June 24, 2019

RUPA Members: Update from UAL!

This message is being sent to all retiree organization leaders

Good morning and happy Monday!

We’d really appreciate it if you could post this message from the Employee Travel Center in your next newsletter.

Employee Travel team wishes you an epic summer

School is out for summer, and the travel season is in full swing! That means busy airports, long lines and full flights. We all want a seamless travel experience as we make our way to family, friends and vacation destinations. Here is our summer travel checklist to help you have a smoother trip and at the same time help out your fellow employees who are working during this busy time.

• Our award-winning United app is your travel toolkit. You can check in, check flight status, view your position on the standby list, receive a mobile boarding pass and more, directly from your mobile device. Download the United app for free before your next trip.
• Before you decide what to wear on the plane, check out the Pass Travel Attire policy. Remind your pass riders, too. They represent you – and United – when they’re pass traveling, so we expect them to follow the attire policy, whether you’re traveling together or not.
• Explain to your pass riders how the standby process works and that they should contact you if they have questions.
• Keep in mind that some of our more popular destinations like Honolulu, London and other European locations are in high season and may make pass travel a challenge. Also, there are certain countries that may have different boarding process requirements than others – like Buenos Aires, where pass travelers have to be cleared at the check-in counter. These differences in process can be stressful for pass riders who aren’t aware. It’s always a good idea to research your destination – including its airport and travel policies – before you go.
• Make your travel planning easier by using the helpful tools in employeeRES: Open Search lets you check flights with the most seat availability to or from anywhere, and you can set up Flight Watch to send you notifications with boarding totals for up to 10 flight segments of your choice.
• We have 122 interline ZED agreements that increase our global reach far beyond the United network. You can purchase your interline tickets online ahead of time. Check out our other airline travel page to learn about eligibility, ticketing and more.
• Expect long lines at airport security, and make sure to get there early. At the security checkpoint, be patient and cooperate with security officials.
• Be kind to your fellow pass riders and to employees who are handling the summer crowds. Remember that caring is always important, whether you’re at work or on your way to a vacation destination!

Thank you!

June 12, 2019

RUPA Members: Timely Info From UAL

This message is being sent to all retiree organization leaders

Good morning,

Our PeopleSoft system, where employee and pass rider information is managed, will be upgraded this weekend, between 4 p.m. June 14 and the afternoon of June 16. During that time, the Dependent Management System – which you use to add, change or delete pass riders – will not be available.

This scheduled freeze of the tool will not impact existing approved pass riders or their travel in any way. You can check your existing approved pass riders through employeeRES > My Profile > Manage Profile > Traveler Profiles.

If you need to add an enrolled friend or family member, you can do that through Flying Together > Travel > Manage pass riders prior to the freeze on Friday, or after the upgrade is complete on Sunday afternoon. Still have a question? Contact an Employee Travel team member using Help Hub or at 1-877-825-3729 from 7am – 7pm CT, 7 days a week.

Sincerely,

Employee Travel Team

June 3, 2019

RUPA Members: Updates From UAL

This message is being sent to all retiree organization leaders

Good morning and happy Monday!

I hope life is great and your summer is off to a wonderful start! I wanted to remind everyone that retirees can update their enrolled friends for the July – December 2019 travel period until 11:59 p.m. CT on June 28th . Please note, in the past we’ve had thousands of retiree emails that could not be delivered because of a bad email address, there is security in place to not accept emails from an unknown source or their mailbox is full. So we are going to try something new this time by putting a message on the top of the Retiree Pass Travel page on Flying Together reminding them of the deadline.

How you can help

• Reach out to your members and let them know what the deadline is if they need to update their enrolled friends for the next travel period.
• Be sure to refer them to our helpful resources section below to learn more about Pass Travel Enrollment for Retirees before calling the Employee Travel team.
• Contact a team member using Help Hub if you or a retiree still has a question and track the progress of the request.

