Just realised I may have made a rookie mistake. My flight back on 1st Oct is PHL-LAX-SYD-MEL. I put in a SWU request to upgrade the whole thing. The PHL-LAX has a small F cabin, so I could fall into the trap of having NC>0 for the LAX-MEL, but the PHL-LAX not being open, and therefore not getting upgraded. Should I call United and change this?
As long as its not the same flight #, each segment will clear individually, so no big deal.
You could ask the SWU to only be applied to the overwater portion, if you're more worried about only getting domestic F upgradeability out of it
These light loads in C (we don't look at F, but may start) are in stark contrast to what we saw as recently as late June into Asia. Every SWU/miles UG obviously cleared on these flights so either, everyone has used up their SWUs by now, or the miles and money option is too unpalatable to entice 1Ps and 2Ps to UG, or, the nuclear negative scenario, that 1Ks and GSs are not flying as much, possibly signaling another downturn in the economy.
I think this is good news because the odds of upgrading are obviously getting better as we go into the end of the year. However, if the nuclear scenario is correct, perhaps the economy, and air travel for business, is about to fall off another cliff and then it will be not such good news.
Thanks for the update. I have several trips to BKK on the books, including the terrible ORD-BKK "same-flight-number" route, so you have boosted my spirits in winning the upgrade fight...
This is really my first time traveling this year after making 1k last year and I needed to use my SWUs and luckily I now have a trip to London for work on the iten seen in the title. I am 1k, my traveling companion is Premier Gold and we're flying on W fares. I applied my SWUs and have been wait-listed. What are my chances here?
I remember doing this in years past and they cleared at the time of booking. I look in expert flier and there is nothing open on these flights for upgrades or saver awards. Do they open up a couple of weeks out?
flights are ua924 and UA925, not us925. fat fingered.
Clearing SWUs to LHR seems to be dependent on day of the week: we've had good luck SFO_LHR flying Mon-Wed's. Only failure last year was SFO-LHR on a Sunday..E+ ugh!
Fares high EX MEL/SYD : between 17th-24 Sept. and 4-11 Oct.School Holidays Season commences
IM is opening NC space between USA-OZ-USA ( including EX: MEL which seemed to be the more difficult )for travel from 6- 27 Sept.
I have had several clear most in "w".
Do not know about October as I know of noone travelling in October.
I am travelling SYD-SFO B-class Sep 26 return Oct 4 applying SWU for upgrade, both currently waitlisted.
Then again SYD-SFO-FRA Q-class Oct 24 return Nov 10 all legs except UA901 (cleared FRA-SFO) waitlisted.
In all cases C-seats showing >25 available at moment. Sucks to be sitting on the waitlist with C showing wide open. Would never have been like this a couple of years back.
I am travelling SYD-SFO B-class Sep 26 return Oct 4 applying SWU for upgrade, both currently waitlisted.
Then again SYD-SFO-FRA Q-class Oct 24 return Nov 10 all legs except UA901 (cleared FRA-SFO) waitlisted.
In all cases C-seats showing >25 available at moment. Sucks to be sitting on the waitlist with C showing wide open. Would never have been like this a couple of years back.
As noted in my other post. There are no bookings for Oct so I do not know if the IM is opening NC space.
For Sept I have first hand knowledge. In fact 48 hours ago I decided to go to MEL due to issues that came up last week.
I do not have time to do one of my creative routings for GD J fare.
So I booked "W" class. Was told WL, IM was clearing Sept. The flights would clear. Since I have extra SWUs I went for it.
Sure enough this morning all my flights cleared: JFK- LAX-MEL & MEL-LAX-JFK cleared
I was prepared to cancel if my UA flights did not clear in 48 hours and do AC to SYD & upgrade to J using my AC SSWU . AC has great "S" fares from YYZ.
I would not be surprise your 27 Sept flight clears within 24 hours.
Judging from all the posts on this thread there is high % of flights clearing systemwide. Including EX: OZ.
I am never concern when my flights go on WL.
I would not be concern especially if you have high YTD EQM miles.
As noted in my other post. There are no bookings for Oct so I do not know if the IM is opening NC space.
