monczao

Hello all,

A first time Premier 1K member here with some, hopefully, basic questions here. I searched the forum using the internal Search functionality as well as google and didn't find answers to my specific questions so I apologize if it was mentioned before, I must have missed it.

I have an upcoming one way travel with the ps segment SFO-EWR and I have two questions.

1) Which day/time combination will give me best chance for upgrade to business class? I can choose between Sunday (8:50pm, 9:50pm, or 10:45pm departure), or Monday (9:50pm or 10:45pm departure).

2) Should I try using the RPU, or that's a risky game and it's better to just buy up to business? If the latter, is it better to do it through the website/app ahead of time or wait until gate and do it there? How much does it cost to upgrade with cash?

Thanks in advance for all the answers or pointing me to the right place on this forum where I can find them!

Have a great day!

PTahCha

Choose the plane, not the time. The ones with 28 or greater business class seats offer a greater chance to get upgraded than 16.

If you have RPU's, unless you have other reasons to use it, go ahead and apply it. Cash upgrade is offered via online check-in.

EWR764

1) Sunday redeyes are tough, IMO, as there are a lot of commuters headed to the East Coast to start the business week Monday AM, and the obvious preference is for a flat bed. Anecdotally, Mondays are better, and instead of particular departure times, I usually look to flights operated by 28J 75K ships if I'm trying for an RPU (777s too, but they rarely make it to redeyes unless an equipment sub).

2) Cash buy-ups vary in price. If I'm paying out of my own pocket, I don't think it's worth more than the advance purchase one way P fares, which are in the ~$650 range these days. If fare paid + buy-up offer brings me into that ballpark, I'll at least consider it, if I don't buy it outright in the first place. Keep in mind that buy-up offers immediately after purchase and at check-in often won't result in a reissue, so your PQD may not reflect how much you actually paid, and offers at check-in sometimes will not earn 2x PQM (book into ZN crediting at underlying fare basis for PQM). So, caveat emptor.

Hergertarian

ps flights aren't CPU eligible, and are the biz seats on red eyes I've been on are usually sold out a week or so in advance :/
I would try to buy up in advance. I usually check out the upgrade list (for folks using instruments), and they rarely clear.

jr0ck

The one thing that United does right is those gosh durn cookies they bake in first. SO GOOD! Does anyone know which brand? Otis Spunkmeyer?

Kacee

I've concluded it's best just to purchase the advance P fare at $649 each way. There is an advance purchase requirement, which varies.

findark

Advertised as Otis Spunkmeyer although website is always a dubious source. They're decent although I prefer the Christie Cookie Co. ones that are served on Express flights

Up to $664 at a 30-day AP now. They bumped it $10 and then $5 a week later this quarter... it's like they hope we don't notice.

Kacee

I find the lack of R availability much more upsetting . . . .

findark

Yes, although I also never fail to be astounded how many over-$1k fares they sell. My backup is always something like SFO-IAH-LGA where I can fly the 789 for half of it, get notably more PQM, and it's still less than $650 all the way up to T-7.

PsiFighter37

Delta is now serving free meals I need Y on JFK-SFO/LAX...wonder if UA will follow or not...

FTLexMUC

What is the right way to apply a GPU/RPU to get added to UG standby list within 24h of departure?

when doing SDC waitlist often does not carry over

i guess this is a general GPU question but also relevant for PS flights.

Kacee

Not allowed under the rules. New waitlist requests may only be made outside of T-24. A very helpful agent might violate the rules and do it for you.

It's not supposed to. Instrument needs to be redeposited and reapplied.

FTLexMUC

can I do it at the gate then? Why don't they allow certificates within 24h?
sdc be default is within 24h so I cannot reapply per your first statement, correct?

Kacee

Per the rules, you can't waitlist within T-24. You can clear into open R.

Again, a helpful agent may waive the restriction.

mahasamatman

Looking at EWR-SFO flights for this fall, it seems I have a choice between Polaris-configured 752s and p.s.-configured 752s. Assuming both configurations will really be flying at that time, will there be any notable difference between the hard and soft experiences?