Kinda hard to explain in a few words in thread title.
Situation;
Family and I are in Rapid city June 18-23 for one of our boy's baseball tournament.
We just found out my other boy has a playoff baseball game on June 20th back at home, so him and I are flying back to denver before lunch.
Game is 3pm-5, if he wins, my mom can B line us to DEN to make a 7:10 flight.
If he loses, he plays again immediately after (5-7). Or if 1st game goes past 5, or traffic to airport, etc, and we can't make 7:10 flight, the 9:10 flight (last of the day) is basically my backup, and it's a smaller plane only 80 seats so could sell out.
So last night I also booked award flights for the 9:10 to ensure I get back to SD that night. To summarize, I have both booked. We'll take the first one if it works, otherwise the later one is backup and I'll cancel first flight before 7.
Problem; After booking the 9:10 flight, received email from united said I have two overlapping flights, so cancel one or they will both be canceled. Weird, cause they don't overlap.. but I guess they are close enough and triggered this email.
So I canceled the 9:10. Idea this morning; I've booked 2 seats on the later flight as wife and other kid.. just as a placeholder, so if it sells out and I need it that day last second, I can cancel their flights, then rebook as me and correct kid knowing I have two seats.
Any holes in this plan? Anyone ever do it? I'm under the impression with my bit of research that I can cancel an award flight right up until it departs with no risk. And then when I cancel, they'll immediately become available to rebook.
I've had two flights booked on the same day before like this, but must have been further apart so it didn't trigger the 'overlap'
I often do it to increase my chances of the airline changing itineraries which gives me a one time no charge flight change
Situation;
Family and I are in Rapid city June 18-23 for one of our boy's baseball tournament.
We just found out my other boy has a playoff baseball game on June 20th back at home, so him and I are flying back to denver before lunch.
Game is 3pm-5, if he wins, my mom can B line us to DEN to make a 7:10 flight.
If he loses, he plays again immediately after (5-7). Or if 1st game goes past 5, or traffic to airport, etc, and we can't make 7:10 flight, the 9:10 flight (last of the day) is basically my backup, and it's a smaller plane only 80 seats so could sell out.
So last night I also booked award flights for the 9:10 to ensure I get back to SD that night. To summarize, I have both booked. We'll take the first one if it works, otherwise the later one is backup and I'll cancel first flight before 7.
Problem; After booking the 9:10 flight, received email from united said I have two overlapping flights, so cancel one or they will both be canceled. Weird, cause they don't overlap.. but I guess they are close enough and triggered this email.
So I canceled the 9:10. Idea this morning; I've booked 2 seats on the later flight as wife and other kid.. just as a placeholder, so if it sells out and I need it that day last second, I can cancel their flights, then rebook as me and correct kid knowing I have two seats.
Any holes in this plan? Anyone ever do it? I'm under the impression with my bit of research that I can cancel an award flight right up until it departs with no risk. And then when I cancel, they'll immediately become available to rebook.
I've had two flights booked on the same day before like this, but must have been further apart so it didn't trigger the 'overlap'
I often do it to increase my chances of the airline changing itineraries which gives me a one time no charge flight change