For Sept I have first hand knowledge. In fact 48 hours ago I decided to go to MEL due to issues that came up last week.
I do not have time to do one of my creative routings for GD J fare.
So I booked "W" class. Was told WL, IM was clearing Sept. The flights would clear. Since I have extra SWUs I went for it.
Sure enough this morning all my flights cleared: JFK- LAX-MEL & MEL-LAX-JFK cleared
I was prepared to cancel if my UA flights did not clear in 48 hours and do AC to SYD & upgrade to J using my AC SSWU . AC has great "S" fares from YYZ.
I would not be surprise your 27 Sept flight clears within 24 hours.
Judging from all the posts on this thread there is high % of flights clearing systemwide. Including EX: OZ.
I am never concern when my flights go on WL.
I would not be concern especially if you have high YTD EQM miles.
I've been waitlisted for SYD-LAX on Sep 21 since booking in May and it too is wide open for C class. I'll be interested in seeing when it gets cleared.
As noted in my other post. There are no bookings for Oct so I do not know if the IM is opening NC space.
For Sept I have first hand knowledge. In fact 48 hours ago I decided to go to MEL due to issues that came up last week.
I do not have time to do one of my creative routings for GD J fare.
So I booked "W" class. Was told WL, IM was clearing Sept. The flights would clear. Since I have extra SWUs I went for it.
Sure enough this morning all my flights cleared: JFK- LAX-MEL & MEL-LAX-JFK cleared
I was prepared to cancel if my UA flights did not clear in 48 hours and do AC to SYD & upgrade to J using my AC SSWU . AC has great "S" fares from YYZ.
I would not be surprise your 27 Sept flight clears within 24 hours.
Judging from all the posts on this thread there is high % of flights clearing systemwide. Including EX: OZ.
I am never concern when my flights go on WL.
I would not be concern especially if you have high YTD EQM miles.
Also waiting for September 3 LAX-SYD for business seats to exit waitlist in NC and XC for my wife.
Also waiting for September 3 LAX-SYD for business seats to exit waitlist in NC and XC for my wife.
I'm on the same flight, also WL for C using a SWU. I called the 1K desk today to see if I could get any information, she said there were only three C seats left for sale, (despite the fact that .bomb showed C9 D4 just a few hours ago) so according to the agent, chances aren't looking to good for us.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by briank1973
Just realised I may have made a rookie mistake. My flight back on 1st Oct is PHL-LAX-SYD-MEL. I put in a SWU request to upgrade the whole thing. The PHL-LAX has a small F cabin, so I could fall into the trap of having NC>0 for the LAX-MEL, but the PHL-LAX not being open, and therefore not getting upgraded. Should I call United and change this?
Eightblack: I am on the SYD-LAX on the 12th. Just curious what makes you think the load is so heavy. Yes, the fares are high, but that doesn't mean the load is, does it? It's showing C9, but no Z fares.
I just booked, so I can cancel and change. The other alternative is to leave on Saturday the 11th, and those fares are also very high. I can't leave on Monday.
If I don't get it, I don't get it. I didn't "waste" any extra money to buy an upgradeable fare if I don't get it. I bought the cheapest fares I could get. It's just bloody expensive on those dates.
Actually, you might be ok. I called a "friend" at UA and they advised me of the following.
On your departure flight SYD-LAX on the 12th Sept, 36 business class seats have been sold. There are 22 seats left for sale (remember, overbooking as physical capacity is 52). H class or higher only fares available for sale.
There are 8 people on the waitlist. 3 non priority (ie General Members) and 5 High Priority (ie 1K's etc)
Assume some late bookers for full fare J, but you might be lucky. Sorry for causing you heartache previously. Again, let us know how you go...
I'm on the same flight, also WL for C using a SWU. I called the 1K desk today to see if I could get any information, she said there were only three C seats left for sale, (despite the fact that .bomb showed C9 D4 just a few hours ago) so according to the agent, chances aren't looking to good for us.
Any other FT'ers on this flight?
Maybe there are only 3 biz seats left but UA is showing C9 as they are willing to oversell C and op-up to F. That's not a good sign. Especially if ozflier's wife is on a XC ticket. She will take priority over upgraders on day of flight -- which means there are only 2 seats left.