Helpful resources

• Visit our Pass Travel Enrollment for Retirees page
• View a how-to video on how to elect your enrolled friend(s) for the next travel period
• Read a user guide (pdf) with step-by-step instructions on how to elect your enrolled friend(s) for the next travel period
• Read Questions and Answers

As always, thank you for your support and I hope you have a great week!

Try Help Hub to find answers to commonly asked questions and to submit request to our service centers.

June 2, 2019

RUPA Members: Travel News Update from RAFA’s Kirk Moore!

Pass Travel UPDATE

1. Switch your Enrolled Friends by 6/28
2. Pay Pass Travel Tax Withholdings Invoice Online
3. New Livery
4. New & seasonal flights abroad this summer
5. Check your profile before flying
6. Get KTN for TSA & immigration entry
7. BONUS! 3 Items from RUPA
8. News from United Daily
9. RAFA’s website
   

Read this UPDATE on RAFA’s website, the links may work better: https://www.rafa-cwa.org/page-1836169

1) Switch your Enrolled Friends by 6/28

Retirees may change their Enrolled Friends for the July-December travel period by midnight June 28th (CDT). If you do nothing your current EFs will automatically roll over.  If you do NOT want them to roll over you must either change them or UNCHECK them (to leave a slot open to fill later).  After midnight on June 28th the next chance to change your EFs will be in December (for the January-June travel period next year).

Visit the Flying Together website ft.ual.com and go to: FT > Travel > Pass Travel > “Manage pass riders”.

For help: read this page, the pdf, Q&A and view the video:  https://ft.ual.com/travel/passriderslandingpage/retireepasstravel/pass-travel-enrollment-for-retirees

Read these 3 important tips

1. How to change or add an EF
2. Why you can’t register a new EF
3. How to leave an EF slot open to fill later: http://www.rafa-cwa.org/3-Tips-for-Enrolling-EFs

2) Pay Pass Travel Tax Withholdings Invoice Online

When your pass riders accrue pass travel taxes United will send retirees withholding invoices via US Mail. Note: You can now opt to have those invoices delivered to you by email instead of US Mail. Here is the invoice schedule:

Pass Travel During	Invoice Sent	Payment Due
Nov-Jan	March	June 15
Feb-Apr	June	July 15
May-Jul	September	October 15
Aug-Oct	December	January 15

If your pass riders do not accrue Pass Travel Taxes you will not receive and be suspended.

NEW: You may now pay the invoice ONLINE via direct debit from your bank account.

Pass Travel Tax Invoices may be viewed (and paid online) by going to: FT> Employee Services > Health&Insurance (YBR): For detailed info, click the tile named “Pass Travel Tax Withholdings Q&A”.

To see your previous invoices click on the tile that says “View/Print invoices”. Once your invoice is loaded in the system view your current invoice by clicking on the tile “Pass Travel Tax Withholdings”.

What are Pass Travel Tax Withholdings? Read item #2 and #3 in this RAFA article: https://rafa-cwa.org/Costs-and-Taxes.

Still have questions? Read the complete list of frequently asked questions and available resources at Flying Together > Travel homepage > In This Section > W-2 Pass Travel Tax Reporting.

3) New Livery

Out with the gold, in with the blue. United’s new livery is modern and prominently features three shades of the color most connected to our heritage; Rhapsody Blue, United Blue and Sky Blue. Read more:

https://ft.ual.com/news/2019/04/24/celebrating-our-next-livery

4) New & seasonal flights abroad this summer

We have LOTS of destination choices on United this summer! Some are new, like SFO-Amsterdam, Newark-Naples and Newark-Prague:

https://ft.ual.com/news/2018/08/29/new-routes-to-europe

Also new: Denver-Frankfurt:

https://ft.ual.com/News/2018/11/29/DEN-FRA-taking-off-in-2019

More flights to Hawaii:

https://ft.ual.com/news/2019/04/15/strengthening-our-operations-in-hawaii

There are 31 new or returning seasonal international routes from the US to 58 countries; including popular cities like Venice, Athens, Rome, Glasgow, Madrid, Barcelona & Shannon:

https://ft.ual.com/news/2019/04/09/around-the-world-in-31-ways

And, in case you missed it, United recently launched a new class of service named United ® Premium Plus on 777 and 787 long-haul international flights.

