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?
Sep 19, 2023, 6:10 pm
#196
Join Date: Mar 2015
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Sep 19, 2023, 6:31 pm
#197
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And between upgrades and cash buy-ups, very few J seats fly empty on UA these days.
Sep 19, 2023, 6:35 pm
#198
Join Date: Mar 2015
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They don't want customers, particularly business travelers, being able to predict releases and thus opting to using miles rather than paying cash, particularly when able to redeem saver-level miles in lieu of paying for a last minute J fare.
And between upgrades and cash buy-ups, very few J seats fly empty on UA these days.
And between upgrades and cash buy-ups, very few J seats fly empty on UA these days.
Sep 19, 2023, 8:54 pm
#199
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Clearance rates of waitlisted I appears lower then cash or standard upgrades and domestically CPU.
Sep 24, 2023, 2:02 am
#200
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: paris, france
Posts: 464
Business award tickets Europe - Asia Pacific : none ?
Hello,
I am not familiar with this forum so please forgive me if question has already been asked. I have around 300K miles from years and years ago. I used to look at Europe - Pacific / Asia awards and could find plenty in business. I tried to look for April 2024 but I find zero business ticket : is this normal ? I tried hkg, sin, bkk, syd .. only economy.
Any help will be appreciated, thanks !
France USA
I am not familiar with this forum so please forgive me if question has already been asked. I have around 300K miles from years and years ago. I used to look at Europe - Pacific / Asia awards and could find plenty in business. I tried to look for April 2024 but I find zero business ticket : is this normal ? I tried hkg, sin, bkk, syd .. only economy.
Any help will be appreciated, thanks !
France USA
Sep 24, 2023, 7:45 am
#201
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Sep 24, 2023, 7:58 am
#202
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Should be last seat JN availability, I see JN for USA-Far East
Or is the issue CDG/FRA/ ... - Far East?
Yeah, that is odd but probably means there is no partner space available as going eastward would be the normal routing and UA metal JN is not an option, only partner / saver space which is not as plentiful as in the past.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 24, 2023 at 8:20 am Reason: CDG-HKG?
Sep 24, 2023, 9:18 am
#203
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
Sep 24, 2023, 9:41 am
#204
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Location: BOS/EAP
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Hello,
I am not familiar with this forum so please forgive me if question has already been asked. I have around 300K miles from years and years ago. I used to look at Europe - Pacific / Asia awards and could find plenty in business. I tried to look for April 2024 but I find zero business ticket : is this normal ? I tried hkg, sin, bkk, syd .. only economy.
Any help will be appreciated, thanks !
France USA
I am not familiar with this forum so please forgive me if question has already been asked. I have around 300K miles from years and years ago. I used to look at Europe - Pacific / Asia awards and could find plenty in business. I tried to look for April 2024 but I find zero business ticket : is this normal ? I tried hkg, sin, bkk, syd .. only economy.
Any help will be appreciated, thanks !
France USA
Oct 28, 2023, 11:32 am
#206
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
I know UA will level inventory early early in the day for some flights and open PN and some PZ. Has anyone seen another round of PN/PZ release closer to departure (say 1.5-3hrs)?
looking at a flight where J was sold out until a few hours ago and it's currently at J3 PN2 PZ0
looking at a flight where J was sold out until a few hours ago and it's currently at J3 PN2 PZ0
Oct 28, 2023, 11:42 am
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Posts: 32,026
I know UA will level inventory early early in the day for some flights and open PN and some PZ. Has anyone seen another round of PN/PZ release closer to departure (say 1.5-3hrs)?
looking at a flight where J was sold out until a few hours ago and it's currently at J3 PN2 PZ0
looking at a flight where J was sold out until a few hours ago and it's currently at J3 PN2 PZ0
Oct 28, 2023, 11:45 am
#208
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 562
Oct 29, 2023, 10:21 am
#209
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Posts: 70
Has United been holding back saver business for Europe lately, coinciding with the star alliance crack down on brokers? I haven't seen any I or IN awards for CDG-SFO, FRA-SFO, MUC-SFO or LHR-SFO the whole past month. I remember during the summer they would still release close in. I was going for CDG-SFO on Weds 11/1 and there's 25 open seats in Polaris on the seat map (not the best approximate I know). Seems unlikely they'd fill all of it with upgrades but it's currently still going for 158k as a JN award.
Oct 29, 2023, 11:59 am
#210
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,863
Has United been holding back saver business for Europe lately, coinciding with the star alliance crack down on brokers? I haven't seen any I or IN awards for CDG-SFO, FRA-SFO, MUC-SFO or LHR-SFO the whole past month. I remember during the summer they would still release close in. I was going for CDG-SFO on Weds 11/1 and there's 25 open seats in Polaris on the seat map (not the best approximate I know). Seems unlikely they'd fill all of it with upgrades but it's currently still going for 158k as a JN award.