fare class question
Dec 16, 2010 | 8:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 44
fare class question
Below Y B M fare classes, what is the next best fare class to buy to put one higher in the upgrade pecking order.
I'm first time plat and slowly coming to understand the various machinations and crazy methodologies put out here but dont have a grasp yet on whether, for example, is S better than N, etc.
I'm first time plat and slowly coming to understand the various machinations and crazy methodologies put out here but dont have a grasp yet on whether, for example, is S better than N, etc.
Dec 16, 2010 | 8:29 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,892
Dec 16, 2010 | 8:30 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The FAQ has them in order:
Now updated to include the details of the new forward cabin classes as announced on 5 Oct 2009.
Effective for travel on January 1, 2010 or later (regardless of ticketing date) the following earning structure (announced on 10 September 2009) will be in place:
Effective for travel on January 1, 2010 or later (regardless of ticketing date) the following earning structure (announced on 10 September 2009) will be in place:
(125% Miles, 150% EQMs, 1.5EQPs)
- F – Full Fare First
- J – Full Fare BusinessFirst
- C – BusinessFirst
- D – Discounted First, International Business or BusinessFirst
(100% Miles, 150% EQMs, 1.5EQPs)
- Z – Discounted First or International Business
(100% Miles, 150% EQMs, 1.5 EQPs)
- Y – Full Fare Coach
- FE – Y Fare that has been upgraded at time of ticketing; for more information scroll down this page to the upgrade subsection
- B – Discounted Full Fare Coach
- ZE – B Fare that has been upgraded at time of ticketing; only if ticketed after 3 Oct.**
(100% Miles, 100% EQMs, 1 EQP)
- M – Coach
- ZE – M Fare that has been upgraded at time of ticketing (platinum elites only); only if ticketed after 3 Oct.**
- H – Coach
- K – Coach
- Q – Discounted Coach
- U – Discounted Coach
- V – Discounted Coach
- G – Discounted Coach
- W – Deep Discounted Coach
- E – Deep Discounted Coach
- S – Deep Discounted Coach
- T – Deep Discounted Coach
- N – Deep Discounted Coach
- L – Deep Discounted Coach
Dec 16, 2010 | 8:31 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 2MM 1K
Posts: 16,591
I don't worry about...
...sub-M fares. Below M, I'd just buy the cheapest tickets. Otherwise, you're just paying more for the chance of an upgrade that may never come anyway. IMHO, it's a bad investment. At that point, might as well use miles if you want the seat that bad.
Dec 16, 2010 | 2:31 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 44
Ahhh, good point, that does make a lot of sense. Thx!
Dec 16, 2010 | 2:45 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: AA Executive PLatinum CO Platinum DL Gold Hyatt Diamond Hilton no more :)
Posts: 1,958
might as well fly on UA for an UG, at least if it doesnt clear you wont feel like you got cheesed
Dec 16, 2010 | 3:01 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,887
So does Continental.com on the elite upgrade page:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../upgrades.aspx
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../upgrades.aspx
Priority for First Class/Business Class Elite upgrades is determined by:
- Full Fare Economy Y Allows all Elite members to upgrade at the time of ticketing when a seat is available on eligible flights operated by Continental and Continental Micronesia
- Discount Full Fare Economy B and Platinum Elite Members in M Allows all Elite members to upgrade at the time of ticketing, subject to capacity controls, on eligible flights operated by Continental and Continental Micronesia
- Elite level: Members are prioritized according to their Elite level — Platinum, Gold and then Silver. When traveling with other Elite members or non-Elite members, Elite members should purchase their flight on a separate itinerary.
- Restricted fare class: Upgrade priority within Elite level will be based on fare class purchased. The fare class structure in priority order is as follows: M, H, K, Q, U, V, G, W, E, S, T, N and L.
- Ticketing date/time: All else being equal, the sooner Elite members ticket their itinerary, the better their upgrade chances.
- Check in time: If your upgrade is processed from the standby upgrade list at the airport, check in time will be used in place of booking date/time.