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
#121
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 149
#122
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 13
Called United a few minutes ago (that was a long 58min call) and came across a few nuggets
1. The EWR - JNB flight may show open business seats but the agent claimed that no more seats are available, I'm on waitlist #3 and the chances of 3 seats being cancelled between now and Monday are very slim. After a few min, she said she could offer a business seat for that flight costing $3000+ as a spot upgrade. When I questioned her about seats magically available (to sell) but not available for upgrades, she didn't have a good answer.
2. EWR - JNB - I'm #4 for P+ upgrade and since there are 9 open seats, there's a good chance my upgrade will go through, wait and watch.
3. spent oodles of time to get a Lufthansa flight number for inbound so we could request plus points upgrade. after 30+ min, I found out that since my economy ticket is a codeshare ticket, we cannot apply for an upgrade. I would have to first buy a prime flight ticket and then submit an upgrade request.
4. Tried to assign a simple seat request on both Lufthansa flights but agent wasn't able to help and when I called Lufthansa call center, they referred me to their website, and no ability to speak to an agent.
after close to an hour, I've had enough and politely ended the call
1. The EWR - JNB flight may show open business seats but the agent claimed that no more seats are available, I'm on waitlist #3 and the chances of 3 seats being cancelled between now and Monday are very slim. After a few min, she said she could offer a business seat for that flight costing $3000+ as a spot upgrade. When I questioned her about seats magically available (to sell) but not available for upgrades, she didn't have a good answer.
2. EWR - JNB - I'm #4 for P+ upgrade and since there are 9 open seats, there's a good chance my upgrade will go through, wait and watch.
3. spent oodles of time to get a Lufthansa flight number for inbound so we could request plus points upgrade. after 30+ min, I found out that since my economy ticket is a codeshare ticket, we cannot apply for an upgrade. I would have to first buy a prime flight ticket and then submit an upgrade request.
4. Tried to assign a simple seat request on both Lufthansa flights but agent wasn't able to help and when I called Lufthansa call center, they referred me to their website, and no ability to speak to an agent.
after close to an hour, I've had enough and politely ended the call
#123
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,651
The EWR - JNB flight may show open business seats but the agent claimed that no more seats are available, I'm on waitlist #3 and the chances of 3 seats being cancelled between now and Monday are very slim. After a few min, she said she could offer a business seat for that flight costing $3000+ as a spot upgrade.
Btw, UA188 on Nov. 13 is J9 P9 and showing booked 37/48 with 15 on the Polaris waitlist. There are 3 empty seats in PE with 13 on the waitlist.
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,060
#125
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,651
Agents make stuff up all the time. It's certainly easier to say "no seats available" than to explain how upgrade inventory works to a customer who doesn't understand the system. It's like the hotel front desk saying "I'm sorry, there are no upgrades available." That's often shorthand for "we have better rooms, but we're not going to give you one of them." Guess which version is more likely to result in further discussion vs. ending the conversation.
#126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,187
This is not too dissimilar to any business telephone receptionist saying, "He's not available right now, may I take a message?"
The seats were not available to clear the upgrade waitlist.
The seats were not available to clear the upgrade waitlist.
#127
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,557
3. spent oodles of time to get a Lufthansa flight number for inbound so we could request plus points upgrade. after 30+ min, I found out that since my economy ticket is a codeshare ticket, we cannot apply for an upgrade. I would have to first buy a prime flight ticket and then submit an upgrade request.
Of course your flight is a codeshare, or you wouldn’t be trying to convert it to the prime booking code. I’m assuming LH is operating the flight, right?
If you have a UA-coded, LH-operated flight, it is eligible for PlusPoints iff it is first converted to an LH-coded flight. UA can do that without you having to purchase a new ticket, although if LH doesn’t have inventory in your fare class, it can be difficult / impossible. Note that LH requires an H fare or higher to use PlusPoints.
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,352
There is allegedly another loophole that somebody on this board has been able to exploit but has never posted how.
-RM
#129
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 13
Huh? I’m not following.
Of course your flight is a codeshare, or you wouldn’t be trying to convert it to the prime booking code. I’m assuming LH is operating the flight, right?
If you have a UA-coded, LH-operated flight, it is eligible for PlusPoints iff it is first converted to an LH-coded flight. UA can do that without you having to purchase a new ticket, although if LH doesn’t have inventory in your fare class, it can be difficult / impossible. Note that LH requires an H fare or higher to use PlusPoints.
Of course your flight is a codeshare, or you wouldn’t be trying to convert it to the prime booking code. I’m assuming LH is operating the flight, right?
If you have a UA-coded, LH-operated flight, it is eligible for PlusPoints iff it is first converted to an LH-coded flight. UA can do that without you having to purchase a new ticket, although if LH doesn’t have inventory in your fare class, it can be difficult / impossible. Note that LH requires an H fare or higher to use PlusPoints.
#130
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 577
Agents make stuff up all the time. It's certainly easier to say "no seats available" than to explain how upgrade inventory works to a customer who doesn't understand the system. It's like the hotel front desk saying "I'm sorry, there are no upgrades available." That's often shorthand for "we have better rooms, but we're not going to give you one of them." Guess which version is more likely to result in further discussion vs. ending the conversation.
Called United a few minutes ago (that was a long 58min call) and came across a few nuggets
1. The EWR - JNB flight may show open business seats but the agent claimed that no more seats are available, I'm on waitlist #3 and the chances of 3 seats being cancelled between now and Monday are very slim. After a few min, she said she could offer a business seat for that flight costing $3000+ as a spot upgrade. When I questioned her about seats magically available (to sell) but not available for upgrades, she didn't have a good answer.
