Author Topic: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights  (Read 6210 times)

Offline yaakov35

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United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« on: August 30, 2020, 04:36:57 PM »
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/30/united-airlines-scraps-ticket-change-fees-for-domestic-flights.html
It's time to say goodbye to the $200 ticket-change fee.
United Airlines on Sunday said that it will permanently scrap fees to change domestic flights, a big bet that more flexible policies will win over much-needed customers as the pain from the coronavirus pandemic's impact on air travel continue to mount.

Offline Agoldsc1

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2020, 05:06:35 PM »
Game changer.

Offline MosheD

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Offline yaakov35

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2020, 05:31:40 PM »
Game changer.
Only domestic so far.. but pretty incredible nonetheless. Also getting rid of $75 same day change fee.

Offline Dan

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2020, 05:38:33 PM »
Aren't the other airlines going to be forced to follow suit? What does United gain?
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Offline ckmk47

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2020, 08:36:04 PM »
I booked a flight booked for November.
Now the price is lower.  I set up to change my flight, but the refund will be $0.


Is this right? I have a Basic Economy ticket.  I can't get a refund for the difference?


Would I be able to cancel for a full refund?
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Offline yochai

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2020, 09:23:37 PM »
I booked a flight booked for November.
Now the price is lower.  I set up to change my flight, but the refund will be $0.


Is this right? I have a Basic Economy ticket.  I can't get a refund for the difference?


Would I be able to cancel for a full refund?
You can cancel and request a ETC (needs to be done over the phone), then rebook the cheaper ticket. The additional funds will stay on your ETC.

Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2020, 10:35:41 PM »
So, how are they doing it? Do you have to keep the same origin and destination, or do you just get funds paid back in a travel bank sort of thing?

Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2020, 10:37:56 PM »
This also further allows United to upsell economy vs basic economy. I'm curious if the cost difference will increase.

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2020, 11:04:34 AM »
Exactly my thoughts posted by xJonNYC

https://twitter.com/xJonNYC/status/1300418068573757440
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2020, 12:47:25 PM »
You can cancel and request a ETC (needs to be done over the phone), then rebook the cheaper ticket. The additional funds will stay on your ETC.
How long does it take to get the ETC?
I cancelled and got a cancellation email, but no ETC.

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Offline Dan

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2020, 01:08:17 PM »
How long does it take to get the ETC?
I cancelled and got a cancellation email, but no ETC.
You need to call to request an ETC.
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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2020, 04:22:38 PM »
Aren't the other airlines going to be forced to follow suit? What does United gain?
Bump
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Offline Dan

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #15 on: August 31, 2020, 04:24:34 PM »
Bump
1. Brilliant doing this on a Sunday. Bought them a full day of positive press.
2. They want more people to buy up from basic. This will help.
3. Helps them take away a Southwest competitive advantage.
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #16 on: August 31, 2020, 04:28:02 PM »
1. Brilliant doing this on a Sunday. Bought them a full day of positive press.
2. They want more people to buy up from basic. This will help.
3. Helps them take away a Southwest competitive advantage.
I fully agree on 1 and 3, but on #2 something else needs to be done to make that easier when using OTAs. Often OTAs will just display the lowest available fare bucket for the searched cabin, and trying to get a different fare bucket is daunting.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline Dan

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #17 on: August 31, 2020, 04:29:38 PM »
I fully agree on 1 and 3, but on #2 something else needs to be done to make that easier when using OTAs. Often OTAs will just display the lowest available fare bucket for the searched cabin, and trying to get a different fare bucket is daunting.
Airlines don't want you using OTAs anyway. But Chase, Priceline, and Orbitz all make it pretty simply to buy up, so which are you referring to?
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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #18 on: August 31, 2020, 04:49:03 PM »
Airlines don't want you using OTAs anyway. But Chase, Priceline, and Orbitz all make it pretty simply to buy up, so which are you referring to?

It's not like I'm buying every other day on an OTA. I recall last time I was looking to book something it was simple for certain airlines on the OTA but not others. I think we might have used Expedia. Would be nice if one could specify a specific fare bucket.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline Dan

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Re: United eliminating change fee on domestic flights
« Reply #19 on: August 31, 2020, 04:52:16 PM »
It's not like I'm buying every other day on an OTA. I recall last time I was looking to book something it was simple for certain airlines on the OTA but not others. I think we might have used Expedia. Would be nice if one could specify a specific fare bucket.
Fare bucket is nearly impossible, but most have basic buyups now.
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