Upgrade chances on SYD/MEL flights
May 2, 2013, 7:46 pm
#91
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SYD
Programs: UA 1MM GS
Posts: 255
Nervous about GPU Clearing SFO-SYD
LAX-SYD isn't always easier to clear, at least in the past 8 months.
Re SFO - I'm cleared on tomorrow's flight. A W fare doesn't often cut it. I've been a GS on a Y fare and still not cleared earlier this year. An expert flyer alert for R did trigger a few hours ago, so perhaps you have a chance. It is the lightest load for a Friday flight from SFO I've seen all year.
Remember that Friday is a peak day to Sydney and you are completing with a lot of flyers who have higher fare class and higher status (GS) on that route.
Good luck.
Re SFO - I'm cleared on tomorrow's flight. A W fare doesn't often cut it. I've been a GS on a Y fare and still not cleared earlier this year. An expert flyer alert for R did trigger a few hours ago, so perhaps you have a chance. It is the lightest load for a Friday flight from SFO I've seen all year.
Remember that Friday is a peak day to Sydney and you are completing with a lot of flyers who have higher fare class and higher status (GS) on that route.
Good luck.
May 2, 2013, 8:01 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,171
May 2, 2013, 9:06 pm
#94
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
LAX-SYD isn't always easier to clear, at least in the past 8 months.
Re SFO - I'm cleared on tomorrow's flight. A W fare doesn't often cut it. I've been a GS on a Y fare and still not cleared earlier this year. An expert flyer alert for R did trigger a few hours ago, so perhaps you have a chance. It is the lightest load for a Friday flight from SFO I've seen all year.
Remember that Friday is a peak day to Sydney and you are completing with a lot of flyers who have higher fare class and higher status (GS) on that route.
Good luck.
Re SFO - I'm cleared on tomorrow's flight. A W fare doesn't often cut it. I've been a GS on a Y fare and still not cleared earlier this year. An expert flyer alert for R did trigger a few hours ago, so perhaps you have a chance. It is the lightest load for a Friday flight from SFO I've seen all year.
Remember that Friday is a peak day to Sydney and you are completing with a lot of flyers who have higher fare class and higher status (GS) on that route.
Good luck.
Agree. LAX-SYD is not any easier for upgrade.
I have never booked Friday SFO-SYD or LAX-SYD if looking to upgrade.
May 2, 2013, 9:13 pm
#95
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
On one of my flights several weeks ago, it wasn't looking good with 8 left in C and 1 in F, at 24 hours when I checked-in online, where it was showing me #1 on the UG list. I checked the upgrade list every few hours and when I went to #4 on the list, I was pretty sure that I wouldn't get it. So, the minute I checked in at the airport, I asked the agent if I could buy-up. They told me they only had one seat left and sold it to me for the miles and co-pay of 30K miles plus $550-.
Good Luck!
That is one long and nasty flight in Y.
May 2, 2013, 9:35 pm
#96
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 1,208
I agree. This is probably OPs best strategy at this point.
On one of my flights several weeks ago, it wasn't looking good with 8 left in C and 1 in F, at 24 hours when I checked-in online, where it was showing me #1 on the UG list. I checked the upgrade list every few hours and when I went to #4 on the list, I was pretty sure that I wouldn't get it. So, the minute I checked in at the airport, I asked the agent if I could buy-up. They told me they only had one seat left and sold it to me for the miles and co-pay of 30K miles plus $550-.
Good Luck!
That is one long and nasty flight in Y.
On one of my flights several weeks ago, it wasn't looking good with 8 left in C and 1 in F, at 24 hours when I checked-in online, where it was showing me #1 on the UG list. I checked the upgrade list every few hours and when I went to #4 on the list, I was pretty sure that I wouldn't get it. So, the minute I checked in at the airport, I asked the agent if I could buy-up. They told me they only had one seat left and sold it to me for the miles and co-pay of 30K miles plus $550-.
Good Luck!
That is one long and nasty flight in Y.
May 2, 2013, 9:38 pm
#97
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
When I did this in the exit row, I had a good-sized, soft backpack when I then used as a footrest/legrest for most of the flight while sleeping.
It's mostly the lack of a leg rest that bothers me when in economy.
Having that bag under my legs (i didn't just use it for my fee) was a great help
It's mostly the lack of a leg rest that bothers me when in economy.
Having that bag under my legs (i didn't just use it for my fee) was a great help
May 2, 2013, 9:41 pm
#98
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
May 2, 2013, 9:42 pm
#99
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
IME, I don't believe it even if it is supposed to be true.
