Upgrade chances on SYD/MEL flights
Aug 5, 2015, 6:30 pm
#286
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Have applied miles + copay for the below - wanted to get an update on what people thought upgrade chances would be as of now?
839 on Friday Dec. 18 - 3/8 GF, 17/40 BF remaining (the BF capacity has not changed in at least a couple months)
840 on Wednesday Jan. 6 - 8/8 GF, 35/40 BF remaining
I put in for SYD-LAX at booking in March, so I figure I have a better shot (also because it's a bit post-NYE and in the middle of the week). Feel like maybe J/F are getting too expensive for anyone to book directly on Dec. 18, but a bit worried that I might get HOD'ed out of spots...
839 on Friday Dec. 18 - 3/8 GF, 17/40 BF remaining (the BF capacity has not changed in at least a couple months)
840 on Wednesday Jan. 6 - 8/8 GF, 35/40 BF remaining
I put in for SYD-LAX at booking in March, so I figure I have a better shot (also because it's a bit post-NYE and in the middle of the week). Feel like maybe J/F are getting too expensive for anyone to book directly on Dec. 18, but a bit worried that I might get HOD'ed out of spots...
Aug 5, 2015, 6:39 pm
#287
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
Have applied miles + copay for the below - wanted to get an update on what people thought upgrade chances would be as of now?
839 on Friday Dec. 18 - 3/8 GF, 17/40 BF remaining (the BF capacity has not changed in at least a couple months)
840 on Wednesday Jan. 6 - 8/8 GF, 35/40 BF remaining
I put in for SYD-LAX at booking in March, so I figure I have a better shot (also because it's a bit post-NYE and in the middle of the week). Feel like maybe J/F are getting too expensive for anyone to book directly on Dec. 18, but a bit worried that I might get HOD'ed out of spots...
839 on Friday Dec. 18 - 3/8 GF, 17/40 BF remaining (the BF capacity has not changed in at least a couple months)
840 on Wednesday Jan. 6 - 8/8 GF, 35/40 BF remaining
I put in for SYD-LAX at booking in March, so I figure I have a better shot (also because it's a bit post-NYE and in the middle of the week). Feel like maybe J/F are getting too expensive for anyone to book directly on Dec. 18, but a bit worried that I might get HOD'ed out of spots...
For the flight on Jan 6, search the SYD/US upgrade threads. I flew around that time and was unable to buy a business ticket for less than full fare a few weeks in advance. I think other FTers cleared their upgrades. Jan after NYE is peak season, so the planes will be full.
Aug 5, 2015, 6:43 pm
#288
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
The seatmap is a not a very good indication of how many seats are available for sale or sold.
For the flight on Jan 6, search the SYD/US upgrade threads. I flew around that time and was unable to buy a business ticket for less than full fare a few weeks in advance. I think other FTers cleared their upgrades. Jan after NYE is peak season, so the planes will be full.
For the flight on Jan 6, search the SYD/US upgrade threads. I flew around that time and was unable to buy a business ticket for less than full fare a few weeks in advance. I think other FTers cleared their upgrades. Jan after NYE is peak season, so the planes will be full.
Aug 5, 2015, 6:45 pm
#289
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sydney AUS
Programs: VA Gold, United Premier Gold, Qantas Platinum
Posts: 349
Follow up here
My GPUs for SYD - NYC have already cleared for late October
Waitlisted SFO - SYD early November. If I wanted to go a day later would have cleared at booking.
My GPUs for SYD - NYC have already cleared for late October
Waitlisted SFO - SYD early November. If I wanted to go a day later would have cleared at booking.
Aug 5, 2015, 6:46 pm
#290
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
Lots of folks from the northern hemisphere will be flying in the same direction to spend xmas + NYE in Australia. It's a great time to do so, since it's summer in Australia.
Oct 7, 2015, 7:19 pm
#292
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 565
What's the current wisdom on "easiest upgrade" (realizing that none of them have great odds)? I can do SFO-SYD, LAX-SYD, or LAX-MEL. Departing on a Sunday, returning on a Tuesday in November. Going by seatmaps (I know), the MEL flight has the most C seats open right now, but Y is looking quite full. The two SYD flights have fewer C seats open, but Y (and E+ in particular) look wide open.
Oct 7, 2015, 7:26 pm
#293
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
What's the current wisdom on "easiest upgrade" (realizing that none of them have great odds)? I can do SFO-SYD, LAX-SYD, or LAX-MEL. Departing on a Sunday, returning on a Tuesday in November. Going by seatmaps (I know), the MEL flight has the most C seats open right now, but Y is looking quite full. The two SYD flights have fewer C seats open, but Y (and E+ in particular) look wide open.
(sample dates used = Nov. 15 fly to Oz, return Nov. 24)
Oct 7, 2015, 7:27 pm
#294
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVP 100K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, UA 1MM,
Posts: 1,709
I second that. Spent NYE under the Harbor Bridge after a warm 95 degree day and the most spectacular fireworks show I have ever seen. Rode the LAX-MEL 789 down and ended up with some "alternate routing" on the way home when the brand new 789 wouldnt start during a 104 degree MEL day. ha ha ^
Oct 7, 2015, 7:29 pm
#295
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
What's the current wisdom on "easiest upgrade" (realizing that none of them have great odds)? I can do SFO-SYD, LAX-SYD, or LAX-MEL. Departing on a Sunday, returning on a Tuesday in November. Going by seatmaps (I know), the MEL flight has the most C seats open right now, but Y is looking quite full. The two SYD flights have fewer C seats open, but Y (and E+ in particular) look wide open.
I tend to choose 6C as my seat. Multiple times recently have 6DG been empty next to me. I typically leave SYD on Mon and return Thu.
Oct 7, 2015, 10:10 pm
#297
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
Nov 10, 2015, 5:29 pm
#298
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sydney AUS
Programs: VA Gold, United Premier Gold, Qantas Platinum
Posts: 349
As a follow up SFO-SYD did not clear. Ended up 11 and 12 on the checkin list, it cleared up to person 8. Never had it not clear in the 747 days, oh for those days...
Nov 10, 2015, 8:28 pm
#299
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