Read about it in RAFA’s March Pass Travel UPDATE:

https://rafa-cwa.org/UPDATE-2019-March

Additional information is on Flying Together:

https://ft.ual.com/news/2019/02/05/book-united-premium-plus-in-employeeres

5) Check your profile before flying

Before you list to fly away this summer make sure your docs are in order!

Go to employeeRES > “My profile” > “Manage profile” and, on the “Personal profile” tab, check all of the following information: TSA secure, United, Employee identification, Travel documents and Notifications.

If you have a MileagePlus membership, link your MP number in the United information section.

If you are in a Trusted Traveler Program, record your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in the Employee identification area (and read the next article about KTN for TSA).

Important! Be sure to record your driver’s license or passport (or BOTH!) as a Travel document type; one or the other is required before you can list for a flight (a passport is required for international lights).

Remember, beginning in October 2020, the TSA will only accept “Real ID” driver licenses. If you don’t have a “REAL ID” by then you should carry a valid passport that will allow you to pass through TSA.

After checking your “Personal profile”, use the “Traveler profiles” tab to make certain all your pass riders’ information/documents are up-to-date.

The last section for them is “Permissions”. There you can specify if they have log-in access to employeeRES for listing themselves.

If there is incorrect information in your profile and you can’t change it yourself, try going to “Your profile” in FT > Employee Services > Health & Insurance (YBR). If you can’t fix it there, call the Service Center: 800-651-1007.

If your pass rider’s information needs to be changed, like a spelling correction to their name or date of birth, contact the Employee Travel team via Help Hub at https://helphub.ual.com.

6) Get KTN for TSA and immigration entry

Join a Trusted Traveler Program to obtain a “Known Traveler Number” and be eligible for TSA PreCheck & expedited customs/immigration entry. Visit Flying Together > Travel > “Preparing for Travel” > “Trusted Traveler Programs”. Links on that page will take you directly to sign up on the GOES system. There are various programs with different pricing.

Once signed up online, you will apply for an interview (Tip: If the first available appointment is months in the future, revisit the webpage often to try and move up your interview date). Some interview locations have drop-in wait lists for appointments.

IMPORTANT!  After you complete the in-person interview you must input your “KTN” (Known Traveler Number) in two places:

1) For space available travel:  employeeRES > “My profile” > “Manage profile”.

Scroll down to “Employee Identification information” and fill in your KTN. Scroll down to hit “Save identification info”.

2) For revenue & myUAdiscount travel:  go to your MileagePlus account.

Visit united.com > MileagePlus > My Account > Profile > Edit Traveler Information > Known Traveler Number

7) BONUS! 3 Items from RUPA

Many thanks to Pat Palazzolo and RUPA for these three items:

1. U.S. State Department’s “Smart Traveler app” for Intl travel
2. New ZED carrier “Vistara” for travel within India
3. Information about changing Enrolled Friends.

Click to open/download pdf:  https://rafa-cwa.org/resources/Documents/Pass%20Travel/2019_0601_RUPA_Report.pdf

8) NEWS from the United Daily (and others)

03/06: Selling pass privileges: NOT OK

04/22: Changes to unaccompanied minor program

04/30: Here we come, Cape Town

05/16: Haneda, here we come

05/21: New Supersonic planes coming (TechCrunch)

05/24: UA’s 737 Max schedule update

9) Have you seen our RAFA website?

Check out the Travel Benefits tab here: www.rafa-cwa.org/page-1830854

Read the Pass Travel Program Summary, helpful links, phone numbers & more.

For other Pass Travel Topics: Previous Travel UPDATES

Kirk Moore, RAFA Travel Benefits Committee June 1, 2019

Thank you Kirk!

June 28th, 2018

RUPA Members: Latest Travel Pass News from Kirk Moore!

Retiree Association of Flight Attendants

Pass Travel UPDATE                    June 27, 2018

1) Deadline is JUNE 28th to change EFs!

