Jan 29, 2017, 11:59 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Years ago, there was a pattern of release award space at begin-of-schedule, some 330+ before travel. That is not longer the default situation. There may be some released at that time and a few weeks later but just as common for airlines to wait to see how the flight is selling versus historical data. Then if sales are falling behind, they may release some seats. If sold seats are on historical trends or better, the likelihood of awards space is less. Some airlines are more sophisticated than others and some like UA for their flights tend to hold onto space until closer to departure.
So in summary, predictable patterns are few and award space is getting harder to find.
Business award space for some routes can be nearly impossible to find and generally is never easy. BUT it can happen with some flexibility and perseverance.
A couple of suggestions for finding space
== Avoid peak travel periods -- seasons, days --- midweek tends to be better than weekends, be flexiable -- fixed dates are a killer
== Look early, look late, look all the time
== Partner space tends to be more available than UA space for international flights
== For those not starting at a hub, first look for "gateway" non-stop space to Europe or Asia. Find the long haul flight possibilities first and then build from there (or separate ticket to the gateway -- with plenty of buffer time)
What does "Advance seat assignments are restricted for this flight" mean?
What time (and time zone), how many days out does UA release awards for booking?
Previous Thread -- United Saver Award/Upgrade Inventory (& partners) - when is it released? [Archive]
So in summary, predictable patterns are few and award space is getting harder to find.
Business award space for some routes can be nearly impossible to find and generally is never easy. BUT it can happen with some flexibility and perseverance.
A couple of suggestions for finding space
== Avoid peak travel periods -- seasons, days --- midweek tends to be better than weekends, be flexiable -- fixed dates are a killer
== Look early, look late, look all the time
== Partner space tends to be more available than UA space for international flights
== For those not starting at a hub, first look for "gateway" non-stop space to Europe or Asia. Find the long haul flight possibilities first and then build from there (or separate ticket to the gateway -- with plenty of buffer time)
What does "Advance seat assignments are restricted for this flight" mean?
What time (and time zone), how many days out does UA release awards for booking?
Previous Thread -- United Saver Award/Upgrade Inventory (& partners) - when is it released? [Archive]
UA Saver Award/Upgrade Inventory (& partners)-when is it released? Ever any business?
Dec 14, 2023, 11:28 am
#257
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,830
Dec 14, 2023, 11:42 am
#258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
Hey Friends..
I'm looking for saver J fares from Sydney, BNE, or MEL on January 1st.
Should I book the 200K fares and hope for savers?
I found saver 100K J fares on the outbound, but even with 20 open seats, United isn't lowering the prices.
What gives?
Thoughts on best practices?
Kevin
I'm looking for saver J fares from Sydney, BNE, or MEL on January 1st.
Should I book the 200K fares and hope for savers?
I found saver 100K J fares on the outbound, but even with 20 open seats, United isn't lowering the prices.
What gives?
Thoughts on best practices?
Kevin
Dec 18, 2023, 1:59 pm
#260
Join Date: Sep 2022
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 741
There were a lot of J saver awards to Oz and NZ in November and December. I redeemed one to Australia, after exchanging one that I had for NZ.
I wonder if they have too much capacity to Oceania which might get cut back./
OTOH, I've been tracking PE and J fares for months and they are very high, much higher than prior to the pandemic.
I wonder if they have too much capacity to Oceania which might get cut back./
OTOH, I've been tracking PE and J fares for months and they are very high, much higher than prior to the pandemic.
Dec 28, 2023, 7:44 am
#263
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,864
Yeah there's a thread on this, its not easy but persistence may pay off.
Dec 28, 2023, 8:07 am
#264
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,451
This is the thread you want about waitlisting for IN on a mixed-class award: Consolidated "Waitlist for Award Seats Questions/Issues".
Feb 21, 2024, 2:58 pm
#265
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
How often does United release saver awards?
I'm still researching a trip RDU-DPS-SIN-RDU. Dec 24/Jan 25. I see no saver awards for anything. Is there a chance that United might make more available throughout the year or do they release all their inventory at one time, and that's it? And am I likely to find more saver awards for domestic and perhaps none for international? I'm interested in Premium Economy or Business.
Feb 21, 2024, 3:49 pm
#267
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
If you are responding to me, then thanks. Don't most people book earlier than 30 days out? To clarify, I can get an award booking for an insane amount of miles. But anything like a Mileage Plus Award upgrade is WAITLIST only. And, if you calculate the price of say Premium Economy + miles to get to Business, at the moment it's not much more to just pay cash for a flight.
I guess I'm asking about the waitlist and if it changes during the year if additional award inventory is released? Will I see the same "waitlist only" flights in June that I see right now?
I guess I'm asking about the waitlist and if it changes during the year if additional award inventory is released? Will I see the same "waitlist only" flights in June that I see right now?
Feb 21, 2024, 4:51 pm
#268
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Francisco Penninsula
Programs: Bear Backers
Posts: 931
Yes, most peopke book more than 30 days in advance
If you are responding to me, then thanks. Don't most people book earlier than 30 days out? To clarify, I can get an award booking for an insane amount of miles. But anything like a Mileage Plus Award upgrade is WAITLIST only. And, if you calculate the price of say Premium Economy + miles to get to Business, at the moment it's not much more to just pay cash for a flight.
I guess I'm asking about the waitlist and if it changes during the year if additional award inventory is released? Will I see the same "waitlist only" flights in June that I see right now?
I guess I'm asking about the waitlist and if it changes during the year if additional award inventory is released? Will I see the same "waitlist only" flights in June that I see right now?
Feb 21, 2024, 5:15 pm
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
I'm still researching a trip RDU-DPS-SIN-RDU. Dec 24/Jan 25. I see no saver awards for anything. Is there a chance that United might make more available throughout the year or do they release all their inventory at one time, and that's it? And am I likely to find more saver awards for domestic and perhaps none for international? I'm interested in Premium Economy or Business.
Feb 29, 2024, 5:08 pm
#270
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Days of finding Saver awards for Polaris must be long long gone...
In the old days, one could almost count on award seats opening up a day or two before a flight, including long haul Business Class seats
THere would always be a small number of seats and it would seem that United would start offering redemptions for those seats just to fill the cabin
I notice today non-stop IAH-EZE or IAH-GIG are simply full price or not available at all, or, for a high redemption level of miles.
Got me thinking - suppose I am in a major hub city - IAH/EWR/SFO/ORD - and have 80,000 points ready to redeem and a long weekend.
Is there a way to check what inventory might be fire sale status?
Or, do i need to do this city pair by city pair until I find one?
THere would always be a small number of seats and it would seem that United would start offering redemptions for those seats just to fill the cabin
I notice today non-stop IAH-EZE or IAH-GIG are simply full price or not available at all, or, for a high redemption level of miles.
Got me thinking - suppose I am in a major hub city - IAH/EWR/SFO/ORD - and have 80,000 points ready to redeem and a long weekend.
Is there a way to check what inventory might be fire sale status?
Or, do i need to do this city pair by city pair until I find one?