Post 3-Mar-2012:How to find upgrade inventory [+how to see fare bucket availability]
Mar 8, 2012, 12:11 pm
#46
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Ambassador/Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 590
In the past when I purchased economy tickets on United and wanted to immediately upgrade to business class, I could find the code NC and if it had a number next to it, I wouldn't have to be waitlisted. Today I found codes on the new website but it appears the codes have changed. Can someone tell me what codes to look for to immediately upgrade to business class? I called customer service but was disconnected three times. Thanks.
There are four different types of upgrade space available in the new United:
So, here's the drill, and it really is quite simple.
That's all there is to it. Piece of cake.
If you want to get a bit more fancy and make it even easier - AND if you have a browser which supports GreaseMonkey scripts - I've created a script which causes the inventory to always be displayed for all flights and which highlights the award buckets. The downside is that there is no "X" button to close it and it obscures some other information, but I like the inventory info more so that's how I roll. For more information on that script check out my post here. Version 6.1 of the script is the first to support the new United.com and PSS site in it; older versions need to be upgraded.
This is what the page looks like with the script enabled:
Note the red/green coloring of the award buckets. Easy, at-a-glance information on upgrades and awards without too much effort at all.
- Miles/Instrument Coach->Biz (R/RN)
- Top Elite B/M->One cabin higher (PN)
- All Elite Y->One cabin higher (JN)
- Miles/Instrument Biz->First (ON)
So, here's the drill, and it really is quite simple.
- Do a normal revenue search for the flight you're interested in. One way or round trip doesn't matter. You just need a REVENUE fare search page that shows the results for the flight/date you are interested in.
- On the results page look in the right-most column. The third row should say something like "Fare Class: United Economy (W)" on it. Note that the words Fare Class are a hyperlink.
- Click that link and you will see all the inventory buckets for the flight:
That's all there is to it. Piece of cake.
If you want to get a bit more fancy and make it even easier - AND if you have a browser which supports GreaseMonkey scripts - I've created a script which causes the inventory to always be displayed for all flights and which highlights the award buckets. The downside is that there is no "X" button to close it and it obscures some other information, but I like the inventory info more so that's how I roll. For more information on that script check out my post here. Version 6.1 of the script is the first to support the new United.com and PSS site in it; older versions need to be upgraded.
This is what the page looks like with the script enabled:
Note the red/green coloring of the award buckets. Easy, at-a-glance information on upgrades and awards without too much effort at all.
Mar 8, 2012, 12:59 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold 1 Presidence Circle
Posts: 662
Finding upgrade seats
sbm12 - great job and very well detailed search solution that everyone seem to appreciate.
However, I am too lazy to click on each result's 'Fare Class' link and review each box's fare codes, especially when the result yields lots of flights. I am still sticking to the other method you showed me a while back - click on the Advanced link and selecting MileagePlus Upgrade Award box. Easy to see which flights are upgradable as it is indicated in red so I just skip over those flights.
However, I am too lazy to click on each result's 'Fare Class' link and review each box's fare codes, especially when the result yields lots of flights. I am still sticking to the other method you showed me a while back - click on the Advanced link and selecting MileagePlus Upgrade Award box. Easy to see which flights are upgradable as it is indicated in red so I just skip over those flights.
Mar 8, 2012, 1:18 pm
#48
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Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
In this context - M-Ups - it is GS and 1K.
Business class awards for elites and non-elites, respectively. Any award that has no seats will show in red with the GreaseMonkey script enabled.
Because they aren't upgrading folks yet. Upgrades can begin to clear at that point but there is no guarantee that they will. And you might not even be #1 on the priority for the seat.
No and no.
Mar 8, 2012, 1:23 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold 1 Presidence Circle
Posts: 662
Yes, I saw that in your post; unfortunately I don't have a browser that supports GreaseMonkey.
Mar 8, 2012, 1:32 pm
#50
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
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Posts: 10,159
Under the heading "learning the new website"...hopefully not Off Topic.
I just purchased an international itinerary with R space.
I cannot figure out how to apply the GPU.
I can see where to change seats, but nothing about applying an upgrade certificate. Would someone be kind enough to point me to the hidden location? I would like to apply it before the R space disappears.
Thanks.
I just purchased an international itinerary with R space.
I cannot figure out how to apply the GPU.
I can see where to change seats, but nothing about applying an upgrade certificate. Would someone be kind enough to point me to the hidden location? I would like to apply it before the R space disappears.
Thanks.
Mar 8, 2012, 1:37 pm
#51
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Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...r-upgrade.html
Should work the same for your own reservation, namely click the option beneath the flights listed to process an upgrade. If that isn't there then you can try to change your seat to one in the forward cabin - that used to work - or just call it in.
