upgrade to HKG - better chance via ORD or EWR?
Jan 4, 2012, 4:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA plat (1 mm miler) ; AA plat (2 mm miler); Marriott lifetime Titanium
Posts: 918
upgrade to HKG - better chance via ORD or EWR?
I am planning to fly to Hong Kong from NYC the end of next week (Fri 1/13). The non-stop ex EWR currently shows 21 seats unassigned in biz. This flight used to be CO but both the continental.com and united.com show it as operated by UA.
The UA flight ex ORD shows 26 seats unassigned.
I would prefer to take the EWR flight since it is a non-stop. However, I want to maximize my chance of an upgrade.
Would appreciate any insight as to whether I have a better chance on one versus the other. I will be using an SWU and am a 1K.
The UA flight ex ORD shows 26 seats unassigned.
I would prefer to take the EWR flight since it is a non-stop. However, I want to maximize my chance of an upgrade.
Would appreciate any insight as to whether I have a better chance on one versus the other. I will be using an SWU and am a 1K.
Jan 4, 2012, 6:58 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2002
Location: US
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 1,746
I can say that the general consensus for PMUA flights is that ORD/SFO-HKG flights are in the top two or three most difficult routes to upgrade (HKG, SYD and SFO-FRA all vie for top honors).
Having said that, your date does look pretty open from either EWR or ORD. I would probably take the non-stop given that it eliminates the chance for your upgrade to clear, only to mis-connect.
Of course, the higher the booking class the better the shot. So if you are forced to buy M or above, given the current load I wouldn't be too nervous.
Having said that, your date does look pretty open from either EWR or ORD. I would probably take the non-stop given that it eliminates the chance for your upgrade to clear, only to mis-connect.
Of course, the higher the booking class the better the shot. So if you are forced to buy M or above, given the current load I wouldn't be too nervous.
Jan 4, 2012, 7:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Discussed here in great detail:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...d-threads.html
(including EWR as well).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...d-threads.html
(including EWR as well).
Jan 4, 2012, 7:10 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K MM | Marriott LTT | National Car EE
Posts: 694
I can say that the general consensus for PMUA flights is that ORD/SFO-HKG flights are in the top two or three most difficult routes to upgrade (HKG, SYD and SFO-FRA all vie for top honors).
Having said that, your date does look pretty open from either EWR or ORD. I would probably take the non-stop given that it eliminates the chance for your upgrade to clear, only to mis-connect.
Of course, the higher the booking class the better the shot. So if you are forced to buy M or above, given the current load I wouldn't be too nervous.
Having said that, your date does look pretty open from either EWR or ORD. I would probably take the non-stop given that it eliminates the chance for your upgrade to clear, only to mis-connect.
Of course, the higher the booking class the better the shot. So if you are forced to buy M or above, given the current load I wouldn't be too nervous.
Jan 4, 2012, 8:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYS
Programs: UA 1K MM, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 311
I have been on a waitlist for 99 on 1/9/12 since Mid November when there at least 25 seats showing available. Today in the AM as I watched the Fare Class dwindle down to the last 3 seats, I decided to switch to 79 via NRT. They are currently showing about 25 seats available. Was upgraded right away on the NRT-HKG and I am still waitlisted for the EWR-NRT. I figured being Plat or 1K on CO I have a good chance of clearing. The lower fare made the change fee disappear and I figured I couldnt end up worse than I was on 99. Hope I'm right!
Jan 6, 2012, 9:28 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, MR Bonvoy Bonzaiiiii, National EE
Posts: 622
Connecting in Chicago
Can't answer your question on the upgrade, but I would lean towards the nonstop. While we haven't had much snow thusfar, I try to avoid connecting, especially in Chicago during the winter.
A few years back there was a Tsunami in Hong Kong that delayed my return flight and I missed my connection in Chicago en route home, along with all other flights from ORD-EWR. Spent a few hours in a crap hotel in Chicago and swore to never connect again if I can avoid it.
