Upgrade chances on SYD/MEL flights
May 1, 2014, 9:42 am
#196
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
May 1, 2014, 12:43 pm
#197
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
Not an upgrade, but...
Few days ago I booked a redemption flight SFO-SYD for late next week. Only Y was available, so that's what I booked.
Called in yesterday and got them to up-fare the ticket to F, and then waitlist in F. Didn't expect much as the flight was F3 C3, with 2 seats showing free in F and 2 in C (I'm still trying to work out exactly how that adds up - do they block a seat in F?).
A few hours ago got the email that the waitlist had cleared, and the flight is now showing F1 C0. Didn't expect it to clear, and certainly didn't expect it to clear over a week in advance - but I'm certainly not complaining!
Few days ago I booked a redemption flight SFO-SYD for late next week. Only Y was available, so that's what I booked.
Called in yesterday and got them to up-fare the ticket to F, and then waitlist in F. Didn't expect much as the flight was F3 C3, with 2 seats showing free in F and 2 in C (I'm still trying to work out exactly how that adds up - do they block a seat in F?).
A few hours ago got the email that the waitlist had cleared, and the flight is now showing F1 C0. Didn't expect it to clear, and certainly didn't expect it to clear over a week in advance - but I'm certainly not complaining!
So to "up-fare" to F you use additional miles and money?
I'm trying to beging strategic approach to getting to SYD in Sept, no R availability....so looking at alternate strategies. Thanks
May 1, 2014, 7:32 pm
#198
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,159
Got them to change the outbound to O which cost an extra 40k miles (economy is 40K, first is 80k), at which point I was still in economy but they could waitlist me into O/first.
If the waitlist doesn't clear, they refund the extra 40k miles. But it did
Jul 8, 2014, 11:07 pm
#199
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Australia
Programs: LHSen UA1K VAGold QFSilv HHon Diamond ShangrilaJade Radisson Gold SPG Gold Marriott Gold Hertz Presi
Posts: 1,049
TAPC UPG Global
Booked on LAX-MEL Nov 27 th in Y Applied a Global for Y to BusinessFirst on the new 787-900 LAX-MEL non-stop What are the chances of my Global clearing? As a side note applied a global from SYD-SFO July 25 which never cleared then noticed ON1 was available -a quick 2 minute phone call to 1K Service Centre and my upgrade from D to ON was in place - will the same thing happen on Nov ? Do I need to keep checking?
Jul 8, 2014, 11:13 pm
#200
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,159
Realistically nobody can say with any real certainty what your odds of an upgrade are. This is a new route, so there's no real history as to what the loads are going to be.
Having said that, Nov 27 is thanksgiving, and historically upgrades to Sydney have been good at Thanksgiving, especially on the Thursday night. It's a heavy travel period, but mainly by people with no status buying the cheapest ticket available.
Having said that, Nov 27 is thanksgiving, and historically upgrades to Sydney have been good at Thanksgiving, especially on the Thursday night. It's a heavy travel period, but mainly by people with no status buying the cheapest ticket available.
Jul 8, 2014, 11:38 pm
#201
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SEA, WAS, PEK
Programs: UA 3K UGS 3MM
Posts: 2,176
Booked on LAX-MEL Nov 27 th in Y Applied a Global for Y to BusinessFirst on the new 787-900 LAX-MEL non-stop What are the chances of my Global clearing? As a side note applied a global from SYD-SFO July 25 which never cleared then noticed ON1 was available -a quick 2 minute phone call to 1K Service Centre and my upgrade from D to ON was in place - will the same thing happen on Nov ? Do I need to keep checking?
Jul 24, 2014, 9:37 am
#203
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ROA/SHD/LWB/CHO
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold, AA, DL
Posts: 234
I'll be flying UA839 LAX-SYD on Friday 8/22 on a W fare. I have a fairly extensive domestic journey on the same itinerary (BOS-ORD-IAH-LAX) and am therefore interested in upgrading with miles and a copay. It'd be nice to have those domestic legs in F. Is it likely that I will clear on a Friday flight between those airports? I understand that if that leg does not clear, then the miles and copay will be refunded, so I'm at no risk of loss.
Oct 30, 2014, 4:09 pm
#204
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: NJ,US
Programs: Lifetime United Gold and 1K, Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Marriott and SPG Platinum , AA, Hilton
Posts: 379
HELP - Jersey to SYD - Vacation using Systemwides
I am trying to book a vacation to Sydney using systemwide upgrades from the NY area. Newark is my home airport but I can go LGA, JFK or PHL as well. Any suggestions on the best way to book, whether to go thru SFO or LAX (are there any other routings?) Please help as I need to book this ASAP. Thanks.
Oct 30, 2014, 4:17 pm
#205
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
I am trying to book a vacation to Sydney using systemwide upgrades from the NY area. Newark is my home airport but I can go LGA, JFK or PHL as well. Any suggestions on the best way to book, whether to go thru SFO or LAX (are there any other routings?) Please help as I need to book this ASAP. Thanks.
Oct 30, 2014, 4:37 pm
#206
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
There is a LONG-STANDING thread on upgrade chances West coast to SYD. There is some availability right now in Sept 2015 (Sept 13 LAX-SYD R9) but is is hard to predict. Best bets seem to be tues/wed
Oct 30, 2014, 4:47 pm
#208
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
well, actually sometimes last minute R opens up. This is where Expert Flyer used to come in handy. Keep looking. May want to hedge your bets with a purchased C ticket, though.
Nov 10, 2014, 5:21 pm
#209
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Best chances for (supported) upgrade SFO-SYD
I'm assuming Sunday departures stand a better chance than say, Fri or Sat (assuming I'm not flying during peak times - Christmas, summer vacations etc)..
fwiw, this is re: upgrade to C using miles + $$$
Thanks.
fwiw, this is re: upgrade to C using miles + $$$
Thanks.
Nov 10, 2014, 5:26 pm
#210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Not sure what the rules are, but every time I've tried to upgrade with miles and money it has cleared instantly. I am assuming they give that type of upgrade priority. I've probably done it 20 times. On United.com.