Upgrade chances on SYD/MEL flights
Apr 11, 2015, 6:51 am
#271
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA GS, BA Gold, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Gold, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,419
I actually flew SYD-SFO on Wed or Thu of the first week in Jan this year. The UA flights were so booked out 1-2 weeks in advance, I ended up flying C on AC instead. I would have bought Z/P/D, but only a few C/J seats were available. UA also had a series of cancellations that week, but that happened after I wanted to buy tickets.
Apr 11, 2015, 10:52 am
#274
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Apr 12, 2015, 4:02 pm
#275
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 27
Apr 13, 2015, 4:39 pm
#276
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Just got an email from UA touting their new Dreamliner LAX-MEL service.
But do you buy an economy fare thinking you have a good chance to get an upgrade?
Otherwise, you end up in coach for 15 hours and supposedly 787 coach may be worse than on older planes?
Apr 13, 2015, 5:19 pm
#277
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BDL
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 84
Jun 12, 2015, 2:35 pm
#278
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: United 1MM
Posts: 318
Flew on 11th June MEL-LAX. Was out of GPUs, but got OP-UP'd instead on an L-fare. Didn't even happen at the gate. I got the upgrade upon checking in 2.5 hours before departure. I think at least 10 or so others did as well as C looked 2/3 booked at the 24 hour point. E seemed to be heavily oversold. There were a few C seats not taken though.
It's really hard to tell if an upgrade will go through or not if you don't have R space on booking. I'm 2 of 4 on MEL-LAX (or LAX-MEL) with GPUs. I barely got one of them too, as the upgrade came when I was already seated in E+ and the agent came by. It was a pricey fare too (E-fare), so something like a W, V or Q would not have been enough.
It's really hard to tell if an upgrade will go through or not if you don't have R space on booking. I'm 2 of 4 on MEL-LAX (or LAX-MEL) with GPUs. I barely got one of them too, as the upgrade came when I was already seated in E+ and the agent came by. It was a pricey fare too (E-fare), so something like a W, V or Q would not have been enough.
Jun 21, 2015, 7:10 pm
#279
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sydney AUS
Programs: VA Gold, United Premier Gold, Qantas Platinum
Posts: 349
Don't want to get too excited but hope that is the case- instead of having to bother the agents on the phone with my ten million options!
Jun 21, 2015, 7:15 pm
#280
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466
Yes. Book now and confirm by phone or online!
Jul 9, 2015, 3:39 am
#282
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 421
Can anyone confirm that this post from 2 years ago is still true? Pretty sure I read somewhere on united.com that if any segments clear, they take the miles/money...but I really prefer to believe flyertalk 
The best part of this is that you both get the domestic upgrades and your money / miles back if the overwater segment doesn't clear. There's absolutely no downside to applying and taking the confirmed domestic upgrades (except it ties up money / miles, and you have to watch to ensure they're actually redeposited if the upgrade doesn't clear).
Jul 9, 2015, 6:11 am
#283
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Carlson Gold, CM Presidential / *A Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,648
large GS poster who knows what he is talking about
Jul 9, 2015, 10:46 am
#284
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466
In most instances, a MileagePlus Upgrade Award will be considered used if any segment of your travel is upgraded. However, if your travel includes requested upgrades to United BusinessFirst® and/or United Global First™, and none of the United BusinessFirst or United Global First segments are upgraded, then your MileagePlus Upgrade Award will not be considered used, even if you are upgraded to United First® or United Business® on another segment. In these instances, we will fully redeposit your miles and co-pay. When applicable, these refunds will occur automatically seven to 10 days after travel.
Mileage Plus Upgrades