No upgrades on BULK (consolidator) tickets?
Mar 23, 2012, 1:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 504
Bulk Tickets and Upgrades?
So a friend of mine purchased a travel package that was a hotel and airfare through united (S) from SFO to Hawaii and back for July. This may be a silly question but can I upgrade him using my global premier upgrades? I was told something about bulk tickets that didn't make sense to me as I almost always book directly through the airline.
Mar 23, 2012, 12:37 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 504
sorry for bump any help on this?I have to help my friend decide what to do by tonight (if he can't get upgraded he's going to cancel and take a cheaper routing through alaska)
Mar 23, 2012, 12:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SFO/JFK/MGA
Programs: UA 1P MM, AA-PP, AS, DL, HH G, SPG Gold, TA nada
Posts: 2,043
I am not really sure about GPU's. I do know that I have often booked tickets say through Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, in their bulk fares and have gotten UDU many times with UA. I don't see why one wouldn't be able to use a GPU unless it has a fare denial in the T&C's. One thing also is to make sure they travel provider actually tickets the reservation. I know with PHH they often waited until a week or so out to ticket it until I called and asked them to do it so I could at least get good E+ seats.
Mar 26, 2012, 7:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LAX, MMH
Programs: MMH MVP Charter Member, UA 1K MM
Posts: 418
I have been booking all my flights through the same travel agent for the last year, and the flights show up as bulk tickets. My flights this week were not added to the waitlist, and all the agents I have spoken with claim it is because bulk tickets are not upgradeable.
These are not priceline opaque fare tickets, but a $500+ domestic ticket. All flights are showing R>0 and I am within my window, but having a hell of a time convincing them that the ticket is eligible for an upgrade. In fact, I flew the same exact route on same fare, and same agent two weeks ago and WAS upgraded.
If it is this hard to get upgraded SAT-DEN-LAX, I am scared for my LAX-ICN-PVG-LAX flights in two weeks.
These are not priceline opaque fare tickets, but a $500+ domestic ticket. All flights are showing R>0 and I am within my window, but having a hell of a time convincing them that the ticket is eligible for an upgrade. In fact, I flew the same exact route on same fare, and same agent two weeks ago and WAS upgraded.
If it is this hard to get upgraded SAT-DEN-LAX, I am scared for my LAX-ICN-PVG-LAX flights in two weeks.
Apr 7, 2012, 5:51 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
No upgrades on BULK (consolidator) tickets?
I just purchased a ticket on travelocity (flight + hotel together), it booked in S class [the fare portion of the ticket cost was about $750].
I tried to apply a regional upgrade, called CS and the response of the agent was that "the system does not allow it." The shift supervisor confirmed it and said no upgrades will be provided in BULK tickets, unless it was purchased with United Vacation.
This is completely unacceptable. A complete change of policy from the previous United, where I often upgraded BULK tickets.
Did anyone hear about it and know how to get around it? Should I stop purchasing tickets from travelocity and other travel agencies?
I tried to apply a regional upgrade, called CS and the response of the agent was that "the system does not allow it." The shift supervisor confirmed it and said no upgrades will be provided in BULK tickets, unless it was purchased with United Vacation.
This is completely unacceptable. A complete change of policy from the previous United, where I often upgraded BULK tickets.
Did anyone hear about it and know how to get around it? Should I stop purchasing tickets from travelocity and other travel agencies?
Apr 7, 2012, 6:43 am
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, BA Gold, SQ TPP
Posts: 1,487
I just purchased a ticket on travelocity (flight + hotel together), it booked in S class [the fare portion of the ticket cost was about $750].
I tried to apply a regional upgrade, called CS and the response of the agent was that "the system does not allow it." The shift supervisor confirmed it and said no upgrades will be provided in BULK tickets, unless it was purchased with United Vacation.
This is completely unacceptable. A complete change of policy from the previous United, where I often upgraded BULK tickets.
Did anyone hear about it and know how to get around it? Should I stop purchasing tickets from travelocity and other travel agencies?
I tried to apply a regional upgrade, called CS and the response of the agent was that "the system does not allow it." The shift supervisor confirmed it and said no upgrades will be provided in BULK tickets, unless it was purchased with United Vacation.
This is completely unacceptable. A complete change of policy from the previous United, where I often upgraded BULK tickets.