2) Pay your travel invoice

3) New Flying Together website

4) New ZED carriers

5) RAFA website

Read this UPDATE on our website, the links may work better:

 http://www.rafa-cwa.org/page-1836169

1) Changing EFs deadline is JUNE 28th

 Retirees may change Enrolled Friends for July-December flying but must do so by midnight June 28th. If you do nothing your current EFs will automatically roll over. If you do NOT want them to roll over you must UNCHECK them. After midnight on June 28th your next chance to change EFs will be in December for January-June 2019 flying.

           Visit the Flying Together website ft.ual.com and go to:

           FT > Travel > Pass Travel > “Manage pass riders”. 

           For help: read this page, the pdf, Q&A and view the video:

https://ft.ual.com/travel/passriderslandingpage/retireepasstravel/pass-travel-enrollment-for-retirees

Here are three important tips: http://www.rafa-cwa.org/3-Tips-for-Enrolling-EFs

2) Pay your travel invoice

If your taxable pass riders (domestic partner, enrolled friends) flew between February 1 to April 30, 2018 you should have received an invoice (Travel Liability Statement) from United. Do not forget to pay it!  

You can view your pass rider’s travel history in FT > Travel > Pass Travel > “Pass travel report”.

Here is information from the Employee Travel Center.

Visit our W-2 Pass Travel Tax Reporting page for a complete list of resources and tools including: 

•           The announcement letter sent to retirees and early out participants in 2017

•           Frequently asked questions

•           A video tutorial of the changes in employeeRES

•           Quarterly invoice example

•           User guide with:

◦       Sample screenshots of what you can expect to see in employeeRES

◦       Sample screenshots of the imputed income calculator

•           User guide of how to view and print your invoice from the Your Benefits Resources website

Click to read: RAFA’s page about imputed taxes

3) New Flying Together website!

The cut-over to United’s new Flying Together website took place on May 29, 2018. 

1)  You still sign in with your file number and password. Remember, your password must be updated every 90 days. Can’t log in? Call the IT Desk: 800-255-5801

2)  All Pass Travel information is still in the “Travel” section, but it will be located in new tabs and menus within that section. Click around to discover them!

3)  When you find a page you need often, click “Add to favorites” at the bottom of that page and you’ll be able to quickly access it with one click using your “Favorites” (the heart icon) link.

Retirees may get need a little help looking for pass travel information on the new Flying Together website. No problem! RAFA recently updated all of our “Important LINKS” (including handy phone numbers). Below each link is the path we took, so you can easily navigate the new menus of the Travel section. For example: FT > Travel > Programs and policies > Types of travel > (look in fly out menu “In this section”) > “Preparing for travel” is the path to find out everything “you need to know before you go”. Read about how to book travel, proper attire, service charges, refunds, etc. in “Preparing for travel”.

Check out RAFA’s links here: http://www.rafa-cwa.org/page-1831807

Click a link and then sign into FT. Once you’re signed in, RAFA’s links will take you straight to the topic you’re looking for. Try using the paths to find it yourself. Happy hunting! Note: pathways will be slightly different when viewing Flying Together on smartphones and tablets.

4) New ZED partners

June 2018 – We have started new Zonal Employee Discount agreements with XL Airways France (SE-France) and First Air (7F-Canada).

See all the latest information about flying standby on other carriers by going to Flying Together > Travel > Top Hits > Other airline interline travel or click https://ft.ual.com/travel/interlinetravel

Also, read RAFA’s Other Airline page: http://www.rafa-cwa.org/page-1836104

5) Have you seen our RAFA website?

       Check out the Travel Benefits tab here:  http://www.rafa-cwa.org

       Read the Pass Travel Program Summary, helpful links, phone numbers & more.

       For other Pass Travel Topics: Previous Travel UPDATES

Compiled by Kirk Moore, RAFA Travel Benefits Committee     June 27, 2018

 Thank you Kirk!!!!

Retired United Pilots Association
Phyllis Cleveland, Eblast Coordinator
P.O. Box 400 Vineburg, CA 95487 -0400

June 13th, 2018

RUPA Members: UAL Update

This message is for all Retiree Organization Leaders

 Good afternoon!

