United questions re rebooking?

[*pixie*]

We have flown Southwest almost exclusively the past 15+ years and I was very familiar with all the ins and outs. We've been using United more and more, and I'm still figuring them out. Are you able to rebook your flight if price/miles drop? If I'm understanding correctly, are you able to do this as long as you are booked above basic economy? And I assume once you complete your original booking, is there a fairly simple way to rebook?

 

[DisneyDadBod]

I did this last year too. I was always a SW person but have started going more and more towards United.

I also rebooked several times because the flights kept going down in points. I remember having to fully cancel the point booking and then rebook again with all of my information. We were the lowest fare group.

 

[sam_gordon]

Let's go to the source...

https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/trip-planning/flexible-booking-options.html

 

[*pixie*]

I did this last year too. I was always a SW person but have started going more and more towards United.

I also rebooked several times because the flights kept going down in points. I remember having to fully cancel the point booking and then rebook again with all of my information. We were the lowest fare group.

Thank you for sharing!

 

[_19disnA]

Always best to check the airline website on such issues so you get the latest/official information as practices can change overtime. Rebooking a ticket purchased with frequent flyer miles/points often has different rules as well.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes-ish. You can change your flight and get a voucher good 1 year from your original purchase date for the difference in cost or you can cancel and get the voucher for the full cost. You cannot just change to the exact same flight and get a voucher. Easiest is to cancel and rebook with your new voucher but you will lose any credit card trip insurance as the voucher will cover the entire cost. I rely on that insurance so I change to a flight of approximately the same new cost as the flight I’m on, get the voucher (usually happens immediately) and immediately switch back to the flight I wanted. The risk is you lose the flight you actually want if someone books it out from under you as you’re doing all this switching.

Remember vouchers must be used by the same person for who the ticket was originally issued.

 

[Donna3271]

Yes. I just got $255 back. But I had the fully refundable fare booked.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes. I just got $255 back. But I had the fully refundable fare booked.

Well of course a Fully Refundable fare is refundable... and they cost a pretty penny, almost as much as an economy+ upgrade if memory serves. But you do get cashback instead of a voucher.