Apr 3, 2019, 8:38 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the master thread is UA MP Saver Award/Upgrade Inventory (& partners) -when is it released?
United Saver Award/Upgrade Inventory (& partners) - when is it released? [Archive]
Jan 5, 2019, 7:17 pm
#3526
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 427
A happy update -- I was finally able to snag a HKT-BKK-OSL-EWR saver award (90K). A bit of a long trek home, but glad to have found something at least. Curious to try SAS, just hope the infamous LN-RKP won't be in rotation by then.
It could have been snagged. Award space on desirable carriers to desirable destinations tends not to last long. CA is much less desirable than the other carriers you mention, for a number of reasons.
Note that partner awards are always saver awards. Everyday awards are only offered on UA metal (despite what the website may seem to indicate).
Keep checking, as award space will often come and go. And when you see something you like, grab it.
Note that partner awards are always saver awards. Everyday awards are only offered on UA metal (despite what the website may seem to indicate).
Keep checking, as award space will often come and go. And when you see something you like, grab it.
Jan 5, 2019, 7:31 pm
#3527
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,472
It's pretty bad, I hope it improves. I searched the entire year and saw one UA saver business seat on HKG-SFO. Funny enough though, I booked SFO-NRT in ANA F via Avianca for late November because I assumed United would release no space, and then it just so happened that once United's booking window opened about a month later on that particular day they did have saver business on SFO-NRT and SFO-HND.
Jan 7, 2019, 10:19 am
#3528
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 114
I messed up and didn't book our flight back for our honeymoon in July (stilling kicking myself for this) when there was saver award availability on Austrian, Swiss, and Lufthansa in J, flying from ATH to ORD with one stop max. By the time I tried to book, there was no availability, not even in coach. Unfortunately, we can't be flexible with the date, we have to fly back on July 16. I waited over a month, checking over and over, and finally was able to book at saver award in coach on Lufthansa, at least to have some flight home.
I'd be fine paying the fee to switch flights when something else becomes available. I know some airlines release more seats 21 days out, but I can't find much on here or online that talks about Austrian and how they release award space. The seat map for the flight home is pretty empty now, but I know business travel is booked closer to the date. I also have Expert Flyer alert set.
Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?
Edit: I have to book via United due to miles, hence why I'm posting here.
I'd be fine paying the fee to switch flights when something else becomes available. I know some airlines release more seats 21 days out, but I can't find much on here or online that talks about Austrian and how they release award space. The seat map for the flight home is pretty empty now, but I know business travel is booked closer to the date. I also have Expert Flyer alert set.
Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?
Edit: I have to book via United due to miles, hence why I'm posting here.
Last edited by smurov; Jan 7, 2019 at 11:43 am Reason: Added info
Jan 7, 2019, 12:55 pm
#3529
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
Many options can open up in the last 14 days, even down to the final day. It's worth keeping an eye on things if you have a strong desire to change -- they will open the seats to awards if they think there's a substantial risk of flying empty.
Jan 7, 2019, 1:21 pm
#3530
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,474
And mid-July, there is definitely a reasonable chance that seats open.
Jan 7, 2019, 1:59 pm
#3531
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 114
I hope so...right now there is only one day in July with a business saver award in J for Austrian, while August has 18...(the VIE-ORD leg for reference - although we'd fly from ATH to VIE first).
Also, looking at Swiss, for two J award tickets from ZRH-ORD, there are 13 days available in June and 19 days available in August, but 0 in July...seems odd to me...
Also, looking at Swiss, for two J award tickets from ZRH-ORD, there are 13 days available in June and 19 days available in August, but 0 in July...seems odd to me...
Last edited by smurov; Jan 7, 2019 at 3:42 pm Reason: Added Swiss Availability
Jan 8, 2019, 5:13 pm
#3532
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 273
Same. I’ve been watching for 1-way Saver Business awards from FRA-IAD in early Aug and there is just nothing available. There are almost no Economy Saver awards either. Just being patient at this point.
