Highest upgrade % chance out of EWR?
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
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Posts: 6,798
Highest upgrade % chance out of EWR?
As a lowly silver (for now) and a student I have a lot of free time. Classes end early thurs and start again late mon. As such, I was hoping to take lots of random trips to anywhere over the spring. Ideally I would fly out thurs from EWR and return sun/mon. However, I would prefer not to pony up for F. I was wondering which routes are elite light and more likely for a silver to be able to score upgrades on with regularity. I don't care where I go really, just want to explore the country on weekends. Thanks.
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 1,821
MCO -- packed with families going to see the mouse. Even the few elites who may be on the flights will choose to sit in back with the kids.
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
MCO will likely be your best chance for upgrades but then you'll be in MCO.
Some of the LatAm routes seem to have decent inventory open up front more than not so maybe look at those, too. Last time I did a weekend special to POS we had empties up front both ways but it also meant that I was in POS for a weekend.
Win some, lose some.
Some of the LatAm routes seem to have decent inventory open up front more than not so maybe look at those, too. Last time I did a weekend special to POS we had empties up front both ways but it also meant that I was in POS for a weekend.
Win some, lose some.
#4
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Silver, IHG Plat AMB, Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis Presidents Club; Caesars Diamond Plus
Posts: 641
I agree -- Seems like MCO from anywhere is usually a pretty easy upgrade. When I was Silver I got the EUA 100% of the time out of IAH (and on the return), no matter what day or time of day. Can't speak for EWR specifically, but I'm bettin' it's similar.....
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Silver, IHG Plat AMB, Hertz Pres. Circle, Avis Presidents Club; Caesars Diamond Plus
Posts: 641
MCO will likely be your best chance for upgrades but then you'll be in MCO.
Some of the LatAm routes seem to have decent inventory open up front more than not so maybe look at those, too. Last time I did a weekend special to POS we had empties up front both ways but it also meant that I was in POS for a weekend.
Win some, lose some.
Some of the LatAm routes seem to have decent inventory open up front more than not so maybe look at those, too. Last time I did a weekend special to POS we had empties up front both ways but it also meant that I was in POS for a weekend.
Win some, lose some.
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2009
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Posts: 6,798
MCO will likely be your best chance for upgrades but then you'll be in MCO.
Some of the LatAm routes seem to have decent inventory open up front more than not so maybe look at those, too. Last time I did a weekend special to POS we had empties up front both ways but it also meant that I was in POS for a weekend.
Win some, lose some.
Some of the LatAm routes seem to have decent inventory open up front more than not so maybe look at those, too. Last time I did a weekend special to POS we had empties up front both ways but it also meant that I was in POS for a weekend.
Win some, lose some.
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
So long as it is not a BF route - currently from EWR that includes everything in Europe/Asia plus HNL, EZE, GRU, LIM - then the EUA system applies. So BOG, PTY, POS, AUA, CUR, SAP, LIR, CUN, CZM, MBJ, SJU, BQN, ANU, SXM, PUJ, SDQ, POP, NAS, BDA and probably a few others are all possible.
#8
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So long as it is not a BF route - currently from EWR that includes everything in Europe/Asia plus HNL, EZE, GRU, LIM - then the EUA system applies. So BOG, PTY, POS, AUA, CUR, SAP, LIR, CUN, CZM, MBJ, SJU, BQN, ANU, SXM, PUJ, SDQ, POP, NAS, BDA and probably a few others are all possible.
Last edited by GetSetJetSet; Jan 19, 2011 at 12:43 pm
#9
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greenwich, CT/NY,NY
Programs: CO PP, AA EXP, UA 1K, DL DIA
Posts: 158
You should have a good shot upgrading out of any airport with flights "NOT" operating to/from EWR and IAH. Other than that MCO would be your best bet.
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: New Jersey
Programs: CO One Pass Hipster, *G, Expedia Elite Plus, :rolleyes: Premier Exec.
Posts: 2,694
When I went to CUR I cleared, my silver mom cleared, my companion UG cleared, and my better half was a reaward tkt up front, they were selling UGs for 99 bucks, and first still left with empty seats. BOTH WAYS!
I'd say your chances are pretty good on this 4 hr flight.
I'd say your chances are pretty good on this 4 hr flight.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DAL
Programs: UA 1K AA EXP
Posts: 632
MCO will likely be your best chance for upgrades but then you'll be in MCO.
Some of the LatAm routes seem to have decent inventory open up front more than not so maybe look at those, too. Last time I did a weekend special to POS we had empties up front both ways but it also meant that I was in POS for a weekend.
Win some, lose some.
Some of the LatAm routes seem to have decent inventory open up front more than not so maybe look at those, too. Last time I did a weekend special to POS we had empties up front both ways but it also meant that I was in POS for a weekend.
Win some, lose some.
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I did and that was a great day. ^^ I actually walked from my hotel to a random beach, went snorkeling (I brought my own gear; fins strapped to the outside of my backpack), found some lunch and then walked back to the airport for the hop back over from TAB to POS.
But because of the very early departure for the POS-EWR return flight I had to be in POS most of Sunday and it was rather ghetto.
But because of the very early departure for the POS-EWR return flight I had to be in POS most of Sunday and it was rather ghetto.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: 40 miles SE of EWR
Programs: UA 1K/COPlat, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 532
If you want to go to LatAm, SJO is an easy EUA. I have never missed an upgrade, even when i was a lowly silver.
The city is not so exciting, but just a short drive away is the pacific coast.
The city is not so exciting, but just a short drive away is the pacific coast.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hyatt GLOB, Marriott Lifetime PLT, UA 1K 1MM.
Posts: 1,728
i went to TPA a few times for work and got EUA's every time both ways as silver and gold on S fares.
although if you fly out of LGA, somehow i do frequently get EUA'd when going LGA-IAH. i thought that was strange.
although if you fly out of LGA, somehow i do frequently get EUA'd when going LGA-IAH. i thought that was strange.
#15
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Bogota looks the most appealing to me. It seems the last few days on EWR-BOG the entire EUA list cleared and F still went out with empty seats. However, it is a long flight and I don't want any chance of being stuck in the back for that haul. As a silver would purchasing a particular fare bucket all but assure me an upgrade? Thanks.