Red-eye transcon on United vs. Virgin America?
Aug 18, 2017, 1:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2
Red-eye transcon on United vs. Virgin America?
Hello FT, this is my first post ever on FlyerTalk, so please forgive any faux pas.
I am planning for my once in a blue moon transcon (SFO-Dulles;economy) flight on the company tab. I am an Alaska MVP and Silver on United, so trying to decide between a red-eye on United or Virgin America.
I earned United Silver only recently through a status match, so am still trying to figure out how the upgrade process works.
If an upgrade to business class on United is at all likely, I would choose United. If you just LOL'd at the idea of business class upgrade, than I would prefer Virgin America. Anyone have any insight on this? Thanks for reading!
I am planning for my once in a blue moon transcon (SFO-Dulles;economy) flight on the company tab. I am an Alaska MVP and Silver on United, so trying to decide between a red-eye on United or Virgin America.
I earned United Silver only recently through a status match, so am still trying to figure out how the upgrade process works.
If an upgrade to business class on United is at all likely, I would choose United. If you just LOL'd at the idea of business class upgrade, than I would prefer Virgin America. Anyone have any insight on this? Thanks for reading!
Aug 19, 2017, 12:51 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
Agree that a Silver elite's chances of upgrading on an SFO-IAD redeye are nil. The route is extremely popular with elites. There are routinely 40-50 people left on the upgrade list after the last business class seat is filled, and many of those people are Golds and Plats. Even 1Ks can't count on an upgrade on this route.
Aug 20, 2017, 1:49 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 2
Agree that a Silver elite's chances of upgrading on an SFO-IAD redeye are nil. The route is extremely popular with elites. There are routinely 40-50 people left on the upgrade list after the last business class seat is filled, and many of those people are Golds and Plats. Even 1Ks can't count on an upgrade on this route.
Aug 20, 2017, 2:37 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
The one upside to UA is economy+ which you can purchase beforehand or gamble and hope for a complimentary selection at check-in.
Aug 20, 2017, 6:59 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,502
OP, when you check-in, you can review your seat selection, and if any E+ seats are available, feel free to change it from your E seat (no additional cost).
I have had good luck scoring E+ upgrades lately on transcon flights. Mind you, most of them are on the popular EWR-SFO route, and many are ps flights.