Last edit by: seanp7
Feb 2023: Many reports that Expert Mode checkbox is being disabled automatically / randomly (in some cases, repeatedly), and users have to opt back in on the website to re-enable Expert Mode.
Note on 18 Oct 2018 the fare class for upgrades changed from R to PZ
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Updated instructions (2022)
Archive thread: Expert Mode: better upgrade visibility and opt-in to see fare bucket data {Archive}
Note on 18 Oct 2018 the fare class for upgrades changed from R to PZ
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Updated instructions (2022)
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to let you know that we’ll be re-launching Expert Mode as an opt-in feature later this afternoon. This feature will display all fare classes when shopping for flights on united.com. You can opt-in to this feature by logging into your MileagePlus account and following these steps:
As always, thanks for your feedback and patience over the last couple weeks while we worked to make these changes.
Shannon
I wanted to let you know that we’ll be re-launching Expert Mode as an opt-in feature later this afternoon. This feature will display all fare classes when shopping for flights on united.com. You can opt-in to this feature by logging into your MileagePlus account and following these steps:
- Go to united.com > My Account
- Select “Manage Profile”
- In the Preferences section, select “View All Flight Search Preferences”
- In the Expert Mode section, read and acknowledge the customer advisements
- Click “Save” at the bottom of the page
As always, thanks for your feedback and patience over the last couple weeks while we worked to make these changes.
Shannon
Archive thread: Expert Mode: better upgrade visibility and opt-in to see fare bucket data {Archive}
Expert Mode: opt-in to see upgrade visibility/fare bucket data/Issue staying enabled?
#16
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
Clearly the poster meant to refer to Polaris business. Not a big deal IMO.
To check upgrade availability, run a search as if you were going to book that flight. Search for the specific segment by itself, even if you have it booked as a larger itinerary. Since you have expert mode enabled, you should be able to see how many seats are offered for sale in each fare class. Note that the max you will see displayed is 9, even if there are more than 9 seats for sale in that fare class. The fare class that determines economy->business upgrades is R. If you see R>0, call in and ask that your upgrade be cleared.
To check upgrade availability, run a search as if you were going to book that flight. Search for the specific segment by itself, even if you have it booked as a larger itinerary. Since you have expert mode enabled, you should be able to see how many seats are offered for sale in each fare class. Note that the max you will see displayed is 9, even if there are more than 9 seats for sale in that fare class. The fare class that determines economy->business upgrades is R. If you see R>0, call in and ask that your upgrade be cleared.
#17
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
... To check upgrade availability, run a search as if you were going to book that flight. Search for the specific segment by itself, even if you have it booked as a larger itinerary. Since you have expert mode enabled, you should be able to see how many seats are offered for sale in each fare class. Note that the max you will see displayed is 9, even if there are more than 9 seats for sale in that fare class. The fare class that determines economy->business upgrades is R. If you see R>0, call in and ask that your upgrade be cleared.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: CO Plat
Posts: 255
Available fare classes:
J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P7 PN0 R0 RN0
IN0 I0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9
K0 G0 N0 XN0 X0
Now I should be watching for availability in P-R fares, with R or RN meaning the upgrade should be processed?
Right now, UA is showing 21/30 and 17/30 seats available on the flights. Hope this corresponds with actual seats available.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,424
We have a generally poor understanding what, exactly, RN is, but R=RN >99% of the time, so it's generally moot.
#20
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
Expert Mode from Change Flight
Is there a quick way to get to expert mode from the Change Flight option in united.com? I've been checking availability by using Book a Flight, but it'd be nice if I could see availability directly from my existing reservation.
#21
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Unfortunately Expert Mode is only available during a new flight search
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,227
Unless you take a particular flight month in month out over a number of years, and remember how the inventory changes in the days, weeks and months prior to the flight, you will have little idea how likely it is that different booking classes will fill up. And, even if you had all that data, a) you might design a different algorithm from UA's management team's algorithm, b) UA might have changed its approach to selling premium space or c) other extraneous factors might change things.
So, as a predictive tool, Expert Mode is next to useless.
So, as a predictive tool, Expert Mode is next to useless.
#27
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,419
#28
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
#29
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
I believe that Expert Mode's best use is its deterrent effect on others finding where and when United hides its PZ availability. If that were more transparent, and easily known, then there would be even less chance for FTers who build these arcane skills to fly in Polaris for a W fare.