Jan 15, 2024, 10:36 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Oct 2018 - Significant fare class changes with the introduction of new premium economy fares ("Premium Plus") and the elimination of 3-class F.
Related threads
3-class First seats now considered Domestic F/Polaris Business & selectable by 1K/GSs
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Related threads
3-class First seats now considered Domestic F/Polaris Business & selectable by 1K/GSs
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Revenue buckets
J - Full Fare Business
C - Discount Business
D - Discount Business
Z - Deep Discount Business
P - Deep Discount Business
O - Full Fare PremiumPlus (Premium Economy)
A - Discount PremiumPlus (Premium Economy)
R - Deep Discount PremiumPlus (Premium Economy)
Y - Full Fare Coach
B - Full Fare Coach
M - Discount Coach
E - Discount Coach
U - Discount Coach
H - Discount Coach
Q - Discount Coach
V - Discount Coach
W - Deep Discount Coach
S - Deep Discount Coach
T - Deep Discount Coach
L - Deep Discount Coach
K - Deep Discount Coach
G - Deep Discount Coach
N - Basic Economy
Saver Award Inventory
IN - Elite (Plat/1K/GS) Saver Business or 2-cabin First Award
I - Non-Elite and Low Elite Saver Business or 2-cabin First Award
XN - Elite Saver Coach Award. Also available to Chase Gateway, Explorer, Quest, and United Club Visa cardholders as an undocumented benefit
X - Non-Elite Saver Coach Award
"Everyday" Award Inventory
JN - Elite/CC Everyday Business or 2-cabin First Award (may be open to all MP members )
ZN - Non-Elite Everyday Business or 2-cabin First Award (tracks to the Z bucket) (not clear if still used for award travel). Also used for buy-up upgrade offered at check-in. May be a factor in Skip-the-Waitliist availability
ON - Everyday PremiumPlus (Premium Economy) Award
YN - Elite/CC Everyday Coach Award (may be open to all MP members)
HN - Non-Elite Everyday Coach Award (tracks to the H bucket) (not clear this is still used)
Upgrade Inventory
PN - Y/B/M 1K Instant Upgrades (CPU eligible routes only); All GS sponsored upgrades Y->J (CPU, PlusPoints, miles)
PZ - Upgrades to Polaris Business, United Business, or United First (excepting GS sponsored upgrades and 1K Instant Upgrades)
RN - Upgrades to Premium Plus
Points earning for all upgrades is based on the originally purchased fare. Also see below.
Upgrades Note that upgraded flights will post to your MileagePlus statement as Z(X) where the second letter (X) is the original booking class. The parenthetical letter defines the earning rate for the flight as points are earned based on the original booking class.
How to read inventory numbers:
Why does J8C5D3Z0P0 mean?
The zero inventory is easy to explain, UA is presently unwilling to sell tickets using inventory in that fare class.
Does J8C5D3 mean there are 16 seats for sale? No -- there are just 8 available seats.
Inventory in a fare class is not additive but the lower fare classes are subsets of the higher fare classes
If UA sells / upgrades 1 seat in the premium fare class, the Inventory will like change to J7C4D2.
The J inventory is the total number of seats for sale in business/first. While C,D,Z, P ... are the number of seats UA is willing to sell in those lower fare classes
Going back to J8C5D3Z0P0, if you want 4 seats on a single PNR, you will have to purchase C fare, as there isn't enough inventory for D fare for everyone on the PNR and everyone on a common PNR must have the same fare class / fare basis.
In some cases, if a lower cabin is oversold, UA will then block, remove from inventory in the higher cabin to protect against the oversale.
Note the largest number for a UA fare class in public displays is 9 (some airlines limit to just 4), this prevents revealing too much information to the competitors or the public.
Award and upgrade inventory are also subsets on their respective cabin inventory
Management of inventory and maximizing revenue is the role of Revenue Management (RM), a highly secretive, proprietary operation of the airlines -- So inventory changes (within the physical limitations of the aircraft) will be dynamic and can change without notice as determine by RM
Archive thread: Decoding the alphabet soup - fare buckets for UA {Archive}
Decoding the alphabet soup - fare buckets for UA {Archive}
Mar 18, 2015, 10:00 am
#766
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
unitedfflyer -- yes, you will still get 150% PQM for A.
http://www.united.com/web/en-us/cont...r/qualify.aspx
http://www.united.com/web/en-us/cont...r/qualify.aspx
Mar 24, 2015, 9:30 am
#767
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
N booking class for international itinerary?
