Problem doing standard award searches to/from SMF
May 26, 2008, 1:01 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
Problem doing standard award searches to/from SMF
For the past two weeks, I have been unable to do a search for a standard award for any trips originating or ending at SMF on .bomb. I just get a blank calendar for the entire month, similar to when searching for a saver award where there is no availability. Seems to work fine with other airports, but it is a big problem for me as I can't check award/upgrade availability from my home airport. I'm able to use the ANA tool for award availability.
I changed my preferences to include other airports as my home airport but still didn't get any info to/from SMF for standard awards.
Any suggestions? Similar experiences?
I changed my preferences to include other airports as my home airport but still didn't get any info to/from SMF for standard awards.
Any suggestions? Similar experiences?
May 26, 2008, 1:13 pm
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,123
My first search for tickets Aug 5-15, SMF-DEN was blank. Attempted a few other dates, same results
Checked seatcounter.com, shows some availability
When back to united.com, check Standard -- found availability
Check Saver and now availability shows up
Checked seatcounter.com, shows some availability
When back to united.com, check Standard -- found availability
Check Saver and now availability shows up
May 26, 2008, 2:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: AA 'kettle', Marriott Gold, ICH Gld, Hertz 5*
Posts: 5,258
OP, If you find award availability elsewhere but can't book on .bomb, web support should be able to help you and waive the phone fee.
I'll assume that seatcounter was no joy as well, since it pulls data from .bomb.
Sometimes logging out of your account, closing your browser and relaunching everything can help, but I don't think this is one of those times. Not hard to try though.
Likely was just a temporary .bomb glitch, like we're all so used to
I'll assume that seatcounter was no joy as well, since it pulls data from .bomb.
Sometimes logging out of your account, closing your browser and relaunching everything can help, but I don't think this is one of those times. Not hard to try though.
Likely was just a temporary .bomb glitch, like we're all so used to
May 26, 2008, 3:26 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
OP, If you find award availability elsewhere but can't book on .bomb, web support should be able to help you and waive the phone fee.
I'll assume that seatcounter was no joy as well, since it pulls data from .bomb.
Sometimes logging out of your account, closing your browser and relaunching everything can help, but I don't think this is one of those times. Not hard to try though.
Likely was just a temporary .bomb glitch, like we're all so used to
I'll assume that seatcounter was no joy as well, since it pulls data from .bomb.
Sometimes logging out of your account, closing your browser and relaunching everything can help, but I don't think this is one of those times. Not hard to try though.
Likely was just a temporary .bomb glitch, like we're all so used to
Good to hear WineCountryUA got things to work after a while, but it has not been the case for me.
Let's hope that UAL works this one out soon - I've e-mailed web support explaining the problem, at any rate.
May 26, 2008, 4:00 pm
#5
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,123
For upgrades, you can do a regular dummy booking and look at flight details in expert mode)
or
seatcounter.com
May 26, 2008, 4:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: AA 'kettle', Marriott Gold, ICH Gld, Hertz 5*
Posts: 5,258
Call reservations. It's free
I've been having trouble using my CR-1's online lately (only gives me the "miles" option for confirmed UG's), so I just call reservations and they do it "longhand".
IMO, reservations CSR's are a better source of accurate info on UG's than .bomb.
I've been having trouble using my CR-1's online lately (only gives me the "miles" option for confirmed UG's), so I just call reservations and they do it "longhand".
IMO, reservations CSR's are a better source of accurate info on UG's than .bomb.
May 26, 2008, 4:58 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
Yes, seatcounter is an option, but I'm frequently using the ual.com website anyway so I'd prefer to stick with a single site. Alas, unless this bug is fixed, I'll be spending more time at seatcounter.
May 26, 2008, 5:35 pm
#8
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,123
Jun 19, 2008, 9:33 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
Update
Called web support again the other day - it took them a while to understand the problem, and ultimately I let them use my MP account and my password so show them that no availability shows up when searching for standard award availability to/from SMF. Got transferred to another person who said that this was an ongoing problem and that it also happened with BOS and BDL. No time given for when they think they might get this fixed - I'm certainly not holding out much hope for anything soon.
Very frustrating that I can't check upgrade availability to/from SMF on-line. Grr.
Very frustrating that I can't check upgrade availability to/from SMF on-line. Grr.
Jul 18, 2008, 12:33 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
Second update
Problem FINALLY solved! Sure was a drag having to call so much to find out about upgrade inventory. Let's hope the bug doesn't show up again!