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
#481
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
After I wrote that, I realized II don't think it's actually possible to cancel online -- I think you need to call. (You can cancel PlusPoints requests online, but I don't think you can cancel miles+copay requests online). They shouldn't need to contact Carnival because Carnival doesn't have anything to do with the upgrade part of the ticket.
#483
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
#484
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 703
It shouldn't be, unless there's some new policy that I haven't heard about. Here's the relevant thread: Using Miles to Upgrade on United
#486
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
#487
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,469
I agree with your sentiment but I don't think this part is strictly true. I've seen plenty of flights with PN<9 but PZ>0, whether it's day of departure, a few days to a few weeks in advance, or several months in advance.
#488
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 4,351
I may be wrong, but I believe what may happen is that to begin with its PN9 and for example they decide to open PZ6, but as soon as passengers upgrade into PZ, these 2 numbers move down in tandem - meaning if 2 pax use points to upgrade into PZ afterwards it will show PN7 PZ4. I believe I've seen this happening when I myself have been upgraded to PZ but I'm not 100% sure. But this would explain how you can see PZ<9 but PZ >0.
#490
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,469
I may be wrong, but I believe what may happen is that to begin with its PN9 and for example they decide to open PZ6, but as soon as passengers upgrade into PZ, these 2 numbers move down in tandem - meaning if 2 pax use points to upgrade into PZ afterwards it will show PN7 PZ4. I believe I've seen this happening when I myself have been upgraded to PZ but I'm not 100% sure. But this would explain how you can see PZ<9 but PZ >0.
In other words, the difference between PN and PZ is not strictly 9+. It might start out that way but change over time.
#491
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: MileagePlus-Premier Silver, Marriott Bonvoy-Silver Elite
Posts: 703
Yeah, this is definitely possible, but I don't think it's the only explanation for PN<9 and PZ>0. For example, when UA starts to level fare buckets close in (an increasingly rare practice), they can level to something as extreme as J1 ... P1 PN1 PZ1.
In other words, the difference between PN and PZ is not strictly 9+. It might start out that way but change over time.
In other words, the difference between PN and PZ is not strictly 9+. It might start out that way but change over time.
#492
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
#493
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 4
Hi everyone,
I confess my head is spinning trying to understand these upgrades and how they work. I could use some advice or thoughts on my odds of upgrading IAD to HND on March 21. I’m Gold Status and in Premium Plus. I applied for the upgrade to Polaris using miles and dollars, and this site someone else made shows I’m currently #9 and #10 on the waitlist. That same site says 38/50 Polaris seats have been booked, but the United flight map shows there are 18 open seats left. The fares are as follows:
If PZ ever opens up (from monitoring this route over the last week for other days, it looks like PZ and PN open up the same time, and some flights that departed this week had PZ9 and PN9 a few days before departure), would it be safer to just cancel my upgrade request by phone and then try to instantly upgrade on the website using miles and dollars? Or is that too risky? I’m not even sure what my upgrade odds are, so it’s hard to know what my expectations and strategy, if any, should be. Any guidance would be super appreciated! Thank you!
I confess my head is spinning trying to understand these upgrades and how they work. I could use some advice or thoughts on my odds of upgrading IAD to HND on March 21. I’m Gold Status and in Premium Plus. I applied for the upgrade to Polaris using miles and dollars, and this site someone else made shows I’m currently #9 and #10 on the waitlist. That same site says 38/50 Polaris seats have been booked, but the United flight map shows there are 18 open seats left. The fares are as follows:
- J9
- JN9
- C9
- D9
- Z9
- ZN9
- P9
- PN0
- PZ0
- IN0
- I0
- O0
- ON0
- A0
- R0
- RN0
- Y8
- YN8
- B8
- M8
- E8
- U8
- H8
- HN8
- Q8
- V4
- W1
- S0
- T0
- L0
- K0
- G0
- XN0
- X0
If PZ ever opens up (from monitoring this route over the last week for other days, it looks like PZ and PN open up the same time, and some flights that departed this week had PZ9 and PN9 a few days before departure), would it be safer to just cancel my upgrade request by phone and then try to instantly upgrade on the website using miles and dollars? Or is that too risky? I’m not even sure what my upgrade odds are, so it’s hard to know what my expectations and strategy, if any, should be. Any guidance would be super appreciated! Thank you!
#494
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
Hi everyone,
I confess my head is spinning trying to understand these upgrades and how they work. I could use some advice or thoughts on my odds of upgrading IAD to HND on March 21. I’m Gold Status and in Premium Plus. I applied for the upgrade to Polaris using miles and dollars, and this site someone else made shows I’m currently #9 and #10 on the waitlist. That same site says 38/50 Polaris seats have been booked, but the United flight map shows there are 18 open seats left. The fares are as follows:
If PZ ever opens up (from monitoring this route over the last week for other days, it looks like PZ and PN open up the same time, and some flights that departed this week had PZ9 and PN9 a few days before departure), would it be safer to just cancel my upgrade request by phone and then try to instantly upgrade on the website using miles and dollars? Or is that too risky? I’m not even sure what my upgrade odds are, so it’s hard to know what my expectations and strategy, if any, should be. Any guidance would be super appreciated! Thank you!
I confess my head is spinning trying to understand these upgrades and how they work. I could use some advice or thoughts on my odds of upgrading IAD to HND on March 21. I’m Gold Status and in Premium Plus. I applied for the upgrade to Polaris using miles and dollars, and this site someone else made shows I’m currently #9 and #10 on the waitlist. That same site says 38/50 Polaris seats have been booked, but the United flight map shows there are 18 open seats left. The fares are as follows:
- J9
- JN9
- C9
- D9
- Z9
- ZN9
- P9
- PN0
- PZ0
- IN0
- I0
- O0
- ON0
- A0
- R0
- RN0
- Y8
- YN8
- B8
- M8
- E8
- U8
- H8
- HN8
- Q8
- V4
- W1
- S0
- T0
- L0
- K0
- G0
- XN0
- X0
If PZ ever opens up (from monitoring this route over the last week for other days, it looks like PZ and PN open up the same time, and some flights that departed this week had PZ9 and PN9 a few days before departure), would it be safer to just cancel my upgrade request by phone and then try to instantly upgrade on the website using miles and dollars? Or is that too risky? I’m not even sure what my upgrade odds are, so it’s hard to know what my expectations and strategy, if any, should be. Any guidance would be super appreciated! Thank you!
2) yes, if PZ opens up, you can look to upgrade instantly. PN is for Global Services requests use.
At 9 and 10 with 12 seats remaining? There is still a chance but not good odds.
You can also look to see if you are being offered a buyup, which will move you into business class.
#495
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 4
1) seat maps do not always represent booked seats, as many tickets purchased outside of UA ticketing do not have seats selected by default.
2) yes, if PZ opens up, you can look to upgrade instantly. PN is for Global Services requests use.
At 9 and 10 with 12 seats remaining? There is still a chance but not good odds.
You can also look to see if you are being offered a buyup, which will move you into business class.
2) yes, if PZ opens up, you can look to upgrade instantly. PN is for Global Services requests use.
At 9 and 10 with 12 seats remaining? There is still a chance but not good odds.
You can also look to see if you are being offered a buyup, which will move you into business class.