Originally Posted by
bigwings8
Is this definitely true? (Observed cases?) It seems like I should open up at the same time as R, if not before.
And *should* it be true? From perspective of payment, technically a saver wait-list you've paid for biz, so you should come before R upgrades. Hence the whole P-1 displaced passenger bit about the plan B award and "upgrade" priority.
From perspective of united, miles are a bigger liability on the balance sheet than GPUs (since miles are much closer to cash....when you're guaranteed last seat award availability as an elite). So they should prefer to clear the biz award and remove the miles from the balance sheet over clearing a GPU. (This neglects any negative impact on customer loyalty that could result).
Yes, it's definitely true; Mon 7/31 SFO-PEK is currently R6 I0. Generally, the order you see within expert mode is the order that you'll see availability; business class is J JN C D Z ZN P PN R RN IN I. Typically, J = JN ≥ C ≥ D ... etc. That's not a requirement, but it does represent the usual practice.
As for their reasons -- one assumes UA would rather receive a $500 W fare plus a cert (or miles + copay) vs. 70K miles. Cash is king, and the downside to carrying the paper liability isn't that great. It depresses profits (and hence taxes) but doesn't have a large material affect on operations because UA controls the redemptions. If they're low on cash, they tighten award inventory; if they need some paper profits, they open award inventory and drain some liability.