Originally Posted by
transpacker
Thanks for the advice. I'll try midweek when I have the option.
RichardInSF: I fly through SFO all the time, but these days rarely manage to get upgraded out of there. How far in advance do you need to book? Any specific times that you fly?
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My business trips are usually planned at least 6 weeks in advance and I generally give some date flexibility.
Once in the year I had to fly to KIX to get a confirmed upgrade. Often, but not always, you can bargain on to the nonstop (in C) at the airport if you do this, otherwise you can fly to HND from KIX so total time difference isn't much. To make this switch for free usually requires patiently explaining to the ticket agent in simple terms why it is in United's best interest, as well as yours, for them not to have to pay part of the fare to ANA for the domestic leg.
Admittedly, for the Oz trip, it was off season for 2 of us and booked much longer in advance, being a vacation.