nd part of my question?
How about holding 1st part of my trip to wait for
the return flight to show up in the system?
How about holding 1st part of my trip to wait for
the return flight to show up in the system?
Jan 18, 2007, 4:44 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Can one of those 125 people who looked at this answer my question?
Jan 18, 2007, 5:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 91
I have found the best way to book award flights is by phone with a customer service rep. First of all, you'll want to do your homework. Check not only United flights, but any of the partner flights that work for your itinerary. Then when you talk to them, you can be specific in your requests. If you feel the afent isn't being helpful, call again.
I don't believe you can put one leg of the award ticket on hold.
I don't believe you can put one leg of the award ticket on hold.
Jan 18, 2007, 10:43 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Home of 'The Rat': Orlando, Florida
Programs: Standard Memberships in all the majors hotel, airlines and Amtrak.
Posts: 185
UA Award travel
One problem with United is that once you secure the outbound 331 days out, you have to ticket within three days or lose the seat. So if you're trip is longer than 3 days, you are in risk of losing that coveted outbound award seat.
You can in 3 days...
* Beg to extend the hold (sometimes works)
* Or book a placement holder return leg award on whatever day they currently can see in their system.
United lets you change the date of your award travel without a fee as long as your routing doesnt change. If it does, $100. So, pick the most common return routing to minimize your risk of paying the change fee.
I would actually prepare yourself for the $100 change fee. Nothing is truly free anymore.
You can in 3 days...
* Beg to extend the hold (sometimes works)
* Or book a placement holder return leg award on whatever day they currently can see in their system.
United lets you change the date of your award travel without a fee as long as your routing doesnt change. If it does, $100. So, pick the most common return routing to minimize your risk of paying the change fee.
I would actually prepare yourself for the $100 change fee. Nothing is truly free anymore.
Jan 18, 2007, 10:46 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Home of 'The Rat': Orlando, Florida
Programs: Standard Memberships in all the majors hotel, airlines and Amtrak.
Posts: 185
I have found the best way to book award flights is by phone with a customer service rep. First of all, you'll want to do your homework. Check not only United flights, but any of the partner flights that work for your itinerary. Then when you talk to them, you can be specific in your requests. If you feel the afent isn't being helpful, call again.
I don't believe you can put one leg of the award ticket on hold.
I don't believe you can put one leg of the award ticket on hold.
However, in three days, you have to either release the seat or ticket. Try ticketing a dummy return flight and then calling back to change it 331 days out from your return flight.
Jan 19, 2007, 2:14 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Thank you! That's what I wanted to know...
Delta let you keep you booking until your return flight shows up
in the system. Why isn't this possible with United?
Well, your solution is good, I'll do it that way
Andrew
Delta let you keep you booking until your return flight shows up
in the system. Why isn't this possible with United?
Well, your solution is good, I'll do it that way
Andrew
Jan 21, 2007, 12:17 am
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Home of 'The Rat': Orlando, Florida
Programs: Standard Memberships in all the majors hotel, airlines and Amtrak.
Posts: 185
My opinion is that American has been the best over the last three years for award availability and ease of booking, ticketing.
By far, I consider United the worst. And its gotten even more dreadful with the outsourced call center.
Jan 21, 2007, 1:52 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1P MM, SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 654
United is the only major airline that I am aware of that only permits you to hold an award reservation for 3 days. Most airlines are atleast 7 days and a few are, I think, 14 days.
My opinion is that American has been the best over the last three years for award availability and ease of booking, ticketing.
By far, I consider United the worst. And its gotten even more dreadful with the outsourced call center.
My opinion is that American has been the best over the last three years for award availability and ease of booking, ticketing.
By far, I consider United the worst. And its gotten even more dreadful with the outsourced call center.
Kinda like the new 18 month expiration of miles, can be seen as UA providing better service to its best customers at the expense of the masses.
Incentivizes (is that a word?) me to do mileage runs and other silliness in order to get back to 1k.