Consolidated "Can I Upgrade an Award Ticket?" Discussion Thread [Merged]
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Ha! I dare a GS to try and get into the SFO IFL after upgrading an XC ticket. At best they will be booted back to C and denied entry to the lounge. I hate to think of their worst.
#62
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
What about on DBC free tickets? Will this give them some additional value to some now? It isn't often that someone on a GS type fare (unrestricted, right?) VDB's so not sure how often the application of this scenario would play out, and when it does, is it covered?
So many questions, so few solid answers
#63
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1K, BD Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 290
Does it suck a little bit more for us non-UGS'es (who might never be) as there is potentially less premium cabin space? Sure, but there are probably other factors reducing these benefits faster than UGSes (fewer planes, less F space, paid upgrades, MP visas, Theodore, etc... etc...)
#64
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K since 1998 & 3 Million Miler & ex-GS; DL Diamond 2015-2022; BAEC Silver; Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 1,018
Just got a few more details from a GS agent...
(1) Upgrade currency can only be electronic certs (SWU for int'l travel, and 500 milers and CR-1's for domestic travel). So, paper sales certs cannot be used.
(2) You can upgrade a travel companion if and only if the travel companion is on the same PNR. You cannot upgrade other persons on other flights.
(3) There are no waitlists for upgraded space - neither before travel nor day of travel. All upgrades have to be processed via the GS line. Check-in and gate agents will not know how to process these upgrades.
(4) Tickets are XF. The GS agent has to do multiple steps to get the XF. So, your XC ticket is first converted to NF, and then the NF is converted to XF ... or something like that. Because of these multiple steps, only GS agents have the authority and know-how of the transactions.
(5) This is a test program only. This perk only lasts until the end of the year.
I think this is an excellent perk ^. Now, if only I can find flights that actually have upgrade space!
(1) Upgrade currency can only be electronic certs (SWU for int'l travel, and 500 milers and CR-1's for domestic travel). So, paper sales certs cannot be used.
(2) You can upgrade a travel companion if and only if the travel companion is on the same PNR. You cannot upgrade other persons on other flights.
(3) There are no waitlists for upgraded space - neither before travel nor day of travel. All upgrades have to be processed via the GS line. Check-in and gate agents will not know how to process these upgrades.
(4) Tickets are XF. The GS agent has to do multiple steps to get the XF. So, your XC ticket is first converted to NF, and then the NF is converted to XF ... or something like that. Because of these multiple steps, only GS agents have the authority and know-how of the transactions.
(5) This is a test program only. This perk only lasts until the end of the year.
I think this is an excellent perk ^. Now, if only I can find flights that actually have upgrade space!
#65
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
(4) Tickets are XF. The GS agent has to do multiple steps to get the XF. So, your XC ticket is first converted to NF, and then the NF is converted to XF ... or something like that. Because of these multiple steps, only GS agents have the authority and know-how of the transactions.
#67
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Air NZ has had similar for all elites (not just top tier) for a year or two. There are indeed some situations where it comes in very handy - eg confirm with points in economy/premium economy cabin and waitlist for an status upgrade to the business/premium economy. With NZ it is also possible to confirm 1-class upgrade and standby for the double upgrade if confirmed upgrades are not available.
#68
Join Date: Jul 2003
Programs: UA1K 3MM, AS MVP 75K Gold
Posts: 2,706
I've posted in FTover the years why UA doesn't allow anyone on an award tkt to upgrade using SWUs, CR-1s and 500 mile certs. In my case, I travel quite a bit on a paid tkt with my wife on an award tkt. We end up sitting in E+ since her tkt can't be upgraded.
As far as "taking" away upgrade inventory, I don't see all that much difference between me upgrading two trips using four CR-1s, or me upgrading my wife and I using . . . tada! . .. four CR-1s.
The only reason I can see why this has not been permitted is that UA counts on a certain percentage of upgrade instruments simply expiring and going unused. I mean, what percentage of MP members know about Coupon Connection?
