WineCountryUA

Welcome to FT!, jmaxeden
The award programs on the surface first appear simple but the devil is into the details and not everything is transparent.

United provides an initial overview in [url=https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/travel/types.aspx]MileagePlus air awards[/quote] -- at the bottom of the page click to expand the award rules.

However, there is much more to understand and the United Flyertalk forum has multiple threads discussing various aspects of the program (such as this thread).


Limited dates will make things hard but providing more information (if you are comfortable) would allow others to provide some ideas. Travel dates, at least the month and day of the week.
Starting airport
Your Gold status does open up more economy space than a non-elite. You say you see some options, what are the problems with those options?
The number of travelers?

They don't see more award space but they are more experienced in using the tools. No harm in checking

Finding award space at certain times of the year or on certain routes can be challenging -- may times there will limited availability,

MasterGeek

I am trying to book YUL-CMN-LIS or YUL-CMN-IST (connection in CMN, not stopover). Aeroplan shows the itinerary and prices like any YUL-LIS or YUL-IST award but I would like to book that itinerary using United miles to aviod the Aeroplan / Air Canada carrier surcharges.

What are the chances that I can book it through a phone agent. Any other tips to unlock that routing ?


Thanks!

jsloan

(a) Aeroplan may have access to additional Air Canada space beyond what United can see.
(b) If it doesn't come up on a search from origin to destination, United will charge you extra miles for it
(c) I'd be surprised if United allowed you to route through the Northern Africa region on a US-Europe itinerary. (IST is also considered Europe by UA).

Basically, Aeroplan and UA may treat things differently, and if it's not showing up in your searches, it's unlikely that you'll be able to book it for the North America to Europe price.

MasterGeek

The availability appears on United as well if I search the segments separately. I'm trying to get to CMN for a lower mileage cost

drewp123

This trip is for my honeymoon. I booked HND-PEK-AKL-PPT in Y for 15k miles o/w. I chose an in-optimal routing and class to secure the AKL-PPT leg.

Now I solely want to upgrade the first two of the existing legs. No new bookings or routings. When I try, the computer breaks the fare and prices it as two tickets. Each agent gives a different reason why. Some say the routing was illegal to begin with, and others that J must be available all the way through (no mixed cabins). One agent confirmed the routing is legal, which is in the notes, but couldn't get a computer/supervisor to force it and left it at that.

I booked a similar routing previously, but the rules may have since changed. I searched and only tangentially related, or old, posts came up. I have also interacted with 5 agents and am exhausted. If anyone knows the terminology I should use to nudge the agents it would be great appreciated.

For reference, I previously booked KIX-SIN-AKL-NAN in J for the stated rate.

Any insight is appreciated!

prometa

If you can provide dates of travel, someone more talented that I can look up published fare rules and double check whether the route is, in fact legal, and whether it is, in theory, available. The route may be legal, but not constructable with currently available published fares, for example.

jsloan

This is a mileage ticket, so the published routing rules don't apply.

With the new system, you can basically only access inventory that appears on a one-way search from origin to destination. If it doesn't appear on the search results, it's unlikely that a UA agent can piece it together without a vast increase in mileage cost.

myb821

its an award ticket. Could be wrong but dont think published fares matter.

drewp123

I believe it is correct that published fares don't matter. Award routes have their own logic.

I am booked in Y at the 15k rate without it being broken on this same routing. I assumed I could upgrade my class of service later and not worry about breaking my fare in two.

The route is "legal" in the sense it can be booked online. It is hard to find availability, but it is POSSIBLE. This is why I booked the first route I saw since the month currently has no other open dates.

jsloan

You can -- if the route you want is still available on a one-way search. Otherwise, as you're seeing, you may run into issues.

If you've used the word "upgrade," though, try asking to "change to a business class award." That may get more traction. However, the downline partner flights (that you're not changing) may require fresh (as in, can be booked today on a new ticket) availability.

phkc070408

When booking an award ticket, since you probably paid the least amount of money that anyone paid for that trip, are you considered the lowest payer in the event of IDB?

jsloan

Generally, yes. A non-status passenger on an award ticket would be the first to be IDB'ed.

phkc070408

Would being in J make a difference?

jsloan

They're not going to IDB someone from J due to a coach oversell, so, yes, it makes a difference.

However, a no-status passenger with a business award is first in line to be downgraded to Y if the necessity arises.

prometa