Cancelling Return Flight with United

[bf__ 501]

Hi all.

 

I have my interview coming up soon - I'll be flying with United into Chicago from Heathrow.

 

It's so much cheaper to buy a return ticket, and I've read on here you need to cancel the return part of the ticket since sometimes the system shows you as leaving and then you have issues with AOS.

 

I was looking at booking the return leg 3-4 months out from when I arrive, so that's ample time to cancel the flight.

 

My question is - is all of this above correct, and how much do United charge to cancel the return flight? I really don't want to take any risks with AOS.

Thank you!

[FaintSpartan 138]

Why not just fly direct one-way with Norwegian? The flights are less than 300 pounds.  It's who I'll be flying with when I move in June.

[bf__ 501]

Just now, FaintSpartan said:

Why not just fly direct one-way with Norwegian? The flights are less than 300 pounds.  It's who I'll be flying with when I move in June.

From Heathrow? And what's the price with luggage? Usually those flights have a catch to them! You're the 2nd person who's mentioned this to me!

[FaintSpartan 138]

1 minute ago, brandonflude1 said:

From Heathrow? And what's the price with luggage? Usually those flights have a catch to them! You're the 2nd person who's mentioned his to me!

Not Heathrow, but Gatwick. But I mean, why stress about where the airport is if you can save yourself the worry with potential AOS issues? Plus it's the cheapest by far! 

 

Flight, meal and one checked bag is £299.90 on the third of June for example.

[Nicola and Jordan 668]

I cancelled my return flight with BA then I took a screenshot of the cancellation as sometimes they don’t take your name off the list, I’ve seen a couple of people this has happened to so just to cover yourself.

I didn’t get charged but look into your T’s and C’s when booking. 

[bf__ 501]

Just now, FaintSpartan said:

Not Heathrow, but Gatwick. But I mean, why stress about where the airport is if you can save yourself the worry with potential AOS issues? Plus it's the cheapest by far! 

 

Flight, meal and one checked bag is £299.90 on the third of June for example.

Yep - just looked at this exact flight. This is actually amazing helpful - I can just stay in a hotel for the price difference and be closer to Gatwick. Thank you!

[jakejon 1,197]

I flew from Dublin-Gatwick with Ryanair and Gatwick to Oakland with Norwegian one way, it was absolutely no problem. I declared I was coming on the K1. 

 

I did have to fly Southwest from Oakland to Las Vegas (which was only about an hour or so) but my husband met me in Oakland and we had the champagne flowing! 

 

Do look into Norwegian too  

Edited May 1, 2019 by jakejon

[FaintSpartan 138]

Just now, brandonflude1 said:

Yep - just looked at this exact flight. This is actually amazing helpful - I can just stay in a hotel for the price difference and be closer to Gatwick. Thank you!

Glad I could be of help!  I've flown with them twice before, both were easy experiences. Hope it all goes well for you!

[bf__ 501]

Thank you all for your help! Norweigan seems like a way less stressful choice!

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, brandonflude1 said:

Hi all.

 

I have my interview coming up soon - I'll be flying with United into Chicago from Heathrow.

 

It's so much cheaper to buy a return ticket, and I've read on here you need to cancel the return part of the ticket since sometimes the system shows you as leaving and then you have issues with AOS.

 

I was looking at booking the return leg 3-4 months out from when I arrive, so that's ample time to cancel the flight.

 

My question is - is all of this above correct, and how much do United charge to cancel the return flight? I really don't want to take any risks with AOS.

Thank you!

I did the same on United out of Heathrow. There is no charge to cancel your return. I think I just said I can't travel that day. She offered to rebook it for a different day and I said I was undecided and would have to call back when I knew for sure when I wanted to return. That was just an excuse to get off the phone. I did not use the flight.  I am aware of one first person report on VJ who had a problem because of some crazy unlikely series of events that left their name on the manifest so it appeared they had left the US. If there are others, I didn't read their actual first person account.  If nothing else, it's courteous to cancel.

Edited May 2, 2019 by Wuozopo