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: Bar Alliance Gold
Posts: 16,271
And booking the customer to XF inventory negates any worries about IFL or Star Alliance F lounge issues because the ticket will be a full First Class award.
Since the only way I'd be in UA F or C is on a paid ticket, this new perk doesn't affect me so I have no dog in this hunt, so to speak...
#70
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
[QUOTE=honmani2;8058043]I've posted in FTover the years why UA doesn't allow anyone on an award tkt to upgrade using SWUs, CR-1s and 500 mile certs. In my case, I travel quite a bit on a paid tkt with my wife on an award tkt. We end up sitting in E+ since her tkt can't be upgraded.
[QUOTE]
Not sure, given the steps above that this will work for you then. Revenue booking codes and XY/XC/XF are never on the same PNR. Always same booking classes on 1 PNR for each sgement.
[QUOTE]
Not sure, given the steps above that this will work for you then. Revenue booking codes and XY/XC/XF are never on the same PNR. Always same booking classes on 1 PNR for each sgement.
#71
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hiding under the trees in Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 2.5MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,306
Also, if award ticket inventory in C or F isn't available, but upgrade inventory is, it might be a way for a GS to get up front.
I assume the same factors work for domestic tickets, only a GS would be able to use e500s or CR-1s to upgrade a Y or C award.
And I hope they don't roll this out to the 1K/1P/2P crowd. Competition for upgrades is high enough already.
#72
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago USA
Programs: *A Junkie, SQ PPS, Skywards Gold, 2 Million Mile Flyer;*wood LT Plat, BA MM
Posts: 1,762
Why would an agent anywhere 1st) Know the history unless going into the fields of the PNR and 2nd) Do that to someone at the lounge 3) when they see NF on the PNR, they are going to pull the upgrades and issue the boarding pass.
If this was done to me, which other things have been done as I put my boarding pass through the machine, I open my mouth and nicely say call UGS (or I would) do you think a UGS will just stand there and put up with that nonesense?
UG
#73
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Chicago USA
Programs: *A Junkie, SQ PPS, Skywards Gold, 2 Million Mile Flyer;*wood LT Plat, BA MM
Posts: 1,762
(4) Tickets are XF. The GS agent has to do multiple steps to get the XF. So, your XC ticket is first converted to NF, and then the NF is converted to XF ... or something like that. Because of these multiple steps, only GS agents have the authority and know-how of the transaction.
UG
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
I forgot who it was, but there was someone that was flying F on PS, went to the IFL, and was denied because they said he wasn't supposed to get through security. He called the GS desk, they told the agent at the IFL the correct info, and they still denied him. I believe he refunded the ticket then. Anyone remember who that was? Axey maybe?
The ladies at the SFO IFL are *%($*&^!
#75
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
Well, here's an experience RichardInSF had at the SFO IFL.
I forgot who it was, but there was someone that was flying F on PS, went to the IFL, and was denied because they said he wasn't supposed to get through security. He called the GS desk, they told the agent at the IFL the correct info, and they still denied him. I believe he refunded the ticket then. Anyone remember who that was? Axey maybe?
The ladies at the SFO IFL are *%($*&^!
I forgot who it was, but there was someone that was flying F on PS, went to the IFL, and was denied because they said he wasn't supposed to get through security. He called the GS desk, they told the agent at the IFL the correct info, and they still denied him. I believe he refunded the ticket then. Anyone remember who that was? Axey maybe?
The ladies at the SFO IFL are *%($*&^!
Her: "We only let people in here who pay A LOT of money for their ticket."
Me: "Good, because I did." (GS on an F ticket, mind you.)
Her: "Did you pay $13,000?? Because that's what people who are 'permitted' to come in here pay"
I also got the usual "calling the police" threat as well.
That exchange alone has cost UA about $48k this year, and counting.