Feb 8, 2018, 1:50 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Archive thread
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight {Archive}
Related thread -
Ways to search for upgrade space at booking?
Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
Decoding the alphabet soup - fare buckets for UA
Expert Mode Update: better upgrade visibility and opt-in to see fare bucket data.
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight {Archive}
Related thread -
Ways to search for upgrade space at booking?
Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
Decoding the alphabet soup - fare buckets for UA
Expert Mode Update: better upgrade visibility and opt-in to see fare bucket data.
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight
Jan 18, 2024, 8:58 am
#361
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Antonio, USA
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 595
Looks like I may be out of luck getting an upgrade on IAH-FRA on the 20th. Waitlisted when I booked, there were a good number of seats open. As typically happens, lots of close in bookings. Stranger things have happened, but I'm not holding my breath this time. The reeurn on the 27th (FRA-IAH) may come through last minute and might have a better chgance of clearing. Maybe.
edit: And IAH-FRA will be my MM flight. As long as the seat next to me stays empty...
edit: And IAH-FRA will be my MM flight. As long as the seat next to me stays empty...
Jan 22, 2024, 7:56 am
#362
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,100
Planning a trip to Japan for May 8 - 16 (a Wednesday - Thursday), from IAD.
Right now, none of the flight options appear to have upgrade space, so my intent would be to book Y+ (on a flight with R inventory vs. O, which seems to double the price for Y+). The best bets for the outbound look to be the nonstop, or a connection in DEN (the latter is P9 at the moment IIRC). Return either the nonstop, or via DEN or EWR (the latter I worry about in case it doesn't clear, but it's still selling R at the moment).
Thoughts? Last winter, we took connections in ORD and LAX to TYO, and had little issue clearing (the nonstop was not operating at the time).
Right now, none of the flight options appear to have upgrade space, so my intent would be to book Y+ (on a flight with R inventory vs. O, which seems to double the price for Y+). The best bets for the outbound look to be the nonstop, or a connection in DEN (the latter is P9 at the moment IIRC). Return either the nonstop, or via DEN or EWR (the latter I worry about in case it doesn't clear, but it's still selling R at the moment).
Thoughts? Last winter, we took connections in ORD and LAX to TYO, and had little issue clearing (the nonstop was not operating at the time).
Jan 22, 2024, 8:38 am
#363
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,882
I'm leaving in less than 24 hours. Still nothing. I'm starting to think my PlusPoints won't clear and it'll actually end up going to waste. I guess I should never try to use it on SFO-HKG. Maybe SFO-NRT would have gotten better results.
Jan 22, 2024, 8:43 am
#364
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,932
Good luck.
Jan 22, 2024, 8:46 am
#365
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,932
Planning a trip to Japan for May 8 - 16 (a Wednesday - Thursday), from IAD.
Right now, none of the flight options appear to have upgrade space, so my intent would be to book Y+ (on a flight with R inventory vs. O, which seems to double the price for Y+). The best bets for the outbound look to be the nonstop, or a connection in DEN (the latter is P9 at the moment IIRC). Return either the nonstop, or via DEN or EWR (the latter I worry about in case it doesn't clear, but it's still selling R at the moment).
Thoughts? Last winter, we took connections in ORD and LAX to TYO, and had little issue clearing (the nonstop was not operating at the time).
Right now, none of the flight options appear to have upgrade space, so my intent would be to book Y+ (on a flight with R inventory vs. O, which seems to double the price for Y+). The best bets for the outbound look to be the nonstop, or a connection in DEN (the latter is P9 at the moment IIRC). Return either the nonstop, or via DEN or EWR (the latter I worry about in case it doesn't clear, but it's still selling R at the moment).
Thoughts? Last winter, we took connections in ORD and LAX to TYO, and had little issue clearing (the nonstop was not operating at the time).
Jan 22, 2024, 9:07 am
#366
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,882
Jan 22, 2024, 9:32 am
#367
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 16
Hello All,
Flying TATL ORD-FCO on Apr 1 (little over 2 months), husband (gold) and I (1k) are in PE with an R fare with P+P used to try for Polaris. Did the date change trick the other night and we are #1-2 on the upgrade list. I know this is very far out for anything to mean something, so my question is as what point out from a flight does the inventory start to show a better prediction of upgrade potential?
As of now about half of PE is booked and 7/28 Polaris per the seat map (I know not to trust) and EF says the same. I have watched P go from 0 to 9 to 7 to 5 to 7 and is all over the place. Just trying to gauge when it is best for me to continuously check for the PZ opening to jump the waitlist or when I may get a better idea of our chance to clear. Thanks!
Flying TATL ORD-FCO on Apr 1 (little over 2 months), husband (gold) and I (1k) are in PE with an R fare with P+P used to try for Polaris. Did the date change trick the other night and we are #1-2 on the upgrade list. I know this is very far out for anything to mean something, so my question is as what point out from a flight does the inventory start to show a better prediction of upgrade potential?
As of now about half of PE is booked and 7/28 Polaris per the seat map (I know not to trust) and EF says the same. I have watched P go from 0 to 9 to 7 to 5 to 7 and is all over the place. Just trying to gauge when it is best for me to continuously check for the PZ opening to jump the waitlist or when I may get a better idea of our chance to clear. Thanks!
Jan 23, 2024, 7:50 am
#368
Join Date: Jul 2022
Programs: MilagePlus
Posts: 5
Hello All,
I am on a LIM-IAH flight on 27th Jan. Currently in R with waitlist @ 1. However overnight this flight disappeared from booking! the seat map shows lot of open seats but if you try to book a new ticket, this flight does not SHOW up at all.. suggesting its already sold out!.
