Can ticket reservations be placed on hold on United.com?
May 30, 2009, 8:12 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA S
Posts: 1,335
This is a serious loss. These holds are definitely NOT replaced by the 24 hour cancellation policy for reasons mentioned above (eg ticketing with vouchers). UA is now going to have to spend a lot of extra resources ticketing those since people have to give their whole itin instead of just the pnr#
Last edited by whakojacko; May 30, 2009 at 8:20 am
May 30, 2009, 8:18 am
#47
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,490
UA seems to have pulled a classic politician-style Friday night news-dump with this enhancement. 
May 30, 2009, 8:23 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
Now you have to tie up web support to have them build the itinerary you want and put it on hold so you can go to the airport and turn in the vouchers
OR
Now you have to tie up ticketing staff at the airport, showing up with no held itinerary and having them build it for you.
Either way, it seems like United just increased their expenses.
OR
Now you have to tie up ticketing staff at the airport, showing up with no held itinerary and having them build it for you.
Either way, it seems like United just increased their expenses.
May 30, 2009, 8:25 am
#49
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,490
Now you have to tie up web support to have them build the itinerary you want and put it on hold so you can go to the airport and turn in the vouchers
OR
Now you have to tie up ticketing staff at the airport, showing up with no held itinerary and having them build it for you.
Either way, it seems like United just increased their expenses.
OR
Now you have to tie up ticketing staff at the airport, showing up with no held itinerary and having them build it for you.
Either way, it seems like United just increased their expenses.
And not everybody, of course, lives next door to the nearest airport with a UA counter.
May 30, 2009, 8:26 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bethesda, MD
Programs: UA Million Miler, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 814
This is crazy. I use this all the time to book biz travel and then confirm with my appts.
May 30, 2009, 8:28 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
FWIW, I called Web Support and was told that it was disabled.
May 30, 2009, 8:28 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1MM Lifetime Gold, starting AK, Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 347
The Twitter idea is a good one, thanks. I've flown UA since 1979 and I think this will be the first time I've actually complained to them about a policy change, but this one is huge! Many of the posts here are about vouchers, but it's important for regular ticketing as well.
May 30, 2009, 8:31 am
#53
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,529
This is very very unfortunate. I ran into this problem last night and chalked it up to a technical glitch. This thread confirms my worst suspicions. Seems United from charging for mileage upgrades to deleting this function is moving more towards the CO model of doing business. Not necessarily bad but I'm not sure they've weighed the cost-benefit appropriately.
Further, it's unfortunate that FTs didn't get some sort of warning that the function would be removed. Not a good PR move.
Further, it's unfortunate that FTs didn't get some sort of warning that the function would be removed. Not a good PR move.
May 30, 2009, 8:35 am
#54
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: YYC
Programs: UA 1K, PC Plat
Posts: 762
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.231 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)
I use the hold feature regulalrly. Bad move UA
I use the hold feature regulalrly. Bad move UA
May 30, 2009, 8:41 am
#55
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K, NW forever
Posts: 1,390
I use hold all the time to book mixed-class itineraries (e.g. W outbound, H return) that .bomb can't build. Hold the itinerary in some form, call reservations to change the booking classes, and then buy online to avoid the reservation fee and get the Chase EQM. This is going to make life more difficult!
May 30, 2009, 8:42 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: AA 'kettle', Marriott Gold, ICH Gld, Hertz 5*
Posts: 5,258
So, what is the merchant fee UA pays for credit card transactions (purchases and refunds)? 
Methinks FT'ers could send a little message....
Methinks FT'ers could send a little message....
May 30, 2009, 8:44 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold-MM, AA Gold-MM, F9-Silver, Hyatt Something, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,393
May 30, 2009, 8:46 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
May 30, 2009, 8:47 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM Gold, AA Ex Plat, SPG Plat,Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 992
I use hold all the time to book mixed-class itineraries (e.g. W outbound, H return) that .bomb can't build. Hold the itinerary in some form, call reservations to change the booking classes, and then buy online to avoid the reservation fee and get the Chase EQM. This is going to make life more difficult!
I forsee alot of $25 charges for my future credit card bills
May 30, 2009, 8:51 am
#60
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: UA, bmi, AA, CO, DL, B6, AMEX, Hertz, Most Hotels
Posts: 3,002
This is a serious loss. These holds are definitely NOT replaced by the 24 hour cancellation policy for reasons mentioned above (eg ticketing with vouchers). UA is now going to have to spend a lot of extra resources ticketing those since people have to give their whole itin instead of just the pnr#
I decided to not complain right off but instead I decided to play "dumb" and took the position that it must be a glitch and told them without the Hold feature I was unable to book my trip, use a paper voucher and use TBM.
I asked them to explain, how to complete this purchase without a Hold feature
I look forward to their reply.
Of course, the next email will be a major complaint about the increased difficulties and barriers to ticketing United flights. (no more refares, etc)