Nov 16, 2019, 11:01 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Normal economy "saver" award inventory is X
All UA elites have access XN inventory for economy awards
Normal business / domestic first award "saver" inventory is I
1K / Plat have access to IN inventory
GS have access to PN inventory (and some ability to convert cash inventory space to award space)
PremiumPlus "saver" award inventory is RN
There is not additional inventory for elites
All UA elites have access XN inventory for economy awards
Normal business / domestic first award "saver" inventory is I
1K / Plat have access to IN inventory
GS have access to PN inventory (and some ability to convert cash inventory space to award space)
PremiumPlus "saver" award inventory is RN
There is not additional inventory for elites
United Saver Award Availability: How does it vary by elite level?
May 14, 2014, 5:15 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: 1K MMiler, Hertz 5*
Posts: 589
Just out of interest what dates did you find ON SYD inventory?
May 14, 2014, 5:41 pm
#62
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Carmel Valley(was Hawaii)
Programs: United 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 1,172
Hi Roses...I managed to find R3 on Sept 23 SYD-SFO. Its now R1, ha ha.
Have been looking since Jan, have not found any R SFO/LAX-SYD in Sept.
We're waitlisted, in coach, on the outboud.
Better to get to Australia in coach, than not at all
Have been looking since Jan, have not found any R SFO/LAX-SYD in Sept.
We're waitlisted, in coach, on the outboud.
Better to get to Australia in coach, than not at all
May 14, 2014, 6:15 pm
#63
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AS MVP, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 1,848
Oct 15, 2014, 12:27 am
#64
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
1K traveling to Australia next year with a friend. He's Silver. We have saver business already booked, but are attempting to change our return flight. The 1K desk says I can do this, but not my friend, because of his status.
To the people posting on page 1, there absolutely are instances of IN > I. Perhaps this is more recent, but we are being affected by it right now.
The call center said there is 0 saver business availability (I), but there is *9* saver business availability (IN). Very frustrating.
http://i.imgur.com/oYINVkH.png
How often does (I) open up as time goes on? This flight is 6 months out, and we would love to pay any change fees and return on a different day in the same fare class. Status is really screwing over my buddy here.
For the record, it's on a 787 and the entire BF cabin is empty, except for 2 seats. Yes - there are *46* BF seats open.
I'm conflicted, because while this is a benefit to high status FFs, it seems a little unreasonable that saver would be unavailable to anyone under Platinum status on a flight this empty.
To the people posting on page 1, there absolutely are instances of IN > I. Perhaps this is more recent, but we are being affected by it right now.
The call center said there is 0 saver business availability (I), but there is *9* saver business availability (IN). Very frustrating.
http://i.imgur.com/oYINVkH.png
How often does (I) open up as time goes on? This flight is 6 months out, and we would love to pay any change fees and return on a different day in the same fare class. Status is really screwing over my buddy here.
For the record, it's on a 787 and the entire BF cabin is empty, except for 2 seats. Yes - there are *46* BF seats open.
I'm conflicted, because while this is a benefit to high status FFs, it seems a little unreasonable that saver would be unavailable to anyone under Platinum status on a flight this empty.
Oct 15, 2014, 3:31 am
#65
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,659
1K traveling to Australia next year with a friend. He's Silver. We have saver business already booked, but are attempting to change our return flight. The 1K desk says I can do this, but not my friend, because of his status.
To the people posting on page 1, there absolutely are instances of IN > I. Perhaps this is more recent, but we are being affected by it right now.
The call center said there is 0 saver business availability (I), but there is *9* saver business availability (IN). Very frustrating.
http://i.imgur.com/oYINVkH.png
How often does (I) open up as time goes on? This flight is 6 months out, and we would love to pay any change fees and return on a different day in the same fare class. Status is really screwing over my buddy here.
For the record, it's on a 787 and the entire BF cabin is empty, except for 2 seats. Yes - there are *46* BF seats open.
I'm conflicted, because while this is a benefit to high status FFs, it seems a little unreasonable that saver would be unavailable to anyone under Platinum status on a flight this empty.