I did check-in at the airport early at around 3 hours prior, and there were higher priority/fare class pax waitlisted ahead of me and yet, they let me do the buy-up.
I'd like to know what the real deal is myself.
I did check-in at the airport early at around 3 hours prior, and there were higher priority/fare class pax waitlisted ahead of me and yet, they let me do the buy-up.
I'd like to know what the real deal is myself.
May 2, 2013, 9:59 pm
#101
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Platinum MM; DL Silver; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Hilton Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 24,249
Row 45C is the best in the economy cabin, in my opinion, if it's not already taken.
May 3, 2013, 4:57 am
#102
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 315
Did your flight clear? If so when? I see that there are 2 seats available in R out of SFO and 4 out of LAX this morning. Looks like they just released all of the available seats as R.
Just curious as I am doing this in about a month as well.
Just curious as I am doing this in about a month as well.
There was a very old thread on this subject in the PMUA forum but I couldn't find anything in the consolidated forum so I hope nobody minds if I start a new one.
I'm flying SFO-MEL on December 8. It's a special occasion (I'm heading home after seven years' hard labour in the colonies
^) so I'd like to use a points+copay upgrade to business class if at all possible. Unlike many people here I'm not too familiar with the vagaries of international upgrades though, as my only experience with them is of getting rejected.
Okay, so: lowly 1P, flying SFO-SYD-MEL on a Saturday in early December on a W fare (because it's a one-way), what are my chances? If they're good I'll take UA. If they're lousy I'll probably fly NZ or even QF (though I'm tempted just to stick with UA just to get a third free bag...)
I believe that there's no longer any way to check for the existence of actual upgrade inventory, is that correct?
I'm flying SFO-MEL on December 8. It's a special occasion (I'm heading home after seven years' hard labour in the colonies
^) so I'd like to use a points+copay upgrade to business class if at all possible. Unlike many people here I'm not too familiar with the vagaries of international upgrades though, as my only experience with them is of getting rejected.Okay, so: lowly 1P, flying SFO-SYD-MEL on a Saturday in early December on a W fare (because it's a one-way), what are my chances? If they're good I'll take UA. If they're lousy I'll probably fly NZ or even QF (though I'm tempted just to stick with UA just to get a third free bag...)
I believe that there's no longer any way to check for the existence of actual upgrade inventory, is that correct?
May 3, 2013, 5:28 am
#103
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Austin, TX and Aspen, CO
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 225
A few minutes later she came back to the line and advised she had confirmed me in Business. Upper deck aisle seat to boot (the seat map shows only 2 left now, both in "middle" seats on the lower deck).
Major victory - thanks flyertalk folks; really appreciate it.
May 3, 2013, 7:54 am
#104
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 315
OP UPDATE: Halleleujah ... I thought my insomnia was 100% bad, but today it paid off. Woke up a few minutes ago, noticed there was an R inventory of 2, called the 1K desk, and followed the advice in how to speak to the nice lady that is found in this very excellent thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...4-hours-4.html ..
A few minutes later she came back to the line and advised she had confirmed me in Business. Upper deck aisle seat to boot (the seat map shows only 2 left now, both in "middle" seats on the lower deck).
Major victory - thanks flyertalk folks; really appreciate it.
A few minutes later she came back to the line and advised she had confirmed me in Business. Upper deck aisle seat to boot (the seat map shows only 2 left now, both in "middle" seats on the lower deck).
Major victory - thanks flyertalk folks; really appreciate it.
May 3, 2013, 8:35 am
#105
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,988
OP UPDATE: Halleleujah ... I thought my insomnia was 100% bad, but today it paid off. Woke up a few minutes ago, noticed there was an R inventory of 2, called the 1K desk, and followed the advice in how to speak to the nice lady that is found in this very excellent thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...4-hours-4.html ..
A few minutes later she came back to the line and advised she had confirmed me in Business. Upper deck aisle seat to boot (the seat map shows only 2 left now, both in "middle" seats on the lower deck).
Major victory - thanks flyertalk folks; really appreciate it.
A few minutes later she came back to the line and advised she had confirmed me in Business. Upper deck aisle seat to boot (the seat map shows only 2 left now, both in "middle" seats on the lower deck).
Major victory - thanks flyertalk folks; really appreciate it.
It sucks that UA isn't competent enough to make a list and then allocate upgrades as they are available starting with #1 on the list.