What's going on with NRT-SIN route (Upgrades Difficult to Clear)?
Apr 10, 2013, 2:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OPO
Programs: UA 1k MM, KLM Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 312
What's going on with NRT-SIN route (Upgrades Difficult to Clear)?
I've done this route as 1k several times in the past three years, with 100% upgrade success. On Monday I arrived at NRT still not cleared, and as a 1k on high fare I was number 5 on a wait list that had close to 20 Paxton's only 2 seats available. Needless to say, I didn't clear.
I'm returning Friday and again my chances look very slim. It's not a big deal, obviously upgrades are always hit or miss, but I am wondering if this is a fluke or the new normal for the route.
I'm returning Friday and again my chances look very slim. It's not a big deal, obviously upgrades are always hit or miss, but I am wondering if this is a fluke or the new normal for the route.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Apr 10, 2013 at 7:05 am Reason: vague thread title
Apr 10, 2013, 3:07 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: SQ AA TK
Posts: 1,438
From a frequent traveller on this route, I somehow am led to believe that UA has got very good loads on this route. I travel SIN-NRT almost every 3 weeks, and it seems UA fares are always at least 1200SGD. For comparison, JL & NH both have fares around 1000 when booked about 4 days prior to departure. As such, I always choose to fly with JL/NH
Delta on the other hand consistently manages to offer tickets at 800-900SGD.
Delta on the other hand consistently manages to offer tickets at 800-900SGD.
Apr 10, 2013, 8:03 am
#5
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Apr 10, 2013, 10:14 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
This route used to be a guaranteed upgrade as a 1K on the pmUA 777 with old C. Not so much these days, as you're seeing. Apart from the aircraft change, you have to wonder if the narrowbody HKG-SIN experiment led to ex-USA traffic routing via NRT instead. I'm sure someone can quantify all of this more precisely (and thereby prove me right or wrong)
Apr 11, 2013, 6:06 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OPO
Programs: UA 1k MM, KLM Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 312
Latest and greatest (not really) on this - at about T - 25, saw upgrade available online (exact same deal that happened with IAD-NRT on this reservation). Like before, I called 1k line in hopes that the agent would push it through. Sadly but the time I got through the upgrade seat was gone, and only availability was to buy for $500. Since I already paid $550 co-pay, that isn't going to happen. So on to the wait list I go.
As 1k, with 2 open seats in BF I am now showing #6 on the list at T minus 11. In other words, not a chance in hell.
As 1k, with 2 open seats in BF I am now showing #6 on the list at T minus 11. In other words, not a chance in hell.
Apr 11, 2013, 4:07 pm
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,169
Apr 11, 2013, 10:41 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,169
For arrivals into SIN, nothing beats T3 B5/6. How UAUA snagged that prime location is a wonder.
And for departures, it allows a walk from departure control through the shopping, a stop to see butterflies, and coloring some paper on the way to the gate. Wonderful.
Apr 12, 2013, 12:49 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
If you do not mind to be stuck in Y for 13.5 hours in 744 (see the thread about that), then...
Regarding the subj, key for the upgrade - B fare. Yes, I know. But looking right now on my SIN-NRT-SIN flight on May 2/May 9 I see that there are 10 seats available on SIN-NRT and 22 seats on NRT-SIN return.
Regarding the subj, key for the upgrade - B fare. Yes, I know. But looking right now on my SIN-NRT-SIN flight on May 2/May 9 I see that there are 10 seats available on SIN-NRT and 22 seats on NRT-SIN return.
Apr 12, 2013, 12:05 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA, OGG(I wish)
Programs: was UA 1K now Gold, cuz UA 1.3 MM; HA,DL,AS (no status in these), Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,238
They had even for a while post merger gone deep into A!
For arrivals into SIN, nothing beats T3 B5/6. How UAUA snagged that prime location is a wonder.
And for departures, it allows a walk from departure control through the shopping, a stop to see butterflies, and coloring some paper on the way to the gate. Wonderful.
For arrivals into SIN, nothing beats T3 B5/6. How UAUA snagged that prime location is a wonder.
And for departures, it allows a walk from departure control through the shopping, a stop to see butterflies, and coloring some paper on the way to the gate. Wonderful.