Feb 9, 2019, 8:39 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight
Related thread - Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight
Related thread - Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight {Archive}
Oct 2, 2018, 2:22 pm
#3166
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: 1K
Posts: 220
Anyone have experience with the best days to upgrade DEN<->NRT? Looking at a mileage run and by picking random dates I haven't found any open R, but it looks like there are a smattering of upgrades on recent completed flights.
Oct 2, 2018, 3:43 pm
#3167
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Latin America and USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold
Posts: 456
Mid week is usually the best bet on that one. I find it's more common to find available R at booking for NRT-DEN than DEN-NRT, but YMMV.
Oct 3, 2018, 7:01 am
#3168
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: United
Posts: 35
EWR to ZRH on 10/14 via UA134
There's only 5 available business seats and I'm in the queue on a gifted GPU as a plat. Not really liking my chances - any thoughts? Maybe see if I can switch to the day after, which currently has something like 12 free?
There's only 5 available business seats and I'm in the queue on a gifted GPU as a plat. Not really liking my chances - any thoughts? Maybe see if I can switch to the day after, which currently has something like 12 free?
Oct 3, 2018, 10:17 am
#3169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
In general, a Monday departure is a better bet than a Sunday departure. However, it only has ten free (booked 29/39). I'd say your chances are still no better than 5%, given that it's still two weeks until departure and you're at Plat. There is no way I would consider paying a change fee just to waitlist on a different flight. The only flight worth changing onto would be one with upgrade space available for immediate confirmation.
Oct 3, 2018, 11:21 am
#3170
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
This is a hard and fast rule for me. DO NOT pay a change fee unless you can confirm into premium cabin. The alternative approach is known in Vegas as doubling down on your loss.
Oct 3, 2018, 11:56 am
#3171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Good luck!
Oct 3, 2018, 12:01 pm
#3172
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
SDC via a European gateway is unlikely to work because SDC requires UA-operated flights by rule. You might be able to SDC as long as there's a UA codeshare on the connecting flight, but that's not a given.
Oct 3, 2018, 12:06 pm
#3173
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: United 100K, Etihad Gold, Marriot Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 578
I'm flying PEK-SFO tomorrow. Do they normally offer cash upgrades for this flight? I've been following it for a week and they have not given any options to do that. Pretty sure the flight is wide open in J since the seat map is open and J = 9.
Oct 3, 2018, 12:07 pm
#3174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Thanks for outlining the details, jsloan.
Fyi, I did sponsor a RPU to a 1K friend, who was able to SDC past check-in at the UC on his own, without assistance from my side.
Fyi, I did sponsor a RPU to a 1K friend, who was able to SDC past check-in at the UC on his own, without assistance from my side.
Oct 3, 2018, 12:11 pm
#3175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,021
Oct 3, 2018, 1:16 pm
#3176
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Seems it's only sold 22 out of 60. Have you checked-in yet? And you did not get an offer at check-in? Then your only option is to keep checking on the website or app by trying the change seat option or ask at the airport.
Oct 3, 2018, 1:22 pm
#3177
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: United 100K, Etihad Gold, Marriot Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 578
Currently 38 United Polaris℠ business seats available and 12 customers eligible for an upgrade. I wonder what this means? I''m on the upgrade list by the way, and quite high on it. hmmmmmmm
Oct 3, 2018, 1:34 pm
#3178
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Are you flying Thursday on flight 889? Did you waitlist a GPU? And what was your fare class? If you are high on the upgrade list, your upgrade might clear without having to worry about TODs. But with that load, it's surprising that they have not opened any R space since you waitlisted the upgrade instrument. I have been upgraded 4 days before a flight to PVG when there were only 4 seats left.
Oct 3, 2018, 1:39 pm
#3179
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: United 100K, Etihad Gold, Marriot Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 578
Are you flying Thursday on flight 889? Did you waitlist a GPU? And what was your fare class? If you are high on the upgrade list, your upgrade might clear without having to worry about TODs. But with that load, it's surprising that they have not opened any R space since you waitlisted the upgrade instrument. I have been upgraded 4 days before a flight to PVG when there were only 4 seats left.
Oct 3, 2018, 1:50 pm
#3180
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I see. That's why you are not upgraded yet. However, I never saw myself on the eligible upgrade list on an international long haul if I did not waitlist an instrument. So, this is out of my league. Hopefully, you'll get an upgrade but I would not count on it. And hopefully Economy + is empty and you get a hobo First Class if you don't get upgraded. Good Luck!