Did anyone hear about it and know how to get around it? Should I stop purchasing tickets from travelocity and other travel agencies?
Apr 7, 2012, 6:46 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Changes you will like.
Apr 7, 2012, 7:17 am
#8
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Posts: 12,521
God, is this not the most over-used term here.
Since when are consolidator/priceline tickets upgradeable? Forget the fare class....even on pmUA hotwire and others didn't allow this.
OP - it may depend on the fare class and rules of travelocity's deals. I don't see this applying to all bulk rates - as, for example,
government rates are bulk as well.
Since when are consolidator/priceline tickets upgradeable? Forget the fare class....even on pmUA hotwire and others didn't allow this.
OP - it may depend on the fare class and rules of travelocity's deals. I don't see this applying to all bulk rates - as, for example,
government rates are bulk as well.
Apr 7, 2012, 7:37 am
#9
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA1k; Bonvoy Titanium; Hilton Gold; IHG Gold; AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,794
Since when are consolidator/priceline tickets upgradeable? Forget the fare class....even on pmUA hotwire and others didn't allow this.
OP - it may depend on the fare class and rules of travelocity's deals. I don't see this applying to all bulk rates - as, for example,
government rates are bulk as well.
Anyone else with similar experience?
Apr 7, 2012, 7:44 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
I checked Travelocity rules and terms and conditions of the ticket. There's no word about upgrades. I had complementary upgrades before on bulk fares from Expedia and Travelocity, but that was under the old united system.
*******
Just called the electronic desk. Apparently, it's hard wired in the new system the no upgrade to bulk fares using instruments. Complementary might be ok, but apparently no instruments.
Last edited by 1KHI; Apr 7, 2012 at 8:05 am Reason: update: no luck, 2nd time.
Apr 7, 2012, 8:00 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: UA MM Gold
Posts: 1,193
This is one to watch. Unsure if we are looking at a genuine policy chg OR just the typical new sys pains. I for one would never put a travelocity ticket in the same category as a hotwire ticket. Unless there was a clear disclaimer I also would have expected eligibility for an UG. Any similar data points?....
Apr 7, 2012, 8:21 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: BNA
Programs: United 1K, Delta Platinum
Posts: 11
This is one to watch. Unsure if we are looking at a genuine policy chg OR just the typical new sys pains. I for one would never put a travelocity ticket in the same category as a hotwire ticket. Unless there was a clear disclaimer I also would have expected eligibility for an UG. Any similar data points?....
I was very upset. Emailed CS and after almost four weeks just received an apology letter and $150. Letter did not confirm or deny the policy.
Apr 7, 2012, 9:07 am
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
"Bulk" is a broad-based and inexact term
There are all kinds of "bulk" tickets and they are subject to different contractual deals between the third-party vendor who sold you your ticket and the carrier from whom they bought it. As others note, many "bulk" seats have been and are upgradeable. The one you bought may not be.
Likely, but not certain without reviewing the specific terms, that the third party bought the seats as a consolidator. It then "owns" those seats, sells them as it chooses and simply advises UA of the names of the individuals who will fill the seats.
Another reason never to use third-party sites unless there are enormous savings and one is willing to put up with the petty inconveniences.
Likely, but not certain without reviewing the specific terms, that the third party bought the seats as a consolidator. It then "owns" those seats, sells them as it chooses and simply advises UA of the names of the individuals who will fill the seats.
Another reason never to use third-party sites unless there are enormous savings and one is willing to put up with the petty inconveniences.
Apr 7, 2012, 9:14 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The road less traveled
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Posts: 5,118
I booked a United flight (with CO segments) on our corporate travel engine (we use Amex business travel) and had a similar issue. This was back when the integration desk was in place. They refused to upgrade since it had come through as a "BULK" fare. I can assure you I did not pay a "bulk" price for this ticket!
I called back a few days later and the agent was able to process the upgrade no problem.
Keep us up-to-date on how you get on. This was the first time I had run across this issue when booking through our corporate booking engine. I hope it is not a sign of things to come.
I called back a few days later and the agent was able to process the upgrade no problem.
Keep us up-to-date on how you get on. This was the first time I had run across this issue when booking through our corporate booking engine. I hope it is not a sign of things to come.