Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archived thread, the active thread is UA Upsell Offers to Business/First/PP at Purchase and Day of Departure (TOD)
UA Upsell Offers to Business/First at Purchase and Day of Departure (TOD) [Archive]
#2926
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ORD, MKE
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 710
I'm guessing you're booked on UA1444-UA1198. The $202 upgrade price is the present fare difference between H and P, so that's the standard offer. On the MCI-ORD flight they may sell a few last minute first class seats to some business person who needs to be in Chicago Monday morning, then give what's left as free upgrades for elite/business travelers, so I would not expect a different price for that leg.
On ORD-CUN it's less likely to have business travelers buying into first, so UA may cut the upgrade price for the last 6-7 Business Class seats for sale (J7 JN6 C6 D6 Z6 ZN6 P6 PN6) at check in to lure vacationers interested in splurging (present H->P fare difference is $119), but then you're competing with a full plane of people, some of whom may get lower offers because they have different fares. Plus, once you're checked in from MCI they may not offer you a different upgrade price from ORD, or at least you'll have to go look for it.
If $404 is worth getting free checked bags, Premier Access, avoiding a full 737-900 economy cabin (not a very comfortable place to be), enjoying the United Club for your long layover in ORD (the renovated ones in the B Concourse are nice, the one in C isn't, if it's even open), and thus feeling like you're starting your vacation early, might as well take this offer. If you are fine with your economy seat assignments and can think of better things to do with some or all of that money, then roll the dice.
On ORD-CUN it's less likely to have business travelers buying into first, so UA may cut the upgrade price for the last 6-7 Business Class seats for sale (J7 JN6 C6 D6 Z6 ZN6 P6 PN6) at check in to lure vacationers interested in splurging (present H->P fare difference is $119), but then you're competing with a full plane of people, some of whom may get lower offers because they have different fares. Plus, once you're checked in from MCI they may not offer you a different upgrade price from ORD, or at least you'll have to go look for it.
If $404 is worth getting free checked bags, Premier Access, avoiding a full 737-900 economy cabin (not a very comfortable place to be), enjoying the United Club for your long layover in ORD (the renovated ones in the B Concourse are nice, the one in C isn't, if it's even open), and thus feeling like you're starting your vacation early, might as well take this offer. If you are fine with your economy seat assignments and can think of better things to do with some or all of that money, then roll the dice.
#2927
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 350
Booked award ticket for flying SFO > EWR > MXP. I was offered EWR>MXP to polaris for $849 cash, turned it down. I see the flight still has 25% of the seats available in E-, 85% in E+, does that mean the price might come down even more? They are currently pretty reasonable at $110 (same for the 5 hour as the 8 hour flight), but I am thinking to wait till 9-12 hours prior to see if it will change. What do you guys think?
#2928
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Booked award ticket for flying SFO > EWR > MXP. I was offered EWR>MXP to polaris for $849 cash, turned it down. I see the flight still has 25% of the seats available in E-, 85% in E+, does that mean the price might come down even more? They are currently pretty reasonable at $110 (same for the 5 hour as the 8 hour flight), but I am thinking to wait till 9-12 hours prior to see if it will change. What do you guys think?
David
#2929
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SLC
Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 768
I booked a flight this morning for October DEN-SLC. I usually get an offer for upgrade at time of booking, but nothing this time. Are they starting to cut back on these time-of-booking offers?
By the way, I did not book BE.
By the way, I did not book BE.
#2930
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 2
Wow you all are so amazing. Thank you very much. I think I'll pull the trigger on the total of $404. After the perks of lounge/drinks/baggage/comfort it may darn well be worth it. You are correct, I will be on UA1444 and UA1198 on 7/24.
Side note, is everything complimentary in the united lounge, or is it just access to the lounge and you pay for food/drinks?
Side note, is everything complimentary in the united lounge, or is it just access to the lounge and you pay for food/drinks?
#2931
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,110
#2934
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
David
#2935
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
IMO the only alcohol you'd want to pay to upgrade is their absurdly limited complimentary beer selection. I steer clear of beer in the UC for that very reason.
(And OP, just FYI, it's still good practice to tip $1 per drink in domestic UCs even if the drink is on the house.)
#2936
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,136
A bit OT, but that's no longer the case; the liquor was upgraded several months ago from bottom-shelf rotgut to perfectly drinkable if undistinguished brands. In a mixed drink you'll never notice the difference. And the complimentary sparkling wine they serve is perfectly pleasant. Far better, in fact, than what you get onboard.
IMO the only alcohol you'd want to pay to upgrade is their absurdly limited complimentary beer selection. I steer clear of beer in the UC for that very reason.
(And OP, just FYI, it's still good practice to tip $1 per drink in domestic UCs even if the drink is on the house.)
IMO the only alcohol you'd want to pay to upgrade is their absurdly limited complimentary beer selection. I steer clear of beer in the UC for that very reason.
(And OP, just FYI, it's still good practice to tip $1 per drink in domestic UCs even if the drink is on the house.)
And agree the complimentary beer choices are weak.
#2937
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,136
It is not always offered. Don't think there is any fundamental change.
#2938
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I would also echo this.
2 bags x 70 lbs each. Versus $25 for 1st bag and $40 for the 2nd bag (50 lbs).
Lounge access - though not sure which flights OP is taking, some have only a 50 minute connection, and that's not a lot of time, especially if crossing concourses.
Boarding Group 1. This is super worth it on the second ORD-CUN flights - which are just a nightmare of people trying to carry on massive bags.
Priority Security. Probably not that critical but it helps out of MCI.
2 bags x 70 lbs each. Versus $25 for 1st bag and $40 for the 2nd bag (50 lbs).
Lounge access - though not sure which flights OP is taking, some have only a 50 minute connection, and that's not a lot of time, especially if crossing concourses.
Boarding Group 1. This is super worth it on the second ORD-CUN flights - which are just a nightmare of people trying to carry on massive bags.
Priority Security. Probably not that critical but it helps out of MCI.
#2939
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 812
Wait..... People are tipping $1 per drink in the UC? I can understand that for a mixed drink, but to pour a beer?
#2940
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott/SPG/Hilton Gold, PreCheck + Clear
Posts: 2,306
But we're veering OT.