Post 3-Mar-2012:How to find upgrade inventory [+how to see fare bucket availability]

sbm12 · Mar 4, 12, 6:08 pm

There are four different types of upgrade space available in the new United:

Miles/Instrument Coach->Biz (R/RN)
Top Elite B/M->One cabin higher (PN)
All Elite Y->One cabin higher (JN)
Miles/Instrument Biz->First (ON)

Lots of changes as of 9 September thanks to United screwing customers by removing the easy way to see the fare day. No, I'm not bitter. Why do you ask?

Anyways, I've done what I can to make it slightly easier. Here is the latest iteration of the steps to find upgrade inventory on United:
First choose the Advanced Search option:

Check the box at the bottom to search for upgrades:

Select the individual segments:

Check the results:

It isn’t much, but the new GreaseMonkey script I’ve got will let you skip that page which asks which segments you’re interested in. I honestly have no idea why United asks anyways rather than just searching for the whole trip from the get-go but they do. Load up this script and after you submit the advanced form it will just jump straight to the search results. Also, if you want to force the site to only show GPU-eligible fare classes as part of the Advanced Search page check out the instructions here.

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewan...rch-a-wee-bit/

While that's a lot to go searching for, the good news is that it can all be found on the same single search results page, and there are no special custom profile settings or parameters that you need to set, though there is one which can help, detailed at the end of this post.

So, here's the drill, and it really is quite simple.

Do a normal revenue search for the flight you're interested in. One way or round trip doesn't matter. You just need a REVENUE fare search page that shows the results for the flight/date you are interested in.

On the results page look in the right-most column. The third row should say something like "Fare Class: United Economy (W)" on it. Note that the words Fare Class are a hyperlink.

Click that link and you will see all the inventory buckets for the flight:

That's all there is to it. Piece of cake.

If you want to get a bit more fancy and make it even easier - AND if you have a browser which supports GreaseMonkey scripts - I've created a script which causes the inventory to always be displayed for all flights and which highlights the award buckets. The downside is that there is no "X" button to close it and it obscures some other information, but I like the inventory info more so that's how I roll. For more information on that script check out my post here. Version 6.1 of the script is the first to support the new United.com and PSS site in it; older versions need to be upgraded.

This is what the page looks like with the script enabled:

Note the red/green coloring of the award buckets. Easy, at-a-glance information on upgrades and awards without too much effort at all.

TravellingMan · Mar 4, 12, 6:16 pm

Good "How to do" posts. Please do make a single thread of all these tips. It will be useful for everyone.

nissan720 · Mar 4, 12, 6:20 pm

Very useful - many thanks

kb1992 · Mar 4, 12, 6:24 pm

int'l 3 class or ps. 3 class

R=1 means NC1 or NF1?

sbm12 · Mar 4, 12, 6:37 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb1992

int'l 3 class or ps. 3 class

R=1 means NC1 or NF1?

R is used for Coach -> Biz. ON is used for Biz -> First.

I did list those out at the very beginning of the post.

restlessinRNO · Mar 4, 12, 6:49 pm

sbm12 - Thank you for posting this helpful information in one place. This may need to be a sticky for a while. Can you clarify: I understand R is coach -> business. This used to be NC, I assume. What is the difference between R and RN? Also if someone could comment on what I and X are, or provide a link, that would be useful

Edited to add: This would mean the "ozstamps" thread listing all UA revenue and award booking codes is out of date, as it states (among other things) that R=XF.

kb1992 · Mar 4, 12, 6:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbm12

R is used for Coach -> Biz. ON is used for Biz -> First.

I did list those out at the very beginning of the post.

But 2 class coach -> First is also ON?

At least my reservation shows so.

Pretty confusing.

Cuse44 · Mar 4, 12, 7:00 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb1992

But 2 class coach -> First is also ON?

At least my reservation shows so.

Pretty confusing.

2 class Y to F is R/RN. ON is only used on three cabin planes.

goingbananas · Mar 4, 12, 7:05 pm

So what is FN code and ZN as well?

wxguy · Mar 4, 12, 7:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by goingbananas

So what is FN code?

First class PMCO "Easypass," i.e. Standard Award in PMUA-speak.

kb1992 · Mar 4, 12, 7:12 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuse44

2 class Y to F is R/RN. ON is only used on three cabin planes.

But my confirmed 2 class Y-> F reservation is showing ON with 150% EQM.

goingbananas · Mar 4, 12, 7:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxguy

First class PMCO "Easypass," i.e. Standard Award in PMUA-speak.

So ZN is BIZ standard award in PMUA-speak?

sbm12 · Mar 4, 12, 7:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb1992

But 2 class coach -> First is also ON?

At least my reservation shows so.

This is a known bug for reservations that were migrated over. Don't worry about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by restlessinRNO

What is the difference between R and RN?

The _N buckets are for elites. In some cases only some elites get the extra benefit, in others all elites get them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by restlessinRNO

Also if someone could comment on what I and X are, or provide a link, that would be useful

I=Biz award; X=Coach award.

Quote:

Originally Posted by restlessinRNO

Edited to add: This would mean the "ozstamps" thread listing all UA revenue and award booking codes is out of date, as it states (among other things) that R=XF.

Yes, that listing is out of date. A current list is here: http://boardingarea.com/blogs/thewan...he-new-united/.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goingbananas

So ZN is BIZ standard award in PMUA-speak?

For non-elites, yes.