- Are there fees to change my award travel ticket?
Effective July 30, 2009, Mileage Plus award fees change. Beginning July 30, 2009, close-in processing fees will no longer be charged if you change your ticket to new flights departing within 20 days.
All changes to your ticketed award itinerary must be made through a United Reservations agent, or by visiting any United ticketing location. Fees may apply for some changes.
Global ServicesSM and 1K® members are exempt from all award fees. Award tickets issued for other travelers using miles from Global Services and 1K accounts are also exempt from all award fees.
Change and cancellation fee summary
| Change |
Fees for changes requested before July 30, 2009 |
Fees for changes requested on/after July 30, 2009 |
| Change in city (change in origin and/or destination) |
USD 150 |
USD 150 |
Change in connection points (rerouting itinerary using different connecting city)
(This includes addition, removal of connection, stopover city as well as changing a current connection city to a stopover city) |
USD 150 |
USD 150 |
Cancellation (recredit of miles)
(Note: only unused tickets can be returned) |
USD 150 |
USD 150 |
| Flight change (same itinerary or origin/destination but different flight number) |
None
Close-in processing fees may apply:
(USD 75 if changing to new flights departing within 7-20 days)
(USD 100 if changing to new flights departing within 6 days or less)
|
None |
| Date change (same itinerary and flights but for a different date) |
None
(USD 75 if changing to new flights departing within 7-20 days)
(USD 100 if changing to new flights departing within 6 days or less)
|
None |
Ticket validity: Awards are valid for one year* from date of issue. Travel must be completed within one year of date of issue. When the award ticket is reissued, the original issue date carries over to the new ticket.
* Award tickets for travel solely within Japan on ANA (without flight connections to destinations outside Japan) are valid for 90 days from date of issue. Travel must be completed within 90 days from date of issue.
- What is the close-in processing fee for award travel?
The close-in processing fee was implemented on October 16, 2006 in order to offset the costs associated with Standard and Saver award seats.
Beginning July 30, 2009, in order to make it easier for you to redeem your miles for award travel, close-in processing fees will no longer be charged for new tickets, or if you change your existing ticket to new flights departing within 20 days.
For tickets issued before July 30, 2009, a fee of USD 100 will apply for travel ticketed six days or less prior to departure, and USD 75 for travel ticketed 7-20 days prior to departure. There will be no fee for travel ticketed 21 or more days prior to departure. Close-in processing fees do not apply to United’s Global Services and 1K members.
For tickets issued on or after July 30, 2009, the fee will no longer be charged for all customers.
Changes requested prior to July 30, 2009 for award travel are subject to a close-in processing fee, if applicable, under the policy above. Beginning July 30, 2009, close-in processing fees will not be charged for any subsequent changes to the same award ticket.
View United award fees for details.
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Why is United no longer charging the close-in processing fee for awards effective July 30, 2009?
United is the first airline to remove the close-in processing fee for awards. Effective July 30, 2009, we are discontinuing the close-in processing fee in order to make it easier for you to redeem your miles for award travel, and to provide you with even more value for your loyalty.
- Who does the discontinuation of the close-in processing fee for awards apply to?
Effective July 30, 2009, all members no longer have to pay a close-in processing fee for awards.
Global Services and 1K members will continue to be exempt from all award fees, including change/cancellation fees and United Reservations and ticket counter handling fees.
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Will the close-in processing fee for award travel be charged for each reservation or for each ticket?
For tickets issued prior to July 30, 2009, the fee applies to each award ticket issued. Therefore, each person will be charged the fee. For example, if three people are traveling and the close-in processing fee applies, the total fee amount due would be USD 225 (USD 75 per award ticket issued, 3 award tickets issued in total).
For tickets issued on or after July 30, 2009, the close-in processing fee will no longer be charged.
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I was charged the close-in processing fee for award travel when I booked my ticket, but I didn't use it. Will I be charged the fee again to book a new trip using that ticket?
No, if you book a new trip using your existing ticket on or after July 30, 2009, no close-in processing fees will apply. Please note that change fees, if applicable, may still apply. In order to book a new award trip using an existing award ticket, the award ticket must be unused.
- I have an award ticket I have not used and want to change my travel dates. Will a close-in processing fee for award travel be charged?
If you request the change on or after July 30, 2009, the close-in processing fee will no longer apply.
- If the travel agency is closed, will United waive the Reservations Handling Fee?
No. The fee is based on the type of transaction involved and is independent of the agency hours of operation. Customers may choose to wait to speak with their travel agent.
- Why is the close-in processing fee for award travel not waived for tickets purchased online?
The cost to United is the same regardless of the ticketing channel; therefore the fee is not waived online.
For tickets issued on or after July 30, 2009, the close-in processing fee will no longer be charged regardless of where your award ticket is issued.
- How do I get a refund for the close-in processing fee for award travel?
The close-in processing fee is non-refundable.
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My award ticket was re-credited within 24 hours. I would like you to refund the close-in processing fee that I was charged.
The close-in processing fee is non-refundable.
- I am a 1K member and want to use my miles for award travel for someone else. Do I have to pay a close-in processing fee for award travel?
The close-in processing fee will be waived for all award tickets redeemed using miles from a Global Services or 1K account. The waiver applies to all passengers booked on the same reservation.
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If I’m changing my return flight on an award ticket will the close-in processing fee apply?
No, close-in processing fees will not apply when you change only the return flight of an award ticket.
