
United’s app can now add electronic boarding passes from partner airlines. (Image: United)
With travelers becoming more reliant on their smartphones for all kinds of chores, the United app got several enhancements this week to increase its functionality.
For one thing, the airline now allows users to receive boarding passes via the app for onward connecting flights on 19 partner airlines. In talking with users, “we found that simply allowing our customers to access boarding passes for their entire itinerary within the same app made a big difference,” said Kate Gebo, chief customer officer at United. Participating carriers range from big ones like Lufthansa to small ones like Aegean Airlines. You can see a full list here.
Users can also turn to their United app now to make changes in their reservations, or to cancel them. Users will see these new options under Reservations Details, where they can follow the indicated steps to get a confirmation of their action. “As this new feature debuts, certain reservations, such as reservations purchased through third parties, will continue to United.com to allow customers to make changes,” the company said.
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United’s app has added several new features. (Image: United)
For iOS users, customers’ United Club and MileagePlus cards can now be stored in the Apple Wallet for easy access, United said. Users should log into their MileagePlus account in the app, select United Clubs and/or MileagePlus, and then hit the “add to Apple Wallet” icon under the digital card. “United Club members will still scan their boarding passes to access United Club locations before their flight,” United said. “Members who do not have their MileagePlus number tied to their boarding pass will be able to show their electronic card, along with a same-day boarding pass for United Club access.”
Another recent enhancement to the app is the addition of a beta “Track my bags” function, which will give users real-time updates of when their bag goes onto the aircraft, when it is unloaded, and when it reaches baggage claim. (Delta added a baggage tracker to its app in 2016.) United said it is also adding a 3D touch capability for Apple iPhone users whose devices support that feature. They can use it “to instantly navigate from their iPhone’s home screen to book a flight, check in, and view their flight status in the app,” United said.
Readers: What other features or capabilities would you like to see on United’s app? How does it compare to other airline apps?
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