What happened
United said a mobile app tool arriving around the Labor Day travel weekend will hold a later confirmed booking until the traveler accepts an earlier seat.
Passengers shifted to a later flight after irregular operations can put themselves on standby for as many as 3 earlier options. The airline monitors those flights for open seats, so there is no need to keep refreshing the app. A text goes out when a seat appears, and the customer then chooses whether to take the earlier flight.
The same update adds a U.S. passport-based Digital ID in Apple Wallet to enroll in TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. Flight status now shows the inbound aircraft. The app also estimates TSA wait times at U.S. hubs.
After a disruption rebooking, add up to 3 earlier United flights to standby in the app and wait for a text rather than refreshing.
- Takeaway
- If United rebooks you later after a disruption, use the app to join standby on up to three earlier flights and wait for a text if a seat opens.