Actually, you might be ok. I called a "friend" at UA and they advised me of the following.
Assume some late bookers for full fare J, but you might be lucky. Sorry for causing you heartache previously. Again, let us know how you go...
Thanks mate! Excellent info!
You didn't cause me any heartache. Like I said, I had to book the fares in Q and W. I normally would book STKL fares if they're available, as we're obliged to purchase the cheapest fares possible (but have flexibility to choose our favourite airline). I do know of a guy that abuses the rule and pays more to use his SWUs, but he's quite senior and a bit of a renegade. Plus, I actually put value on my grant money (I'm an academic), and I don't want to waste it. Much of it is taxpayers' dollars. I don't "need" to sit in C. I might change my mind on that in 15 or 20 years though
From everything I've read, the order of "priority" is Status, Fare Class, then date of requesting upgrade. So, the fact that I just booked shouldn't be a major factor. In fact, before just a week ago, you could get W fares on the 12 Sept flight. I was evaluation options and delayed booking, and then the min fare was Q. Maybe that'll help me get lucky though.
Also waiting for September 3 LAX-SYD for business seats to exit waitlist in NC and XC for my wife.
I recall reading on this thread couple of posters posting their 5 Sept to SYD clearing,couple of weeks ago.
Early september has been clearing awhile back it seems.
I was under the impression XC WL overides all others. i would have thought your wife would have cleared before NC.
Do you have high YTD EQM? I beleive that plays some role. As whenever I request an Upgrade, and has to go on an WL, & the flight is open in J, I am told do not worry, with your high YTD the WL will clear.
Just realised I may have made a rookie mistake. My flight back on 1st Oct is PHL-LAX-SYD-MEL. I put in a SWU request to upgrade the whole thing. The PHL-LAX has a small F cabin, so I could fall into the trap of having NC>0 for the LAX-MEL, but the PHL-LAX not being open, and therefore not getting upgraded. Should I call United and change this?
If there's space available on the international segments, you'll clear those immediately and be waitlisted for the domestic (PHL-LAX) segment. Usually it works the other way - domestic segments clear but international ones don't so you may need to spend some time with UA pleading to be able to change the upgrade instrument to something else to get your SWU back.
Fares high EX MEL/SYD : between 17th-24 Sept. and 4-11 Oct.School Holidays Season commences
IM is opening NC space between USA-OZ-USA ( including EX: MEL which seemed to be the more difficult )for travel from 6- 27 Sept.
I have had several clear most in "w".
Do not know about October as I know of noone travelling in October.
Well I seriously must have booked the wrong darn day, cos my flight is in September SYD LAX and STILL not cleared and we have passed the magical 21 day zone . Loads have gone from F9, C9, Z9, D9 etc at booking to F6, C9, D9, Z5 and every single cheaper Y fare has zero except for H and above. Still approx 20 seats left in C cabin so far, so I haven't given up completely but its been a long, hard wait since April.
When we booked, there were 5 C seats sold and there were 3 people in E+ - now there are only middle seats left and the flight is at almost 310 Y sold. I am really hoping IM start to look at clearing to C because with Y starting to fill up, they will need to do some upgrading out of Y (lets hope anyway) .
We are flying back in early October and same thing, not one clearing (there are two of us). The loads are slightly better on this flight, F7, C9, D9, Z9 and selling V9 and above, but W0.
The flights are crazy expensive around this period that YYZPrincess has outlined because its our school holidays and although only generally 2 weeks, our private schools go on holidays 1 week earlier, starting at 17th September. I have been watching the flights for some time and there has been no W or cheaper fares for sale during this period on these routes out of SYD for months, especially on the weekend flights.
One hint I can give , you will sometimes find W9 and cheaper fare buckets if you try to book via the AUST UA site . I notice that the exact flights on the USA site show W0, K0, S0, T0, L0 etc. However, you then may strike the issue of 1K line only seeing the USA availability meaning that the AUST website is wrong, but hey, its worth a try at least.
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Thanks UA, it was good while it lasted.
Last edited by Downunder girl; Aug 27, 10 at 9:05 am..
Reason: spelling :)
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