A few years back there was a Tsunami in Hong Kong that delayed my return flight and I missed my connection in Chicago en route home, along with all other flights from ORD-EWR. Spent a few hours in a crap hotel in Chicago and swore to never connect again if I can avoid it.
Jan 6, 2012, 10:44 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: WAS
Programs: UA 1K MM | Marriott LTT | National Car EE
Posts: 694
without really knowing how to validate this, i've thought that because PMUA has a larger flyerbase than PMCO, the ex-ORD flights are more utilized than the ex-EWR flights. my assumption is that there is a larger elite base to compete for UGs on the United flight, which is fed seeing more posts on missing UGs on that flight. given i haven't failed an UG yet ex-EWR (n=3) with no flights on ex-ORD yet i don't think that's enough to come to any kind of conclusion on my part...
do others see the same?
do others see the same?
Jan 6, 2012, 1:10 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOI (formerly ORD)
Programs: UA 1K 1.4MM; AA PLT 2.5MM; Hilton Diamond; Starwood Gold; Hyatt Platinum; Amex MR; Chase UR, et al
Posts: 465
Clear right away on CO79
As of right now, on 1/13, CO79 has 1 upgrade available all the way through to HKG. 79 flies EWR-NRT-HKG (738 on NRT-HKG)
Otherwise, both the CO and UA flights look pretty good, considering you're a week out. If it were me, I'd buy a Q fare (at least) on the UA flight and be pretty confident that I'll beat out the folks that bought the lowest upgradable fare (as many do) and thus my late addition to the list won't matter (whereas it will on CO). Of course, YMMV.
CO 79 1 Stop
EWR 01/13/12 10:45 AM
HKG 01/14/12 9:30 PM
77E
First/Business - Upgrade with Miles/SWU/CR1 R 1
First/Business - Upgrade with Miles/SWU/CR1 for Elites RN 1
EWR 01/13/12 10:45 AM
HKG 01/14/12 9:30 PM
77E
First/Business - Upgrade with Miles/SWU/CR1 R 1
First/Business - Upgrade with Miles/SWU/CR1 for Elites RN 1
Jan 7, 2012, 12:28 am
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,353
I will be flying PHL-SIN in mid-February.
If I read this thread correctly, I stand a better chance of being upgraded with SWUs by going ex-EWR to HKG rather than going ex-ORD to HKG or NRT, is that correct?
Also, .bomb is showing that the EWR-HKG flight is operated by United - shouldn't that flight be operated by CO instead?
Many thanks in advance for any advice on being able to score that upgrade on the Transpac segment. I'll deal with HKG-SIN or NRT-SIN separately and will be fine with E+.
If I read this thread correctly, I stand a better chance of being upgraded with SWUs by going ex-EWR to HKG rather than going ex-ORD to HKG or NRT, is that correct?
Also, .bomb is showing that the EWR-HKG flight is operated by United - shouldn't that flight be operated by CO instead?
Many thanks in advance for any advice on being able to score that upgrade on the Transpac segment. I'll deal with HKG-SIN or NRT-SIN separately and will be fine with E+.
i like the meals better on CO and booked that flight hope its still a CO plane.
Jan 7, 2012, 8:25 am
#12
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,353
Jan 7, 2012, 8:36 am
#14
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Philadelphia, LAX, Paris
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, SPG/Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Lifetime HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 3,353
Jan 7, 2012, 8:37 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA plat (1 mm miler) ; AA plat (2 mm miler); Marriott lifetime Titanium
Posts: 918
flight 99 is still CO
I asked an agent for an explanation. After checking with a supervisor, she said both the UA and CO websites say "Operated by United" because the HK airport authority only allows one operating certificate for the merged airline. This may be old news, but apparently there are a few different countries that have similar rules. In such cases the operating carrier is listed as United.
Although the website and presumably other things like tickets will say "operated by United", it's still a CO aircraft, check-in is with CO and, most importantly for Flyertalkers, the upgrades are handled by CO and according to CO rules.
Although the website and presumably other things like tickets will say "operated by United", it's still a CO aircraft, check-in is with CO and, most importantly for Flyertalkers, the upgrades are handled by CO and according to CO rules.