Feb 6, 2024, 2:00 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is UA vs DL....share your perspectives
UA vs DL....share your perspectives [ARCHIVE]
Jan 1, 2016 | 11:26 am
#346
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,777
You might find an agent who's willing to reissue in F without a change fee (assuming your ticket imposes fee). Call again.
But United is notorious for selling upgrades when elites are waiting for theirs. It's one of the biggest gripes here. So there's also a decent chance they'll offer you a buy up -- perhaps very cheap -- between now and flight day.
But United is notorious for selling upgrades when elites are waiting for theirs. It's one of the biggest gripes here. So there's also a decent chance they'll offer you a buy up -- perhaps very cheap -- between now and flight day.
Jan 1, 2016 | 11:29 am
#347
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 258
You might find an agent who's willing to reissue in F without a change fee (assuming your ticket imposes fee). Call again.
But United is notorious for selling upgrades when elites are waiting for theirs. It's one of the biggest gripes here. So there's also a decent chance they'll offer you a buy up -- perhaps very cheap -- between now and flight day.
But United is notorious for selling upgrades when elites are waiting for theirs. It's one of the biggest gripes here. So there's also a decent chance they'll offer you a buy up -- perhaps very cheap -- between now and flight day.
If they did offer me a buy up - where would I see it? In my reservation on untied.com? The app? All of the above?
Jan 1, 2016 | 11:30 am
#348
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,906
Happy New Year all,
I'm a Platinum Medallion on Delta, flying United, and I'm unfamiliar with some of United's policies. on a IAD-LAS non-stop flight in a few weeks. It was booked for me by work, for a reasonable rate of $171.
Delta, of course is obsessed with offering buy-ups to first on domestic flights to non-elites. Is this something United does? I looked, and the one-way first class fare for my exact flight right now is a very inexpensive $369. I'd be willing to pay the roughly $200 different out of pocket to upgrade for the 5+ hour flight. (i don't really drink, but i'm a big guy - i fit fine in coach seats, but prefer the extra room up front very much and i'm happy to value it at $40/hr).
Is this an offer that United would offer me you think? I called the main 800# this morning and got an agent who didn't speak great English (not trying to start something, just being honest) who didn't seem to understand what I was asking. Kept telling me if I wanted to fly today, it would be $1359. That's of course not what I was asking.
I was wondering if any of you here on the UA boards would have any insight into the changes of me being able to grab that first class fare for around $200 more if I'm wasting my time.
Thanks,
Plinko
I'm a Platinum Medallion on Delta, flying United, and I'm unfamiliar with some of United's policies. on a IAD-LAS non-stop flight in a few weeks. It was booked for me by work, for a reasonable rate of $171.
Delta, of course is obsessed with offering buy-ups to first on domestic flights to non-elites. Is this something United does? I looked, and the one-way first class fare for my exact flight right now is a very inexpensive $369. I'd be willing to pay the roughly $200 different out of pocket to upgrade for the 5+ hour flight. (i don't really drink, but i'm a big guy - i fit fine in coach seats, but prefer the extra room up front very much and i'm happy to value it at $40/hr).
Is this an offer that United would offer me you think? I called the main 800# this morning and got an agent who didn't speak great English (not trying to start something, just being honest) who didn't seem to understand what I was asking. Kept telling me if I wanted to fly today, it would be $1359. That's of course not what I was asking.
I was wondering if any of you here on the UA boards would have any insight into the changes of me being able to grab that first class fare for around $200 more if I'm wasting my time.
Thanks,
Plinko
Jan 1, 2016 | 11:43 am
#349
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 258
Not sure if I'm willing to bite at $299, think I'd like to see if it comes down closer to $200.
The Flight is on an A320 what appears to be 3 rows of FC with no in-flight entertainment of any kind. Any idea what kind of experience it is in first on that plane?
I ask that knowing that an answer of "it's a standard domestic first class experience, basically the same on DL, UA and AA" is an acceptable answer. But for someone who flies DL almost exclusively and has never flown UA or AA anywhere but in the back, anything I should know pro or con on the cash upgrade?
