Jun 27, 2019, 12:09 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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Airport Lounge Options for UA Travelers in Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD)?
Airport info SYDNEY (SYD) - amenities, transfers, transport
Airport info MELBOURNE (MEL) - amenities, transfers, transport
Archive: General questions: SFO/LAX-SYD/MEL and vv (service, food, connections, etc) {Archive}
General questions: SFO/LAX-SYD/MEL and vv (service, food, connections, etc.) [Merged]
Oct 23, 2017, 9:27 am
#196
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 115
NoLa,
Thanks for the posting. I was surprised to hear its a dreamliner, but not a full polaris setup... that is disappointing.
Does anyone know if the "Plan B" option would be a better strategy here? I have never used it before as I rarely fly United, but figured it may be worth the attempt.
Cheers,
Thanks for the posting. I was surprised to hear its a dreamliner, but not a full polaris setup... that is disappointing.
Does anyone know if the "Plan B" option would be a better strategy here? I have never used it before as I rarely fly United, but figured it may be worth the attempt.
Cheers,
Oct 23, 2017, 9:45 am
#197
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
NoLa,
Thanks for the posting. I was surprised to hear its a dreamliner, but not a full polaris setup... that is disappointing.
Does anyone know if the "Plan B" option would be a better strategy here? I have never used it before as I rarely fly United, but figured it may be worth the attempt.
Cheers,
Thanks for the posting. I was surprised to hear its a dreamliner, but not a full polaris setup... that is disappointing.
Does anyone know if the "Plan B" option would be a better strategy here? I have never used it before as I rarely fly United, but figured it may be worth the attempt.
Cheers,
Set yourself up for expert mode on United, and look for upgrade space if you want confirmed seats at booking. Two round trips that I've done, without issues finding space for a family of four on one trip, and just myself on a second trip.
Oct 23, 2017, 9:48 am
#198
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
NoLa,
Thanks for the posting. I was surprised to hear its a dreamliner, but not a full polaris setup... that is disappointing.
Does anyone know if the "Plan B" option would be a better strategy here? I have never used it before as I rarely fly United, but figured it may be worth the attempt.
Cheers,
Thanks for the posting. I was surprised to hear its a dreamliner, but not a full polaris setup... that is disappointing.
Does anyone know if the "Plan B" option would be a better strategy here? I have never used it before as I rarely fly United, but figured it may be worth the attempt.
Cheers,
Nothing wrong with the ride LAX-MEL, even though it's not the new Polaris seat. Can I assume you are commuting on your own dime for work? Kind of rare to commute that far for work.
Set yourself up for expert mode on United, and look for upgrade space if you want confirmed seats at booking. Two round trips that I've done, without issues finding space for a family of four on one trip, and just myself on a second trip.
Set yourself up for expert mode on United, and look for upgrade space if you want confirmed seats at booking. Two round trips that I've done, without issues finding space for a family of four on one trip, and just myself on a second trip.
And as far as upgrade space goes, that flight is at P8 PN0, so even a GS using a GPU would be waitlisted at the moment.
Oct 23, 2017, 10:10 am
#200
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Have you looked at either mileage or upgrade awards via ICN? I'll bet there is plenty of space on those flights (UA or OZ to Korea, and OZ on to MEL) given the jitters on the peninsula these days.
Oct 23, 2017, 10:21 am
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
Oct 23, 2017, 10:24 am
#202
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Nov 12, 2017, 8:15 pm
#203
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: somewhere in NSW.....
Posts: 86
I'm just trying to look for some space between Aussie and USA using mileage plus upgrade from economy for the beginning of October 2018 and am finding no availability. Has all of the upgrade space been snapped up that quickly or do they not release it that far in advance?
Thx...
-j
Thx...
-j
Nov 12, 2017, 8:27 pm
#204
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
I'm just trying to look for some space between Aussie and USA using mileage plus upgrade from economy for the beginning of October 2018 and am finding no availability. Has all of the upgrade space been snapped up that quickly or do they not release it that far in advance?
Nov 12, 2017, 8:44 pm
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
I'm just trying to look for some space between Aussie and USA using mileage plus upgrade from economy for the beginning of October 2018 and am finding no availability. Has all of the upgrade space been snapped up that quickly or do they not release it that far in advance?
Thx...
-j
Thx...
-j
Also, remember to limit your search to the gateway cities -- MEL-LAX or SYD-LAX/SFO/IAH -- even if you're planning to connect. Upgrades are cleared on a segment-by-segment basis, so if the long flight is available, you'd clear on that even if you're actually booking a connection.
Good luck.
Nov 12, 2017, 8:52 pm
#206
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
Programs: UA1K, QF Plat, *A & Marriot Gold, OW Emerald, Hyatt Hertz PC CanPass Nexus APEC Global Entry
Posts: 468
I fly the LAX-MEL route 6-7 times per year and usually have good success waiting 2-3 weeks before I want to travel and then call the desk, give them a 4 day window to travel and I have got an instant upgrade every time using a GPU , usually it is a tuesday if that makes your search easier
Nov 12, 2017, 10:18 pm
#207
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
In January 2017 I booked LAX-SYD and MEL-LAX for Novombee 2017. Couldn’t find R on weekend travel days, but was fairly open for midweek travel, with MEL generally having more R availability (some days even being R>4). Not sure if that’s was normal or a system malfunction - but it stayed that way for a few days while we firmed up plans.
Nov 12, 2017, 11:10 pm
#208
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: SYD, CBR, BDL
Programs: UA 1K, VA Platinum
Posts: 1,198
I find R>0 for the Australia routes quite often at release 330 days out. But you have to be quick as it is usually R=2 or R=3, then nothing until the flight gets closer. It’s definitely a game though. Have to check every date and every flight. I’ve been successful though about 8 times in the last 2 years
Nov 12, 2017, 11:49 pm
#209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,414
In January 2017 I booked LAX-SYD and MEL-LAX for Novombee 2017. Couldn’t find R on weekend travel days, but was fairly open for midweek travel, with MEL generally having more R availability (some days even being R>4). Not sure if that’s was normal or a system malfunction - but it stayed that way for a few days while we firmed up plans.