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?
Feb 4, 19, 12:16 am
#61
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
That is probably the worst timeframe to look for awards. Awards are generally more available if looking further out or closer in. Any early award space is long gone by 3 months and in the 1-3 month dead zone, UA's interest is finding ways to sell space for hard cash. Getting closer to departure and if UA does not see the space selling out, then more space may be released.
There is no fixed amount of award space released for any flight. There is likely a rough percentage across the system and some targets for various routes, but if cash sales are running ahead of expectations, there will be less likelihood of award space being release. And if cash sales are running behind, UA will first open up lower cost fare inventories and then perhaps more award space.
There is no fixed amount of award space released for any flight. There is likely a rough percentage across the system and some targets for various routes, but if cash sales are running ahead of expectations, there will be less likelihood of award space being release. And if cash sales are running behind, UA will first open up lower cost fare inventories and then perhaps more award space.
Feb 4, 19, 2:13 am
#62
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 7,976
The real benefit for 1K is the ability to change flights without fee, which thus also includes the ability to waitlist.
Book the 1-stop, call and waitlist the non-stop (you should be able to do 2 of them). If it doesn't clear, keep an eye on it within the day or so before flight to see if space opens and call and either reboot or SDC.
Book the 1-stop, call and waitlist the non-stop (you should be able to do 2 of them). If it doesn't clear, keep an eye on it within the day or so before flight to see if space opens and call and either reboot or SDC.
Feb 5, 19, 8:51 pm
#64
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 4
business class availability with points
I've never flown to Europe in business class using points, mainly because I have 3 kids. This time I am going by myself to london for work....Im having a hard time finding business class flights from phx to lhr in early may that are reasonable. They want 155k points for a one way ticket. I know some about points, but certainly not as much as some people here. Am I doing something wrong? Should I wait last minute to book? I want to fly from phx to lhr around 5/2 and CDG to PHX 5/13-14
Feb 5, 19, 9:36 pm
#65
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
-- Saver awards have the lowest mileage requirement (60K for business) but also limited inventory availability
-- Saver awards with partner airline flights are a bit higher mileage requirement (70K)
-- EveryDay awards are the highest (variable) mileage price (up to 155K) but greater availability
To get saver awards, every segment needs to be available as a saver type. So from PHX, you will be connecting to a gateway city (IAH, ORD, EWR, SFO, LAX, DEN or potential some Canadain airports). One approach is to look from the gateway airports to Europe /LHR, first and if successful then work of figuring out how to connect from PHX. However, the truth is business savers at this point (3 months out) are going to be very rare.
Fixed dates are not helpful, mid-week is better.
You can waitlist for business if you book an economy saver but the risk is it never clears.
You can wait to book because the EveryDayaward is already maxed out and if you have elite status or the right Chase MP credit cards, available is always an option.This is probably going to take so effort but it is not impossible. There are many examples in this thread of folks finding a solution (but not all).
Feb 8, 19, 12:17 pm
#66
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: SFO
Posts: 53
Question about award calendar....
A few days ago I was able to see some (very few but some) business award seats available from Feb into April from west coast (SFO/LAX) to Prague/Vienna via Munich/Frankfurt either with Lufthsaas or United...however, when I am looking at it today, nothing shows up on the calender even going to Aug and beyond...Is this normal? Is the site down or is there currently a glitch?
This is my first time-ish looking to book award seats through star alliance. Thanks!
A few days ago I was able to see some (very few but some) business award seats available from Feb into April from west coast (SFO/LAX) to Prague/Vienna via Munich/Frankfurt either with Lufthsaas or United...however, when I am looking at it today, nothing shows up on the calender even going to Aug and beyond...Is this normal? Is the site down or is there currently a glitch?
This is my first time-ish looking to book award seats through star alliance. Thanks!
Feb 8, 19, 3:45 pm
#67
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
....A few days ago I was able to see some (very few but some) business award seats available from Feb into April from west coast (SFO/LAX) to Prague/Vienna via Munich/Frankfurt either with Lufthsaas or United...however, when I am looking at it today, nothing shows up on the calender even going to Aug and beyond...Is this normal? Is the site down or is there currently a glitch?
This is my first time-ish looking to book award seats through star alliance. Thanks!
This is my first time-ish looking to book award seats through star alliance. Thanks!
One truism of award bookings -- award available comes and goes without warning. There are many other folks also looking and booking; and as paid sells increase of decrease, the airlines may change availability. It is dynamic and can / does change.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 11, 19 at 5:32 pm Reason: split post
Feb 8, 19, 3:55 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,927
Question about award calendar....
A few days ago I was able to see some (very few but some) business award seats available from Feb into April from west coast (SFO/LAX) to Prague/Vienna via Munich/Frankfurt either with Lufthsaas or United...however, when I am looking at it today, nothing shows up on the calender even going to Aug and beyond...Is this normal? Is the site down or is there currently a glitch?
This is my first time-ish looking to book award seats through star alliance. Thanks!
A few days ago I was able to see some (very few but some) business award seats available from Feb into April from west coast (SFO/LAX) to Prague/Vienna via Munich/Frankfurt either with Lufthsaas or United...however, when I am looking at it today, nothing shows up on the calender even going to Aug and beyond...Is this normal? Is the site down or is there currently a glitch?
This is my first time-ish looking to book award seats through star alliance. Thanks!
Feb 9, 19, 2:37 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 206
Another option I discovered is to go ORD-DEL. Presently there are flights on biz with good connections on ANA and from DEL DXB is a short flight, about 3.5 hrs. I hope when our time comes I can get one of those flights and then we can stay over in DEL for a fee days too. We booked a cruise out of DXB embarking Feb 3 2020. When those times become available I hope the ANA option is open like it is now for a Dec. 2019 booking
Feb 9, 19, 10:26 pm
#71
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
Feb 14, 19, 9:36 am
#72
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 29
IAH to Lim 2/15
Looks like tomorrow's flight is ZN9. I'm hoping to get saver business seats for the flight tomorrow and I'd like to think they'd open saver space given how empty the flight is. What time of day does United release seats typically? 24 hours before the flight or 12 Central? Appreciate any advice.
Feb 14, 19, 9:54 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 20,259
Looks like tomorrow's flight is ZN9. I'm hoping to get saver business seats for the flight tomorrow and I'd like to think they'd open saver space given how empty the flight is. What time of day does United release seats typically? 24 hours before the flight or 12 Central? Appreciate any advice.
If you have a saver economy award on this flight, why not call and waitlist for business?
Feb 14, 19, 10:34 am
#74
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 29
Thanks for your help. As for WL'ing, I'd rather just pay the standard award price instead of risking enduring coach in united : )
Feb 24, 19, 10:28 am
#75
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 54
SFO HNL award availability in business class
Looking for 3 tickets in J on United on SFO-HNL route. How likely it is that UA would open such availability close to departure date? From what I have seen, they are initially offering only Y when availability window opens up... Thanks