Jan 1, 2016 | 11:49 am
#350
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K - Hilton Gold - Marriott Gold
Posts: 10
In the UA app, if you view reservation, it'll usually show you the upgrade options. I find the day of, for similar legs (DCA-DEN) I've had no issues upgrading to a Z fare in F cabin for ~$160.
Jan 1, 2016 | 11:55 am
#351
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH + SLC
Programs: UA - 1K, DL-DM, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,926
OP - IF any seats are available in F at 24 hours you MAY be offered the upgrade when you check in. The best way to see these offers is to check in with the app. Even after check in you can go back later and go through the check in process again to see if anything has changed. Occasionally something will open up because someone changes plans.
For this route with this aircraft there is a very low chance of any F seats being available at 24 hours before departure, however.
For this route with this aircraft there is a very low chance of any F seats being available at 24 hours before departure, however.
Jan 1, 2016 | 12:04 pm
#352
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,676
Oh, and IIRC all A320s have WiFi, but you do have to pay for it. Some have streaming entertainment that is free as long as you have latest UA app on your Apple or Android device. Actually it's free whether you have the app or not, you just can't view it without the app
Jan 1, 2016 | 12:35 pm
#353
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,868
Nothing really special as far as F product.
Jan 1, 2016 | 12:52 pm
#354
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
The only upside I can think of on UA is that there may be three (3) meal choices rather than two (2) on DL.
Jan 1, 2016 | 1:00 pm
#355
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,231
You might find an agent who's willing to reissue in F without a change fee (assuming your ticket imposes fee). Call again.
But United is notorious for selling upgrades when elites are waiting for theirs. It's one of the biggest gripes here. So there's also a decent chance they'll offer you a buy up -- perhaps very cheap -- between now and flight day.
But United is notorious for selling upgrades when elites are waiting for theirs. It's one of the biggest gripes here. So there's also a decent chance they'll offer you a buy up -- perhaps very cheap -- between now and flight day.
Jan 1, 2016 | 1:25 pm
#356
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
Happy New Year all,
I'm a Platinum Medallion on Delta, flying United, and I'm unfamiliar with some of United's policies. on a IAD-LAS non-stop flight in a few weeks. It was booked for me by work, for a reasonable rate of $171.
Delta, of course is obsessed with offering buy-ups to first on domestic flights to non-elites. Is this something United does? I looked, and the one-way first class fare for my exact flight right now is a very inexpensive $369. I'd be willing to pay the roughly $200 different out of pocket to upgrade for the 5+ hour flight.
I'm a Platinum Medallion on Delta, flying United, and I'm unfamiliar with some of United's policies. on a IAD-LAS non-stop flight in a few weeks. It was booked for me by work, for a reasonable rate of $171.
Delta, of course is obsessed with offering buy-ups to first on domestic flights to non-elites. Is this something United does? I looked, and the one-way first class fare for my exact flight right now is a very inexpensive $369. I'd be willing to pay the roughly $200 different out of pocket to upgrade for the 5+ hour flight.
So you can wait and see what UA offers you (which may be a lower price) or bite now.
Jan 1, 2016 | 1:39 pm
#357
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
you are wrong about CK, I know several and they all say it makes no difference in upgrade clearance. Same bucket, and it is done via status (EXP) and then fare class. Checking the AA board will show the same thing.
Jan 1, 2016 | 2:02 pm
#358
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 258
Thanks all for the great advice. I figured with a scheduled flying time of 5:20, I'll be in the seat for about 6 hours.
If the price does drop below $250, I think I might hop on it.
Guess I'll periodically check the app and united.com every week or so.
If the price does drop below $250, I think I might hop on it.
Guess I'll periodically check the app and united.com every week or so.
Jan 1, 2016 | 2:06 pm
#359
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
I might add that the Airbus on United not only have no in seat IFE, but they have NO POWER! So either bring a book, or hope your power can last that long....
Jan 1, 2016 | 2:07 pm
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,977
Once you check in you can go to the app and look at your reservation. You will usually see a button that says More Options. Click on this and if there are upgrades for sale you will see them there (need to scroll down towards the bottom of your reservation). It also will give you a chance to do a same day change if any available or change your seats.