After booking mixed-class award, can you upgrade once seat is available?
Nov 4, 13, 9:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM, AS MVP, MR Ti
Posts: 920
After booking mixed-class award, can you upgrade once seat is available?
If you book a (one-way) international partner award: Leg 1 in First, Leg 2 in Business, then you get charged for a First class award.
If Leg 2 opens up in First, can you switch from Biz to First without incurring any fees?
(AA allows you to do so w/o fees.--In fact, this two-step approach is usually the best way to secure two FC awards on the same flight.)
If Leg 2 opens up in First, can you switch from Biz to First without incurring any fees?
(AA allows you to do so w/o fees.--In fact, this two-step approach is usually the best way to secure two FC awards on the same flight.)
Last edited by eethan; Nov 4, 13 at 10:05 pm
Nov 5, 13, 12:05 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
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Posts: 4,678
You paid for it, it's yours. Theoretically.
If your 2nd leg is UA metal you should just be able to call in. If it's on partner metal it may need a reissue in which case you'll need availability on both legs.
If your 2nd leg is UA metal you should just be able to call in. If it's on partner metal it may need a reissue in which case you'll need availability on both legs.
Nov 5, 13, 2:08 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: A3 *G, Hertz PC, Accor Platinum, IHG Platinum, occasionally AS, LM, BA/Avios, Bonvoy.
Posts: 83
I did this last year on a 2 sector award on Thai. First sector in C, second in Y. C space opened up on the second sector, called UA, and they changed the second sector to C in seconds. Thai's newer A330s are a decent way to fly round the far east! 2P
Nov 5, 13, 6:46 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: DEN
Programs: AA Gold, Delta Silver, HHonors Gold, Accor/Sofitel Platinum, InterContinental Platinum
Posts: 443
You can waitlist for the saver award to become available. Just call UA and ask. I did this last week for DEN-YVR-SYD awards. DEN-YVR and YVR-DEN on UA metal were not available in C (only Y). However, I got the SYD legs in C on Air Canada. I booked the mixed itinerary and called UA about the waitlist. My reservation now notes 'Requested IN' on both flights. So, my understanding is when it comes available it will be automatic (if it becomes available)...
Nov 7, 13, 11:51 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Houston, TX, USA & Bombay, India
Programs: CO Gold, Hotels.. TBD
Posts: 695
Originally Posted by RockyMntFlyer
You can waitlist for the saver award to become available. Just call UA and ask. I did this last week for DEN-YVR-SYD awards. DEN-YVR and YVR-DEN on UA metal were not available in C (only Y). However, I got the SYD legs in C on Air Canada. I booked the mixed itinerary and called UA about the waitlist. My reservation now notes 'Requested IN' on both flights. So, my understanding is when it comes available it will be automatic (if it becomes available)...
Nov 7, 13, 12:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HPN
Programs: not anymore! I'm FREE!
Posts: 3,338
Originally Posted by RockyMntFlyer
You can waitlist for the saver award to become available. Just call UA and ask. I did this last week for DEN-YVR-SYD awards. DEN-YVR and YVR-DEN on UA metal were not available in C (only Y). However, I got the SYD legs in C on Air Canada. I booked the mixed itinerary and called UA about the waitlist. My reservation now notes 'Requested IN' on both flights. So, my understanding is when it comes available it will be automatic (if it becomes available)...
Nov 18, 13, 1:45 pm
#9
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Domestic Leg in Economy/Int'l In First - Is This Unusual?
I haven't flown on a UA reward ticket for quite a while. Got one today. Good deal IMO. 2 first class saver tickets to China for 280k miles - one stop - good connections. The only thing that was a bit strange was the 2 domestic legs of the trip (JAX/ORD and ORD/JAX) are both in economy.
Not really complaining - because those trips are "puddle jumps". Just wondered if this was par for the course on UA these days? Note that it's often harder to find a domestic first class seat from JAX to a major hub than an international seat out of that hub. So perhaps that's part of what's going on? Robyn
Not really complaining - because those trips are "puddle jumps". Just wondered if this was par for the course on UA these days? Note that it's often harder to find a domestic first class seat from JAX to a major hub than an international seat out of that hub. So perhaps that's part of what's going on? Robyn
Nov 18, 13, 1:55 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,166
Originally Posted by aacharya
Is the plane even equipped with a F cabin?
The afternoon flight is usually a 319 with 8 F.
OP is most-likely waitlisted for UG and no award space was available today.
Nov 18, 13, 1:57 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
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Posts: 12,462
Originally Posted by zombietooth
The morning flights are usually CRJ-700s with only 6 F seats.
The afternoon flight is usually a 319 with 8 F.
OP is most-likely waitlisted for UG and no award space was available today.
The afternoon flight is usually a 319 with 8 F.
OP is most-likely waitlisted for UG and no award space was available today.
Nov 18, 13, 2:16 pm
#13
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Both flights have 6 first class seats - and they'll all available today (flights aren't until late September 2014). Perhaps these seats haven't been released for reward travel yet? Or maybe it's a mistake? I'm not on an upgrade list best I can figure out.
Do you think I should do anything? If so - what? Robyn
P.S. Note that I have zip in the way of status - can't complain to the titanium desk
.
Do you think I should do anything? If so - what? Robyn
P.S. Note that I have zip in the way of status - can't complain to the titanium desk
.
Last edited by robyng; Nov 18, 13 at 2:30 pm
Nov 18, 13, 2:20 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K, AA, DL, LH, VX, HA
Posts: 6,416
Status shouldn't matter on this - it's not considered an "upgrade" because technically you've bought F tickets all the way.
I would not worry - this is not terribly uncommon and, as you say, the flight that matters is in F (the 14 hour one with lie flat seats and an edible meal). You could always call United and ask how they will handle it, but you should be first in line should a seat open up (it seems unlikely the flight is sold out in F at this point - it's just that seats haven't been released for award travel).
I would not worry - this is not terribly uncommon and, as you say, the flight that matters is in F (the 14 hour one with lie flat seats and an edible meal). You could always call United and ask how they will handle it, but you should be first in line should a seat open up (it seems unlikely the flight is sold out in F at this point - it's just that seats haven't been released for award travel).
Nov 18, 13, 2:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Silicon wasteland
Programs: UA 1KMM
Posts: 1,301
Originally Posted by drewguy
you should be first in line should a seat open up
pmUA, there was the FFCC list to almost ensure joy on the day of travel.
IIRC, now there is no such thing, and, day of travel, OP will be on the "upgrade" list.
Call it in. Get waitlisted for F seats. And then watch it like a hawk to make sure you get processed...
