Do you buy a higher fare-class (Y, B, U, H, M) solely to increase SWU/CR-1 chances?
Feb 9, 2012, 12:09 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Former 1k, Lifetime UA Gold, Starwood Gold; Avis Preferred; Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,731
Have you checked out sbm12 / Wandering Aramean's newly updated tool?
Hopefully will make the process easier for you.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewan...ta-and-united/
Do you use expertflyer or KVS?
Hopefully will make the process easier for you.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewan...ta-and-united/
Do you use expertflyer or KVS?
Feb 9, 2012, 4:37 pm
#47
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: UA peon (+decades 1K), AA Exec Plt
Posts: 1,117
It seems like cash rules. On an SFO-ICN leg early last year as 2P I paid less than $800 for an upgrade from discount coach to business with SWUs not clearing. Not apples to apples but $$ seem to rule when in the equation.
Feb 9, 2012, 4:45 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
We'll see if the new system influences elites to just go ahead and buy C(Z) or F(A) more often, or do as you did and take the upgrade upsell offer.
Or begin to look at alternative airlines...
Feb 9, 2012, 4:53 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,969
Equivalent within the same status and fare paid, yes.
So if you have two 1Ks, one upgrading from W with GPU and the other from K with miles, the W fare would always win because it's the higher fare paid.
In the case where two 1Ks, one upgrading from W with GPU and the other from V with miles, the V fare would win.
So yes, equivalent... but not everyone using miles would necessarily be at the same fare as those using GPUs.
So if you have two 1Ks, one upgrading from W with GPU and the other from K with miles, the W fare would always win because it's the higher fare paid.
In the case where two 1Ks, one upgrading from W with GPU and the other from V with miles, the V fare would win.
So yes, equivalent... but not everyone using miles would necessarily be at the same fare as those using GPUs.
Feb 9, 2012, 5:01 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,172
Nope. For Y class tickets, "space available" means any first class seat (F>0). For B and M class tickets, "space available" means any first class seat in the PN bucket (PN>0). PN is a subset of P (which is a discount first class fare).
However, both of these usually have much better availability than R/RN class (bucket for CPUs (old NC/NF)) on UA.
However, both of these usually have much better availability than R/RN class (bucket for CPUs (old NC/NF)) on UA.
Thanks
I don't know how I'll remember all the new fare classes
Feb 9, 2012, 5:41 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K, AA EXP, VS Silver, HY Diamond, HI Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 339
Feb 9, 2012, 6:26 pm
#52
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
So if there is no "NC" space for a SWU upgrade I could look for a M fare, as a 1K, and if there is PN=1 I could book the M fare and get the Instant Upgrade? Do I have to do this at the 1K desk or can I do this on line? I have a hard time finding M fares as a option.
Thanks
I don't know how I'll remember all the new fare classes
Thanks
I don't know how I'll remember all the new fare classes
I believe the instant upgrades are only offered domestically (USA). Somebody will correct me if I am wrong...
Feb 9, 2012, 8:04 pm
#53
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
This one caused me a bit of panic as I know that IAD is on the list to be included in the daily data feeds.
It turns out that one of my servers got out of sync time-wise so the data pull for today didn't happen on that server. That happens to be the one that covers IAD. It should be there tomorrow morning.
Feb 9, 2012, 8:10 pm
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA1k; Bonvoy Titanium; Hilton Gold; IHG Gold; AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,794
You highlight an excellent point: All the instrument supported upgrades and CPU's don't matter a damn if all of the upgrade seats have been sold ahead of time!
We'll see if the new system influences elites to just go ahead and buy C(Z) or F(A) more often, or do as you did and take the upgrade upsell offer.
Or begin to look at alternative airlines...
We'll see if the new system influences elites to just go ahead and buy C(Z) or F(A) more often, or do as you did and take the upgrade upsell offer.
Or begin to look at alternative airlines...
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 9, 2012 at 9:07 pm Reason: merge
Feb 9, 2012, 8:12 pm
#55
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
No.
It doesn't matter if the plane is 2-cabin or 3-cabin for the instant-ups as they bump up only one cabin and the fare bucket in use is the same.
It doesn't matter if the plane is 2-cabin or 3-cabin for the instant-ups as they bump up only one cabin and the fare bucket in use is the same.
Feb 9, 2012, 8:59 pm
#56
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
This is the crucial point - none of the fare classes or status (except GS) will matter if F/C seats are sold as TOD upsells - cash always has the highest priority. I guess we will learn to buy Z or A more often, or buy the lowest fare and use the TOD upsell. Now, if they only prioritize the TOD upsells by status and fare paid...
But please, don't turn this in to a 'CO sells upgrades out from under elites for TOD's' thread...
Feb 9, 2012, 11:36 pm
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA1k; Bonvoy Titanium; Hilton Gold; IHG Gold; AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,794
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...k-upgrade.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...on-thread.html
Bit you are right - lets bring this thread back to the topic.
Feb 10, 2012, 1:24 pm
#59
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
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