tomsundstrom

So just to make sure I am clear on this. If I am on a G fare in 2 weeks, and I spot a nice P fare, I can call in and they will waive the change fee. Is it better to go right to calling web support, because the last 2 premier agents I talked to told me that I had to be within 24 hours to change.

Edited: I called web support, and the agent told me that she would do a "one-time waiver" of the change fee. I didn't argue about the code after that. She also told me that my RPU would be deposited back to my account only after the flight. Is that right?

WineCountryUA

IME once they punch it in, the computer will show $0 change fee.
That has been reported before but there is no reason the agent can not just change the RPU and get immediate redeposit.

tomsundstrom

I made the mistake of explaining that I wanted the fee waived, rather than just asking for the price of an upgrade. Both of the premier agents just said it's not possible without checking.

I called back and the RPU was the agent indeed said she would redeposit it immediately.

NH_Clark

I did this last Wed. DFW-DEN.. middle segment of a multi-segment itinerary. 2 hours prior to departure.. saw sole seat in F open up. I'm #16 of a 40+ upgrade list. I was in UC and checked with agent to see if buy-up avail since nothing popping up on app. A few perfunctory key strokes and a "No buy-up avail". Went back to seat and called Premier desk. Great agent "Gwen".. didn't see any options avail but said she'd check fare desk. Came back after 5 min. or so and quoted me .. sizeable but manageable amount. No mention of fees, etc. no refare of entire itinerary. Just paid fare difference.

Bonehead

Just called to buy up from a G to a P. The reservation had already been upgraded via regionals, somewhat complicating things. The first agent apparently hit the magic upfare button, but the system gacked because there was no longer a "G" available. She called the rate desk and they insisted that there would be a change fee. Ok, thank you very much.

Waited a few minutes a called back and got a 40-year CO veteran (thank goodness). She explained the issue with my previous call, and I had my P fare (no change fee) and upgrades back in 3 minutes.

My suggestion: First ask the agent if they are familiar with {GG BUYUP}, and if they don't know what you're talking about, HUACA (Hang Up And Call Again).

whitethunder

Anyone know if UA will let me buyup from a K fare purchased on Priceline with ANA segments on ANA stock, I just want to buy W and use a GPU, maybe ANA could do this??

Also I would prefer only one direction if possible

thanks

WineCountryUA

If on ANA ticket stock, you will need to talk to Priceline or ANA.

Was it a blind bid on Priceline, those may not allow changes?

whitethunder

no I found the itin on ITA and used the matrix priceline script to purchase

I have googled it about ANA with no success I called priceline and they were completely useless, wanted to cancel and reticket... maybe call ANA??

S.R

I don't know if my agent was doing something wrong or if she was right, but she just quoted me about 3 times what I paid originally to buy up to P from S, which shouldn't be more then $190.
I have a IAH-SJC/SFO-IAH booked for next month. The outbound is already booked in F, but the return was in Y. I looked at the price difference today if I wanted to book a new itinerary, and the price of the outbound in F is the same as I paid. The price of the return in Y is the same as I paid. But the F cost went down about half, making it only $190 more then what I originally paid, right?
The 1K agent quoted me a total price of $1800. She said she had to reprice the ticket but if the same fare classes and prices are available whats making it be such a high cost?

Bonehead

As I mentioned above, HUACA until you get a (hopefully) ex-CO agent who is familiar with {GG Buyup}. If you want to save time and aggravation, ask the agent right off the bat if he/she is familiar with {GG Buyup} and politely say "thank you" an move on if they are not.

johnden

Did you point this out to the agent? It is possible you had a true "1K" agent or "experienced" agent, but just as likely they were an ordinary agent or one with little experience, so I suspect they didn't try very hard. You can try calling again.

Does the website allow you to do this change for a better rate? If you can get this done on the website, that is the easiest option.

It is possible that the fare you purchased will not allow this without all segments/tickets being completely replaced by the currently on sale fare/itinerary. If that is the case, perhaps you can ask for a waiver of the change fee and have the agent help you build a brand new itinerary from the old one.

S.R

Yes I called back and got a wonderful agent that quoted me the price I was expecting, $190.
The first agent didnt seem like a 1K agent. She seemed to not have much experience. Glad I don't have to wait and see if my RPU would clear on this flight!
The website wasn't letting me do it, saying online upgrade currently not available.

PsiFighter37

I have PDX-DEN-EWR booked. I am looking at the individual segments, and I see that my fare class on the first leg (PDX-DEN) is booked at a U fare, which is showing up as costing less than the A fare for that leg. Can I call in to see if they will just boot me up on that single leg of the itinerary, or can I only ask for the buyup if I upgrade the entire trip (because of married segments)?

findark

Depends how it's fared. If the fare is broken in DEN, then yes, otherwise doing that will force a break in DEN which will probably be expensive.

If you're not sure you can look up your ticket on Saudia and it will tell you your fare construction.

flyerbjorn

If the old fare is still for sale, you can look up the breakdown on matrix.itasoftware.com. You may have to force the booking codes using the "/f bc=X" option