staeiou

Great find -- particularly whatever it is that makes UA's system parse it as a domestic one-way for upgrades. This also works out SFO-HNL-GUM-ICN-SFO, for those who want to take the old and busted 777 domestic-ish F seats on the way there, then sleep on the lay-flat BF seats on the way back. I booked it, successfully upgraded it with miles, but ended up canceling as I wasn't able to make it work with my schedule.

BNAFlyer1K

I wish I had thought of this, since I'd appreciate the BF seat much more on the way back. On the bright side, I don't have to clear Immigration/Customs on the way back. Get off the plane and head straight to work.

anandrag

Don't understand how system can see this as domestic. Asked for upgrade options in GUM for GUM-HNL-IAH-LGA and was quoted same 30k + $600. Annoying but good for you to get it!

olouie

What dates are people finding? Using ita and google best I get is 1200 ish

Kmxu

Your route is neither a circle nor a loop because you go through GUM twice. If you have a route like EWR-NRT-GUM-HNL-IAH-LGA/EWR, your upgrade will not cost that much.

anandrag

OK understand. Unfortunately I had to be in MNL so had to go via GUM both ways. No other option. Still wonder why wasn't offered cheaper option on return for just GUM-HNL-IAH-LGA

Kmxu

That is international one-way upgrade although GUM is part of USA. GUM-HNL requires a GPU with W fare. My RPU does not work on this segment if I have a circle/loop route. But miles +copay work for all segments. UA computer programers forgot to make a simple check (if a segment requires W fare for upgrade). lol.

tvrec

I have a newbie question on this itinerary, specifically what counts toward PQD.

The situation
I bought a ticket on this UA route, or close to it: LAX-SFO-ICN outbound, the reverse for return. I bought the ticket last week and leave next week. All in, the fare was about 840$. When I booked it, the itinerary said that it was approx. 735 fare + 105 taxes, which was fine. When I received the email with ticketing information, however, it says the breakdown between fare and fees is rather different, something like 50% each-- 420 fare and 420 in fees& taxes.

What actually counts toward the PQDs? I called United and the rep I spoke with couldn't tell me what amount actually counted toward my PQDs for next year. I need to spend about 1k before the end of the year still and thought I would get about 700 of that on this ticket. Now I am not so sure since the domestic flights I have had this year have credited PQDs based on my base fare.

Thoughts?

EDIT:
I called United back and spoke with a different representative, who explained that a 300$ international charge that is levied by United (and thus stays with United) also counts toward the PQDs. It's called a YQ fee, the rep said. With that, everything lines up with what I thought I was buying initially. Thanks, all.

gsalem94122

Maybe the programmers fixed it.

I would jump on those flights for a low miles+co-pay upgrade (for the PQMs). Can anyone give an example for dates/flights. I can't make that work either.

Thanks!

moyeung

just booked ewr-iad-nrt-icn-gum-hnl-iah-ewr for $970 1118 to 1120
was able to use 1 rpu and upgraded ewr-iad, icn-gum, hnl-iah-ewr segments

BNAFlyer1K

Just finished the trip this morning. Having BF/First the entire way definitely makes this trip more bearable. It would have been an extremely long 48 hours otherwise.

anandrag

Lucky you! I had to do it in coach a few weeks ago!

BNAFlyer1K

Deal still exists. I just booked another due to a work trip being cancelled. Not too many dates left at the original price, but there are some $800+ fares available in December.

olouie

My upgrade cost is $5926 haha. Pass.