Can some expert help solve this mystery for me please!
Its UA 855 non stop from Lima to Houston.
Thanks!
I am on a LIM-IAH flight on 27th Jan. Currently in R with waitlist @ 1. However overnight this flight disappeared from booking! the seat map shows lot of open seats but if you try to book a new ticket, this flight does not SHOW up at all.. suggesting its already sold out!.
Can some expert help solve this mystery for me please!
Its UA 855 non stop from Lima to Houston.
Thanks!
Jan 23, 2024, 9:14 am
#369
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,882
Breaking news! My upgrade cleared and I'm now in PY on the SFO-HKG flight!!! Don't know what happened, but the seat map is showing lots of empty seats. I wish my upgrade cleared earlier.
Jan 23, 2024, 11:18 am
#370
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
question though. Does the “waitlist” for I guess upgrades show the priority and real rank based on the ACTUAL upgrade priority? For example, I’m 1MM Gold, flying on a fairly $$ fare, put in for MILES to upgrade for this one domestic leg.. there are 8 seats currently at least UNSOLD in inventory for a flight in six days - and I’m showing up 17 on the “waitlist”. As it’s SFO to ORD, I’m sure there ARE a bunch of GS, spouse of GS, MAYBE 1K, Plat willing to use plus points or other. But, from the flowchart posted a few years ago, I though other than that a MILES upgrade for a LTG should be somewhat higher?
Jan 23, 2024, 11:21 am
#371
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,993
I tried this out, nice trick!..
question though. Does the “waitlist” for I guess upgrades show the priority and real rank based on the ACTUAL upgrade priority? For example, I’m 1MM Gold, flying on a fairly $$ fare, put in for MILES to upgrade for this one domestic leg.. there are 8 seats currently at least UNSOLD in inventory for a flight in six days - and I’m showing up 17 on the “waitlist”. As it’s SFO to ORD, I’m sure there ARE a bunch of GS, spouse of GS, MAYBE 1K, Plat willing to use plus points or other. But, from the flowchart posted a few years ago, I though other than that a MILES upgrade for a LTG should be somewhat higher?
question though. Does the “waitlist” for I guess upgrades show the priority and real rank based on the ACTUAL upgrade priority? For example, I’m 1MM Gold, flying on a fairly $$ fare, put in for MILES to upgrade for this one domestic leg.. there are 8 seats currently at least UNSOLD in inventory for a flight in six days - and I’m showing up 17 on the “waitlist”. As it’s SFO to ORD, I’m sure there ARE a bunch of GS, spouse of GS, MAYBE 1K, Plat willing to use plus points or other. But, from the flowchart posted a few years ago, I though other than that a MILES upgrade for a LTG should be somewhat higher?
Jan 23, 2024, 11:26 am
#372
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,454
I tried this out, nice trick!..
question though. Does the “waitlist” for I guess upgrades show the priority and real rank based on the ACTUAL upgrade priority? For example, I’m 1MM Gold, flying on a fairly $$ fare, put in for MILES to upgrade for this one domestic leg.. there are 8 seats currently at least UNSOLD in inventory for a flight in six days - and I’m showing up 17 on the “waitlist”. As it’s SFO to ORD, I’m sure there ARE a bunch of GS, spouse of GS, MAYBE 1K, Plat willing to use plus points or other. But, from the flowchart posted a few years ago, I though other than that a MILES upgrade for a LTG should be somewhat higher?
question though. Does the “waitlist” for I guess upgrades show the priority and real rank based on the ACTUAL upgrade priority? For example, I’m 1MM Gold, flying on a fairly $$ fare, put in for MILES to upgrade for this one domestic leg.. there are 8 seats currently at least UNSOLD in inventory for a flight in six days - and I’m showing up 17 on the “waitlist”. As it’s SFO to ORD, I’m sure there ARE a bunch of GS, spouse of GS, MAYBE 1K, Plat willing to use plus points or other. But, from the flowchart posted a few years ago, I though other than that a MILES upgrade for a LTG should be somewhat higher?
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly...-priority.html
NO special consideration for MM. For 1MM, you are no different than any other Golds. Status comes before fare bucket, so you could have a higher fare than a Plat, but you would be placed in a lower position. Instrument (e.g. PlusPoints or miles upgrade) ranks higher than status and fare bucket, and GS requests ranks above all others.
Jan 23, 2024, 2:54 pm
#374
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K - 1 MM, Marriott LT-Plt, Hyatt Glb
Posts: 199
Welcome to SFO. I have spent lots of quality time in economy after applying PlusPoints out of SFO. I very rarely make it out of double digits on the wait list as a lowly 1K. I have sat next to GS who used PlusPoints and died at #1 or #2.
Do a hand-count of the GS and 1K pre-boards on any SFO flight (particularly transcons or to another hub). That's only the people who both wanted to and arrived in time to pre-board.
Do a hand-count of the GS and 1K pre-boards on any SFO flight (particularly transcons or to another hub). That's only the people who both wanted to and arrived in time to pre-board.
Jan 23, 2024, 7:32 pm
#375
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriot Gold
Posts: 46
Gah, Expert Mode for my flight went from J5 Z2 (with some other availability in the intermediate fare classes) down to J1 overnight. I hope I don't depart stuck at #1.
Update: After a bunch of ups and downs with availability, upgrade finally cleared at T-22.
Update: After a bunch of ups and downs with availability, upgrade finally cleared at T-22.
Last edited by wh333; Jan 26, 2024 at 2:14 am
