Dec 30, 2014, 12:26 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Until 18 Oct 2018, upgrade space for RPU/GPUs was "R" ("PN" for GS), starting 19 Oct 2018 "R" has been replaced by "PZ"
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
"R" upgrade / fare class is missing! (replaced by PZ)
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
"R" upgrade / fare class is missing! (replaced by PZ)
Or you search AAA-DDD-BBB-CCC and R>0 but not the same number as BBB-CCC shows?
Why does AAA-BBB-CCC shows R=0 but the other routes R>0 (but not always the same amount)???
This is related to how fare class availability to created for multi-segment trips.
The fare class availability is displayed as the minimum of each same fare class inventory of all the segments. So if looking for a T fare, all the segments need to have T fare inventory. If any one is T=0, then the multi-segment results is 0 or whatever the minimum inventory is.
This is true for R --- but the good news is upgrades will clear based on individual segments (except in the case of Direct flights).
So in the above case, regardless of routing the BBB-CCC segment can clear on application of certs or miles.
The general recommendation is to search for the critical upgradeable segments individually -- note the R availability. Then book the desired multi-segment trip and apply the upgrade.
In the slim chance the R space disappears in the meantime, you can make use of the 24 hour free cancellation window to start-over.
R / PZ Avail changes depending on how you search flights
Mar 20, 2012, 2:23 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: CGK/KOA
Programs: AA ExPlat HH Diamond
Posts: 1,683
Here's some evidence of this craziness. Same flight (UA 116), different R/RN availability. I've been on hold for 1 hour with the 1K line and they can't figure it out. On their end, they don't see any R/RN availability! Craziness.
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Mar 20, 2012, 3:35 am
#17
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 184
Epic fail. First guy was non-US based, non-1K line (even though I called the 1K number) and basically said "what do you want me to do?" and went silent as if he just wanted me to go away.
Second lady was a US-based, 1K-line and had good intentions but couldn't do anything. I couldn't book online because I was searching for a HKG-BOS-TPE fare, but the website would let me search for those fares in W class (kept giving me Y or B despite what I put into the fare box). She couldn't see what I was seeing on the website in terms of availability and spent an hour sounding confused.
Do these agents have access to the Internet so they can search their own website and see what we are talking about? I got the sense that none of them had actually performed a search on their own website before and thus had nonsensical answers.
Second lady was a US-based, 1K-line and had good intentions but couldn't do anything. I couldn't book online because I was searching for a HKG-BOS-TPE fare, but the website would let me search for those fares in W class (kept giving me Y or B despite what I put into the fare box). She couldn't see what I was seeing on the website in terms of availability and spent an hour sounding confused.
Do these agents have access to the Internet so they can search their own website and see what we are talking about? I got the sense that none of them had actually performed a search on their own website before and thus had nonsensical answers.
Mar 20, 2012, 4:33 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: West Yorkshire
Programs: UA Plat 2.2MM, AA nobody, IHG Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 276
Epic fail. First guy was non-US based, non-1K line (even though I called the 1K number) and basically said "what do you want me to do?" and went silent as if he just wanted me to go away.
Second lady was a US-based, 1K-line and had good intentions but couldn't do anything. I couldn't book online because I was searching for a HKG-BOS-TPE fare, but the website would let me search for those fares in W class (kept giving me Y or B despite what I put into the fare box). She couldn't see what I was seeing on the website in terms of availability and spent an hour sounding confused.
Do these agents have access to the Internet so they can search their own website and see what we are talking about? I got the sense that none of them had actually performed a search on their own website before and thus had nonsensical answers.
Second lady was a US-based, 1K-line and had good intentions but couldn't do anything. I couldn't book online because I was searching for a HKG-BOS-TPE fare, but the website would let me search for those fares in W class (kept giving me Y or B despite what I put into the fare box). She couldn't see what I was seeing on the website in terms of availability and spent an hour sounding confused.
Do these agents have access to the Internet so they can search their own website and see what we are talking about? I got the sense that none of them had actually performed a search on their own website before and thus had nonsensical answers.
The reason you won't have got a W fare is because of the open jaw between different countries assuming you really mean hkg-bos-tpe. You probably want two one way tickets to avoid the fare issue.
And no the agents don't access the web site - that's why any request along the lines of "but I can see X" get punted off to web support. Whilst there are lots of annoying things about the new website, I think the logic behind showing fare classes for the whole flight is correct, if frustrating when looking for R availability. .bomb didn't use to do that which led to lots of confusion as to why tickets came out in higher fare classes than people thought they could see. The fact we want to see R availability by segment is not really one that troubles the average traveller!
Apr 2, 2012, 1:20 pm
#19
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
Married segment hell (Upgrades)
I have a direct one-stop flight tomorrow DCA-ORD-DEN
There is "R" space on ORD-DEN (A320) but nothing on DCA-ORD (B757).
I called UA and they told me that even if they COULD split the flights (which they can't) they still wouldn't be able to upgrade me.
Anything else I can do (besides not book married segments ever again)?
There is "R" space on ORD-DEN (A320) but nothing on DCA-ORD (B757).
I called UA and they told me that even if they COULD split the flights (which they can't) they still wouldn't be able to upgrade me.