I hate to open a new thread. But this is very new to me. Normally, the lowest international booking class is K. I have never seen a G booking class for international travel, let alone an N booking class. The following example involves a partner flight (PEK-WNZ on Air China), but the N booking class on UA flight to PEK is very striking. Perhaps, this is a brave new world post March 1 RDM reduction or the cheap oil price. Happy travels.
Tue., Apr. 7, 2015 | New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty) to Wenzhou CN (WNZ)
Depart:
11:50 a.m.
Tue., Apr. 7, 2015
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Arrive:
1:45 p.m. +1 Day
Wed., Apr. 8, 2015
Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital)
Flight Time:
13 hr 55 mn
Flight distance:
6,832 m
Flight:UA89
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Fare Class: United Economy (N)
Meal: Lunch
Change Planes. Connect time in Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital) is 6 hours 25 minutes.
Depart:
8:10 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 8, 2015
Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital)
Arrive:
10:50 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 8, 2015
Wenzhou CN (WNZ)
Flight Time:
2 hr 40 mn
Travel Time:
23 hr 0 mn
Flight distance:
877 m
Total Distance:
7,709 m
Flight: UA7620
Operated by Air China.
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Fare Class: Economy (N)
Meal: Refreshments
No Special Meal Offered.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015 | Wenzhou CN (WNZ) to New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Depart:
8:40 a.m.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015
Wenzhou CN (WNZ)
Arrive:
11:15 a.m.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015
Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital)
Flight Time:
2 hr 35 mn
Flight distance:
877 m
Flight:UA7623
Operated by Air China.
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Fare Class: Economy (N)
Meal: Breakfast
No Special Meal Offered.
Change Planes. Connect time in Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital) is 4 hours 30 minutes.
Depart:
3:45 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015
Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital)
Arrive:
5:25 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Flight Time:
13 hr 40 mn
Travel Time:
20 hr 45 mn
Flight distance:
6,832 m
Total Distance:
7,709 m
Flight: UA88
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Fare Class: United Economy (N)
Meal: Dinner
Tue., Apr. 7, 2015 | New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty) to Wenzhou CN (WNZ)
Depart:
11:50 a.m.
Tue., Apr. 7, 2015
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Arrive:
1:45 p.m. +1 Day
Wed., Apr. 8, 2015
Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital)
Flight Time:
13 hr 55 mn
Flight distance:
6,832 m
Flight:UA89
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Fare Class: United Economy (N)
Meal: Lunch
Change Planes. Connect time in Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital) is 6 hours 25 minutes.
Depart:
8:10 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 8, 2015
Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital)
Arrive:
10:50 p.m.
Wed., Apr. 8, 2015
Wenzhou CN (WNZ)
Flight Time:
2 hr 40 mn
Travel Time:
23 hr 0 mn
Flight distance:
877 m
Total Distance:
7,709 m
Flight: UA7620
Operated by Air China.
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Fare Class: Economy (N)
Meal: Refreshments
No Special Meal Offered.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015 | Wenzhou CN (WNZ) to New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Depart:
8:40 a.m.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015
Wenzhou CN (WNZ)
Arrive:
11:15 a.m.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015
Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital)
Flight Time:
2 hr 35 mn
Flight distance:
877 m
Flight:UA7623
Operated by Air China.
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Fare Class: Economy (N)
Meal: Breakfast
No Special Meal Offered.
Change Planes. Connect time in Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital) is 4 hours 30 minutes.
Depart:
3:45 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015
Beijing, People's Republic of China (PEK - Capital)
Arrive:
5:25 p.m.
Tue., Apr. 21, 2015
New York/Newark, NJ (EWR - Liberty)
Flight Time:
13 hr 40 mn
Travel Time:
20 hr 45 mn
Flight distance:
6,832 m
Total Distance:
7,709 m
Flight: UA88
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Fare Class: United Economy (N)
Meal: Dinner
Mar 24, 2015, 10:55 am
#768
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Data point: For my most recent buy-up at check-in, it was booked into ZN.
Mar 25, 2015, 12:23 pm
#769
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA-Plat, AA - EXP, SPG-Gold
Posts: 164
United PerksPlus
What type of booking classes are R ZN JN, are those the same as award travel. For coack they require either K H or Y which is paid inventory.
Mar 28, 2015, 9:16 am
#770
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: AS MVP; UA Silver; HHonors Silver; HyattGP Platinum; Hertz PC
Posts: 113
Newbie attempting to decipher
Moderators, please let me know if this belongs in a more appropriate thread.
