There has to be a way....
Dec 1, 2003 | 12:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 4
There has to be a way....
I fly IAH/LGW a few times per year. I have always been able to upgrade to BF buying a K class ticket.Now "they" have pulled the K fare out of this market until May I was told. So...if I get this right...I can only upgrade (paying the $300-400 each way) with a non H,K,Y fare if seats are wait listed. They seem to be available every flight I check. If I purchase an H or Y my ticket goes up from $600 to $2000. Also, what is the purpose of the stupid 72 hour rule? Can I get to the gate early and try to get upgraded with a non H,K or Y ticket? Yes, I am a newbie at this. I am silver elite. I only have 60k miles in my account as I have used 40k per trip for the last 5 trips to get the upgrade.So not enough to use for a BF reward ticket. I am spoiled! Is there a way around this?
P.S. Anyone ever meet one of "those" powers that be who rule over the fares etc? Who are "they" anyway?
[This message has been edited by Tru (edited Dec 01, 2003).]
P.S. Anyone ever meet one of "those" powers that be who rule over the fares etc? Who are "they" anyway?
[This message has been edited by Tru (edited Dec 01, 2003).]
Dec 1, 2003 | 12:58 pm
#2
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Your problem is your market.
SFO-LGW: $910 (K); $1,160 (H)
IAH-LGW: $850 (K); $1,939 (H)
If you really want to play this game, you may have better luck out of a more competitive market.
SFO-LGW: $910 (K); $1,160 (H)
IAH-LGW: $850 (K); $1,939 (H)
If you really want to play this game, you may have better luck out of a more competitive market.
Dec 1, 2003 | 1:07 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 4
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by channa:
IAH-LGW: $850 (K); $1,939 (H)
</font>
IAH-LGW: $850 (K); $1,939 (H)
</font>
Dec 1, 2003 | 4:16 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Tru asks:
Are you saying that you found a K class fare IAH-LGW? Continental tells me there is no such animal until May. </font>
Are you saying that you found a K class fare IAH-LGW? Continental tells me there is no such animal until May. </font>
Dec 1, 2003 | 8:14 pm
#5
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Welcome to FlyerTalk, Tru!
If you are going to start any other thread topics, you will probably fare better in terms of responses (and in not wasting other readers' time) if the subject title concisely states your query or point.
So, for instance, a more descriptive topic than "There has to be a way...." might have been "No IAH-LHR K fares?"
May you long enjoy your interactions on this board!
If you are going to start any other thread topics, you will probably fare better in terms of responses (and in not wasting other readers' time) if the subject title concisely states your query or point.
So, for instance, a more descriptive topic than "There has to be a way...." might have been "No IAH-LHR K fares?"
May you long enjoy your interactions on this board!
Dec 2, 2003 | 8:43 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 4
I chose my title and I like it TYVM for your unsolicited advice. I note you spent time critiquing my post yet you offered no answer to my question. You might be better served with your "time" that you seem to not want wasted, to only offer solutions to the travel related questions.
I appreciate the replies I got and they answered my question. I will probe the CO reservationists more in depth! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Otherwise...thanks for the welcome!!
[This message has been edited by Tru (edited Dec 02, 2003).]
I appreciate the replies I got and they answered my question. I will probe the CO reservationists more in depth! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Otherwise...thanks for the welcome!!
[This message has been edited by Tru (edited Dec 02, 2003).]
Dec 2, 2003 | 9:01 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2000
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tru:
I chose my title and I like it TYVM for your unsolicited advice.
</font>
I chose my title and I like it TYVM for your unsolicited advice.
</font>
Dec 2, 2003 | 9:06 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: New York NY USA
Posts: 432
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tru:
I chose my title and I like it TYVM for your unsolicited advice. I note you spent time critiquing my post yet you offered no answer to my question. You might be better served with your "time" that you seem to not want wasted, to only offer solutions to the travel related questions.
I appreciate the replies I got and they answered my question. I will probe the CO reservationists more in depth! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Otherwise...thanks for the welcome!!
[This message has been edited by Tru (edited Dec 02, 2003).]</font>
I chose my title and I like it TYVM for your unsolicited advice. I note you spent time critiquing my post yet you offered no answer to my question. You might be better served with your "time" that you seem to not want wasted, to only offer solutions to the travel related questions.
I appreciate the replies I got and they answered my question. I will probe the CO reservationists more in depth! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Otherwise...thanks for the welcome!!
[This message has been edited by Tru (edited Dec 02, 2003).]</font>
Wise man once said "you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar". I suggest you make a trip to the honey store. I also suggest you pay close attention to the way this board works from the people who make it work. If you don't like then do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. You'll just be wasting your time. These guys (and gals) will eat you up and spit you out like a bowl of tri-colored pasta.
Now in response to your question, you may want to try a search on the subject. It's a commonly discussed issue and I'm sure you'll find plenty of threads filled with informative posts.
That said, welcome to FT.
Dec 2, 2003 | 9:08 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tru:
.....I chose my title and I like it TYVM for your unsolicited advice. I note you spent time critiquing my post yet you offered no answer to my question. You might be better served with your "time" that you seem to not want wasted, to only offer solutions to the travel related questions.....[This message has been edited by Tru (edited Dec 02, 2003).]</font>
.....I chose my title and I like it TYVM for your unsolicited advice. I note you spent time critiquing my post yet you offered no answer to my question. You might be better served with your "time" that you seem to not want wasted, to only offer solutions to the travel related questions.....[This message has been edited by Tru (edited Dec 02, 2003).]</font>
Here is my advice: GYITR HYODR JUOSE GRJUO KYODR.
