bseller

Two of us, both Plat, are flying SFO-ORD this Monday morning. W fares purchased and RPUs applied at booking approximately 7 months ago. So far, so good although nothing has cleared.

On Friday, UA began offering UFC on their 3 available F class tix for $469 each, and two were still available this morning at the same price. We passed since we've got E+, with a window/aisle combination. Unfortunately, I've got a bum back and began to worry about someone in the middle seat keeping me immobile for 4 1/2 hours. So, we bought the middle seat - as an EXST - All well and good.

NOW, for the fun part! Our (extra) unoccupied middle seat was offered an upgrade for $209! HAHAHAHA.

UA is truly running a unique business model.

Dave

Kacee

I'm guessing Mr. EXST didn't have UA status

bseller

Nope, you've got that right! He was also offered the opportunity to upgrade with mileage - while our RPUs sit idly by and will (ultimately) go unused.
Dave

1kBill

I wonder if Mr. EXST took the upgrade, then checked in and boarded, and "took" his seat, if UA would let it go out empty?

I can see the FB and/or Twitter storms already!

cfischer

that's odd. Would require R to be open. Did you check? If R is available you can call and have them clear the RPU.

Kacee

Reports are they can no longer clear manually within 3 hours of departure.

cfischer

my experience is ... they do. You can no longer waitlist, but they can clear you. Whether you get an agent to do it is another question, but frankly if upgrades with miles are offered you should be able to clear an RPU via remove re-apply if needed.

Kacee

When did you last accomplish this? Multiple reports that the capability has been removed from agents.

tarheelnj

I did this back at the beginning of this year on a LAX-EWR flight with a UC agent. R was available about T-2 and he was able to clear an RPU. As you suggest, though, that may no longer be an option now.

WineCountryUA

Did you buy this as a separate PNR? or in conjunction with your existing PNR?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...d-flights.html

Curious if you can be waitlisted and have a valid EXTRASEAT on the same PNR? Os have separate offers for those on the same PNR? (before PNR is split for check-in)

cfischer

April or May, don't remember the exact date.

sfo789

Definitely harder but a far cry from impossible to find an agent willing to do it. Still unclear to me whether it's actual policy.

bseller

Separate PNR. And, the answer is yes, you can waitlist while simultaneously being the owner of an EXST.
At the time the Seat was offered his Mileage upgrade, I didn't see any open R space.

Dave

WineCountryUA

I was under the impression EXTRASEAT need to be on a common PNR with a real passenger

ermintrude

I forget when the announcement/memo came out - time flies but I think it was in April??

It would be interesting to hear recent pax experiences clearing available PN/R T-3.