2 Class Flights with 3 Class Planes --- Who gets to sit in the 3-class F seats?
#31
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta 1MM, Delta SM, United Silver, Amx Plat, Delta Amx Plat, Six-T Plat, IHG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 590
getting into GF?
So I have no status at all w/ United. Next year I'll be travelling on a paid Biz Class (Int'l Polaris for the long haul) flight from IAH-DCA-EWR-BOM. There is a schedule change (it's > 30 mins) and one of the options for re-booking allows me to go IAH-ORD-EWR-BOM. the ORD-EWR portion is on a 777 w/ three classes of service (I realize there could be an aircraft change between now and then) but my question is: is there a way I can be asked to be put in GF for that portion, or can I somehow "buy" into GF for just that portion or is there any other option that I don't know of? It's not a huge deal if the answer is no but I figured this would be the only way I'd experience GF so I might as well at least try. Thanks for any helpful info and safe travels everyone!
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,837
On a domestic flight when you are booked in a business fare class you should be eligible for CPU to first. It might offer a buy-up at check-in as well. UA won't let you upgrade to GF ahead of time since equipment may change.
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,177
You could also waitlist a miles + copay upgrade. 15K miles plus a $75 copay if you're on a P or Z fare (waived for D, C, and J).
OP has no UA status.
#34
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta 1MM, Delta SM, United Silver, Amx Plat, Delta Amx Plat, Six-T Plat, IHG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 590
thanks cfishcher for the prompt reply. I very much appreciate it!!
#35
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Another aeroplane, another sunny place, I know I'm lucky but I just want to go home.
Programs: Paris Metro, BART monthly pass holder; Amtrak rider; Safeway, Costco club member :D
Posts: 661
I wass told by agents that they will upgrade GS and highest paid business tickets to United Global First.
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,177
For non-CPU-eligible flights, they won't move anyone into the F seats until they use an upgrade instrument or J is oversold.
#37
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,965
#38
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,402
So for an international flight (I'm on a 772 TPAC), they'll just have the F cabin go out empty rather than sell 8 more (or less for crew rest) J seats and "upgrade" whoever the most status-y people are? Seems like an odd way to lose revenue.
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,177
No, they'll happily oversell the J cabin by 8-ish, and then upgrade passengers due to the oversale. But if they don't sell those extra seats, they will let F go out empty rather than upgrading passengers from J.
#40
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
The sooner the 8 across IPTE cabins are replaced the better for all. I am on UA988 FRA-IAD on Monday and I booked a D class fare. Since all the seats in 'Polaris' are assigned I have no seat assignment. I went online and used 20k miles to request an upgrade but am waitlisted with all 8 seats in GF showing unassigned. So hopefully I get the nod at checkin. That is of course if I get out go of EWR to Brussels tonight - seems like a weather front and the advance winds of 'Michael' are doing a number at EWR!
#41
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,402
True. I'd flip it this way - the sooner UA can get all of the cabins of each model of plane consistent the better. I just got flipped out of the old 772 into the new one, with PE for the first few rows, making a mess of seat assignments.
#42
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
They will get some happy Non-Revs to fill those F seats. On my flights, I could easily identify 4 to 6 of them. There will be less happiness for the Non-Revs once the F seats disappear and, most probably, due to the increased number of J seats a better chance for upgrades for Economy Passengers with upgrade instruments.
#43
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Springfield,MO,USA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,604
Recently on a 3 class 777-200 I got my GPU upgrade of W fare at 36 hrs before flight but only middle seats left. At ORD Polaris lounge I asked about buying an upgrade to F. I figured free to ask. Anyhow, I was offered $600 and 30K miles. I would have done it but the computer would not let them take my money. F was empty. The nice Polaris lounge person called the gate and asked them to get me an aisle seat if it became available. So at gate someone got upgraded to F and I got their aisle seat. I was satisfied with the outcome.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,509
Recently on a 3 class 777-200 I got my GPU upgrade of W fare at 36 hrs before flight but only middle seats left. At ORD Polaris lounge I asked about buying an upgrade to F. I figured free to ask. Anyhow, I was offered $600 and 30K miles. I would have done it but the computer would not let them take my money. F was empty. The nice Polaris lounge person called the gate and asked them to get me an aisle seat if it became available. So at gate someone got upgraded to F and I got their aisle seat. I was satisfied with the outcome.
#45
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,567
Recently on a 3 class 777-200 I got my GPU upgrade of W fare at 36 hrs before flight but only middle seats left. At ORD Polaris lounge I asked about buying an upgrade to F. I figured free to ask. Anyhow, I was offered $600 and 30K miles. I would have done it but the computer would not let them take my money....
The cash upgrade first, booking into the award fare class was likely the source of the problem.