 I wanted to share with you a preview of the story that will run in tonight’s United Daily. Feel free to post the story to your organization’s website and/or newsletter after the United Daily runs at approx. 5 pm CT.

Pass traveling this summer?

Summer travel is here, which can mean busy airports and long lines for pass travelers. Here are some helpful tips to make pass travel just a bit easier. 

Travel tips:

• Join MileagePlus now, and you’ll be able to manage your pass travel – and all of your United travel – with the United app. Start earning miles and enjoying the rewards. Learn more
• Review the Pass Travel Attire policy before heading to the airport to ensure you’re comfortable and within the rules.
• Remember, if you purchased a myUAdiscount ticket, you may not cancel your confirmed reservation to revert to a space available listing on the same day, same trip.
• Purchase your interline tickets ahead of time for travel beyond the United network.
• Arrive early and anticipate long TSA security lines. Be patient and cooperate with TSA officers. And of course, make sure you’re up to date on TSA rules and travel tips.

 Don’t forget that as we grow as an airline, it means more seats are available for pass travel. During the first quarter of 2018, we saw more non-revenue, space available travel than ever before. In fact, did you know that in April, 82% of pass riders who listed for a flight and checked in were awarded a seat? With all of the pass travel happening across the system this summer, it means our front-line employees are working extra hard for all of us. Give them a big thank you the next time you travel.

Thank you,

Michelle

Try Help Hub to find answers to commonly asked questions and to submit request to our service centers.

Retired United Pilots Association
Phyllis Cleveland, Eblast Coordinator
P.O. Box 400 Vineburg, CA 95487 -0400

Dear United retiree,

At the end of 2017, we began to collect any federal and state withholding taxes that apply to your pass travel income via quarterly invoices. The next invoice will be sent in June for any taxable pass travel from February 1, 2018, through April 30, 2018. Keep in mind, if you do not have any taxable pass travel during a particular fiscal quarter, you will not receive an invoice.

If your eligible taxable pass riders have completed pass travel, you will receive a quarterly invoice via the U.S. Postal Service to the mailing address United has on file. These invoices will request payment of the calculated withholding tax.  You will need to pay the invoiced amount by check or money order to the address specified on the invoice, be sure to include your payment coupon from your invoice to ensure timely posting of your payment. Failure to pay an invoice may result in a suspension of your pass travel privileges until the invoice is paid.

It’s very important that your mailing address is up to date.  If you want to verify or make a change, use the “Update Mailing Address” link in the Detail Summary section of the Dependent Management page. Note: You will be redirected to the Your Benefits Resources website to enter your changes.  See page 6 of the W-2 pass travel tax reporting and billing user guide to learn more.

Billing schedule:

Flown  Travel  Date                        Invoice Delivered by Date            Payment Due Date
Nov 1 through Jan 31	Mar 10	Apr 15
Feb 1 through Apr 30	Jun 10	Jul 15
May 1 through Jul 31	Sep 10	Oct 15
Aug 1 through Oct 31	Dec 10	Jan 15

Helpful resources:

Visit our W-2 Pass Travel Tax Reporting page for a complete list of resources and tools including:

• The announcement letter sent to retirees and early out participants
• Frequently asked questions
• A video tutorialof the changes in employeeRES
• Quarterly invoice example
• User guidewith:
  • Sample screenshots of what you can expect to see in employeeRES
  • Sample screenshots of the imputed income calculator
• User guideof how to view and print your invoice from the Your Benefits Resources website

Still need assistance?

Contact the Employee Travel Center:

• Use Help Hubto submit an inquiry
• Call 1-877-UAL-ESC9 (from the U.S.) or 1-847-UAL-ESC9 (outside the U.S.)

o   Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time, 7 days a week

o   Say “employee travel” then “travel questions” to speak to a representative

 

Thank you,

Employee Travel Center

Retired United Pilots Association
Phyllis Cleveland, Eblast Coordinator
P.O. Box 400 Vineburg, CA 95487 -0400