New member - Help with ticket
Jan 24, 2014 | 1:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
New member - Help with ticket
Hello Everyone.
I am trying to get some help and I am new to the whole . I have been trying to read and catch up with everyone here but its just going over my head.
I have been a frequent flyer, almost once a year from USA to Pakistan but never really signed up for a frequent flyer program. Last year I was given 2 Global upgrades by a very generous friend who was 1k member for United. I am a United Member. Not sure what Class but I cant find it. Most likely the most basic one.
"
Mileage balance
7,354
Mileage expiration:
1/31/2015
"
I am traveling to Lahore Pakistan ( LHE ) from Washington , DC ( IAD ).
Very flexible with the dates but I would like to travel around May 28th and return around june 18th. So roughly about 3 weeks.
I want to know what are the best option for me to get a Business Class Seat. Booking directly with the Airlines is around $6000 with Etihad and possibly more with others. PIA has a flight for around $3500 in business from JFK but their business class should just be labeled Economy +.
Are there any legal ways of buying Global upgrades from anyone? Should I risk buying an economy ticket and then try an upgrade at the check-in?. What have you seen is the best way in your experience.
I can also try opening a CC if that would bring the Price of the ticket down.
Thanks for all of the valuable information available on this forum!.
I am trying to get some help and I am new to the whole . I have been trying to read and catch up with everyone here but its just going over my head.
I have been a frequent flyer, almost once a year from USA to Pakistan but never really signed up for a frequent flyer program. Last year I was given 2 Global upgrades by a very generous friend who was 1k member for United. I am a United Member. Not sure what Class but I cant find it. Most likely the most basic one.
"
Mileage balance
7,354
Mileage expiration:
1/31/2015
"
I am traveling to Lahore Pakistan ( LHE ) from Washington , DC ( IAD ).
Very flexible with the dates but I would like to travel around May 28th and return around june 18th. So roughly about 3 weeks.
I want to know what are the best option for me to get a Business Class Seat. Booking directly with the Airlines is around $6000 with Etihad and possibly more with others. PIA has a flight for around $3500 in business from JFK but their business class should just be labeled Economy +.
Are there any legal ways of buying Global upgrades from anyone? Should I risk buying an economy ticket and then try an upgrade at the check-in?. What have you seen is the best way in your experience.
I can also try opening a CC if that would bring the Price of the ticket down.
Thanks for all of the valuable information available on this forum!.
Jan 24, 2014 | 1:28 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,932
Welcome to the forum
There is no way buy a Global upgrade instrument that will be in accordance with the freq flyer programs rules, terms & conditions.
I doubt you will have enough UA miles for an upgarde. Anyway that often means you need to buy an expensive economy ticket that can be upgraded to start with.
You may earn UA miles on other www.staralliance.com airlines
This is good basic information
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
I doubt you will have enough UA miles for an upgarde. Anyway that often means you need to buy an expensive economy ticket that can be upgraded to start with.
You may earn UA miles on other www.staralliance.com airlines
This is good basic information
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
< snip>
To get your feet wet, start by reading the sticky threads in this and other forums. What you need to do is look at your flying (and credit card, if applicable) patterns and preferences, then pick a program that works best for you. While miles/points aren't interchangeable, you can usually use one airline's miles/points for redemptions on that airline's partners - either in the same alliance or in some cases unaligned partners - or for non-flying activities. Each airline has different "earning and burning" characteristics - how miles/points are earned and used, and you'll need to investigate these carefully, as the differences can be significant and expensive (or beneficial) to you depending on your choices.
One important thing to note is that miles/points earning and redemption are only a part of the whole FF business. A big factor in choosing your plan preferences is whether you'd fly enough with your chosen airline(s) in order to reach elite frequent flyer status. With elite status comes various perks - access to lounges, expedited passage through airports, seat selections, upgrades, baggage allowances, etc. - that can be as important if not more important to frequent travelers. So those factors also need to be understood as you make your choices.
It involves homework and research, but the rewards can be very significant, well worth the effort. (Or so many of us think. Of course we can be both delusional and exhibit OCD symptoms in this regard. Welcome to the madhouse.)
