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?
Aug 22, 23, 10:23 am
#871
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: UA, OZ
Posts: 58
UA Award booking on partner airline starting from Singapore
Hello,
Looks like it is harder to get premium cabin award ticket, on star alliance partner (not SQ, in general LH, NH), on flights leaving Singapore? In the past I manage to see some fared when running some search, but not these past 2 weeks.
Looks like it is harder to get premium cabin award ticket, on star alliance partner (not SQ, in general LH, NH), on flights leaving Singapore? In the past I manage to see some fared when running some search, but not these past 2 weeks.
Sep 18, 23, 4:24 pm
#873
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,820
Not sure if this is the right thread for this...do folks know if it is possible to get AC awards to show up on UA? I am trying to look at what YVR-EWR on AC metal would be like next summer, as AC's Dreamliner is far ahead of the 738 UA has scheduled. I was able to search and book J awards for this flight in the past, but now it seems to only be offering up UA metal. I can get the revenue flight listed, and I know UA's website used to have a feature that allowed to toggle between a money price and a miles redemption amount. Any idea if there is any way to force award availability to show up? If not, all good...just curious if anyone has a trick that might make it work.
Sep 18, 23, 11:49 pm
#874
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: 65,128
If AC has not release award space to partners, UA can bot offer it. UA can not force partner award availability
Sep 19, 23, 6:15 am
#876
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: 55,241
There is no pattern. Bucket leveling ended nearly a decade ago. It is quite common for UA not to release any I inventory for a given flight, ever. If a flight has lots of unsold J seats, the thing to do is check frequently or set an EF alert. Maybe UA will release, maybe it won't.
Sep 19, 23, 1:14 pm
#877
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Platinum, DL Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,090
There is no pattern. Bucket leveling ended nearly a decade ago. It is quite common for UA not to release any I inventory for a given flight, ever. If a flight has lots of unsold J seats, the thing to do is check frequently or set an EF alert. Maybe UA will release, maybe it won't.
Sep 19, 23, 2:18 pm
#878
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 20,300
If they expect a substantial number of empty J seats, they will generally -- not necessarily -- open saver award space for that flight at some point. But if they only have a few, they often will not open space, even if it means that J seats end up going out empty.
Sep 19, 23, 3:29 pm
#879
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Platinum, DL Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,090
Thanks!
Sep 19, 23, 4:50 pm
#880
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: 65,128
Sep 19, 23, 7:10 pm
#881
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Platinum, DL Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,090
Sep 19, 23, 7:31 pm
#882
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: 55,241
And between upgrades and cash buy-ups, very few J seats fly empty on UA these days.
Sep 19, 23, 7:35 pm
#883
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Platinum, DL Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,090
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, 23, 9:54 pm
#884
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: 65,128
Clearance rates of waitlisted I appears lower then cash or standard upgrades and domestically CPU.
Sep 24, 23, 3:02 am
#885
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: paris, france
Posts: 458
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
