WHEN IS A "K" NOT A "K" FOR UPGRADING?
Jun 11, 2002 | 9:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: El Paso, Texas USA
Posts: 12
WHEN IS A "K" NOT A "K" FOR UPGRADING?
In my attempts to find flights and fares to London in a few weeks, I pulled up a reasonable K fare (KHX19SE) - The flight became more reasonable when I saw that the fare being quoted was a K fare and I could use miles to upgrade. WRONG! The Rules and Restrictions allow for OnePass Mileage accrual but do not allow usage of OnePass Awards. When did they change the rules of the game?
Jun 11, 2002 | 9:21 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
If the international segments are in K class then the fare is upgradeable. Call CO with the specific fare code and it should be fine. The rules were simplified for this exact purpose. H,K or Y fares for BF destinations are upgradeable, no ifs, ands or buts.
Jun 11, 2002 | 10:18 am
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,293
Mexico is correct, although K fares are "upgradable" on transatlantic flights, fare rules may prevent upgrading in some cases.
Remember that rules are subject to change with or without notice, particularly if it isn't in writing.
At CO there's always an if, and an and, so watch your butt.
Remember that rules are subject to change with or without notice, particularly if it isn't in writing.
At CO there's always an if, and an and, so watch your butt.
Jun 11, 2002 | 10:58 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
I bet if he called the fare would be upgraded.
Jun 11, 2002 | 1:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Francisco (Marin County), CA
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K, LH Senator, SQ PPS Solitaire, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 3,031
I would slightly refine that:
I bet if he called enough agents the fare would be eventually upgradeable.
I bet if he called enough agents the fare would be eventually upgradeable.
Jun 11, 2002 | 1:29 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,729
I'm betting that that fare is upgradeable as well-- it better be.
The language in the fare rules that prohibits the upgrade is vestigial in this case I believe.
But finding a competent agent will be key-- good luck.
The language in the fare rules that prohibits the upgrade is vestigial in this case I believe.
But finding a competent agent will be key-- good luck.
Jun 11, 2002 | 2:09 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 468
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JonNYC:
But finding a competent agent will be key-- good luck.</font>
But finding a competent agent will be key-- good luck.</font>
Three days before departure LAX-EWR, I saw on ITN that there was one F seat left, and I had still not been upgraded. I called CO and the agent told me I had two PNRs for the trip (I had booked one of them thru a travel agency, but never paid for it -- and totaly forgot about it). She suggested that this was the reason I hadn't been upgraded automatically and so she MANUALLY gave me the upgrade. Pretty competent , isn't she?
Jun 11, 2002 | 2:52 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SLC
Posts: 205
As affirmed above, the rules for BF upgrades were changed so that ALL published "HoKeY" fares are upgradeable. The fare rules may not permit it, but that is no longer relevant. If you get a different answer, ask for a supervisor.
However, if you are upgrading in a non-BusinessFirst market, the fare rules are relevant and can still restrict upgrading on less expensive fares. You'll find a lot of "K" fares to Latin markets in business (not BF) class which have the restriction of not allowing upgrades with miles.
------------------
I am not a sanctioned representative of Continental on these boards, just an interested participant.
However, if you are upgrading in a non-BusinessFirst market, the fare rules are relevant and can still restrict upgrading on less expensive fares. You'll find a lot of "K" fares to Latin markets in business (not BF) class which have the restriction of not allowing upgrades with miles.
------------------
I am not a sanctioned representative of Continental on these boards, just an interested participant.
Jun 11, 2002 | 4:58 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
ResAgent,
Since he said this ticket was to London then definitively this fare was upgradeable.
Since he said this ticket was to London then definitively this fare was upgradeable.
Jun 11, 2002 | 7:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
OK, I think I get it, the fare rules are like Gordo's "We will not reduce benefits" statement. We just gotta trust Res Agent to know what rules to ignore, and which rules he/she's got to follow to stay outta trouble. 
How do I know that some day after I play the HoKeY roulette and think that I won, only to find that some high-rollers decide to book some BizFirst tickets at the last minute, and then the concierge tears up my boarding pass 'n' says "Sorry snake, but rules is rules and you gotta make yourself cozy back in a nice center seat in row 47."
How do I know that some day after I play the HoKeY roulette and think that I won, only to find that some high-rollers decide to book some BizFirst tickets at the last minute, and then the concierge tears up my boarding pass 'n' says "Sorry snake, but rules is rules and you gotta make yourself cozy back in a nice center seat in row 47."