2. EWR - JNB - I'm #4 for P+ upgrade and since there are 9 open seats, there's a good chance my upgrade will go through, wait and watch.
3. spent oodles of time to get a Lufthansa flight number for inbound so we could request plus points upgrade. after 30+ min, I found out that since my economy ticket is a codeshare ticket, we cannot apply for an upgrade. I would have to first buy a prime flight ticket and then submit an upgrade request.
4. Tried to assign a simple seat request on both Lufthansa flights but agent wasn't able to help and when I called Lufthansa call center, they referred me to their website, and no ability to speak to an agent.
after close to an hour, I've had enough and politely ended the call
1. The EWR - JNB flight may show open business seats but the agent claimed that no more seats are available, I'm on waitlist #3 and the chances of 3 seats being cancelled between now and Monday are very slim. After a few min, she said she could offer a business seat for that flight costing $3000+ as a spot upgrade. When I questioned her about seats magically available (to sell) but not available for upgrades, she didn't have a good answer.
2. EWR - JNB - I'm #4 for P+ upgrade and since there are 9 open seats, there's a good chance my upgrade will go through, wait and watch.
3. spent oodles of time to get a Lufthansa flight number for inbound so we could request plus points upgrade. after 30+ min, I found out that since my economy ticket is a codeshare ticket, we cannot apply for an upgrade. I would have to first buy a prime flight ticket and then submit an upgrade request.
4. Tried to assign a simple seat request on both Lufthansa flights but agent wasn't able to help and when I called Lufthansa call center, they referred me to their website, and no ability to speak to an agent.
after close to an hour, I've had enough and politely ended the call
i've been consistently having this issue where the (offshore) phone agent is giving out different numbers of seats available in J than what the app shows. They will say a different number from JX and seats available on the seat map so EZR is probably showing a different number somehow than in the revenue management system or DCS.
#132
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 13
Huh? I’m not following.
Of course your flight is a codeshare, or you wouldn’t be trying to convert it to the prime booking code. I’m assuming LH is operating the flight, right?
If you have a UA-coded, LH-operated flight, it is eligible for PlusPoints iff it is first converted to an LH-coded flight. UA can do that without you having to purchase a new ticket, although if LH doesn’t have inventory in your fare class, it can be difficult / impossible. Note that LH requires an H fare or higher to use PlusPoints.
Of course your flight is a codeshare, or you wouldn’t be trying to convert it to the prime booking code. I’m assuming LH is operating the flight, right?
If you have a UA-coded, LH-operated flight, it is eligible for PlusPoints iff it is first converted to an LH-coded flight. UA can do that without you having to purchase a new ticket, although if LH doesn’t have inventory in your fare class, it can be difficult / impossible. Note that LH requires an H fare or higher to use PlusPoints.
Agents make stuff up all the time. It's certainly easier to say "no seats available" than to explain how upgrade inventory works to a customer who doesn't understand the system. It's like the hotel front desk saying "I'm sorry, there are no upgrades available." That's often shorthand for "we have better rooms, but we're not going to give you one of them." Guess which version is more likely to result in further discussion vs. ending the conversation.
upgrade list
#133
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 13
Huh? I’m not following.
Of course your flight is a codeshare, or you wouldn’t be trying to convert it to the prime booking code. I’m assuming LH is operating the flight, right?
If you have a UA-coded, LH-operated flight, it is eligible for PlusPoints iff it is first converted to an LH-coded flight. UA can do that without you having to purchase a new ticket, although if LH doesn’t have inventory in your fare class, it can be difficult / impossible. Note that LH requires an H fare or higher to use PlusPoints.
Of course your flight is a codeshare, or you wouldn’t be trying to convert it to the prime booking code. I’m assuming LH is operating the flight, right?
If you have a UA-coded, LH-operated flight, it is eligible for PlusPoints iff it is first converted to an LH-coded flight. UA can do that without you having to purchase a new ticket, although if LH doesn’t have inventory in your fare class, it can be difficult / impossible. Note that LH requires an H fare or higher to use PlusPoints.
folks who've been doing this for a while/experts, would love to hear your thoughts...and if there's any specific questions I should ask LH or UA.
Again, thank you so much for the help/education....this is getting addictive!
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,516
I'd be optimistic, cautiously. It's not guaranteed, but you'll hopefully clear at about 9a eastern tomorrow. If you were two to three places down I'd be a lot more nervous.
#135
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 13
Upgrade Chances
LHR-SFO
Took a confirmed Premium Plus upgrade a couple weeks ago. Called to see if we could also get on the Polaris waitlist with an MUA (because I now think I need the PQPs).
They said they’d have to rebook us into economy to apply the MUA to Premium and Polaris. So do I risk the Premium Plus upgrade for a chance at a Polaris upgrade?
2 days out. 10 People on Polaris List, 2 on Premium Plus List.
J9,P9 O2, A2, R1 (giving up our PP seats would add to the fare bucket I’d assume)
Took a confirmed Premium Plus upgrade a couple weeks ago. Called to see if we could also get on the Polaris waitlist with an MUA (because I now think I need the PQPs).
They said they’d have to rebook us into economy to apply the MUA to Premium and Polaris. So do I risk the Premium Plus upgrade for a chance at a Polaris upgrade?
2 days out. 10 People on Polaris List, 2 on Premium Plus List.
J9,P9 O2, A2, R1 (giving up our PP seats would add to the fare bucket I’d assume)