Jan 29, 17, 12:59 pm
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?
Jun 23, 19, 1:31 pm
#151
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 54,816
There is basically nothing available (even last minute the day before) from anywhere east coast to a hub in Europe. Sometimes I see LH release 1st class an hour before a departure which is impossible for me to do obviously. No economy either so I am thinking there is an IT issue, but not sure.
Jun 23, 19, 1:56 pm
#152
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA, AS
Posts: 2,355
There is basically nothing available (even last minute the day before) from anywhere east coast to a hub in Europe. Sometimes I see LH release 1st class an hour before a departure which is impossible for me to do obviously. No economy either so I am thinking there is an IT issue, but not sure.
Jun 23, 19, 2:12 pm
#153
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K MM, AS MVPG, SPG PLAT 100
Posts: 1,495
The "seats are sold" explanation is without merit. Take 6/24 (tomorrow as of this post) for example. Both FRA-LAX flights on LH (456&450) have at least 9 revenue seats available in business yet ZERO business awards available to *A partners. It's NEVER been like this.
Seems to be impacting LH/LX/OS/LO.
Seems to be impacting LH/LX/OS/LO.
Jun 23, 19, 3:21 pm
#155
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 65,111
Jun 23, 19, 4:21 pm
#156
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,832
Definitely some artifitial restrictions were put in place by carriers. There were numerous seats in april-may and then it completely dried up. I dont buy "seasonal demand" - business travel in summer is much slower. I suspect in summer they want to sell all seats at discounted business rates rather than opening award space while normally tgey price them higher without discounting and open unsold inventory for awards..
Jun 23, 19, 6:26 pm
#159
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 2,781
The "seats are sold" explanation is without merit. Take 6/24 (tomorrow as of this post) for example. Both FRA-LAX flights on LH (456&450) have at least 9 revenue seats available in business yet ZERO business awards available to *A partners. It's NEVER been like this.
Seems to be impacting LH/LX/OS/LO.
Seems to be impacting LH/LX/OS/LO.
I don't think the difference can be entirely explained by load factors or high season, either -- similar revenue bucket availability is corresponding to very different award availability than even 6-9 months ago.
Jun 23, 19, 8:01 pm
#160
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 55,205
Jun 23, 19, 8:02 pm
#161
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 23, 19 at 9:40 pm Reason: unneeded comment removed
Jun 23, 19, 8:06 pm
#162
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,475
Anyone know what has been going on with *A business class availability last few weeks. Cannot find anything (even in coach) on any *A partner using UA miles (or Aeroplan). Is there an IT problem or just no more availability? Interested to hear if anyone has any insight.
I just booked a round the world J class trip for Feb/Mar...nothing from YVR-SFO in J OR Y all day, any day near the week I wanted to travel. It's totally unpredictable. I've also had times where I had the long haul space one week, then the next week the long haul was gone and the short haul showed up...again, as if they don't want you to book an entire trip or something.
Keep at it, keep looking, but be aware you might have to take a different carrier. If you're looking for long haul polaris...good luck, I'm sure space has existed, but any time I've looked it wasn't there.
Jul 3, 19, 7:24 pm
#163
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 12
Question for those of you who know oh-so-much more about this world than a newbie like myself.
My wife and I are looking to bookend a trip from IAH to LHR/AMS in April/May next year. There are direct flights to/from each city, but none available in business class via rewards. I saw plenty of them available about 3 weeks ago, but absolutely none are now.
Is it pretty common to see this availability fluctuate? Obviously we have plenty of time, but just wasn't sure how realistic it was that these direct flights would become available via rewards. And if so, if there was a certain timeframe for that fluctuation?
Thanks, experts!
My wife and I are looking to bookend a trip from IAH to LHR/AMS in April/May next year. There are direct flights to/from each city, but none available in business class via rewards. I saw plenty of them available about 3 weeks ago, but absolutely none are now.
Is it pretty common to see this availability fluctuate? Obviously we have plenty of time, but just wasn't sure how realistic it was that these direct flights would become available via rewards. And if so, if there was a certain timeframe for that fluctuation?
Thanks, experts!
Jul 3, 19, 7:40 pm
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 20,259
Yes.
They might come back; they might not. Theres no way to tell, and theres no timeframe. They could open tomorrow, next week, the day before the flight, or not at all.
In general, whenever you see something appealing, you should book it, because it could disappear again at any time.
Good luck!
In general, whenever you see something appealing, you should book it, because it could disappear again at any time.
Good luck!
Jul 3, 19, 7:52 pm
#165
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: United Miles
Posts: 63
Seen early Aug saver awards/30K)miles flights from any Europe to LAX?
I thought there were quite a few the other night, but I'm suddenly not seeing any. Panicking cause I have 48 hours to accept a cruise offering. I'm happy to go to almost anywhere in western Europe so I can get home for 30K miles.
Thinking a glitch may be happening, I'm not seeing any XN (United Milage Cardholder special) milage specials either today. (logged out, cleared cookies/cache to test).
If anyone has an example otherwise (for both) that is current as of Wed July 3rd or 4th, I'd appreciate hearing about it.
Thanks!
Thinking a glitch may be happening, I'm not seeing any XN (United Milage Cardholder special) milage specials either today. (logged out, cleared cookies/cache to test).
If anyone has an example otherwise (for both) that is current as of Wed July 3rd or 4th, I'd appreciate hearing about it.
Thanks!
