U seats never available for long haul flights for MVP
May 13, 2019, 2:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SJC,SFO, SEA, PDX, SAN, SNA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, National Executive, Alaska MVP
Posts: 560
U seats never available for long haul flights for MVP
Just wanted to confirm this before I quit trying but everytime I need to take a long haul flight on AS, there's never any U seats available regardless of how far out I book it. I think it's pretty obvious why since people are most likely willing to pay for the upgrades on the 3+ hours flight.
So really the benefit for MVP is the shorter ~2hours flight it seems
So really the benefit for MVP is the shorter ~2hours flight it seems
May 13, 2019, 2:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
U fare availability is the same for all elites - the higher elite levels just have easier access to upgrades via instant booking at a few more/lower fare classes, Gold Guest Upgrade codes, and earlier processing of waitlist upgrades. In general, upgrades and U space are harder to come by on trans-cons/longer routes as some may be willing to buy cash fares (and Alaska knows this, so holds back F seats from upgrades until closer in). Lack of/availability of U space has been discussed in a few other threads, especially in those discussing GGUs (as U space is required to use them as well). I'd say keep trying/looking as you're booking flights, try adjusting your travel dates/times to off-peak days, or try for Gold or 75K status.
May 13, 2019, 3:57 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
What routes are you looking at? LAX-JFK, for example, has a decent amount of summer U space available.
There have also been several stories of MVPs being upgraded on Tcons in the last few months (originating from California).
There have also been several stories of MVPs being upgraded on Tcons in the last few months (originating from California).
May 13, 2019, 4:00 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SJC,SFO, SEA, PDX, SAN, SNA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, National Executive, Alaska MVP
Posts: 560
example would be SJC to IAH with a stop in SEA if I remember corrrectly. SJC to SEA 99% of the time I get the U seat regardless if when I book but the leg from SEA to IAH is a no go for last week of june travel
May 13, 2019, 4:03 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Are you looking to use the MVP upgrade option when you purchase the ticket or hoping for an upgrade in the T-48 window? If it is the later, U space fluctuates and more can certainly open between now and the last week of June.
May 13, 2019, 4:19 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75k, Hyatt Globalist, National Executive Elite
Posts: 272
If you are looking for using GGU, sign up for expertflyer -- AS normally releases U space at random times and unless you want to check the space everyday expertflyer is a great time-saving tool for you.
May 13, 2019, 5:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
I think you just answered your own question. AS only has two flights to IAH system-wide and it is from their home base. The only other real competitor is UA which likely gets much of the IAH based FFs, while AS is going to get the bulk of SEA originators. In flights between major cities with little competition, they should not have many F seats to hand out to the lowest level elite member coach passengers well in advance. Why give away something when there are likely people in SEA that don't want to fly on UA and want to fly in F and are willing to pay? Take a non-stop on another carrier from the Bay Area and save yourself some time or fly several hours out of the way and take your chances at a last minute upgrade if seats happen to go unsold.
May 13, 2019, 5:53 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG, Bonvoy Titanium, NEXUS
Posts: 174
I'm flying SEA-IAH tomorrow on the noon flight. I'm 75k and 6th on the upgrade list. There are a total of 38 people on the upgrade list at T-17 hours, which means that list is likely to grow as more people check in. That is a crazy elite load.
May 13, 2019, 7:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I wonder how many ahead of you have companions on their PNR. Hopfully everyone and nobody requests a split. That would be the ultimate upgrade.
James
May 13, 2019, 7:39 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AS 75k, Hyatt EXPL, *all* the CC statuses
Posts: 78
Other posters are correct in that you can get U space or upgrades on transcons, but you still need to stay away from SEA/PDX. I had luck on 6/8 of my (MVP) trips from SAN, but the 2 I missed were the two that got routed through SEA.
May 13, 2019, 7:42 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
If the intent is to seek out U space for MVP instant upgrade, I worry you’ll pay more or close to I or P fares which then come with class of service bonus. When I was MVP instant upgrade was really not worth it unless work told me to buy an expensive Y fare.
May 13, 2019, 9:47 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Even as Gold, instant upgrade is often more than discount first (and without the CoS bonus!) I think at 75k this sometimes becomes a viable option.
May 13, 2019, 10:11 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,291
I should amend a little - for MVP the Y and S that are instant upgradeable and have 50% class of service bonus. For MVPG its M and B that are also upgradeable with a 25% class of service bonus. Its a detail, but one that can sway things if all the I and P fares are gone. I've had one work trip to Hawaii where only F was left and I had to jump on a last minute S fare. It upgraded a few days out, and I got some bonus. But not the full deal. (And wasn't my money....)