IADOrange

Hey all,

I'm looking to buy a flight from SFO to AMS in early October using a GPU to upgrade. I need to leave at night, so most east coast connections are out of the picture. As of now, my options look like this:

UA SFO-FRA-AMS (744)
UA SFO-LHR-AMS (744)
LH SFO-FRA-AMS (380)
LH SFO-MUC-AMS (A340)

As of now, there is no R space available on the UA flights. So, I'm debating the following:

1. Waiting to purchase until R opens up on either the FRA or LHR flight. (probably unlikely)
2. Picking one of the UA flights that R is most likely going to open up on (I'm leaning FRA since there are double daily UA 744s and a LH A380 on that route, so lots of capacity)
3. Buying a flight on LH and hoping to score an upgrade at check-in.

Any insight on preferred strategy? How do loads on the evening UA departure to FRA/LHR normally look, and what's the LH upgrade chances on those flights? I'd prefer to stick to UA for the lifetime miles and for the flat-beds but the ultimate objective for me is to be in business and not the back of the bus.

mduell

None of them are good or particularly likely to succeed.

Buzzman

I think through ORD is your best option. Probably ZERO chance through SFO-FRA... a bit better through LHR but doubtful

IADOrange

Can't do via ORD as I need to take one of the nighttime departures and be in AMS the next day, unfortunately.

time2go1st

Did you consider the SK Plus option, with possibility of paid upgrade, if it did not work at least you would not be stuck in ordinary econ; and then also LX but frankly confused as to whether your GPU would be applicable there, and in my one experience from LAX their E- was torture, better to just buy E Plus on a United flight and settle for the few extra inches...

astroflyer

These flights are slammed. The waiting lists are a mile long. GS regularly miss upgrades on SFO-FRA.

I had great luck through ORD when I lived there...almost 100%. Maybe try through CDG? There's the new SFO-CDG flight...maybe less business traffic and connections.

StingWest

I do SFO<->LHR and Europe all the time (every month for years!), and I'm a 1K like you.

(1) very unlikely - don't wait for this.

(2) I've had very good luck to/from/through LHR with upgrades. Buy something higher than a W fare for a good chance on the SFO-LHR legs. Sounds like you don't have day or time flexibility, but if you do, try not to fly SFO->LHR on Sunday or Monday, or return through there on a Thursday.

Good luck!

Kacee

+1

People have also reported increased upgrade odds on SFO-CDG. There at least you would not be stuck in Y on a 744 if you missed the upgrade.

Another alternative would be a P fare on UA or watch for a fare sale on LX/LH. For me the extra cost is worth not having to obsess about whether the upgrade will clear.

PV_Premier

there has been decent R availability from IAD, ORD, and IAH to AMS lately for fall travel. i recognize this isnt ideal but few things with GPU redemptions are.