Release of U space
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Portland
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75k, Marriott and SPG Plat, Avis First
Posts: 141
Release of U space
Is there any general guidance on when AS releases F space into U availability? Any automated way to check it or get notified?
Also, on a mixed fare class itinerary does the fare eligible (H in this case) for instant upgrade get added to the waitlist right away like it would if both directions were in eligible fare classes?
Also, on a mixed fare class itinerary does the fare eligible (H in this case) for instant upgrade get added to the waitlist right away like it would if both directions were in eligible fare classes?
#2
If you have a subscription to www.expertflyer.com you can set up notifications for when U space is made available for a given flight.
Neil
Neil
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA (PPro/3MM/Admirals Club), AS, UA, Marriott (Gold), HHonors (Gold), Accor (Plat)
Posts: 2,602
Is there any general guidance on when AS releases F space into U availability? Any automated way to check it or get notified?
Also, on a mixed fare class itinerary does the fare eligible (H in this case) for instant upgrade get added to the waitlist right away like it would if both directions were in eligible fare classes?
Also, on a mixed fare class itinerary does the fare eligible (H in this case) for instant upgrade get added to the waitlist right away like it would if both directions were in eligible fare classes?
For mixed itineraries, my experience is each section is treated separately according to its fare rules. I had a 4-segment trip with 1 eligible fare and 3 others, and the eligible segment cleared into U when U came available. The other 3 cleared later (2 right at 72-hours and 1 at around 36 hours I think).
#5
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 328
It's hard to predict when seats will open for U, but as others have said ExpertFlyer alerts do work. Some flights will be F7/U7 for a long time, while others seem to be F7/U0 for a long time. Revenue management has strategies and history of how often the F fares actually sell, and it can vary both by route and by flight time/demand on the route. (i.e., some SEA-LAX trips sell a lot of F and others not so much, and they know this.)
For mixed itineraries, my experience is each section is treated separately according to its fare rules. I had a 4-segment trip with 1 eligible fare and 3 others, and the eligible segment cleared into U when U came available. The other 3 cleared later (2 right at 72-hours and 1 at around 36 hours I think).
For mixed itineraries, my experience is each section is treated separately according to its fare rules. I had a 4-segment trip with 1 eligible fare and 3 others, and the eligible segment cleared into U when U came available. The other 3 cleared later (2 right at 72-hours and 1 at around 36 hours I think).
#6
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LON
Programs: AS MVPG, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 1,350
Good point on the SEA-LAX. I have to say, in the last 6-12 months, I'm finding it A LOT harder to get upgraded at the "typical" windows for 75K/MVPG on this route than in previous years. This is my second flight down in a month, and our combined fourth or fifth in the last 4-5 months, and while we've ended up with decent % overall, we're on the 6:35p tomorrow night, are both Golds, and have watched the seats slowly dwindle, so presumably they're selling the seats - which is great for AS, obviously. Between being on the "wrong" upgrade list a few times and what appears to be better success on them selling F seats, have definitely seen a difference on this route overall.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JNU
Programs: HH D, AS MM/MVPG for life/AL, Awesome Wipes VIP Club, NEXUS, Hertz 5-Star Gold
Posts: 2,893
Good point on the SEA-LAX. I have to say, in the last 6-12 months, I'm finding it A LOT harder to get upgraded at the "typical" windows for 75K/MVPG on this route than in previous years. This is my second flight down in a month, and our combined fourth or fifth in the last 4-5 months, and while we've ended up with decent % overall, we're on the 6:35p tomorrow night, are both Golds, and have watched the seats slowly dwindle, so presumably they're selling the seats - which is great for AS, obviously. Between being on the "wrong" upgrade list a few times and what appears to be better success on them selling F seats, have definitely seen a difference on this route overall.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 328
Got it. I did have this problem last year as a 75K, too, honestly, so it just seems to be something about that particular route, combined with the "bug" a couple of times. Makes perfect sense, appreciate everyone's updates!
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 328
Quick update here - we were both upgraded around T-5 today, so that's pretty awesome.