To get your feet wet, start by reading the sticky threads in this and other forums. What you need to do is look at your flying (and credit card, if applicable) patterns and preferences, then pick a program that works best for you. While miles/points aren't interchangeable, you can usually use one airline's miles/points for redemptions on that airline's partners - either in the same alliance or in some cases unaligned partners - or for non-flying activities. Each airline has different "earning and burning" characteristics - how miles/points are earned and used, and you'll need to investigate these carefully, as the differences can be significant and expensive (or beneficial) to you depending on your choices.
One important thing to note is that miles/points earning and redemption are only a part of the whole FF business. A big factor in choosing your plan preferences is whether you'd fly enough with your chosen airline(s) in order to reach elite frequent flyer status. With elite status comes various perks - access to lounges, expedited passage through airports, seat selections, upgrades, baggage allowances, etc. - that can be as important if not more important to frequent travelers. So those factors also need to be understood as you make your choices.
It involves homework and research, but the rewards can be very significant, well worth the effort. (Or so many of us think. Of course we can be both delusional and exhibit OCD symptoms in this regard. Welcome to the madhouse.)
Jan 26, 2014 | 5:05 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Welcome to the forum
There is no way buy a Global upgrade instrument that will be in accordance with the freq flyer programs rules, terms & conditions.
I doubt you will have enough UA miles for an upgarde. Anyway that often means you need to buy an expensive economy ticket that can be upgraded to start with.
You may earn UA miles on other www.staralliance.com airlines
This is good basic information
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
There is no way buy a Global upgrade instrument that will be in accordance with the freq flyer programs rules, terms & conditions.
I doubt you will have enough UA miles for an upgarde. Anyway that often means you need to buy an expensive economy ticket that can be upgraded to start with.
You may earn UA miles on other www.staralliance.com airlines
This is good basic information
From a post on 2 Feb 2013
Yeah I figured the UA miles were not enough for anything.
I can take Qatar, Emirates, Saudi, Turkish, PIA or Etihad.
So far Qatar is giving an economy ticket at the promo price of $1100 but they also have two other economy tickets priced at 1800 for economy restricted and 2200 for economy semi-flexible. That is pretty much the trend with all of the above mentioned airlines.
So if i am to get the 1800 or 2200 economy ticket, it will be easier for me to get an upgrade at the check in? How much does that usually cost for a flight that is total of 16+ hours.
Oh and if I buy the ticket at $1100, is there any way to get better chances for getting an upgrade? like getting their CC or booking from a Travel agent vs directly with them on their website.
Also Does anybody have any luck getting the price show in on Matrix ITA Software website? I found a PIA ticket for $1600 (Business) . Are there any National companies that will give same rates as that websites?
Last edited by Badal121; Jan 26, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Jan 26, 2014 | 7:11 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,932
So far Qatar is giving an economy ticket at the promo price of $1100 but they also have two other economy tickets priced at 1800 for economy restricted and 2200 for economy semi-flexible. That is pretty much the trend with all of the above mentioned airlines.
So if i am to get the 1800 or 2200 economy ticket, it will be easier for me to get an upgrade at the check in? How much does that usually cost for a flight that is total of 16+ hours.
Oh and if I buy the ticket at $1100, is there any way to get better chances for getting an upgrade? like getting their CC or booking from a Travel agent vs directly with them on their website.
So if i am to get the 1800 or 2200 economy ticket, it will be easier for me to get an upgrade at the check in? How much does that usually cost for a flight that is total of 16+ hours.
Oh and if I buy the ticket at $1100, is there any way to get better chances for getting an upgrade? like getting their CC or booking from a Travel agent vs directly with them on their website.
Look here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...lege-club-644/
Me thinks you will be flying down the back.
Its only USA based airlines that give away their premuim product or treat first/business class as "upgrade class" There is a reason why so many USA legacy airlines have been bankrupt, are bankrupt or will be bankrupt
Jan 26, 2014 | 9:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,518
So far Qatar is giving an economy ticket at the promo price of $1100 but they also have two other economy tickets priced at 1800 for economy restricted and 2200 for economy semi-flexible. That is pretty much the trend with all of the above mentioned airlines.
