An interesting quirk of the United/Continental merger and the ability to freely transfer miles back and forth between Continental and United until they are all merged together on 03/03.
Currently Continental allows free date changes to award tickets as long as the new flights you want are at least 21 days in advance. United however currently doesn’t charge for the date change even if the new flight is within 21 days (which is how people have been avoiding paying the expedite fee and still can until tomorrow).
Effective 03/03 United will start to charge for changes if the new flight is within 21 days, however if you book your ticket by 03/02 with United miles then you will be allowed 1 free change anytime in the future to a flight within 21 days. Plus of course unlimited free changes to flights 21+ days out.
You may ask, but United charges to change the connection cities and Continental does not. Well after 03/03 there will no longer be a charge to make a change to the connection cities, and even if you book your ticket now with United miles there will be no charge as long as the change is made after 03/03. Note that changes to connection cities after 03/03 will need to be 21+ days in advance of the new flight to be free.
Complete award changes, like to to totally different award type, currently cost $150 with United miles (for non-elites) but will go down to $75 after 03/03. The lower fee also applies to tickets booked before 03/03 with United miles.
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14 Comments On "Booking A Mileage Ticket On Continental/United By Tomorrow? Use United Miles."
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Wow- Thanks for posting this!
Going to make sure to book today!
Does the last paragraph mean that the fee to redeposit miles being lowered to $75?
@Sara:
Your welcome!
@Al:
No, redeposits remain $150 for non-elites, but any award changes that require a new ticket (i.e. besides for simple award changes to travel dates and connecting cities which will be free) will be $75.
If I have an award booked using CO miles, is there a way to change it to a United booking? At this time, there is no mileage availability for a new ticket.
@Freddie:
You booked it with Continental or have it on hold with Continental?
I have a similar question, I have CO miles and wanted to book an award trip today or tommorow, can I still somehow get the free changes?
@jj:
Sure, just transfer the miles to United and book on United.com or by calling United.
@Dan: I booked it a few months ago.
@Freddie:
Don’t think there’s anything you can do then.
I had booked a ticket last night with CO. Was able to cancel within 24 hours and rebook on UA. Thanx for posting.
@Devorah:
Great, happy to help!
Booked on United (transferred points from continental) For 26th and then changed to 6th March. No $75 fee. Thanks
Btw can i change again if i need to?
@Avi:
Congrats on the expedite fee avoidance!
You should be allowed another free change after 03/03 even within 21 days.
I keep searching dates to Israel starting at the end of June and it keeps saying that there aren’t any!