IADFlyer123

If you have $1100 and 40,000 miles, by all means go ahead. This is a standard miles+money buy up offer. remember that the East coast to EU flights are generally short (because of tail winds). But if you want to experience biz class and have miles and money, go ahead. Just ensure that they are actually offering you to get a confirmed seat and not waitlist.

roxie

Business First Roundtrip
Jun 5 ROC-ORD-PVG (P)
Jun 17 PVG-ORD-ROC (D)

Total $8,532.56

At the bottom of the flight review page (before pressing continue)

Need more flexibility? Consider one of these options:
Upgrade to United GlobalFirst
Flat-bed seats with on-demand entertainment
Complimentary wine and meal
$116.00 more

I clicked it and got Global First both ways for total of $116 more.

I've tried different dates, and it seems it's only with flight returning on Jun 17. I get the same offer when starting Jun 6, 9, 11 but only when returning Jun 17.

Anybody know what's going on behind the scenes to offer this for this date only?

Thx.

IADFlyer123

Take screenshots at each step if you intend to proceed. UA has been known to charge $1160 or $11600 for such transactions! That way you will have proof. There is also a remote possibility that the transaction will fail as it wont allow you to complete.

Kacee

That's likely the price difference to an A fare, which is undoubtedly cheaper than your D; combining the D with the P results in a roundtrip price just slightly less than a roundtrip A.

roxie

Thanks for explaining this. You're right. My trip summary after purchasing the ticket shows A fare both ways.

Curious as to how I would find this on my own from the United Book a Flight screen. I put A in the fare class and the lowest I get is $10,032.56

When I search this itinerary in Google flights, I also get $8,649, so trying to learn something here.

Thanks for your help.

Kacee

Don't search by fare class, just search for lowest available.

If united.com doesn't show a fare that Google does, one of them is not returning fares correctly (and it could be either).

AA_CPA

Hi everyone, new to United after 10 year hiatus. Checked in T-24 for a flight and was offered paid upgrade. Is there a chance if I check later the price will go down? I got that sense from a previous post here that mentioned the price dropped at T-14, but wasn't sure if that person delayed their check-in. Thanks

krazykanuck

It's definitely possible, but not a guarantee. I've seen it go down, then spike up, and then go back to the original price. I've also seen it stay the same until check in.

What route are you flying and what price did it offer you?

findark

There's a route-dependent baseline that anchors the price, and around that it's pretty arbitrary and there aren't any known trends. It is unlikely to change significantly, but it is possible (in either direction).

jjmoore

I've never seen this happen one time with many data points to prove it. Not to say that it can't happen, but probably not likely.

Kacee

Sure there's a chance. But the most likely outcome is it will sell out.

If I saw a price I liked, I would go for it.

Juls27

Hi there, there is a whole new world that opened to me with this forum.
I am a little lost seeing your talks: what are those fair letter you refer to? Where do you see if they are still available? How do people get deals to upgrade for just 100 dollars? I guess I'll catch up over time.

Here is a question though: I've purchased tickets SFO - FRA - SFO and upgraded to business class with $550 + 20 000 miles option. On the way there the upgrade was provided immediately, on the flight back (United 927) we were only offered a waitlist. We chose to fly back on September 11, hoping that due to the date there may be fewer passengers and less competition, but there are already more seats booked in business than on SFO->FRA which is 1 month earlier. I wonder if that has to do with the fact that it's a 5.30 PM flight and more people upgrade.

I am flying with my husband and a son (on the lap) who will be almost 1 year old at the time, so having a full bed is our best bet to get some sleep. We don't have any special status with United, we have MileagePlus Explorer cards with them, but that's pretty much it, we don't fly very often. Is there any trick that could help improve our chances for an upgrade?

cesco.g

Welcome to FT!

Travel to Germany often gets very busy due to trade shows, conventions etc.
September is also popular due to Octoberfest. You never really know. Best
thing is, to monitor the flights for any upgrades become available. However, this is still a ways out, so space might open up as it gets closer to the departure date. Generally speaking though, SFO-FRA-SFO are some of the tougher upgrades to clear. So, you did well, that you already cleared on the outbound.
Another option is, to do a SDC (Same Day Change) within 24 hrs of departure for a flight, which might open up in business class.
Good luck!

Juls27

Thank you! Could you please elaborate a bit on this: do you refer to other United flights? What is the best way to track that? Just keep searching from time to time for a similar ticket and check if the upgrade is offered with another flight?

Waldofriend

Just purchased a flight for NYC/LAS in about a week in S bucket for $254. Discount F was available for $524. After purchase was offered an upgrade to first for only $448 additional! Nah.