Value of SWUs?
 

I'm about 14K away from the 4 SWUs for hitting 100K EQM, and I'm looking at a possible mileage run / vacation, but probably won't do it.

Still, for next year in planning out a goal, what do you think the value of the SWUs are? If they can be used to go from discount economy to BF that's incredible value... Depending on how easy they are to redeem, though.

This year, they redeem up from any class. Starting next year, it'll only redeem up from the W fare bucket.

Here's my value calculation for next year's tickets:

W = cost of a W ticket
L = cost of cheapest available ticket on the route
P = processing cost of a miles upgrade on the cheapest ticket
M = value of 20,000 miles to you (for me, $0)
V = value of the SWU

L + P + M = Total personal cost of a miles upgrade

W + V = Total cost of the SWU-based upgrade

L + P + M = W + V (Since both give the same outcome, and V is variable)

Therefore,
L + P + M - W = V

And yes, I am sure there are routes for which V resolves to a negative value. Good work, Smisek.

Good work indeed Smisek. Thanks for the thoughts there. Wasn't aware of the W restriction, that definitely lowers the value.

W restriction doesn't apply to this year's SWUs, but it will next time around. It's one more "change that we think you'll like".

To be fair, the other side of the coin is that in future, SWUs won't book into R, but into any available F seats, so availability of confirmed-at-booking upgrades should increase on the most heavily used routes.

I believe this to be wholly and completely false. Please provide a source that suggests SWU-based upgrades will not continue to be capacity controlled.

The trade-off is more SWUs (6 to start and more as you accrue more EQMs), not that the new ones are easier to use in any way.

I'm 2/2 with SWU so far, so I am well pleased with them. I was 3/3, but I cancelled one of the trips before departure, so back to 2/2.

GLA-EWR
EWR-NRT
NRT-EWR

Good stuff in my book

......

Can anyone quantify the dollar value of a SWU? I realize it depends on the person, however a United SWU is generally traded for $250-300 (gift card, or travel voucher)

Also, I'm curious as to when I'll be able to see the "tab" (the one you get to see if you post 90 times before 90 days or something). I forgot the name, lol.

That would be the Coupon Connection forum. It requires 90 posts and I'm not sure if there is a time requirement, also.

And FYI: I would recommend modifying your original post, as you're not allowed to use forums other than the CC for 'bartering.'

CO just starting issuing SWUs this year so there aren't any that will expire before 2/29/2012. You'll be able to see Coupon Connection after 90 posts.

Ah, sorry about that. You're completely correct. I looked back over the changes page and it does say that they're still capacity controlled.

I was clearly remembering a port and cheese-induced dream from my most recent LHR-IAH.