Does United book flights that they never actually intend to fly?

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree. Tracking OTHER flights for which the OP does not have a reservation is a waste of time and tells you nothing about the likelihood of changes being made to the flight they DO have. Someone else previously pointed out that sold out flights may not show when doing a search, so they are mixing apples/oranges by assuming a sold out flight that no longer appears was cancelled. Airlines will generally email you to let you know if your specific flight has any changes.

Shortly before your actual trip, probably a good idea to check the airline site to make sure flight times are still the same. Doing that daily until December is a waste of time.

 

[dwg]

I am tracking the earlier flights for a historical pattern. I do understand that the pattern may not actually predict what will happen with my flights. I know that time will tell. The amount of originally offered flights that could have been booked on these dates included the ones that I am currently booked and are no longer available. It is not that these flights were full and therefore not showing. It was United consolidating flights. At least the cancelations were done with plenty of time still available. As those dates got closer to their actual departure dates many of the flights disappeared or had their times significantly changed. I do realize and understand that at different times of the year the volume of travelers will change. Not sure that December 2nd is a high volume time so I would think that it is likely that United will cancel some of the flights at some point.

I actually intended to buy refundable tickets but due to a computer glitch and it being 6:30 in the morning I booked non refundable tickets with no change fees by accident. I decided to just go with it. Really just trying to get others experience here. Based on what I am seeing regardless of the dates United has offered flights no more than an hour and a half apart and as the departure date got closer (still with months to go) some of the flights were no longer scheduled. Not following these schedules because I am panicking, I am just trying to plan and understand as much as possible as many on these forums do so I can be prepared and know what to expect. Flying is just not an area where I have a lot of recent experience

 

[EACarlson]

I wouldn't look more than once a month until you get to 90 days out, then I'd check it every Tuesday until you get within 14 days. Don't worry about other flights between EWR and FLL. There is plenty of capacity there, and alternates. EWR is one of United's largest hubs, they have a ton of flights to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, you'll be able to get there on Sunday unless all of Newark or all of Florida is shut down.

 

[dwg]

I wouldn't look more than once a month until you get to 90 days out, then I'd check it every Tuesday until you get within 14 days. Don't worry about other flights between EWR and FLL. There is plenty of capacity there, and alternates. EWR is one of United's largest hubs, they have a ton of flights to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, you'll be able to get there on Sunday unless all of Newark or all of Florida is shut down.

Agreed, the Sunday leaving from Newark is what it is. That is why we would never travel on the day of the cruise. Too unpredictable. The return flight from FLL to EWR is a little more important to us as it is currently departing at 11:11 am. Disney want you to not have a flight before 11:00 am when leaving directly from the cruise. Especially with using Disney Transportation from the cruise to FLL. From what I have seen on the schedules from FLL I do not think it will be an issue. It seems like United understands how the cruise lines work departing from FLL.

 

[Lewisc]

I do not think it will be an issue. It seems like United understands how the cruise lines work departing from FLL.

You're way overthinking this. Airlines, including United, have scheduled departures prior to 11a.

 

[fly girl]

OP, airlines change schedules a lot before 3 months out. They are looking at all factors including market appeal, what aircraft will better accommodate passenger loads, crew schedule & planning, etc. It is complex system and be prepared that your flight can change for December. That said, they are not going to leave you high and dry and say too bad so sad. They will offer other flights and typically you can chose easily online and it isn't a cumbersome ordeal. If you prefer to call, you can do that too. Sometimes the change is better than your original flight, other times not. Unfortunate when that happens, but it does.

Tracking flights now and looking for historical patterns isn't going to do anything except waste your time and possibly add stress.

My suggestion is to make sure your email is in your booking with the airline so you will receive notification if your flight changes. Even so, I wouldn't rely solely on them emailing you. Always good to periodically check on your flights and see what is going on if you are concerned.

Also you mentioned making a mistake and buying the wrong type of fare at time of booking. For the future, you can cancel any booking and receive a full refund (not airline credit) if you cancel within 24 hours and your date of flying is more than 7 days out. That is mandated by the Dept of Transportation. Make sure you pay attention online though if you do that. They love to sneak in credit as the default, but you can absolutely receive a monetary refund just make sure you have that as your reimbursement choice before that final click of the mouse.

 

[SirDuff]

I actually intended to buy refundable tickets but due to a computer glitch and it being 6:30 in the morning I booked non refundable tickets with no change fees by accident. I decided to just go with it.

For the future, United (and most airlines) offer a free refund if you book online and cancel within 24 hours, even for non-refundable tickets. Even for "basic" (or whatever that airline calls it).

 

[dwg]

You're way overthinking this. Airlines, including United, have scheduled departures prior to 11a.

I am assuming you are talking about the flight after the cruise. DCL tells you to not schedule departing flights after the cruise before 11:00 am. DCL will not provide transportation to the airport if your flight is before 11. This was mentioned in my post. Earlier flights are irrelevant.

As far as the 24 hours to make changes I was aware of that but didn't check back or realize that the tickets were non refundable until after the 24 hour period. So just living with that. But as mentioned for the future lesson learned.

 

[sam_gordon]

I am assuming you are talking about the flight after the cruise. DCL tells you to not schedule departing flights after the cruise before 11:00 am. DCL will not provide transportation to the airport if your flight is before 11. This was mentioned in my post. Earlier flights are irrelevant.

You do have the option of taxi or ride share from the port to the airport. It's <15 minutes. So yes, earlier flights ARE relevant. Your post about "United understands how cruise lines work" is irrelevant. People ask all the time whether they can make an earlier flight (before 11a), because the next flight to get them to their destination isn't until late afternoon/early evening.