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]
#1966
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
No Saver Awards PHL-LAX for June, July.
I have been looking for a saver award PHL-LAX for June and July, and there is not one seat. I know the defenders of Smisek will say, "keep checking back", but I need to get my vacation dates in soon, and I am trying to connect to an international flight on OZ which will not wait months, so waiting for months for UA to open a seat in those two months is not an option. MP = A total waste; Smisek = (I cannot say in polite company). Thanks Jeff for more things " we are goign to love".
#1967
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
So you are trying to find on all one award PHL-LAX-ICN or two separate tickets?
#1968
#1970
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold 1 Presidence Circle
Posts: 662
I have been looking for a saver award PHL-LAX for June and July, and there is not one seat. I know the defenders of Smisek will say, "keep checking back", but I need to get my vacation dates in soon, and I am trying to connect to an international flight on OZ which will not wait months, so waiting for months for UA to open a seat in those two months is not an option. MP = A total waste; Smisek = (I cannot say in polite company). Thanks Jeff for more things " we are goign to love".
#1971
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Zfv is wide open. Book that and waitlist for PHL.
#1972
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: Hilton Gold; UA 3P; Cattle-Class on everything else.
Posts: 340
Folks - just enough have enough miles to book 2-3 roundtrip Biz to Europe. BUT, UA inventory doesn't show up for me...I'm flexible on the destination too...This is the cheaper redemption, right?
There IS biz inventory - but it's always partner airlines, TK / LH / AC. I'm a lowly Premier Silver. Any chance to get UA biz-class awards? Anyone has any sample dates/itins where it (UA Biz) might be available to Europe?
My home airport is SFO. TIA
There IS biz inventory - but it's always partner airlines, TK / LH / AC. I'm a lowly Premier Silver. Any chance to get UA biz-class awards? Anyone has any sample dates/itins where it (UA Biz) might be available to Europe?
My home airport is SFO. TIA
#1973
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
I was going to suggest that you start with the UA flight from SFO-FRA, then build off of it. I generally find inventory in F 330 days out. So I just played with the route. Coach was routinely available but neither biz or F. It's quite a change. I kept bringing the dates in closer and closer. I finally found 2 dates in January with availability: Jan 19 and Jan 21. And there's Nov 25, 2 days from now. Not good.
Still, use this technique to search UA's routes to Europe. Tick nonstop flights. Check all the routes they have. It doesn't take long to scroll thru availability month after month. Once you find something you want, your challenge is to get the connecting flight to the gateway. I've found UA frustrating in only releasing Y seats domestically. Within Europe, it will be much easier to find C seats. LH and partners are quite good about releasing them.
Good luck.
Still, use this technique to search UA's routes to Europe. Tick nonstop flights. Check all the routes they have. It doesn't take long to scroll thru availability month after month. Once you find something you want, your challenge is to get the connecting flight to the gateway. I've found UA frustrating in only releasing Y seats domestically. Within Europe, it will be much easier to find C seats. LH and partners are quite good about releasing them.
Good luck.
#1974
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
I was going to suggest that you start with the UA flight from SFO-FRA, then build off of it. I generally find inventory in F 330 days out. So I just played with the route. Coach was routinely available but neither biz or F. It's quite a change. I kept bringing the dates in closer and closer. I finally found 2 dates in January with availability: Jan 19 and Jan 21. And there's Nov 25, 2 days from now. Not good.
Still, use this technique to search UA's routes to Europe. Tick nonstop flights. Check all the routes they have. It doesn't take long to scroll thru availability month after month. Once you find something you want, your challenge is to get the connecting flight to the gateway. I've found UA frustrating in only releasing Y seats domestically. Within Europe, it will be much easier to find C seats. LH and partners are quite good about releasing them.
Good luck.
Still, use this technique to search UA's routes to Europe. Tick nonstop flights. Check all the routes they have. It doesn't take long to scroll thru availability month after month. Once you find something you want, your challenge is to get the connecting flight to the gateway. I've found UA frustrating in only releasing Y seats domestically. Within Europe, it will be much easier to find C seats. LH and partners are quite good about releasing them.
Good luck.
#1975
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: Hilton Gold; UA 3P; Cattle-Class on everything else.
Posts: 340
Not too excited about this...it just means that 99% of the cases flying to Europe the lower award-rates (non-partner) are a farce...:-(
#1976
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Folks - just enough have enough miles to book 2-3 roundtrip Biz to Europe. BUT, UA inventory doesn't show up for me...I'm flexible on the destination too...This is the cheaper redemption, right?
There IS biz inventory - but it's always partner airlines, TK / LH / AC. I'm a lowly Premier Silver. Any chance to get UA biz-class awards? Anyone has any sample dates/itins where it (UA Biz) might be available to Europe?
My home airport is SFO. TIA
There IS biz inventory - but it's always partner airlines, TK / LH / AC. I'm a lowly Premier Silver. Any chance to get UA biz-class awards? Anyone has any sample dates/itins where it (UA Biz) might be available to Europe?
My home airport is SFO. TIA
#1977
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,169
TK is one of my personal faves...I actually like their looooong biz seats more than reverse herringbone. Even if not all-aisle access.
#1978
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Yes a very well cushioned and comfortable seat. Only downside (apart from lack of 100% direct aisle access) is that the video screen is so far away!
#1979
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: UA 2.6 MM, 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 115
Scoring a saver award to Europe for Christmas
Interested in the experience of my fellow FTers out there. I am planning to fly to Europe for Christmas using miles, currently looking for a flight from SMF/SFO to CDG/AMS/BRU/FRA around 12/19. Of course there are no saver awards anywhere around those dates.
I have reserved a standard award to CDG but will keep watching and hope to switch to a saver award up to one day to departure (1K thus no change fee) hopefully to J. This strategy was particularly successful over the summer.
I wanted to get an idea of your experience with this approach in the past for end of the year travel. I know that flexibility is key and am ready to add driving or train segments if needed.
Thank you for your feedback.
I have reserved a standard award to CDG but will keep watching and hope to switch to a saver award up to one day to departure (1K thus no change fee) hopefully to J. This strategy was particularly successful over the summer.
I wanted to get an idea of your experience with this approach in the past for end of the year travel. I know that flexibility is key and am ready to add driving or train segments if needed.
Thank you for your feedback.
#1980
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
I've been safe 3/3 so far in 2014 on switching to saver within 48 hours of departure so far.