United Airlines is at it again: Hefty Award Change Fees

[Greysword]

Hi everyone,

MommyPoints has an article on United Airline's new fees for changing an award flight.

In essence, it shakes out to be:

- $75 for non-elites to change award tickets 21 days+ before departures (with no change to origin or destination)

- $100 (up from $75) for non-elites to make any change less than 21 days prior to the date of travel; or changing origin/destination at any time

- $200 (up from $150) for non-elites to cancel the trip and re-crediting the miles, regardless of the date

Personally, I don't like this, as United has the best award redemption options for the lowest number of miles, generally. Given they are Chase Ultimate Rewards partners (as is WN (Southwest)), United was a great option to transfer points made from everyday spend. Looks like this is much more complicated now, if the flyer's schedule changes.

Previously, awards were a great options, since it generally cost less (in a miles to dollars standpoint) for a ticket with miles, and changes up to 21 days were always free. As such, we could book our tickets speculatively in anticipation of going (like booking spring break for next March now), then if the schools changed the schedule for some reason, we could cancel and maybe rebook. We could also cancel if we wanted to lengthen or shorten a stay.

In the end, this just makes it that much less lucrative to use United, especially with WN and other great airlines out there.

 

[DebbieB]

Hi everyone,

MommyPoints has an article on United Airline's new fees for changing an award flight.

In essence, it shakes out to be:

- $75 for non-elites to change award tickets 21 days+ before departures (with no change to origin or destination)

- $100 (up from $75) for non-elites to make any change less than 21 days prior to the date of travel; or changing origin/destination at any time

- $200 (up from $150) for non-elites to cancel the trip and re-crediting the miles, regardless of the date

Personally, I don't like this, as United has the best award redemption options for the lowest number of miles, generally. Given they are Chase Ultimate Rewards partners (as is WN (Southwest)), United was a great option to transfer points made from everyday spend. Looks like this is much more complicated now, if the flyer's schedule changes.

Previously, awards were a great options, since it generally cost less (in a miles to dollars standpoint) for a ticket with miles, and changes up to 21 days were always free. As such, we could book our tickets speculatively in anticipation of going (like booking spring break for next March now), then if the schools changed the schedule for some reason, we could cancel and maybe rebook. We could also cancel if we wanted to lengthen or shorten a stay.

In the end, this just makes it that much less lucrative to use United, especially with WN and other great airlines out there.

I had an award ticket on Delta last year and wanted to stay an extra day, it cost me $150, the change fee at the time. The change was made 90 days in advance. I originally tried to just change the return but it would cost $150. I ended up canceling, redepositing and rebooking because the number of miles required dropped. So at least I got some miles back for my $150. Delta does not allow any reward ticket changes less than 72 hours, you forfeit the ticket. There are exceptions for higher level medallions.

The only other legacy airline around is USAirways, I believe they also charge for changes on reward tickets.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is why I always use my husband's FF miles in UA. He's a 1K, million miler, so we never have to pay fees to make FF ticket changes.

It's not just UA, many airlines are raising their change ticket fees, both for FF and paid tickets.

WN is good for no change fees, but if you fly a lot internationally, their FF program is pretty useless.

 

[Greysword]

This is why I always use my husband's FF miles in UA. He's a 1K, million miler, so we never have to pay fees to make FF ticket changes.

It's not just UA, many airlines are raising their change ticket fees, both for FF and paid tickets.

WN is good for no change fees, but if you fly a lot internationally, their FF program is pretty useless.

Hopefully, he can re-qualify with the new Premier Qualifying Dollar (PQD) threshold imposed starting next year.

1Million Miles means way too much time from home. My sympathies are with you, but jealous of the forever status

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

1Million Miles means way too much time from home. My sympathies are with you, but jealous of the forever status

I'm good - our kids are grown, so I get to tag along when he goes to interesting places!