Advice sought: 6 e500s vs 1CRs
May 2, 2008, 4:51 pm
#1
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Advice sought: 6 e500s vs 1CRs
In the past as a 1P or less I never had to think of upgrade instrument on LAX-HNL (2556 mi arrgh) so 6 e500 it was...
Now that I have CR1s I am hesitating to make a call - which one to use? Either one should clear (flights are on 762s) and the expiration is similar. I travel with my wife so it's 12 e500s vs 2 CR1s. e500s come from both of us, CR1s are my responsibility.
Any thoughts on picking one over the other?
Now that I have CR1s I am hesitating to make a call - which one to use? Either one should clear (flights are on 762s) and the expiration is similar. I travel with my wife so it's 12 e500s vs 2 CR1s. e500s come from both of us, CR1s are my responsibility.
Any thoughts on picking one over the other?
May 2, 2008, 5:04 pm
#2
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What status is your wife? CR1s can clear at anytime while e-500s can only clear within 72hrs. If you two are at the gate, depending on your position on the waitlist, trying to get on the list early can make the difference.
May 2, 2008, 5:05 pm
#3
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Well, what are your other domestic travel plans looking like? Do you have other flights you can burn the 500's on? I would think that HNL flights and longer transcons (LAX/SFO-IAD) would be the optimum situations to warrant burning a CR-1. However, if you don't have a use for the 500's OR you have some other flights which are tougher to clear UG's on then maybe save the CR-1's.
Bottom line is that I think only you can answer your question.
Bottom line is that I think only you can answer your question.
May 2, 2008, 5:13 pm
#4
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United does not fly 767-200's
May 2, 2008, 5:19 pm
#5
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I think it depends on your confidence level that you can snag TWO unconfirmed upgrades. If the 767 first class is virtually never full, then you should be fine with the 500's. If there is even a chance that First will fill up before you fly, then you should use the CR1's.
May 2, 2008, 5:29 pm
#6
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Unless you trips coming up where you are traveling 3500 miles or more (or ones where upgrades are scarcer and you would rather have confirmation well in advance), your situation is the one you should burn your upgrades on!
I think your hesitancy is you would have to "pay" for the whole tab, whereas in the other case (e500s) you would split it. If you're a cheapskate, just use the CR-1s and then apply some of your wife's e500s to upgrade some of your future travel.
I think your hesitancy is you would have to "pay" for the whole tab, whereas in the other case (e500s) you would split it. If you're a cheapskate, just use the CR-1s and then apply some of your wife's e500s to upgrade some of your future travel.
May 2, 2008, 5:37 pm
#7
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If it's just me, and it's just West Coast to Maui (or HNL) or vv, I'll go for the e500's. But if I want to reserve it, for myself & my wife, or if it is for a longer routing (HI-West Coast-final destination), I'll use the CR-1s.
Also, if it shows NF=0, and is probably going to clear at the gate (or day of travel), why burn the CR-1? Use the e500.
If I'm traveling east and staying overnight in LA or SF, I'll use the 15K miles, rather than the CR-1, as they allow a stop-over.
Also, if it shows NF=0, and is probably going to clear at the gate (or day of travel), why burn the CR-1? Use the e500.
If I'm traveling east and staying overnight in LA or SF, I'll use the 15K miles, rather than the CR-1, as they allow a stop-over.
May 2, 2008, 7:15 pm
#8
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If you can confirm the F upgrade space, then I would use the CR1; otherwise, use the E500s. If you want to boost your RDMs, the E500s convert to 500 miles for each unused upgrade, as long as you registered for the promotional program that extended this option last year.
May 2, 2008, 7:32 pm
#9
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If you REALLY want the space, use the CR1s! Always!
Even if it is your experience that an upgrade *always* clears on a route, irregular operations can mess you up.
On the LAX-HNL route, I have missed an upgrade with e500s once because of a earlier cancellation. I have also been confirmed on a CR1 and the plane downgraded from a 767 to a 757. Many people did not get their upgrade that day but I kept mine!
Even if it is your experience that an upgrade *always* clears on a route, irregular operations can mess you up.
On the LAX-HNL route, I have missed an upgrade with e500s once because of a earlier cancellation. I have also been confirmed on a CR1 and the plane downgraded from a 767 to a 757. Many people did not get their upgrade that day but I kept mine!
Sep 14, 2008, 8:16 am
#10
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If you can confirm the F upgrade space, then I would use the CR1; otherwise, use the E500s. If you want to boost your RDMs, the E500s convert to 500 miles for each unused upgrade, as long as you registered for the promotional program that extended this option last year.
I can fly 4919 EQMs for 2 e500s or 1 CR-1.... it will only be 2 e500s if all segments clear prior to check-in. What would you do?
Sep 14, 2008, 8:44 am
#11
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Sep 14, 2008, 8:46 am
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Sep 14, 2008, 8:54 am
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Sep 14, 2008, 8:56 am
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Sep 14, 2008, 8:59 am
#15
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And allow me to remind you that anyone who allows you to swap a confirmed instrument for a non-confirmed one is breaking the rules. If you can find an agent who cares that little for their job that they'll do it for you on a regular basis, fine. But I certainly wouldn't expect it.