Lack of GPU space to LHR in Sept/Oct!
Sep 11, 2013, 12:38 am
#1
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Lack of GPU space to LHR in Sept/Oct!
Called UA as Expertflyer could not find any space across 43 different transit points and even the agent was amazed. His supervisor sent a request up the food chain to see what's going on as she was surprised also, but I don't expect them to give me an answer though!
Anyone else seen this and if you have been flying DEN to LHR through ORD, IAD, SFO, LAX, IAH or EWR what has been your GPU clearing experience?
Anyone else seen this and if you have been flying DEN to LHR through ORD, IAD, SFO, LAX, IAH or EWR what has been your GPU clearing experience?
Sep 11, 2013, 12:50 am
#2
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Trying to book some work tix for October, and have not see a single flight with R space.. Not at all surprised.
While my company won't book paid C, I can book a bit higher than W, so I may be able to beat the rest of the 1Ks on Ws.
While my company won't book paid C, I can book a bit higher than W, so I may be able to beat the rest of the 1Ks on Ws.
Sep 11, 2013, 3:23 am
#3
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Sep 11, 2013, 8:30 am
#4
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Was looking for the same thing last week, had to book JFK-LAX-LHR-EWR for work, was looking for any route LAX-LHR with R space, even with connections. Nothing.
Apparently LAX-LHR had good R space towards the end of Aug, missed that boat though.
Fingers crossed something opens up.
And yes, SDC and t24 R are a good combo...
Apparently LAX-LHR had good R space towards the end of Aug, missed that boat though.
Fingers crossed something opens up.
And yes, SDC and t24 R are a good combo...
Sep 11, 2013, 9:28 am
#5
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I'm not surprised either. It's still prime vacation season plus lots and lots of fall trade events. 15-45 days out is probably the toughest time to find R space. UA wants to sell those seats as J/C/D fares.
Sep 11, 2013, 12:05 pm
#7
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I've noticed that too. Other than a few Tue-Wed flights opening up a few R space, the flights on the other days are holding back up until the 24 hour mark.
I remember on a recent NRT-BKK flight, it was J6R0 at t-25 hours, then luckily I was cleared from the waitlist automatically at t-20 hours. At t-4 hours when I got into NRT, the J waitlist still had 35 people on it waitilisting for the last 2 J seats. Yikes!
I remember on a recent NRT-BKK flight, it was J6R0 at t-25 hours, then luckily I was cleared from the waitlist automatically at t-20 hours. At t-4 hours when I got into NRT, the J waitlist still had 35 people on it waitilisting for the last 2 J seats. Yikes!
Sep 11, 2013, 12:18 pm
#8
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With at least one and sometimes two of the flights from IAD-LHR operating on 757 aircraft there are simply fewer seats to be had. On top of that they have offers to keep pushing $ for upgrades after Y ticket is purchased. This is well in line with UA's push to continue to find more aggressive ways to monetize anything that was previously complimentary like a GPU. 1K is surely not what it once was.
Sep 11, 2013, 12:19 pm
#9
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I don't recall it ever being particularly easy to score international upgrades on desireable routes.
Sep 11, 2013, 1:29 pm
#10
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best bet IMO is 5pm ORD-LHR departure. painful on the sleep/jetlag, but reasonably reliable for R space (at least in advance) and lower paid biz sales.
some of the EWR options would probably be my 2nd choice.
LAX had a bunch of availability earlier in the summer for fall travel but it seems that has dried up as of a few weeks ago when i made my fall trip booking. i ended up going into AMS instead.
some of the EWR options would probably be my 2nd choice.
LAX had a bunch of availability earlier in the summer for fall travel but it seems that has dried up as of a few weeks ago when i made my fall trip booking. i ended up going into AMS instead.
Sep 11, 2013, 1:31 pm
#11
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It used to be much easier to do so on less-desirable dates/times/equipment, though. UA seems to be holding back R inventory on even Tuesday/Wednesday flights much more aggressively than they used to IME (and I/IN as well--I've now had one flight waitlisted for IN since March, and it's less than a week out now with no dice).
Sep 11, 2013, 1:38 pm
#12
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I'm going in 2 weeks, booked 3 months ago, did the 777 each way (figured best chance of upgrades and I was right). Plenty of R space on the outbound, return opened up a couple weeks after booking.
Looking at my dates now, the 777 still seems to be the best bet...all the lil' 757s are mostly filled.
Looking at my dates now, the 777 still seems to be the best bet...all the lil' 757s are mostly filled.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:09 pm
#13
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I'm flying on 9/21 and booked into AMS (ex-IAH) thinking it would be an easier UG and so far nothing.. fingers crossed for R opening up.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:17 pm
#14
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Why is this "shocking"?
OP doesn't indicate whether he is looking for C or F but there are a limited # of seats and UA often fills the C cabin with paying passengers. In fact I find it annoying that it is often difficult to reserve an aisle seat on the SFO-LHR nonstop unless booking > 1month in advance of departure. These are popular routes, and UA and BA are the only ones that guarantee lie-flat nonstop service on all planes (DL offers connecting from most UA hubs).
The good news is that GPUs may clear within 48 hours of departure provided you are high on the list due to status/fare. But if you want to guarantee a business class seat to London you need to pay for it.
OP doesn't indicate whether he is looking for C or F but there are a limited # of seats and UA often fills the C cabin with paying passengers. In fact I find it annoying that it is often difficult to reserve an aisle seat on the SFO-LHR nonstop unless booking > 1month in advance of departure. These are popular routes, and UA and BA are the only ones that guarantee lie-flat nonstop service on all planes (DL offers connecting from most UA hubs).
The good news is that GPUs may clear within 48 hours of departure provided you are high on the list due to status/fare. But if you want to guarantee a business class seat to London you need to pay for it.
Sep 11, 2013, 11:41 pm
#15
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Why is this "shocking"?
OP doesn't indicate whether he is looking for C or F but there are a limited # of seats and UA often fills the C cabin with paying passengers. In fact I find it annoying that it is often difficult to reserve an aisle seat on the SFO-LHR nonstop unless booking > 1month in advance of departure. These are popular routes, and UA and BA are the only ones that guarantee lie-flat nonstop service on all planes (DL offers connecting from most UA hubs).
OP doesn't indicate whether he is looking for C or F but there are a limited # of seats and UA often fills the C cabin with paying passengers. In fact I find it annoying that it is often difficult to reserve an aisle seat on the SFO-LHR nonstop unless booking > 1month in advance of departure. These are popular routes, and UA and BA are the only ones that guarantee lie-flat nonstop service on all planes (DL offers connecting from most UA hubs).
I saw this writing on the wall back in May and upfared a W with waitlisted GPU's to a very nicely priced P fare. Now my September 20 SFO-LHR outbound is J2 C1 D0. I'm guessing there won't be any R space opening on that flight.