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}
Jun 22, 2019, 5:18 pm
#4171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
So, I'm in this potentially awesome situation of getting to fly business class on these really long flights but also this potentially miserable situation of being stuck in regular economy. I normally fly premium economy, so I'm hoping to at least not be worse off than normal.
That way, you are guaranteed of sitting in at least the class of service that you're accustomed to, and it also puts you ahead of everyone in economy on the upgrade list (meaning that it's much more likely to clear). Of course it also means that you have to spend a lot more money.
Personally, I'm unwilling to sit in economy on long hauls, so this is what I'd do unless I was really, really sure it was going to clear.
Jun 22, 2019, 6:13 pm
#4172
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA Premier Silver
Posts: 60
Your status and not that of your GS friend matters
I wanted to note that whether these upgrades clear are dependent on YOUR STATUS on UA and not your friend's so you may be further down on the list.
Perhaps someone can add to this as I have only had a friend use an upgrade for me once.
Perhaps someone can add to this as I have only had a friend use an upgrade for me once.
Last edited by greene; Jun 22, 2019 at 6:15 pm Reason: Spelling
Jun 22, 2019, 6:37 pm
#4173
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 22
Also, can GPUs be used to upgrade to Economy Plus if Business Class is not available?
Jun 22, 2019, 6:43 pm
#4175
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
E+ is the same fare class as E-, and E+ is considered a "preferred" seat in the same cabin. It can be accessed for a fee and would be a poor use of a GPU.
On FT we don't use the word upgrade for E+ because there is no change in fare class.
That is only partially correct. GS instruments even when used by a non-status passenger clear into PN, which gives the non-status passenger higher priority than a 1K using their own instruments (which needs PZ). On the PN waitlist, the passenger status then matters, but the PN distinction matters much more.
Jun 22, 2019, 8:33 pm
#4176
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 22
That is only partially correct. GS instruments even when used by a non-status passenger clear into PN, which gives the non-status passenger higher priority than a 1K using their own instruments (which needs PZ). On the PN waitlist, the passenger status then matters, but the PN distinction matters much more.
Jun 22, 2019, 8:37 pm
#4177
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Jun 22, 2019, 10:29 pm
#4178
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Not really true. As WineCountryUA noted already, GS GPU clear into PN. PN opens before PZ, so a GM on a GS GPU has much better odds than a 1k on any kind of fare.
Jun 23, 2019, 12:52 am
#4179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,419
OP: Buy an E+ seat assignment now if you see a price that you’re comfortable with. You will be eligible for a refund after your flight if the GPU clears. Note that there is a major difference in comfort between Economy Plus and Premium Economy — E+ is regular economy with extra legroom, but nothing else. The alternative — waiting until they become scarce — is viable, but you never know when somebody make book the seat you were looking at.
Jun 23, 2019, 4:47 am
#4180
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
That's a pretty small percentage of GPU upgrades. Regardless what happens when the list goes to the gate, clearing into PN is a huge, orders of magnitude advantage over clearing into PZ.
Jun 23, 2019, 2:20 pm
#4181
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 22
Note that there is a major difference in comfort between Economy Plus and Premium Economy — E+ is regular economy with extra legroom, but nothing else. The alternative — waiting until they become scarce — is viable, but you never know when somebody make book the seat you were looking at.
Jun 23, 2019, 6:07 pm
#4182
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH, YYC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 753
Can anybody with experience on USA-HKG routes let me know which of these flights you think has the best chance of upgrade, bearing in mind the route and date? All four have P9, PN0, PZ0. I have one GPU to use for a journey originating at EWR on Oct 10th, and returning via SFO on Oct 15th. I don't care about non-stop vs connecting (even if it means connecting from EWR to ORD or SFO in Y), just looking for the best chance of upgrade on the long haul segment.
Here are the current loads
EWR-HKG Thurs Oct 10: 11/60 booked
ORD-HKG Thurs Oct 10: 6/50 booked
SFO-HKG Thurs Oct 10: 15/60 booked
HKG-SFO Tues Oct 15: 17/60 booked
My thoughts right now are to go for the EWR-HKG direct, but would appreciate any advice.
Here are the current loads
EWR-HKG Thurs Oct 10: 11/60 booked
ORD-HKG Thurs Oct 10: 6/50 booked
SFO-HKG Thurs Oct 10: 15/60 booked
HKG-SFO Tues Oct 15: 17/60 booked
My thoughts right now are to go for the EWR-HKG direct, but would appreciate any advice.
Jun 23, 2019, 6:56 pm
#4183
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
Jun 23, 2019, 7:25 pm
#4184
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
It looks that EWR-HKG in October 2019 is served by the 773ER that has Premium Plus. So, can book R on that flight.
Last edited by StuckinITH; Jun 23, 2019 at 7:36 pm
Jun 24, 2019, 7:14 pm
#4185
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NY
Programs: UA, Marriott, SPG, Hyatt, Hilton, Omni
Posts: 108
I have an upcoming flight July 4th from EWR to ZRH on a W fare class and applied a GPU to upgrade on a 767-400ER. My upgrade of course has not cleared and when I check the loads, it shows J8, C6, D6 and P2. Does this mean that there are only 8 business class seats available for purchase? If so, then what is the likelihood of this GPU clearing. I've never flown to ZRH before and not sure how busy or popular this airport is. Thanks.