Jorgen

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?

SEA1K4EVR

No it's back... look for the Expert Mode thread which is floating near the top of the forum.. it'll tell you how to set your profile to where you can view the fare & upgrade buckets again.

Jorgen

Oh, excellent. ^ So exactly which bucket is it that I want?

SEA1K4EVR

R

Jorgen

Oh, no R. Oh well, NZ it is then! Thanks for your help!

LordTentacle

Dec8th is a sat and you might have better luck then you think to clear an upgrade

That said.... if AirNZ with the Premium Economy is within 10% of the same price I would go that route in a second

787fan

Currently i'm award booked in X class for SYD-SFO in early March 2013 on a Sunday, but am more than willing to spend the extra 27.5K miles to get into I class

How good are my chances ? According to getmyupgrade.com, not good at all

Would LAX be easier to obtain ?

SEA1K4EVR

They should be pretty similar in terms of odds. I wouldn't switch.. plus if it comes through on the SYD-SFO flight you'll be able to use the Arrivals lounge.. they don't have one at LAX.

river_rower

Given that the Sydney Mardi Gras is on Saturday March 2nd, I'd say your chances are really poor. There will be a ton of return pax in early March...

787fan

oh crap i didn't realize that

IAH_1K

I am looking to book IAH-SYD r/t starting end of March and returning anytime between 4/6-4/9.

If I can not find R inventory at time of booking what days of the week have the best chance of GPU success on the SFO/LAX - SYD leg (both directions).

I would appreciate any advice from folks who make this trip often. It will be myself + 1 on the reservation.

yyzprincess

I have been doing 4-5 trips per year since 2004.

Avoid school holidays. Each state has different dates however within week to 10 days between states.

From 28March- 10 April Term 1 ends. Thus you may get caught in your return dates.

Outbound From EX: SFO Tues & Weds
Outbound from LAX: Sun , Tues & Wed.

THURS, FRI & SATs are not good if on WL. Rate of paxs buying LMU are high on these days due to individuals tevelling for work assigments especially IT & sofware companies & their companies not coughing up J fare. These individuals will buy LMU.

IAH_1K

Thanks for the info.

Can you tell me what days would have a good chance flying out of SYD? Also, any difference between going to SFO or LAX to have a better possibility of an upgrade?

OtleyFlyer

Generally midweek in both directions is best.

mmack

My experience in the past (watching the seats, wishing and hoping)was that LAX routes filled up much faster than SFO. We used to clear all the time: now, I only buy when R is available.

Having said that, sometimes R opens up 2-3 weeks before..