To the people posting on page 1, there absolutely are instances of IN > I. Perhaps this is more recent, but we are being affected by it right now.
The call center said there is 0 saver business availability (I), but there is *9* saver business availability (IN). Very frustrating.
http://i.imgur.com/oYINVkH.png
How often does (I) open up as time goes on? This flight is 6 months out, and we would love to pay any change fees and return on a different day in the same fare class. Status is really screwing over my buddy here.
For the record, it's on a 787 and the entire BF cabin is empty, except for 2 seats. Yes - there are *46* BF seats open.
I'm conflicted, because while this is a benefit to high status FFs, it seems a little unreasonable that saver would be unavailable to anyone under Platinum status on a flight this empty.
Oct 15, 2014, 6:25 am
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,157
If United is willing to open up award availability, why would United care who is redeeming. Are they suddenly becoming elite friendly? That would be a first since the merger...
Oct 15, 2014, 10:16 am
#67
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,418
1K traveling to Australia next year with a friend. He's Silver. We have saver business already booked, but are attempting to change our return flight. The 1K desk says I can do this, but not my friend, because of his status.
To the people posting on page 1, there absolutely are instances of IN > I. Perhaps this is more recent, but we are being affected by it right now.
The call center said there is 0 saver business availability (I), but there is *9* saver business availability (IN). Very frustrating.
http://i.imgur.com/oYINVkH.png
How often does (I) open up as time goes on? This flight is 6 months out, and we would love to pay any change fees and return on a different day in the same fare class. Status is really screwing over my buddy here.
For the record, it's on a 787 and the entire BF cabin is empty, except for 2 seats. Yes - there are *46* BF seats open.
I'm conflicted, because while this is a benefit to high status FFs, it seems a little unreasonable that saver would be unavailable to anyone under Platinum status on a flight this empty.
To the people posting on page 1, there absolutely are instances of IN > I. Perhaps this is more recent, but we are being affected by it right now.
The call center said there is 0 saver business availability (I), but there is *9* saver business availability (IN). Very frustrating.
http://i.imgur.com/oYINVkH.png
How often does (I) open up as time goes on? This flight is 6 months out, and we would love to pay any change fees and return on a different day in the same fare class. Status is really screwing over my buddy here.
For the record, it's on a 787 and the entire BF cabin is empty, except for 2 seats. Yes - there are *46* BF seats open.
I'm conflicted, because while this is a benefit to high status FFs, it seems a little unreasonable that saver would be unavailable to anyone under Platinum status on a flight this empty.
You can score one of those IN seats for your friend by booking with your miles.
I am btw all in favor of this. Nice to see UA giving some benefits to its own elites vs. those who acquire miles through Chase or other credit cards.
Oct 15, 2014, 5:13 pm
#68
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,879
Trying to follow this -- are you guys saying there is no longer better saver availability for elites?
I just put some random dates in for LAX-MEL.
Feb 9, 25 + Mar 2 avl in Saver BF, but not when I sign out.
I just put some random dates in for LAX-MEL.
Feb 9, 25 + Mar 2 avl in Saver BF, but not when I sign out.
Oct 15, 2014, 5:46 pm
#69
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,659
You have mentioned this a lot, but I just don't see it happening. United is WAY too interested in selling miles to Chase et al to put up barriers like that.
If United is willing to open up award availability, why would United care who is redeeming. Are they suddenly becoming elite friendly? That would be a first since the merger...
If United is willing to open up award availability, why would United care who is redeeming. Are they suddenly becoming elite friendly? That would be a first since the merger...
We are seeing status dependent award availability here, and even more on DL.
Oct 21, 2014, 8:28 am
#70
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8
And today - exactly 6 months prior to departure - IN for this flight has changed from 9 to 0, with 44 BF seats still available. How unbelievably frustrating.
I wonder if this is coincidence, or if saver award availability plummets at the 6 month mark. Regardless, I now question whether we will even be able to change to this flight like we wanted to.
I probably should have just sucked it up and spent my own miles for my friend's return flight.
I wonder if this is coincidence, or if saver award availability plummets at the 6 month mark. Regardless, I now question whether we will even be able to change to this flight like we wanted to.