So if i am to get the 1800 or 2200 economy ticket, it will be easier for me to get an upgrade at the check in? How much does that usually cost for a flight that is total of 16+ hours.
Oh and if I buy the ticket at $1100, is there any way to get better chances for getting an upgrade? like getting their CC or booking from a Travel agent vs directly with them on their website.
So if i am to get the 1800 or 2200 economy ticket, it will be easier for me to get an upgrade at the check in? How much does that usually cost for a flight that is total of 16+ hours.
Oh and if I buy the ticket at $1100, is there any way to get better chances for getting an upgrade? like getting their CC or booking from a Travel agent vs directly with them on their website.
Look here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...lege-club-644/
Me thinks you will be flying down the back.
Its only USA based airlines that give away their premuim product or treat first/business class as "upgrade class" There is a reason why so many USA legacy airlines have been bankrupt, are bankrupt or will be bankrupt
1) Non-legacy US carriers allow customers to buy upgrades. For example, Austrian Airlines offers the ability to pay for upgrades at checkin. Plenty of airlines in Star alliance- outside the US - allow mileage upgrades.
2) Selling upgrades is not what makes an airline unprofitable. If anything, it allows airlines to get some miles/money off a seat that would go empty. Some legacies make it very hard to upgrade unless you are on a full-fare ticket.
3) comparing US legacies financial positions to Middle eastern airlines and blaming upgrade policies for the difference is insane. Middle Eastern carriers have huge subsidies from the countries they are based in, and very very very cheap labor-- particularly on the ground, where they pay immigrants a pittance.
Jan 26, 2014 | 11:59 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,932
Badal121 did not state he/she has Qmiles or Qcredits or QR status. Only a small quantity of UA miles was listed
Upgrade method on QR is not simple.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...fashioned.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...demptions.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...questions.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...grades-qr.html
Upgrade method on QR is not simple.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...fashioned.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...demptions.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...questions.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...grades-qr.html
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jan 27, 2014 at 12:14 am
Jan 27, 2014 | 5:31 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
Yes, I have no status with any airlines and mainly looking to pay for an upgrade rather than using any miles/status to get a free upgrade. I want to know what can I ensure to have better chances at getting an upgrade at the check-in.
Should I buy the ticket at its lowest available fare which is around $1100 and then try to get an expensive upgrade at the checkin? Or if buying an economy ticket for $2000 will make it less expensive and better chances for an upgrade? Which economy Fare class do I need to be in for an easy upgrade with just cash.
Thanks again for all the help!.
Should I buy the ticket at its lowest available fare which is around $1100 and then try to get an expensive upgrade at the checkin? Or if buying an economy ticket for $2000 will make it less expensive and better chances for an upgrade? Which economy Fare class do I need to be in for an easy upgrade with just cash.
Thanks again for all the help!.
Jan 27, 2014 | 5:58 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; Hilton Dia; Marriott Titanium/LT Gold
Posts: 8,518
Badal121 did not state he/she has Qmiles or Qcredits or QR status. Only a small quantity of UA miles was listed
Upgrade method on QR is not simple.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...fashioned.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...demptions.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...questions.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...grades-qr.html
Upgrade method on QR is not simple.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...fashioned.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...demptions.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...questions.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qatar...grades-qr.html
To the OP, I would not buy a more expensive ticket on the off-chance of getting an upgrade.
Jan 27, 2014 | 8:05 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,402
Yes, I have no status with any airlines and mainly looking to pay for an upgrade rather than using any miles/status to get a free upgrade. I want to know what can I ensure to have better chances at getting an upgrade at the check-in.
Should I buy the ticket at its lowest available fare which is around $1100 and then try to get an expensive upgrade at the checkin? Or if buying an economy ticket for $2000 will make it less expensive and better chances for an upgrade? Which economy Fare class do I need to be in for an easy upgrade with just cash.
Thanks again for all the help!.
Should I buy the ticket at its lowest available fare which is around $1100 and then try to get an expensive upgrade at the checkin? Or if buying an economy ticket for $2000 will make it less expensive and better chances for an upgrade? Which economy Fare class do I need to be in for an easy upgrade with just cash.
Thanks again for all the help!.