Best Day/Connection from East Cost to HKG for GPU
Jan 9, 2013, 1:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Washington DC / Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 118
Upgrade Availability from North America to HKG
I need to get from DC to HKG (and on to BKK) in late March. I will probably have a challenge to silver, and can purchase a Y or B class economy fare.
1. Do I have a shot at an upgrade to mid cabin with silver and a Y or B class fare?
2. Do I have better odds flying from EWR or ORD?
1. Do I have a shot at an upgrade to mid cabin with silver and a Y or B class fare?
2. Do I have better odds flying from EWR or ORD?
Jan 9, 2013, 1:12 pm
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
How do you plan support your upgrade request? With miles or GPU from an higher elite? Or purchasing the upgrade?
while mostly pre-merger http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...d-threads.html, looking at the end is newer comments.
while mostly pre-merger http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...d-threads.html, looking at the end is newer comments.
Jan 9, 2013, 1:31 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Washington DC / Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP, Marco Polo Silver
Posts: 118
Its about appearances. We travel on government money and everyone is freaked out about the optics of travel.
Though my travel policy allows me to request a biz class ticket for flights over 14 hours, I still can't get it approved. I can get approval to spend as much as I want on an economy class ticket.
Stupid, but that's the way it is.
As for supporting the upgrade, I should be eligible for an upgrade based on status and ticket class, no?
Though my travel policy allows me to request a biz class ticket for flights over 14 hours, I still can't get it approved. I can get approval to spend as much as I want on an economy class ticket.
Stupid, but that's the way it is.
As for supporting the upgrade, I should be eligible for an upgrade based on status and ticket class, no?
Jan 9, 2013, 1:34 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Between SFO and SJC
Programs: UA 1K-MM
Posts: 1,406
Jan 9, 2013, 1:42 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Out of ORD, that is one of the most challenging upgrades, especially on peak days (Fri/Sat/Sun) because there are a large number of business travelers who either paid for biz or have GS or 1K to support their upgrade. I think the last time I took the flight I was about 40th on the wait list as a gold.
Also, I believe the flight from ORD will be 777 instead of 747, which means the flights will be even more crowded and less likelilhood of an upgrade (although at least will benefit from AVOD and real E+ seating).
Also, I believe the flight from ORD will be 777 instead of 747, which means the flights will be even more crowded and less likelilhood of an upgrade (although at least will benefit from AVOD and real E+ seating).
Jan 9, 2013, 1:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 1,478
Miles UG
Jan 9, 2013, 2:16 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
Its about appearances. We travel on government money and everyone is freaked out about the optics of travel.
Though my travel policy allows me to request a biz class ticket for flights over 14 hours, I still can't get it approved. I can get approval to spend as much as I want on an economy class ticket.
Stupid, but that's the way it is.
As for supporting the upgrade, I should be eligible for an upgrade based on status and ticket class, no?
Though my travel policy allows me to request a biz class ticket for flights over 14 hours, I still can't get it approved. I can get approval to spend as much as I want on an economy class ticket.
Stupid, but that's the way it is.
As for supporting the upgrade, I should be eligible for an upgrade based on status and ticket class, no?
Do you fly on a government fare or a published fare? If the latter, the upgrade price should display; in the case of the former, I don't know. People who fly on _CA fares can comment on whether upgrade prices are displayed the same way as for published fares.
Jan 9, 2013, 2:22 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
I would pick the DCA-EWR-HKG route and try to find flights with upgrade availability and use miles. If you're getting a full economy fare there shouldn't be a co-pay to use miles or you should be able to use cash instead of miles.
Jan 9, 2013, 3:26 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hyatt GLOB, Marriott Lifetime PLT, UA 1K 1MM.
Posts: 1,728
look at the itineraries and see what you can find. you might be surprised at R inventory for these routes. but if you see some, get it asap. it fluctuates at lot IME.
Jan 9, 2013, 5:26 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
i wouldn't write it off. i've flown EWR-NRT, EWR-HKG and EWR-PVG multiple times a year for the past few years. my GPU success rate (ever since pmCO started offering SWU's at least) has been 100% all on W fares. i'd guesstimate roughly half cleared at booking, only one cleared at checkin and the rest cleared a week or two before departure.
look at the itineraries and see what you can find. you might be surprised at R inventory for these routes. but if you see some, get it asap. it fluctuates at lot IME.
look at the itineraries and see what you can find. you might be surprised at R inventory for these routes. but if you see some, get it asap. it fluctuates at lot IME.
Jan 24, 2013, 4:18 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,990
Best Day/Connection from East Cost to HKG for GPU
I have a flight to Hong Kong in March. Originating in TPA--which connecting cities and days of the week yield the best and worst chance for clearing a GPU?
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jan 24, 2013 at 4:22 pm Reason: merged with existing thread that may be of help
Jan 24, 2013, 4:28 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
I have had personal better upgrade luck on EWR-HKG than ORD/SFO-HKG.