May 3, 2014, 8:59 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
A new thread has been started for 2015; please see: Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2015 Thread]
______________________________________
Welcome to this thread to ask your basic, simple questions about United Airlines, its operations, or the MileagePlus program. We know that the airline is complex and we’ve created this thread for new and veteran members to ask those basic questions about United Airlines that you think must have an easy answer but just can’t find it or aren’t sure where to look.
These are the two rules for this thread:
1) Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to other threads if the question deserves its own thread.
2) Any member who can post a constructive, patient answer is welcome to reply.
Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:
United MileagePlus Master Wiki
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
______________________________________
Welcome to this thread to ask your basic, simple questions about United Airlines, its operations, or the MileagePlus program. We know that the airline is complex and we’ve created this thread for new and veteran members to ask those basic questions about United Airlines that you think must have an easy answer but just can’t find it or aren’t sure where to look.
These are the two rules for this thread:
1) Use this thread for a simple, basic question. Moderators may move posts to other threads if the question deserves its own thread.
2) Any member who can post a constructive, patient answer is welcome to reply.
Additional tools for members seeking information about MileagePlus:
United MileagePlus Master Wiki
"New" United Airlines Forum Glossary
Have a Simple Question About United Airlines/MileagePlus? Ask Here [2014 Thread]...
Oct 20, 2014, 3:34 am
#3316
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
Used Advanced search and under fare classes you can enter the specific class of service (W,V,Q,H,M,B,Y). At the same time select mileage plus upgrade award.
Oct 20, 2014, 6:02 am
#3317
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
http://blog.wandr.me/2012/03/the-new...swuable-fares/
n.b. The link above is to my blog or to one which I am a regular contributor. FT rules require that I disclose that in the post.
Oct 20, 2014, 6:36 am
#3318
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 55
In the end I was number 5 on the list & no-one got upgraded. As I was on a GPU & a 1K I thought I would be fairly high priority and so assumed the 4 above me were all GS. But when they called for GS boarding only two people got on, and they both sat in first, so were obviously not in the 4 folks ahead of me. So apart from GS, what would have ranked higher than me (reminder below of my details)?
- 1K member
- Exercised a GPU 6 weeks ago
- Fare class - Q
Oct 20, 2014, 7:33 am
#3319
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,153
Oct 20, 2014, 7:35 am
#3320
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 44
Is the recent 40% bonus mileage purchase offer worth it? $903 for 40,000 miles? If only I had loaded up when they had the 100% offer, think I paid ~$750 for 40,000 miles then. What are the chances of another 100% offer in the next 2-4 months?
Oct 20, 2014, 8:36 am
#3321
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,432
On my last TATL my GPUs cleared, but sat in coach both on the way to EWR and back.
IIRC it was the same with TPAC. If my domestic u/g doesn't clear at booking it virtually never clears.
Oct 20, 2014, 8:50 am
#3322
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tampa/Orlando
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 109
http://blog.wandr.me/2012/03/the-new...swuable-fares/
n.b. The link above is to my blog or to one which I am a regular contributor. FT rules require that I disclose that in the post.
I guess I didn't forget how to search eligible GPU fares - I am getting the same results by adding the higher fare classes. On the tedious search day by day for Nov-Dec all the results are the same - either "30,000 miles + $600 each way" or "upgrades not available". I guess end of the year GPU eligible fares have all been slurped up for MCO-SIN.
Oct 20, 2014, 10:23 am
#3323
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,907
Just to complete the story, needless to say I didnt get the upgrade & had to endure 5 hours to Phoenix with limited leg room & no DirectTV
In the end I was number 5 on the list & no-one got upgraded. As I was on a GPU & a 1K I thought I would be fairly high priority and so assumed the 4 above me were all GS. But when they called for GS boarding only two people got on, and they both sat in first, so were obviously not in the 4 folks ahead of me. So apart from GS, what would have ranked higher than me (reminder below of my details)?
In the end I was number 5 on the list & no-one got upgraded. As I was on a GPU & a 1K I thought I would be fairly high priority and so assumed the 4 above me were all GS. But when they called for GS boarding only two people got on, and they both sat in first, so were obviously not in the 4 folks ahead of me. So apart from GS, what would have ranked higher than me (reminder below of my details)?
- 1K member
- Exercised a GPU 6 weeks ago
- Fare class - Q
Any elite on Y or B fare or 1K on M
Any 1K or GS using GPU/RPU/Miles on a higher fare or same fare but requested earlier.
Any anyone willing to purchase the upgrade with $$$$
I guess I didn't forget how to search eligible GPU fares - I am getting the same results by adding the higher fare classes. On the tedious search day by day for Nov-Dec all the results are the same - either "30,000 miles + $600 each way" or "upgrades not available". I guess end of the year GPU eligible fares have all been slurped up for MCO-SIN.
Any W or higher fare is upgradeable but it may not be confirmable at booking. Appears you are having issue finding confirmable at booking space -- not uncommon but that does not mean there will not be upgrades (but does add uncertainty).
Oct 20, 2014, 12:24 pm
#3324
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I guess I didn't forget how to search eligible GPU fares - I am getting the same results by adding the higher fare classes. On the tedious search day by day for Nov-Dec all the results are the same - either "30,000 miles + $600 each way" or "upgrades not available". I guess end of the year GPU eligible fares have all been slurped up for MCO-SIN.
That's 2.25cpm. Award Accelerator generally is a reliable 1.9cpm.
Oct 20, 2014, 12:58 pm
#3325
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 44
Unfortunately don't have the time to do award accelerators. I don't have any bookings coming up - just wanted to take an opportunity to buy some points at decent value. I might not use them for another year. Do you think they will offer better than 40% any time in the near future - or will it only get more expensive?
Oct 20, 2014, 1:30 pm
#3326
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,907
Unfortunately don't have the time to do award accelerators. I don't have any bookings coming up - just wanted to take an opportunity to buy some points at decent value. I might not use them for another year. Do you think they will offer better than 40% any time in the near future - or will it only get more expensive?
Award Accelerator purchases can be made with a dummy / fake booking that you cancel within the free cancellation period (24 hours or a fully refundable ticket). After cancelling you keep the purchased Award Accelerator miles.
It general, most on FT would warn against banking miles, especially with extra purchases. The airlines can and have change the earning tables with minimal advance notice. A 10/20/...% devaluation can turn a good price into a fair or middling price.
Oct 20, 2014, 2:54 pm
#3327
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Then don't buy them now. It is unlikely that you'll come out ahead by "investing" in RDMs.
Oct 20, 2014, 3:42 pm
#3328
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: PHX, ORD, MDW
Programs: WN A-List, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 292
The ticket prices on a reservation that I booked back in May have fallen almost $500 each (2 tickets = almost $1000 total difference). I realize that there is a $200 change fee per ticket ($400 total), but even after that, the difference is close to $600. Do I have to pay the $400 out-of-pocket, or can that simply be deducted from the travel voucher that I would receive? If I have to pay out-of-pocket, I'm not sure if it's worth it. Any advice would be helpful. 
Oct 20, 2014, 3:48 pm
#3329
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,432
Oct 20, 2014, 3:49 pm
#3330
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,907
The ticket prices on a reservation that I booked back in May have fallen almost $500 each (2 tickets = almost $1000 total difference). I realize that there is a $200 change fee per ticket ($400 total), but even after that, the difference is close to $600. Do I have to pay the $400 out-of-pocket, or can that simply be deducted from the travel voucher that I would receive? If I have to pay out-of-pocket, I'm not sure if it's worth it. Any advice would be helpful.
Caution -- not all change fees are $200, some are higher.