I have read the wiki on this thread and tried to find threads specifically on buy-up upgrades...not GPUs or RPUs. (I'm a Silver...so I don't have to worry about those.)
I'm traveling SFO-HKG on UA 869 ("L" bucket) on 8 Apr, and returning HKG-SFO on UA 862 ("Q" bucket) on 12 Apr. The "upgrade" screen on united.com shows no upgrades available...miles & cash or straight cash. The R bucket shows "0". The tickets were purchased two days ago. Does R = 0 at this point mean that I am too late to take advantage of a buy-up upgrade?
Client bought E+ seats in the bulkhead row for me. So I hope the 14+ hours will be tolerable.
Thanks for any advice and guidance.
I have read the wiki on this thread and tried to find threads specifically on buy-up upgrades...not GPUs or RPUs. (I'm a Silver...so I don't have to worry about those.)
I'm traveling SFO-HKG on UA 869 ("L" bucket) on 8 Apr, and returning HKG-SFO on UA 862 ("Q" bucket) on 12 Apr. The "upgrade" screen on united.com shows no upgrades available...miles & cash or straight cash. The R bucket shows "0". The tickets were purchased two days ago. Does R = 0 at this point mean that I am too late to take advantage of a buy-up upgrade?
Client bought E+ seats in the bulkhead row for me. So I hope the 14+ hours will be tolerable.
Thanks for any advice and guidance.
Mar 28, 2015, 11:16 am
#771
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Mar 29, 2015, 6:54 pm
#772
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
About the same distance, and while I wasn't thrilled, I lived to tell about it.If same status and same instrument used to u/g (i.e. Ca$h and Miles v. GPU) then u/g is cleared by order of purchase, so if you want to do it, do it ASAP @:-)
Mar 29, 2015, 7:03 pm
#773
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Note that the audio/video in Y on that aircraft is streaming and overhead screen, no in-seat systems. So bring your own (fully-charged) device. You will also likely have wifi.
The food will be awful, so eat before you board and bring snacks.
Agreed. That flight is already pretty heavily booked in J.
Mar 29, 2015, 7:24 pm
#774
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Almost all 747s now have inseat power (my flight did
).Makes it almost tolerable in a decent E+ seat.
Notice I said ALMOST tolerable
Mar 29, 2015, 7:25 pm
#775
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Mar 30, 2015, 9:15 am
#776
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: AS MVP; UA Silver; HHonors Silver; HyattGP Platinum; Hertz PC
Posts: 113
Thanks for the responses.
I'm now on the waitlist for a miles & cash upgrade each way. I'm assuming that the folks who manage inventory won't get around to clearing this until much closer to the day of travel, (if at all).
As far as seats go, I'm in 23K going and 19B coming back. 45C and H are occupied. I'm a Silver, so I can move around in E+ at check-in....if there are any seats left. (If I move around before check-in, united.com wants to transfer the charges from my client's credit card to mine.)
I'm now on the waitlist for a miles & cash upgrade each way. I'm assuming that the folks who manage inventory won't get around to clearing this until much closer to the day of travel, (if at all).
As far as seats go, I'm in 23K going and 19B coming back. 45C and H are occupied. I'm a Silver, so I can move around in E+ at check-in....if there are any seats left. (If I move around before check-in, united.com wants to transfer the charges from my client's credit card to mine.)
Apr 2, 2015, 10:41 pm
#777
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: AS MVP; UA Silver; HHonors Silver; HyattGP Platinum; Hertz PC
Posts: 113
Apr 2, 2015, 11:26 pm
#778
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
UA869 is booked 45/52 on 4/8.
UA862 is booked 46/52 on 4/12.
You still have a chance, but to feel good about it, you'd want to see 15+ open BF seats this far out. There could easily be 10 GS and 1Ks on the list ahead of you.
May 13, 2015, 11:37 pm
#779
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 15
Fare Classes
Looking to decode the fare class associated with the First Saver Award found. What fare class would indicated the correct availability? The fare classes aren't lining up with anything I found for UA or LH. I figured it should be I or O. Thanks in advance!
http://postimg.cc/image/sosjqdq07/
http://postimg.cc/image/vmpyxen4f/
http://postimg.cc/image/sosjqdq07/
http://postimg.cc/image/vmpyxen4f/
May 13, 2015, 11:44 pm
#780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,344
United.com does not show non-revenue fare classes for other airlines, including LH. You would have to subscribe to something like ExpertFlyer to be able to search that data.
United.com only shows award classes for United coded/operated flights.
-RM
United.com only shows award classes for United coded/operated flights.
-RM