Originally Posted by
sfo789
Is your 1483 a 16J or 28J aircraft? A good data point for you: I've never missed an RPU on the 6am on Saturday or Sunday over a sample size of maybe 15. That said, I would definitely waitlist the ug now/before T-1week:
1) UA often clear upgrades on that route way, way in advance, since J is so quiet. I often see R open, which suggests the WL is short, so even as no-status you should clear.
2) I've never not have the $299 offer appear even if I'm WLd for an upgrade. Worst case call web support and they'll pull up the offer for you manually. (I believe all that's required for it is ZN space.)
3) If you're flying a 28J plane, UA common practice is to overbook Y crazily (since they know they can never fill J with actual premium flyers at such an off-peak time), so unless you apply an UG in advance, J and Y often both zero out within T-24. By contrast, if they overbook the back and you're already on the WL, there's basically no way you don't clear.
Good luck!
Thank you for such an in-depth response, sounds like you really know this route; my sympathies for having to travel at 6am so often!
Yes, it's 28J. I haven't seen any R space on this route since I started stalking it. Current availability, without the online buy-up option is :
J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P7 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L8 K2 G0 N9 XN0 X0
Thanks for the advice to wait list now. The 1483 that left yesterday had 6 on the wait list, all of whom cleared. I got booked into S class though, so I'd almost rather spend the $600 than 55k total miles (2 pax). Can I wait list now, and then do the buy-up if it's a better deal at check in, and not be double charged?