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?
Jan 7, 19, 2:59 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 114
I hope so...right now there is only one day in July with a business saver award in J for Austrian, while August has 18...(the VIE-ORD leg for reference - although we'd fly from ATH to VIE first).
Also, looking at Swiss, for two J award tickets from ZRH-ORD, there are 13 days available in June and 19 days available in August, but 0 in July...seems odd to me...
Also, looking at Swiss, for two J award tickets from ZRH-ORD, there are 13 days available in June and 19 days available in August, but 0 in July...seems odd to me...
Last edited by smurov; Jan 7, 19 at 4:42 pm Reason: Added Swiss Availability
Jan 9, 19, 9:45 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 985
I definitely find that there is less availability of premium cabin flights from SFO to major Asian cities (either on UA metal or partner airlines) like NRT or TPE than one year ago. (There used to be many EVA flights.) There are still plenty of economy tickets available but those would be very bad value for award redemption.
Jan 15, 19, 1:06 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: MSN
Posts: 125
Can anyone confirm what I think I'm seeing in regards to J availability close to departure (~2 weeks)?
Trying to get 2 seats in J from DPS to ORD with preferred routing of DPS-BKK-TYO-ORD. It appears that availability opens up on the BKK-TYO and TYO-ORD routes pretty close to departure. Makes me nervous but I'm whiling to wait but also I want to put on my tin foil hat thinking United wants to cash in on the close in booking fees...
Trying to get 2 seats in J from DPS to ORD with preferred routing of DPS-BKK-TYO-ORD. It appears that availability opens up on the BKK-TYO and TYO-ORD routes pretty close to departure. Makes me nervous but I'm whiling to wait but also I want to put on my tin foil hat thinking United wants to cash in on the close in booking fees...
Jan 15, 19, 1:08 pm
#20
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.96MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 65,112
Jan 16, 19, 1:39 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Once a somebody now a nobody
Posts: 505
Maybe this was reported up thread but has anyone noticed TAP space not showing on UA? I was looking at the new ORD-LIS flight and TAP and AC were showing it available in saver J...but not UA.
Jan 17, 19, 4:27 am
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
Domestic award ticket availability
Hello,
I wanted to book a biz class ticket from MAN -(SQ)- IAH -(UA)- SFO and there are availabilities for the international part (which is good). However, I am having trouble with finding an award ticket from IAH to SFO. When will UA release the award tickets? And should I call SQ to make the booking (searching on the website MAN-IAH is good, IAH-SFO in eco is good, in biz no saver) ?
It's my 1st time try to book a domestic SA ticket. If there are any hints, please suggest!
Thanks!
I wanted to book a biz class ticket from MAN -(SQ)- IAH -(UA)- SFO and there are availabilities for the international part (which is good). However, I am having trouble with finding an award ticket from IAH to SFO. When will UA release the award tickets? And should I call SQ to make the booking (searching on the website MAN-IAH is good, IAH-SFO in eco is good, in biz no saver) ?
It's my 1st time try to book a domestic SA ticket. If there are any hints, please suggest!
Thanks!
Jan 17, 19, 9:06 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 20,259
Hello,
I wanted to book a biz class ticket from MAN -(SQ)- IAH -(UA)- SFO and there are availabilities for the international part (which is good). However, I am having trouble with finding an award ticket from IAH to SFO. When will UA release the award tickets? And should I call SQ to make the booking (searching on the website MAN-IAH is good, IAH-SFO in eco is good, in biz no saver) ?
It's my 1st time try to book a domestic SA ticket. If there are any hints, please suggest!
Thanks!
I wanted to book a biz class ticket from MAN -(SQ)- IAH -(UA)- SFO and there are availabilities for the international part (which is good). However, I am having trouble with finding an award ticket from IAH to SFO. When will UA release the award tickets? And should I call SQ to make the booking (searching on the website MAN-IAH is good, IAH-SFO in eco is good, in biz no saver) ?
It's my 1st time try to book a domestic SA ticket. If there are any hints, please suggest!
Thanks!
That said, UA rarely offers domestic business class awards to anyone -- partners or otherwise -- more than a few days in advance, especially on a hub-to-hub route like IAH-SFO. It's likely that they will sell every business class seat on the plane, so they don't have any particular need to offer award tickets.
Your odds might be slightly better finding LHR-SFO, but that's a tough award too unless you're willing to travel off-peak times.
When are you looking to travel, and how flexible are in you in terms of dates?
Jan 17, 19, 1:15 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Exp, Hilton Gold
Posts: 15,374
This is a common problem whether booking through .bomb or otherwise. Hard to find domestic connections in any class that attach to international business class awards(much less F space) - at least that is my experience from SFO.
The best course is just to book what you can find and then possibly change the ticket when additional space opens. Or if you can't find space you can always (do what I did) and book your own convenient connection to the TATL flight.
In an ideal world this would not be a problem but be happy you can find saver C space for the TATL part, which would cost you 2-3x more miles on DL or absurd surcharges of $500+ pp on BA, etc.
The best course is just to book what you can find and then possibly change the ticket when additional space opens. Or if you can't find space you can always (do what I did) and book your own convenient connection to the TATL flight.
In an ideal world this would not be a problem but be happy you can find saver C space for the TATL part, which would cost you 2-3x more miles on DL or absurd surcharges of $500+ pp on BA, etc.
Jan 17, 19, 1:56 pm
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
Thanks for the reply. Do you have any idea on whether I could have a mix-cabin when booking through SQ and connecting to UA?
One ticket. Not really through IAH but that comes with SQ and that is way better than UA/DL/AA.
Agreed. Since UA forum has way more people and this may be a question more related to UA award ticket, I am posting here. How do you think about the chance for a UA eco award ticket?
One ticket. Not really through IAH but that comes with SQ and that is way better than UA/DL/AA.
Agreed. Since UA forum has way more people and this may be a question more related to UA award ticket, I am posting here. How do you think about the chance for a UA eco award ticket?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 17, 19 at 3:02 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Jan 17, 19, 2:46 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: RIC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,746
Mixed cabin awards are common. If you can get SQ,J then UA Y for IAH-SFO is fine. I almost never find UA domestic First when I look for long haul Business/First on UA or *A.
Jan 17, 19, 5:07 pm
#29
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
But I cannot find the ticket on SQ. Should I call them for ticketing?
Last edited by not_freq_traveler; Jan 17, 19 at 5:17 pm
Jan 17, 19, 9:23 pm
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1K 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Ti, LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 55,205
