747 UD or 747 GF - is it worth $600+30,000 miles?
Mar 29, 2017, 9:13 pm
#16
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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The J lounge in the main terminal has the exact same view btw. With windows.
Mar 29, 2017, 9:26 pm
#17
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
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Do you mean 700 mph? In any case, its the airspeed that counts (not the ground speed). But then again, IIRC it was a Chinese (or Taiwanese) airline that got a 747 (SP?) supersonic when they lost control for a while.
Mar 29, 2017, 9:47 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SFO
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If you have a window seat upper deck, you will have more storage than in Global First. 
For either first or business in ICN at the OZ lounge, many agents will tell you that you can only visit one lounge, so that if you go to the one in the main terminal you cannot go to the one in the away terminal where UA departs. Just smile and ignore them. I've given up showing them the Star Alliance rules long ago.
For either first or business in ICN at the OZ lounge, many agents will tell you that you can only visit one lounge, so that if you go to the one in the main terminal you cannot go to the one in the away terminal where UA departs. Just smile and ignore them. I've given up showing them the Star Alliance rules long ago.
Mar 29, 2017, 10:10 pm
#19
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
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Posts: 983
Flying over is a different story, 100mph headwinds are the norm once you get closer to Japan.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 29, 2017 at 10:27 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Mar 30, 2017, 3:57 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
Thanks for the info! ICN is my home airport so every time I've flown out of the concourse but tried to use their lounge in the main terminal they shoo me away. Maybe that's only for Business, not sure. Or probably because they want you to be closer to your departing flight.
IMO upgrading in this circumstance is not really worth it. Replacement cost of miles = $.02 so $600 + 30,000 miles = around $1,200. Upper deck 747 is cool enough. if it was OZ J to F on the A380 that would be a different story.
SL
Mar 30, 2017, 4:30 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Avis Pres, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,308
I've only gotten to fly a 747 once. Last year, it was a LH 747-8i from FRA-EWR. Sprung for the upper deck - it was a great experience, but I think I'd like 1A better. That takeoff and landing view would be tremendous ...
Mar 30, 2017, 5:52 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: United/American/Vietnam
Posts: 22
It is well worth it. First you are traveling on a low business class fare, years ago you could use the upgrade but that has gone the way of the dodo. Other benefits are there, especially if you have any long layover for a connecting flight. United First Class lounges, at departure areas or on layovers , if available, are far above the regular Red Carpet. I would definitely give it a try and see for yourself.
Mar 30, 2017, 7:44 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
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Posts: 983
They shoo you from the main terminal OZ biz lounge because it gets very crowded, and the remote OZ terminal lounge less so. FWIW there are reports on the OZ board that you can purchase an upgrade from the J to F lounge for about $30 USD. Might be worth it on a long layover or if you intend to spend significant time there.
IMO upgrading in this circumstance is not really worth it. Replacement cost of miles = $.02 so $600 + 30,000 miles = around $1,200. Upper deck 747 is cool enough. if it was OZ J to F on the A380 that would be a different story.
SL
IMO upgrading in this circumstance is not really worth it. Replacement cost of miles = $.02 so $600 + 30,000 miles = around $1,200. Upper deck 747 is cool enough. if it was OZ J to F on the A380 that would be a different story.
SL
When I called about using a GPU the 1K desk said that the cost to upgrade is $1,068. So at a $.02 valuation it makes more sense to pay in cash. I wouldn't want to drop over $1k just to sit in first though when I already am going to be sitting in a lie flat anyways.
The vast majority of my flying is all domestic, so I don't get to fly 747's anyway. Who else has 744's?
I've only gotten to fly a 747 once. Last year, it was a LH 747-8i from FRA-EWR. Sprung for the upper deck - it was a great experience, but I think I'd like 1A better. That takeoff and landing view would be tremendous ...
I've only gotten to fly a 747 once. Last year, it was a LH 747-8i from FRA-EWR. Sprung for the upper deck - it was a great experience, but I think I'd like 1A better. That takeoff and landing view would be tremendous ...
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 30, 2017 at 1:38 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member -- please use multi-quote
Mar 30, 2017, 8:19 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,264
I've flown both a number of times and I think GF vs. upper-deck is a spectacular and foolish waste of money. If I had to think of a net worth where I wouldn't care about $600 + miles for the difference, it would be about >$100 million.
If you get a center seat in GF, it's actually worse than an upper-deck seat. It's worth less than 0 extra. I've actually foregone op-ups to middle GF seats to keep my upper deck seat several times in the past.
If you get a center seat in GF, it's actually worse than an upper-deck seat. It's worth less than 0 extra. I've actually foregone op-ups to middle GF seats to keep my upper deck seat several times in the past.
Mar 30, 2017, 9:38 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Nebraska
Programs: HH Diamond, MR LTGold, UA, AA, AS, DL, Global Entry & TSAPre✓
Posts: 192
If you'll sleep (or read / watch) much of the flight, then 1A gives you the takeoff / landing views without the monotony of the close-in wall.
Mar 30, 2017, 11:39 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA MP (1K, 1MM)
Posts: 268
It is well worth it. First you are traveling on a low business class fare, years ago you could use the upgrade but that has gone the way of the dodo. Other benefits are there, especially if you have any long layover for a connecting flight. United First Class lounges, at departure areas or on layovers , if available, are far above the regular Red Carpet. I would definitely give it a try and see for yourself.
Mar 30, 2017, 12:16 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Absolutely go for GF. The only thing better than the upper deck of a 744 is the nose of a 744. Take this opportunity to sit in F in the nose of this wonderful aircraft, and enjoy one of life's great pleasures while you still can! Price of $600 + 30k miles is a bargain^
Mar 30, 2017, 2:06 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
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Posts: 1,784
IMHO It's the I haven't done it before experience over $$.
I checked flightmemory and discovered that I have 22 back of the bus, 14 Biz (all UD) and three GF flights. All three G were bumps from Biz where coach was oversold and status was bumped up. Would I contribute to UA to move up to GF? No not after having the experience.
I checked flightmemory and discovered that I have 22 back of the bus, 14 Biz (all UD) and three GF flights. All three G were bumps from Biz where coach was oversold and status was bumped up. Would I contribute to UA to move up to GF? No not after having the experience.
Mar 30, 2017, 10:07 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 24
Do it. I sat in 1A flying NRT-SFO on a UA 747 two years ago and while the food and service were no better than BF, the experience of spending the flight in the best seat in the house on a 747 made it particularly worthwhile. Especially now that the aircraft are to be retired, I'm very glad I had the opportunity to experience it and remember it fondly.