Upgrade chances out of Edinburgh (EDI)
Mar 6, 2013, 12:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Boulder, CO and Waimea, HI
Programs: UAL 1K MM
Posts: 748
Upgrade chances out of Edinburgh (EDI)
I'll be in Scotland in June and could fly back to the US from Edinburgh but I'm wondering about my chances of getting an upgrade (either GPU or miles). No surprise but there's nothing open right now so I'd be waitlisted.
So here's the question - Should I fly out of EDI on a 757 with fewer seats but potentially less competition or add another leg and fly through LHR to get on a 767 or 777 and increase (?) my upgrade chances?
So here's the question - Should I fly out of EDI on a 757 with fewer seats but potentially less competition or add another leg and fly through LHR to get on a 767 or 777 and increase (?) my upgrade chances?
Mar 6, 2013, 12:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,174
Our experience is more availability flying out of LHR. Important factors are day of the week, ie Tue or Wed, instrument you're using, Status, fare class.
I ONLY buy international when I can confirm UG at time of booking, or find a cheapo P or Z fare. I do have some flexibility in scheduling and I have SWUs (GPU) from 1K status.
I ONLY buy international when I can confirm UG at time of booking, or find a cheapo P or Z fare. I do have some flexibility in scheduling and I have SWUs (GPU) from 1K status.
Mar 6, 2013, 1:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
Remember there is an increased UK passenger duty charge that UA passes on to upgraders ex-LHR, so in addition to the SWU you have to shell out $100-$125 if you upgrade out of LHR. You could avoid that by flying via FRA but the schedules ex-EDI aren't that friendly, IIRC and require a very early morning departure
It is a daytime flight so sleep and the flat-bed isn't as critical... And you'll almost certainly have to transfer terminals at LHR, which can be a hassle
It is a daytime flight so sleep and the flat-bed isn't as critical... And you'll almost certainly have to transfer terminals at LHR, which can be a hassle
Mar 6, 2013, 1:25 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Mar 6, 2013, 1:25 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Boulder, CO and Waimea, HI
Programs: UAL 1K MM
Posts: 748
Is this wrapped into your ticket or is it a new charge? I've just never seen it before included flying LHR-IAD last December. If it's UK wide, does that apply to EDI as well anyway?
Mar 6, 2013, 1:27 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,317
Remember there is an increased UK passenger duty charge that UA passes on to upgraders ex-LHR, so in addition to the SWU you have to shell out $100-$125 if you upgrade out of LHR. You could avoid that by flying via FRA but the schedules ex-EDI aren't that friendly, IIRC and require a very early morning departure
It is a daytime flight so sleep and the flat-bed isn't as critical... And you'll almost certainly have to transfer terminals at LHR, which can be a hassle
It is a daytime flight so sleep and the flat-bed isn't as critical... And you'll almost certainly have to transfer terminals at LHR, which can be a hassle
Mar 6, 2013, 1:31 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
I've heard reports of folks who requested the GPU upgrade via phone and were not charged, but it is official policy now (prior to the merger, s-UA did not collect this fee, but s-CO did)... I requested my GPU upgrade online and was most certainly charged
Mar 6, 2013, 1:33 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I would imagine Scotland, for all its independence, is more than happy to collect a fee for her Majesty.
Mar 6, 2013, 1:48 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD/LHR/NRT
Programs: UA GS, Hyatt Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 87
Depends...
As far as the upgrade is concerned, I have had no difficulty confirming out of LHR mid/late week (never Fri) even at the last minute using SWUs. The $100 fee is a pain but if I need to sleep on the way home it's key.
Have you also looked at the service from GLA or BFS? I'm pretty sure there's still service from both to EWR and that may be an easier upgrade option.
Connecting EDI-LHR is easy: both flights are out of Terminal 1.
Have you also looked at the service from GLA or BFS? I'm pretty sure there's still service from both to EWR and that may be an easier upgrade option.
Connecting EDI-LHR is easy: both flights are out of Terminal 1.
Mar 6, 2013, 2:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
As far as the upgrade is concerned, I have had no difficulty confirming out of LHR mid/late week (never Fri) even at the last minute using SWUs. The $100 fee is a pain but if I need to sleep on the way home it's key.
Have you also looked at the service from GLA or BFS? I'm pretty sure there's still service from both to EWR and that may be an easier upgrade option.
Connecting EDI-LHR is easy: both flights are out of Terminal 1.
Have you also looked at the service from GLA or BFS? I'm pretty sure there's still service from both to EWR and that may be an easier upgrade option.
Connecting EDI-LHR is easy: both flights are out of Terminal 1.
And note that the s-CO flights ex-LHR still operate out of T4....
Just based on frequency and aircraft type, you might rank the LHR upgrade chances something like this
IAH/IAD/ORD>EWR>LAX>SFO
Last edited by iluv2fly; Mar 6, 2013 at 3:34 pm Reason: merge