I probably should have just sucked it up and spent my own miles for my friend's return flight.
Oct 22, 2014, 7:16 am
#71
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Programs: UA 1K, Priority Club Plat
Posts: 252
I've always booked early
But seems as though it is now impossible.
I'm 1K, looking for ATL to LHR in Business or First.
I have a trip planned for late September to early October 2015.
Where the October flights are not available yet (too early) I wanted to check on my outbound leg. Not a single saver award unless you want to fly on that crappy AC 777 (voted best concrete seats).
Using the calendar I kept backing up, went all the way to April and still nothing. When I look at the seat maps (I checked several dates) I see NO seats taken in business or first.
Freaking amazing!
Thanks Smisek! Really doing a great job!
Who else could take a airline from first to worse.
I'm 1K, looking for ATL to LHR in Business or First.
I have a trip planned for late September to early October 2015.
Where the October flights are not available yet (too early) I wanted to check on my outbound leg. Not a single saver award unless you want to fly on that crappy AC 777 (voted best concrete seats).
Using the calendar I kept backing up, went all the way to April and still nothing. When I look at the seat maps (I checked several dates) I see NO seats taken in business or first.
Freaking amazing!
Thanks Smisek! Really doing a great job!
Who else could take a airline from first to worse.
Oct 29, 2014, 11:30 am
#72
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,035
That is fascinating. I have never seen such a large discrepancy between IN and I. It is usually only one seat.
You can score one of those IN seats for your friend by booking with your miles.
I am btw all in favor of this. Nice to see UA giving some benefits to its own elites vs. those who acquire miles through Chase or other credit cards.
You can score one of those IN seats for your friend by booking with your miles.
I am btw all in favor of this. Nice to see UA giving some benefits to its own elites vs. those who acquire miles through Chase or other credit cards.
BQN-EWR November 16 shows IN6 I0.
So it appears that UA is starting to open up the IN spigot just slightly and in this case status makes a real difference.
I tried fake bookings while both logged in and logged out and the status difference causes a real change in saver Biz class availability.
Oct 29, 2014, 3:18 pm
#73
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,659
But seems as though it is now impossible.
I'm 1K, looking for ATL to LHR in Business or First.
I have a trip planned for late September to early October 2015.
Where the October flights are not available yet (too early) I wanted to check on my outbound leg. Not a single saver award unless you want to fly on that crappy AC 777 (voted best concrete seats).
Using the calendar I kept backing up, went all the way to April and still nothing. When I look at the seat maps (I checked several dates) I see NO seats taken in business or first.
Freaking amazing!
Thanks Smisek! Really doing a great job!
Who else could take a airline from first to worse.
I'm 1K, looking for ATL to LHR in Business or First.
I have a trip planned for late September to early October 2015.
Where the October flights are not available yet (too early) I wanted to check on my outbound leg. Not a single saver award unless you want to fly on that crappy AC 777 (voted best concrete seats).
Using the calendar I kept backing up, went all the way to April and still nothing. When I look at the seat maps (I checked several dates) I see NO seats taken in business or first.
Freaking amazing!
Thanks Smisek! Really doing a great job!
Who else could take a airline from first to worse.
MR for miles to get FC travel will end. MR for econom travel will survive.
Oct 29, 2014, 10:00 pm
#75
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hiding under the trees in Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 2.5MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,306
That is fascinating. I have never seen such a large discrepancy between IN and I. It is usually only one seat.
You can score one of those IN seats for your friend by booking with your miles.
I am btw all in favor of this. Nice to see UA giving some benefits to its own elites vs. those who acquire miles through Chase or other credit cards.
You can score one of those IN seats for your friend by booking with your miles.
I am btw all in favor of this. Nice to see UA giving some benefits to its own elites vs. those who acquire miles through Chase or other credit cards.
I've been a 1K for twelve years now. Per the new rules, I, and my company, have spent the $10k+ to keep my 1K status for 2015. My loyalty has been abused so many times in the last few years that I am starting to feel foolish for giving it to United. Some meaningful changes in 1K perks would make me feel a lot better about the decisions and concessions I'm making every time I book a business or personal trip.