What's Up With Limited "U" Availability?
Aug 21, 2019, 11:21 pm
#286
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,292
Some interesting dynamics on a flight I am watching. 4 F in 16 F cabin are reserved three months out and no U, but P and I space. (I buy Main fare). 45 days out it goes to U2, P4, I3. Then 30 days out U3, P4, I4. Then tonight at 28 days it goes to U0, P7, I7. Same 4F are reserved.
Aug 22, 2019, 3:19 am
#287
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
Aug 22, 2019, 10:59 am
#288
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
Thanks. Also (posted this in the general questions thread but realized maybe it's more appropriate here), if you buy a non-saver ticket through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, and then U space opens up, are you able to apply a GGU, or are you SOL since Alaska can't modify those tickets? And does it change if the UR portal issued the ticket in a fare bucket that's already eligible for a GGU?
I'm asking because from what I recall, for GGUs, when you have to pay the difference to get into a GGU-eligible fare bucket, aren't they technically doing an itinerary change? I remember something about them technically waiving the change fee as a courtesy if you're trying to apply the GGU to a ticket for someone whose ticket isn't already in an eligible fare bucket when they're not MVPG/75K and thus generally eligible for a change fee waiver.
I'm asking because from what I recall, for GGUs, when you have to pay the difference to get into a GGU-eligible fare bucket, aren't they technically doing an itinerary change? I remember something about them technically waiving the change fee as a courtesy if you're trying to apply the GGU to a ticket for someone whose ticket isn't already in an eligible fare bucket when they're not MVPG/75K and thus generally eligible for a change fee waiver.
Aug 22, 2019, 11:21 am
#289
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,292
Thanks. Also (posted this in the general questions thread but realized maybe it's more appropriate here), if you buy a non-saver ticket through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, and then U space opens up, are you able to apply a GGU, or are you SOL since Alaska can't modify those tickets? And does it change if the UR portal issued the ticket in a fare bucket that's already eligible for a GGU?
I'm asking because from what I recall, for GGUs, when you have to pay the difference to get into a GGU-eligible fare bucket, aren't they technically doing an itinerary change? I remember something about them technically waiving the change fee as a courtesy if you're trying to apply the GGU to a ticket for someone whose ticket isn't already in an eligible fare bucket when they're not MVPG/75K and thus generally eligible for a change fee waiver.
I'm asking because from what I recall, for GGUs, when you have to pay the difference to get into a GGU-eligible fare bucket, aren't they technically doing an itinerary change? I remember something about them technically waiving the change fee as a courtesy if you're trying to apply the GGU to a ticket for someone whose ticket isn't already in an eligible fare bucket when they're not MVPG/75K and thus generally eligible for a change fee waiver.
Aug 22, 2019, 12:49 pm
#290
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I kind of chuckle at people who regularly drop an inpulse item beside the check-out into their cart or who regularly drop $4 or $5 dollars on a Starbucks coffee without pause, complain about an annual fee for a useful tool to add to their travel basket.
Most don't realize that a single coffee purchase each work day can be upwards of $1K annually.
James
Aug 23, 2019, 1:37 pm
#291
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
Good question. I had challenges with UR/Expedia tickets on AS as Expedia is using bulk fares. When I've tried to use MVPG change privileges I've had no luck. Its been discussed elsewhere here. But AS says contact the OTA. Expedia then says the change fees apply because they don't have access to status data. (Dubious...) I assume trying to upfare would be a problem too because AS claims they can't see the underlying fare value on the bulk tickets to calculate the value of the upfare.
Aug 23, 2019, 5:36 pm
#292
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: FAI/ANC
Programs: AS MVPG (R.I.P 75K), DL, HH Gold
Posts: 187
Aug 23, 2019, 5:57 pm
#293
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Maybe use UR to buy a refundable ticket even if not to the destination you want to go as long as the refundable is about the same price as the nonrefundable for the destination you want. Then see if you can cancel on AS site and have it deposited into my wallet funds. Basically a way to try to turn UR $ into AS $. If it doesn’t work you can refund the ticket on the UR side.
Oct 16, 2019, 1:38 pm
#294
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 535
Update on the above: It appears DCA-LAX reverts back to an A321 as of Wednesday, November 6th. I see some U space between now and then, but no U space once it goes back to the 32S (not surprising).
Jun 5, 2021, 9:34 am
#296
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,156
Jun 5, 2021, 1:41 pm
#297
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725