F seats disappearing just before T-24 hrs
Mar 25, 2018, 8:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Amb, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 130
F seats disappearing just before T-24 hrs
Hey all. Encountered a situation twice in the last month that I just can’t figure out, was hoping somewhere here could help.
Been on the p.s. LAX-EWR route, trying to upgrade with an RPU. At T-30 (ish) hours, UA shows 8 seats available. Six hours later when the flight opens for checkin that’s suddenly gone down to 0. In both cases I was in a pretty high fare class (E), and am 1K, so I find it hard to imagine THAT many people beat me out in status/fare class. It was before checkin was available (except for people on connections I guess) so seems TOD buy-ups likely aren’t the cause.
Just trying to ubderetand this better, as it seems lately my odds of success with RPUs on this route have gone to hell.
Been on the p.s. LAX-EWR route, trying to upgrade with an RPU. At T-30 (ish) hours, UA shows 8 seats available. Six hours later when the flight opens for checkin that’s suddenly gone down to 0. In both cases I was in a pretty high fare class (E), and am 1K, so I find it hard to imagine THAT many people beat me out in status/fare class. It was before checkin was available (except for people on connections I guess) so seems TOD buy-ups likely aren’t the cause.
Just trying to ubderetand this better, as it seems lately my odds of success with RPUs on this route have gone to hell.
Mar 25, 2018, 8:55 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
TODs are the cause as they aren't hindered by check-in time constraints. They sold 8 @ $299 and pissed off a ton more elites in the process. This is how UA (and to be fair, the other big 2 also) operates now.
Mar 25, 2018, 9:00 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
On this route it could very well be waitlisted GS upgrades processing. UA will frequently run a sweep around T-25.
Also don't underestimate last minute sales.
Though of course UA leads the industry in selling upgrades out from under its elites so that is always a plausible explanation as well.
Also don't underestimate last minute sales.
Though of course UA leads the industry in selling upgrades out from under its elites so that is always a plausible explanation as well.
Mar 25, 2018, 9:12 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt LT Global Elitist, Bonvyoed LT Titanium, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 479
Not AA.. they haven't figured out day of departure upgrades. Technically there is the LFBU program, but it's so uncommon it may as well not exist.
Mar 25, 2018, 9:21 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
My main point is that TODs are no longer day of departure sales. They can be made available weeks in advance, as reported here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...re-tod-84.html
Mar 25, 2018, 10:33 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,336
Mar 25, 2018, 11:13 am
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
Mar 25, 2018, 11:17 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
Mar 25, 2018, 11:23 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 215
I fly LAX-EWR almost every other week for the past couple years and haven't gotten a discounted $299 TOD offer on this route in a long time. I called and asked a couple times why I don't see TOD offers they told me they don't really offer it on this route (of course could be a lie they are telling a 1K) but I can vouch for my coworkers and I that fly this routinely that they don't offer it much on EWR-LAX/LAX-EWR. My guess you are seeing GS upgades, SDC from confirmed business class passengers, or people actually buying the fares.
Mar 25, 2018, 11:28 am
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,599
Good point re: AA, they are much more limited than UA and to a lesser degree, DL.
My main point is that TODs are no longer day of departure sales. They can be made available weeks in advance, as reported here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...re-tod-84.html
My main point is that TODs are no longer day of departure sales. They can be made available weeks in advance, as reported here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...re-tod-84.html
Mar 25, 2018, 11:28 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
I fly LAX-EWR almost every other week for the past couple years and haven't gotten a discounted $299 TOD offer on this route in a long time. I called and asked a couple times why I don't see TOD offers they told me they don't really offer it on this route (of course could be a lie they are telling a 1K) but I can vouch for my coworkers and I that fly this routinely that they don't offer it much on EWR-LAX/LAX-EWR. My guess you are seeing GS upgades, SDC from confirmed business class passengers, or people actually buying the fares.