Should work the same for your own reservation, namely click the option beneath the flights listed to process an upgrade. If that isn't there then you can try to change your seat to one in the forward cabin - that used to work - or just call it in.
Mar 8, 2012, 1:38 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Olympia, WA
Programs: AK, DL,UA
Posts: 360
Under the heading "learning the new website"...hopefully not Off Topic.
I just purchased an international itinerary with R space.
I cannot figure out how to apply the GPU.
I can see where to change seats, but nothing about applying an upgrade certificate. Would someone be kind enough to point me to the hidden location? I would like to apply it before the R space disappears.
Thanks.
I just purchased an international itinerary with R space.
I cannot figure out how to apply the GPU.
I can see where to change seats, but nothing about applying an upgrade certificate. Would someone be kind enough to point me to the hidden location? I would like to apply it before the R space disappears.
Thanks.
Mar 8, 2012, 1:39 pm
#53
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold 1 Presidence Circle
Posts: 662
Under the heading "learning the new website"...hopefully not Off Topic.
I just purchased an international itinerary with R space.
I cannot figure out how to apply the GPU.
I can see where to change seats, but nothing about applying an upgrade certificate. Would someone be kind enough to point me to the hidden location? I would like to apply it before the R space disappears.
Thanks.
I just purchased an international itinerary with R space.
I cannot figure out how to apply the GPU.
I can see where to change seats, but nothing about applying an upgrade certificate. Would someone be kind enough to point me to the hidden location? I would like to apply it before the R space disappears.
Thanks.
Mar 8, 2012, 1:50 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
Finally got an upgrade button to push. I think maybe it took a while to ticket or something.
But still can't apply the GPU. I can see it on the site, but no action to apply it. On phone with agent now....some type of known problem apparently.
Thanks for the help, though.
Mar 8, 2012, 1:53 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold 1 Presidence Circle
Posts: 662
Yes, W fare specifically to use the GPU.
Finally got an upgrade button to push. I think maybe it took a while to ticket or something.
But still can't apply the GPU. I can see it on the site, but no action to apply it. On phone with agent now....some type of known problem apparently.
Thanks for the help, though.
Finally got an upgrade button to push. I think maybe it took a while to ticket or something.
But still can't apply the GPU. I can see it on the site, but no action to apply it. On phone with agent now....some type of known problem apparently.
Thanks for the help, though.
Mar 8, 2012, 2:16 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
All good now, upgrades confirmed. Only 30 minutes or so on the phone this time.
Wait. Spoke too soon. Reservation now has the red message "! A modification has been made to your itinerary. Please contact United Reservations to have your ticket reissued."
What is the current thinking. Do I need to call in or does this fix itself?
Last edited by goodeats21; Mar 8, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Mar 8, 2012, 2:47 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold 1 Presidence Circle
Posts: 662
Yes, agent confirmed some type of known issue with applying GPU to reservations online. She mentioned she has spent many calls today manually applying them (or something like that).
All good now, upgrades confirmed. Only 30 minutes or so on the phone this time.
Wait. Spoke too soon. Reservation now has the red message "! A modification has been made to your itinerary. Please contact United Reservations to have your ticket reissued."
What is the current thinking. Do I need to call in or does this fix itself?
All good now, upgrades confirmed. Only 30 minutes or so on the phone this time.
Wait. Spoke too soon. Reservation now has the red message "! A modification has been made to your itinerary. Please contact United Reservations to have your ticket reissued."
What is the current thinking. Do I need to call in or does this fix itself?
Mar 8, 2012, 3:30 pm
#58
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Another great tool from sbm12
Mahalo
Mahalo
Mar 8, 2012, 4:14 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA, OGG(I wish)
Programs: was UA 1K now Gold, cuz UA 1.3 MM; HA,DL,AS (no status in these), Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,238
Yes, W fare specifically to use the GPU.
Finally got an upgrade button to push. I think maybe it took a while to ticket or something.
But still can't apply the GPU. I can see it on the site, but no action to apply it. On phone with agent now....some type of known problem apparently.
Thanks for the help, though.
Finally got an upgrade button to push. I think maybe it took a while to ticket or something.
But still can't apply the GPU. I can see it on the site, but no action to apply it. On phone with agent now....some type of known problem apparently.
Thanks for the help, though.
Mar 9, 2012, 5:04 pm
#60
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SCE, GRU
Programs: UA MP Premier Gold (Life), Hyatt Explorer, Various other hotel FS pgms
Posts: 195
In the past when I purchased economy tickets on United and wanted to immediately upgrade to business class, I could find the code NC and if it had a number next to it, I wouldn't have to be waitlisted. Today I found codes on the new website but it appears the codes have changed. Can someone tell me what codes to look for to immediately upgrade to business class? I called customer service but was disconnected three times. Thanks.