Originally Posted by
localkinegrindz
Hi all,
I'm looking to book a domestic flight, one segment on a newly configured 747. Fare basis for both segments are HUAUP4Z with first segment booking in "Y" ...doesn't seem to be booking into FC though.
Second segment is booking into "Z" and although it will let me select a C seat, given that there are no equipment swaps on day of flight, is there a chance UA can downgrade me back to E+ because it's an UP fare? This is for ORD-HNL during the Xmas holidays so I guess passenger loads must be higher.
I've heard of people getting screwed over by these UP fares, so any advice you have would be great!
If there is no equipment swap, you should be fine. If there is an equipment swap or IRROPS, you need to be careful. You're entitled to the Z booking code if available. On a 2-cabin aircraft, you can probably lobby to get into "A" pretty easily. One difficulty will be if IRROPS leads to a situation where only booking codes "C" or "F" are available. Some agents will refuse to let you book into those fare classes, leaving you in Economy, but this is a major case of YMMV. Similarly, if the First/Business cabins are entirely sold out, your preference should be to get onto the FFCC list, jumping ahead of upgraders if a seat opens up, but many gate agents will try to deny you that, as well. Now that United seems to be filing "UP" fares as "Economy with free upgrade"-type fares, such gate agents may be technically correct.
In most cases, you'll be fine, however.