Routes with higher upgrade chances on UA to Europe?
#16
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
Easiest upgrade to get (r space) from IAD to Europe
I tried doing a search and found nothing. I was looking for flights to Europe next July (yes that far away) and saw no R space from IAD/EWR/ORD to lhr. Granted its a long time from now but I was a little surprised. Is this because I'm so early in looking? Or is lhr very low on r space? Which European destination from IAD (or EWR or ORD) has most consistent r space? I would probably fly on a Tuesday-Thursday to optimize my chances! Thanks for any help! And if there is a thread about this, please direct me. Thanks.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
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Posts: 13,437
BRU and AMS are at the top of the list IME, and I really like both because they have excellent train connections to other major cities. When you trying to get multiple R sets those are good stations to start with.
But regardless, Europe is a small continent and intra-Europe economy airfares or first class rail trips are dirt cheap. So don't worry about your final destination nor your originating city.
Simply loop through each of IAD, IAH, EWR, ORD and then for each city, look for one way R space to each nonstop European destination. Then look for one R space from each nonstop European city back to the UA huns. Once you have confirmable space, add the originating US city to your united.com search, book a round trip (if the arriving and returning city in Europe are the same) or a multicity (if the arriving and returning cities are different), wait to ticket, and upgrade.
Then figure out how to get to between your European destination and cities you are actually flying to/from. If by air, book two one ways. If by rail, book two one ways if necessary, or purchase your tickets when you get to the train station.
But regardless, Europe is a small continent and intra-Europe economy airfares or first class rail trips are dirt cheap. So don't worry about your final destination nor your originating city.
Simply loop through each of IAD, IAH, EWR, ORD and then for each city, look for one way R space to each nonstop European destination. Then look for one R space from each nonstop European city back to the UA huns. Once you have confirmable space, add the originating US city to your united.com search, book a round trip (if the arriving and returning city in Europe are the same) or a multicity (if the arriving and returning cities are different), wait to ticket, and upgrade.
Then figure out how to get to between your European destination and cities you are actually flying to/from. If by air, book two one ways. If by rail, book two one ways if necessary, or purchase your tickets when you get to the train station.
Last edited by mre5765; Sep 2, 2013 at 12:44 am
#19
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
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I would caution buying air tickets intra-Europe on a different PNR. European airlines, and particularly budget ones which nowadays account for the majority of the flights, are absolutely strict about missing flights and no re-accommodation. If you can possibly get connecting flights within your original ticket search, you would be far better off as you'd have protection should the first flight be delayed or re-timed.
#22
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
That's an interesting one. For whatever reason, whenever I've tried using United.com to search for LHR-XXX with a connection in IAD that 13:00 flight rarely shows up in the search results, even though it is wide open.
As if some bug prevents it from being there, and thus fewer people book it and take the space.
As if some bug prevents it from being there, and thus fewer people book it and take the space.
#24
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#26
Join Date: Oct 2005
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#27
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
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Over the past few years I've noticed R space on the IAD-FRA flights. Some times are easier than others but generally it's available except during holidays or a peak travel period.