Jan 9, 2019, 8:45 pm
#3533
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
I definitely find that there is less availability of premium cabin flights from SFO to major Asian cities (either on UA metal or partner airlines) like NRT or TPE than one year ago. (There used to be many EVA flights.) There are still plenty of economy tickets available but those would be very bad value for award redemption.
Jan 15, 2019, 12:06 pm
#3534
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: MSN
Posts: 125
Can anyone confirm what I think I'm seeing in regards to J availability close to departure (~2 weeks)?
Trying to get 2 seats in J from DPS to ORD with preferred routing of DPS-BKK-TYO-ORD. It appears that availability opens up on the BKK-TYO and TYO-ORD routes pretty close to departure. Makes me nervous but I'm whiling to wait but also I want to put on my tin foil hat thinking United wants to cash in on the close in booking fees...
Trying to get 2 seats in J from DPS to ORD with preferred routing of DPS-BKK-TYO-ORD. It appears that availability opens up on the BKK-TYO and TYO-ORD routes pretty close to departure. Makes me nervous but I'm whiling to wait but also I want to put on my tin foil hat thinking United wants to cash in on the close in booking fees...
Jan 15, 2019, 12:08 pm
#3535
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Jan 16, 2019, 12:39 pm
#3536
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Once a somebody now a nobody
Posts: 518
Maybe this was reported up thread but has anyone noticed TAP space not showing on UA? I was looking at the new ORD-LIS flight and TAP and AC were showing it available in saver J...but not UA.
Jan 16, 2019, 12:50 pm
#3537
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 312
Yup, both TP and SQ aren't working for UA award tickets....
Jan 17, 2019, 3:27 am
#3538
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
Domestic award ticket availability
Hello,
I wanted to book a biz class ticket from MAN -(SQ)- IAH -(UA)- SFO and there are availabilities for the international part (which is good). However, I am having trouble with finding an award ticket from IAH to SFO. When will UA release the award tickets? And should I call SQ to make the booking (searching on the website MAN-IAH is good, IAH-SFO in eco is good, in biz no saver) ?
It's my 1st time try to book a domestic SA ticket. If there are any hints, please suggest!
Thanks!
I wanted to book a biz class ticket from MAN -(SQ)- IAH -(UA)- SFO and there are availabilities for the international part (which is good). However, I am having trouble with finding an award ticket from IAH to SFO. When will UA release the award tickets? And should I call SQ to make the booking (searching on the website MAN-IAH is good, IAH-SFO in eco is good, in biz no saver) ?
It's my 1st time try to book a domestic SA ticket. If there are any hints, please suggest!
Thanks!
Jan 17, 2019, 4:54 am
#3539
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
Are you trying to book as one ticket or two separate tickets?
Are you fixed on connecting through SFO to IAH?
Are you fixed on connecting through SFO to IAH?
Jan 17, 2019, 8:06 am
#3540
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Hello,
I wanted to book a biz class ticket from MAN -(SQ)- IAH -(UA)- SFO and there are availabilities for the international part (which is good). However, I am having trouble with finding an award ticket from IAH to SFO. When will UA release the award tickets? And should I call SQ to make the booking (searching on the website MAN-IAH is good, IAH-SFO in eco is good, in biz no saver) ?
It's my 1st time try to book a domestic SA ticket. If there are any hints, please suggest!
Thanks!
I wanted to book a biz class ticket from MAN -(SQ)- IAH -(UA)- SFO and there are availabilities for the international part (which is good). However, I am having trouble with finding an award ticket from IAH to SFO. When will UA release the award tickets? And should I call SQ to make the booking (searching on the website MAN-IAH is good, IAH-SFO in eco is good, in biz no saver) ?
It's my 1st time try to book a domestic SA ticket. If there are any hints, please suggest!
Thanks!
That said, UA rarely offers domestic business class awards to anyone -- partners or otherwise -- more than a few days in advance, especially on a hub-to-hub route like IAH-SFO. It's likely that they will sell every business class seat on the plane, so they don't have any particular need to offer award tickets.
Your odds might be slightly better finding LHR-SFO, but that's a tough award too unless you're willing to travel off-peak times.
When are you looking to travel, and how flexible are in you in terms of dates?