How to check for ZE inventory?
Dec 5, 2010, 3:52 pm
#1
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
How to check for ZE inventory?
Hi everyone! UA flyer here; I'm a CO newbie. I'm looking to book a B fare on CO for later this month. Can anyone tell me if there is a way to check for ZE inventory (like checking for NF on united.com), on continental.com or somewhere else?
I think I know how to check for R inventory on CO.com using the "Reward Upgrade" checkbox, but ZE inventory is different from R, right?
Thanks!
ps. Sorry, I tried searching but couldn't find much. I couldn't use "ZE" as a search term because it's too short, so I just got a lot of threads about upgrades, and isses relating to upgrades.
I think I know how to check for R inventory on CO.com using the "Reward Upgrade" checkbox, but ZE inventory is different from R, right?
Thanks!
ps. Sorry, I tried searching but couldn't find much. I couldn't use "ZE" as a search term because it's too short, so I just got a lot of threads about upgrades, and isses relating to upgrades.
Dec 5, 2010, 3:58 pm
#2
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
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I THINK (and sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong)...put in any routing, make sure you specify an M fare (or a YB, but as a 1K you're classified as a Plat, so M will suffice), and if there's ZE availability, a little U icon and a Platinum Elite Upgrade Fare will show up in the search results.
Think I'm starting to get the hang of this...
Think I'm starting to get the hang of this...
Dec 5, 2010, 4:22 pm
#3
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
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I THINK (and sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong)...put in any routing, make sure you specify an M fare (or a YB, but as a 1K you're classified as a Plat, so M will suffice), and if there's ZE availability, a little U icon and a Platinum Elite Upgrade Fare will show up in the search results.
Think I'm starting to get the hang of this...
Think I'm starting to get the hang of this...
Dec 5, 2010, 4:28 pm
#4
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I asked this same question yesterday of my CO friends - they confirmed if you see the U/phrase, it's definitely available.
I booked a CO ticket a few days ago, M was the cheapest outbound, but no icon (thus no ZE/immediate UG space). Out of curiosity, I put in an M on a random Wednesday (figure slow travel day), the icon did show.
I booked a CO ticket a few days ago, M was the cheapest outbound, but no icon (thus no ZE/immediate UG space). Out of curiosity, I put in an M on a random Wednesday (figure slow travel day), the icon did show.
Dec 5, 2010, 4:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Are UA-1K's allowed instant upgrade through the Y/B/M system?
Or is that still for CO elites only?
Or is that still for CO elites only?
Dec 5, 2010, 4:43 pm
#6
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We are, yes
Dec 5, 2010, 4:50 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Dec 5, 2010, 5:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Dec 6, 2010, 12:09 am
#10
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
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Posts: 6,716
Cool! THanks for the info, everyone! Also, a B fare is typically fully refundable (unless I open the fare rules and it says nonrefundable in there, right?)
I'm looking at a ~$900 B fare NYC-SJC, the fare rules say "fully refundable" before travel begins, and partially refundable for unused portion after travel begins. But CO.com also offers me an option to "buy up to a flexible fare!" for like $700 more or something. And I don't get why they'd offer that if my B fare is already refundable.
I'm looking at a ~$900 B fare NYC-SJC, the fare rules say "fully refundable" before travel begins, and partially refundable for unused portion after travel begins. But CO.com also offers me an option to "buy up to a flexible fare!" for like $700 more or something. And I don't get why they'd offer that if my B fare is already refundable.
Dec 6, 2010, 12:16 am
#11
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
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Dec 6, 2010, 2:20 am
#12
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
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OK! Booked, ticketed, and upgraded!
But it is showing something odd for elite qualification. It says:
Depart:
5:45 a.m.
Sun., Dec. 19, 2010
New York, NY (LGA - LaGuardia) Arrive:
8:40 a.m.
Sun., Dec. 19, 2010
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Flight Time:
3 hr 55 mn OnePass Miles/
Elite Qualification*:
1,416 /100% Flight: CO633
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Fare Class: First (ZE)
Meal: Breakfast
No Special Meal Offered.
Shouldn't it be 150%? It's a B fare, and when I was booking, it said Elite Qualification 150%. But now when I manage reservations, it says 100%. Is this a glitch? I am crediting to UA. Will I get 150% for sure?
But it is showing something odd for elite qualification. It says:
Depart:
5:45 a.m.
Sun., Dec. 19, 2010
New York, NY (LGA - LaGuardia) Arrive:
8:40 a.m.
Sun., Dec. 19, 2010
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) Flight Time:
3 hr 55 mn OnePass Miles/
Elite Qualification*:
1,416 /100% Flight: CO633
Aircraft: Boeing 737-700
Fare Class: First (ZE)
Meal: Breakfast
No Special Meal Offered.
Shouldn't it be 150%? It's a B fare, and when I was booking, it said Elite Qualification 150%. But now when I manage reservations, it says 100%. Is this a glitch? I am crediting to UA. Will I get 150% for sure?
Dec 6, 2010, 4:50 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
^
B-fares have various flavors. Some refundable, some not, some with a change fee, some not, etc.
WHat you are getting offered is most likely a buy up to a Y-fare, which is fully refundable and changeable at any moment until the flight doors are closed before taxi for take-off.
Cool! THanks for the info, everyone! Also, a B fare is typically fully refundable (unless I open the fare rules and it says nonrefundable in there, right?)
I'm looking at a ~$900 B fare NYC-SJC, the fare rules say "fully refundable" before travel begins, and partially refundable for unused portion after travel begins. But CO.com also offers me an option to "buy up to a flexible fare!" for like $700 more or something. And I don't get why they'd offer that if my B fare is already refundable.
I'm looking at a ~$900 B fare NYC-SJC, the fare rules say "fully refundable" before travel begins, and partially refundable for unused portion after travel begins. But CO.com also offers me an option to "buy up to a flexible fare!" for like $700 more or something. And I don't get why they'd offer that if my B fare is already refundable.
WHat you are getting offered is most likely a buy up to a Y-fare, which is fully refundable and changeable at any moment until the flight doors are closed before taxi for take-off.
Dec 6, 2010, 4:51 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Yes, the 100% is a glitch. Its well known. You will get the EQM's you paid for.
Dec 6, 2010, 1:02 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
Actually, most Y fares and refundable B fares are refundable at any time, even after the flight departs. The offered buy-up to an "flexible fare" is, yes, likely to a Y fare, but it does not offer the OP anything that refundable B fare doesn't also offer, except maybe the ability to take advantage of the elite guaranteed reservation (on sold-out flights) benefit. It really shouldn't be offered, but I guess CO is desperate...