MisterNice
Dec 2, 2003 | 9:48 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 4
Wow guys, I was coming here with a real problem and I took time in thinking of my title. I felt insulted and sad at the "wasting others time" remark and had never really had that kind of "welcome" on any other message boards. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif I sure was not intending to waste anyone's time and I kind of thought my title was catchy. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I guess it caught me so off guard as a newbie here to be "welcomed" that way. Sorry about letting it get to me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
Dec 2, 2003 | 10:21 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Welcome!
Don't let it get to you, SPN was trying to help. In the future, please try to use topic titles that actually describe your question.
Now, if we could all get back to the topic under discussion (regardless of the topic title)...
Xyzzy
CO forum moderator
Don't let it get to you, SPN was trying to help. In the future, please try to use topic titles that actually describe your question.
Now, if we could all get back to the topic under discussion (regardless of the topic title)...
Xyzzy
CO forum moderator
Dec 2, 2003 | 10:24 am
#12
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
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First of all let me apologize for the 'above' disgruntled comments. That's what comes from having to sit 'behind the curtain' just once too often.
Secondly, in trying to answer your question, yes, sadly CO may be holding out K fares hoping to sell higher priced H fares and/or charge the upgrade fee. While it is not the answer to your question, CO often offers Z fares which are 'sale BF' fares to LGW--but they come in at slightly over $2,000--with no miles, or waitlist needed.
As for getting to the gate early, the only thing you can hope for is an operational upgrade. This occurs when coach is way oversold and they will move some passengers to BF. This happens rarely, so don't get your hopes up. The reason for the 72 hr rule (IMO) is CO had a problem with flyers making phantom reservations in BF, then cancelling at the last minute with the hope those seats would then be freed up for upgrades. Also CO would like to sell at full value ($7800) those seats to any last minute business travellers generally flying on their companies dime.
So unless you are extremely lucky and get an operational upgrade, or find a 'sale BF' fare you can live with, I'm not sure how else you'll be seated in those comfy BF seats.
Secondly, in trying to answer your question, yes, sadly CO may be holding out K fares hoping to sell higher priced H fares and/or charge the upgrade fee. While it is not the answer to your question, CO often offers Z fares which are 'sale BF' fares to LGW--but they come in at slightly over $2,000--with no miles, or waitlist needed.
As for getting to the gate early, the only thing you can hope for is an operational upgrade. This occurs when coach is way oversold and they will move some passengers to BF. This happens rarely, so don't get your hopes up. The reason for the 72 hr rule (IMO) is CO had a problem with flyers making phantom reservations in BF, then cancelling at the last minute with the hope those seats would then be freed up for upgrades. Also CO would like to sell at full value ($7800) those seats to any last minute business travellers generally flying on their companies dime.
So unless you are extremely lucky and get an operational upgrade, or find a 'sale BF' fare you can live with, I'm not sure how else you'll be seated in those comfy BF seats.
Dec 2, 2003 | 10:38 am
#13
Suspended
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hmmm...when i suggest people use more descriptive Topic titles, i get the flack. very, very interesting. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited Dec 03, 2003).]
[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited Dec 03, 2003).]
Dec 2, 2003 | 4:28 pm
#14
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Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
If anyone wants to continue the off-topic discussion of non-descriptive thread titles, please see
Wow, did anyone hear about this? Good for Continental!! Congrats!!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum20/HTML/009729.html
Sorry, Tru, if my remark seemed insensitive or hostile. May this post serve as a second, and hopefully warmer, welcome to FT. It is customary to welcome new posters after their first post, and since no one else had done so, I jumped in!
No offense taken by your response.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">hmmm...when i suggest people use more descriptive Topic titles, i get the flack. very, very interesting. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>
Wow, did anyone hear about this? Good for Continental!! Congrats!!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum20/HTML/009729.html
Sorry, Tru, if my remark seemed insensitive or hostile. May this post serve as a second, and hopefully warmer, welcome to FT. It is customary to welcome new posters after their first post, and since no one else had done so, I jumped in!
No offense taken by your response.
Dec 3, 2003 | 1:24 pm
#15
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Welcome to FlyerTalk. Within the last week, I was researching exactly the same thing and came to the same conclusion: There are no K fares in the IAH-LGW market until May 2004. I verified this in Sabre, so I'm not just relying on what the CO rep told me. I don't think that calling back to get a different rep is going to solve this one.
That's not to say there will be no K fares until then, but just that there currently are no fares that allow for a trip prior to May 2004. There could be one added tomorrow.
Considering that CO announced about a month ago that K fares will require an extra fee in addition to miles to upgrade to BF starting January 1, the cynic in me says that perhaps they withdrew the K fare in order to implement the change quicker. If K fares valid prior to May 2004 remain missing until after Jan 1 then suddenly re-appear, I think we'll have our answer.
In the meantime, I booked my IAH-LON flight on AA and upgraded a $500 fare.
[This message has been edited by Steve M (edited Dec 03, 2003).]
That's not to say there will be no K fares until then, but just that there currently are no fares that allow for a trip prior to May 2004. There could be one added tomorrow.
Considering that CO announced about a month ago that K fares will require an extra fee in addition to miles to upgrade to BF starting January 1, the cynic in me says that perhaps they withdrew the K fare in order to implement the change quicker. If K fares valid prior to May 2004 remain missing until after Jan 1 then suddenly re-appear, I think we'll have our answer.
In the meantime, I booked my IAH-LON flight on AA and upgraded a $500 fare.
[This message has been edited by Steve M (edited Dec 03, 2003).]