I have not had luck with R space available for IAD-FRA, IAD-BRU, IAD-MUC, IAD-ZRH, IAD-CDG for several trips over the past year and a half. I have had to play the waitlist game, one time clearing at the gate right before flight and another time not clearing.

I would suggest checking ORD-XXX for better chance, although anything-FRA will be tough at time of booking.

Yes I confirmed SFO-ICN at booking in R then used 45,000 miles for C class in OZ/TG to/from BKK. Looking forward to checking out Incheon and OZ.

Believe both of those are recliners in C, certainly the flights I flew were.

EmailKid

OZ is supposed to be an A-330 with angled lie flat. TG is unclear; they're supposed to have brand new equipment on that route by November, but you never quite know with them which aircraft will actually show up.

The two legs I did with OZ were angled, but at least if IIRC not lie flat.

None of the regional TG flighs I took were lie flat (PEK, PVG, JKT, CNX).

EmailKid

GPU Question
 

Hi all,
I have a question about using / pulling back GPUs.

I'm flying NRT-SFO-PHX later this week. I'd like to use a GPU on the NRT-SFO leg and am waitlisted for an upgrade.

So, my questions are:
1) If the GPU doesn't clear for NRT-SFO will UA automatically try and apply it to the SFO-PHX leg? If so, how do I prevent this? (I don't want to waste a GPU on a short hop from SFO to PHX)

2) Regarding 1) above, if I want to pull back the GPU prior to getting on the NRT-SFO leg about when should I try to do that? and how?

Thanks

1) When you request the upgrade, they will either upgrade or waitlist you for both NRT-SFO and SFO-PHX segments. If you do not get the NRT-SFO upgrade but do get the SFO-PHX upgrade, you'll get your GPU back. Effectively, the SFO-PHX upgrade would be free.

2) No need to pull anything back.

Help with LHR-IAH GPU
 

Hi FT folks,

Trying to help my SIL get an upgrade using one of my 1K GPU's from LHR-IAH on June 9th. Three flights, none with R availability:

1) #920 9:30am (J = 9+)
2) #984 11:40am (J = 4)
3) #971 1:35pm (J = 5)

Ultimate destination is Tuscon, so best flight for shortest layover is of course #2, with fewest seats left in J. Next best is option #3, with 5 seats in J. I fear the layover on flight #1 is too long, so better to do double connect which is undesirable.

How likely do you think GPU is if J = 4 or 5 at T-13? Already searched both GPU Failure and GPU Success threads, but those don't include J space to ascertain likelihood of success.


Thanks in advance,


F.T.

The only one in which you'd have a reasonable chance is #920. For the other flights, its hard to say, but they're quite improbable. If you have a high booking class (Q or higher), your odds would improve but still would be low. I'd go with 920.

check other connecting options for R space and J load factors, including double connections using IAD/SFO/ORD and then LAX or SFO to get to TUS.

Thanks, FtT. I was afraid of that answer (the one with the longest layover). So one other more expensive option, requiring a $130 upfare from W to H class would be the 2:10pm flight LHR-SFO which has J9+ and 14 open seats on the seatmap. The W upfare is already $120 more than lowest coach, so it is now about $250 more to do the LHR-SFO-TUS flight.

Is the LHR-SFO route notoriously more difficult to upgrade, even when it is J9+ at T-13 due to more Silicon Valley business flyers willing to do TODs?, or should I suggest the double connect through IAH? Neither seems to be a sure thing, so just playing the probability game.


Thanks again,


F.T.

Thanks for the suggestion, ddrost1, but no confirmable R space on 6/9 from LHR into EWR, IAD, ORD, SFO or LAX! Best is J9 options with no guarantee, and in SFO case, considerable upcharge to H.

Anyone fly LHR-IAH or LHR-SFO regularly to ascertain which has better odds with J9 showing?


Thanks all,


F.T.

Well it's a guessing game, but SFO is a very difficult upgrade. Captive hub with lots of high dollar flyers. Certainly no easier than IAH. LAX usually the easiest out of those three (SFO, LAX, IAH), but June 9 does not look good.

Thanks for your reply, Kacee. That is helpful,


F.T.

Good luck!