Any pattern in UA opening "last minute" China coach award seats?
Nov 18, 2013, 9:58 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,448
Any pattern in UA opening "last minute" China coach award seats?
I'm a 1K traveling on a UA coach award ticket from Beijing to NYC in a few weeks. I'm currently booked on the Air China flight to JFK but, for time-of-day/airport reasons, I'd prefer the UA flight to EWR. As a 1K, I can change my reservation without any fees if, of course, the UA flight becomes available.
Looking at the seating chart for the UA flight I want, it looks wide open. But I'm wondering if that's an accurate indication of demand. Like I know the Chinese tend to book air travel much closer to departure time than do Americans, and I also wonder if everyone with a reservation has a seat assignment. Is there a free service that could give me more accurate load information?
If the flight isn't busy, is there any predictability as to when UA would make more "last minute" award seats available?
Finally, has anyone ever flown this route on Air China in coach? I presume the overall service has to be better than on UA (how could it not be?). Of course, as a 1K, I would benefit from Economy Plus on UA, where the extra legroom would be valuable on such a long coach flight.
Looking at the seating chart for the UA flight I want, it looks wide open. But I'm wondering if that's an accurate indication of demand. Like I know the Chinese tend to book air travel much closer to departure time than do Americans, and I also wonder if everyone with a reservation has a seat assignment. Is there a free service that could give me more accurate load information?
If the flight isn't busy, is there any predictability as to when UA would make more "last minute" award seats available?
Finally, has anyone ever flown this route on Air China in coach? I presume the overall service has to be better than on UA (how could it not be?). Of course, as a 1K, I would benefit from Economy Plus on UA, where the extra legroom would be valuable on such a long coach flight.
Nov 19, 2013, 10:21 am
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,427
What is the farecode availability showing in expert mode?
I've found with some China flights that a bunch of tickets have been booked (tour groups, consolidators) but without seats assigned.
I don't think the late-booking Chinese approach translates for international flights - domestic flights in China have a different fare structure so it's easier to book late. But UA doesn't use that structure.
I've found with some China flights that a bunch of tickets have been booked (tour groups, consolidators) but without seats assigned.
I don't think the late-booking Chinese approach translates for international flights - domestic flights in China have a different fare structure so it's easier to book late. But UA doesn't use that structure.
Nov 19, 2013, 11:37 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,448
What is the farecode availability showing in expert mode?
I've found with some China flights that a bunch of tickets have been booked (tour groups, consolidators) but without seats assigned.
I don't think the late-booking Chinese approach translates for international flights - domestic flights in China have a different fare structure so it's easier to book late. But UA doesn't use that structure.
I've found with some China flights that a bunch of tickets have been booked (tour groups, consolidators) but without seats assigned.
I don't think the late-booking Chinese approach translates for international flights - domestic flights in China have a different fare structure so it's easier to book late. But UA doesn't use that structure.
Available Cabins: J9, JN9, C9, D9, Z9, ZN9, P5, PN0, R0, RN0, IN0, I0, Y9, YN9, B9, M9, E9, U0, H0, HN0, Q0, V0, W0, S0, T0, L0, K0, G0, N0, XN0, X0
Nov 19, 2013, 3:34 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,427
What that tells me is that almost all the coach seats have been sold. All that's left are Y, B, and M fare classes, which are the most expensive. So it is extremely unlikely a coach saver seat will open up, although of course a regular coach seat is available for award travel.
The good news is that it appears there's a lot of room in the business class cabin, indicated by J, C, D, and Z - with Z9 it means they're trying to sell discounted business seats. This is often a good sign that saver business class seats may become available as it gets closer to flight time. You might hold out for that.
The good news is that it appears there's a lot of room in the business class cabin, indicated by J, C, D, and Z - with Z9 it means they're trying to sell discounted business seats. This is often a good sign that saver business class seats may become available as it gets closer to flight time. You might hold out for that.