Anything else I can do (besides not book married segments ever again)?
Apr 2, 2012, 1:29 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
So, I would call back and hope to get a legacy CO rep. CO used to do this sort of thing from time to time.
Apr 2, 2012, 1:31 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: CO (now UA) 1K / Hyatt Platinum / UMPPPC / SLH Honoured
Posts: 108
I might be missing something about your post that I don't understand, but on PMCO there was never a problem getting upgraded on one hop of a multi-hop flight if upgrade space was available for that hop.
Apr 2, 2012, 1:32 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
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The OP is not correctly using the term "married."
Apr 2, 2012, 1:44 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: MCO
Programs: UA1K/2MM; LT United Club; HH Diamond; MR LT Titanium; IHG Plat; National EE
Posts: 467
Was told splitting segments "against policy"
In January, I had two SFO-FLL "direct" flights (separate r/t) that not only stopped in IAH, but I had to change gates AND equipment. (Since when is that NOT a connection?)
On the first go-round I lucked out and a PMCO agent split the segments and I scored the upgrade. On the second trip I couldn't find anyone that was willing or able to do it (and was told it was specifically prohibited at my home airport), and sat in coach the whole trip.
I wrote a letter at the end of January, NOT because I didn't get upgraded, but because I think they should either sell it as a connector or split the segments. Of course, haven't heard back...
On the first go-round I lucked out and a PMCO agent split the segments and I scored the upgrade. On the second trip I couldn't find anyone that was willing or able to do it (and was told it was specifically prohibited at my home airport), and sat in coach the whole trip.
I wrote a letter at the end of January, NOT because I didn't get upgraded, but because I think they should either sell it as a connector or split the segments. Of course, haven't heard back...
Apr 2, 2012, 1:57 pm
#24
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
Apr 2, 2012, 2:03 pm
#25
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Location: Bay Area, CA
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Posts: 35,068
Married segments refers to inventory differences when you look at flights together vs. separately.
e.g.,
DCA-ORD-DEN may be S0; but
DCA-ORD may be S9
ORD-DEN may be S9
(or vice versa).
Apr 2, 2012, 2:05 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: AA Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,933
EDIT: channa beat me to it
Apr 2, 2012, 2:31 pm
#28
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
Ok, so I am using the term correctly, I just didn't explain it well.
These are indeed married segments. The "R" availability shows "0" when the flight is DCA-DEN, but if you look at the segments individually, ORD-DEN shows as "R2".
So I took the advice listed here and called again. After a lengthy hold, the agent was able to get a supervisor to break up the flight into two individual segments.
However, I am still in coach on the ORD-DEN flight, even though it still shows "R2." Should I be able to confirm that with CPU, or will I need to wait for the 24 hour window (which is in just a few hours).
These are indeed married segments. The "R" availability shows "0" when the flight is DCA-DEN, but if you look at the segments individually, ORD-DEN shows as "R2".
So I took the advice listed here and called again. After a lengthy hold, the agent was able to get a supervisor to break up the flight into two individual segments.
However, I am still in coach on the ORD-DEN flight, even though it still shows "R2." Should I be able to confirm that with CPU, or will I need to wait for the 24 hour window (which is in just a few hours).
Apr 2, 2012, 2:37 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 1,208
Ok, so I am using the term correctly, I just didn't explain it well.
These are indeed married segments. The "R" availability shows "0" when the flight is DCA-DEN, but if you look at the segments individually, ORD-DEN shows as "R2".
So I took the advice listed here and called again. After a lengthy hold, the agent was able to get a supervisor to break up the flight into two individual segments.
However, I am still in coach on the ORD-DEN flight, even though it still shows "R2." Should I be able to confirm that with CPU, or will I need to wait for the 24 hour window (which is in just a few hours).
These are indeed married segments. The "R" availability shows "0" when the flight is DCA-DEN, but if you look at the segments individually, ORD-DEN shows as "R2".
So I took the advice listed here and called again. After a lengthy hold, the agent was able to get a supervisor to break up the flight into two individual segments.
However, I am still in coach on the ORD-DEN flight, even though it still shows "R2." Should I be able to confirm that with CPU, or will I need to wait for the 24 hour window (which is in just a few hours).
and i don't htink you are using the term correctly. "married" has only to do w/pricing, nothing to do w/upgrades. yours is direct. already explained above.
Apr 2, 2012, 2:39 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Since in your case, there is no DCA-ORD-DEN, just DCA-DEN as one flight number, it's not your usual married segments encounter.
So I took the advice listed here and called again. After a lengthy hold, the agent was able to get a supervisor to break up the flight into two individual segments.
However, I am still in coach on the ORD-DEN flight, even though it still shows "R2." Should I be able to confirm that with CPU, or will I need to wait for the 24 hour window (which is in just a few hours).
However, I am still in coach on the ORD-DEN flight, even though it still shows "R2." Should I be able to confirm that with CPU, or will I need to wait for the 24 hour window (which is in just a few hours).
Additionally, with R holdbacks in some markets (where R doesn't run down to zero during the sweep), there could be many people ahead of you. It's impossible to tell.