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2 Class Flights with 3 Class Planes --- Who gets to sit in the 3-class F seats?

Old Jun 9, 2018, 7:35 pm
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2 Class Flights with 3 Class Planes --- Who gets to sit in the 3-class F seats?

Old Oct 7, 2018, 1:41 pm
  #31  
 
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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!
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Old Oct 7, 2018, 1:45 pm
  #32  
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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.
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Old Oct 7, 2018, 1:47 pm
  #33  
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Originally Posted by soxfanndc
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?
You might be offered a buy-up, either now or at check-in. They've zeroed out F inventory for most three-class first flights, but it may open up at check-in if that flight will actually be operated by a three-class bird.

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).

Originally Posted by cfischer
On a domestic flight when you are booked in a business fare class you should be eligible for CPU to first.
OP has no UA status.
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Old Oct 7, 2018, 1:56 pm
  #34  
 
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thanks cfishcher for the prompt reply. I very much appreciate it!!
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Old Oct 7, 2018, 8:10 pm
  #35  
 
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I wass told by agents that they will upgrade GS and highest paid business tickets to United Global First.
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Old Oct 7, 2018, 8:35 pm
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Mrotenfan
I wass told by agents that they will upgrade GS and highest paid business tickets to United Global First.
For CPU-eligible flights like EWR-ORD, they'd follow the CPU process; by status and then by fare class.
For non-CPU-eligible flights, they won't move anyone into the F seats until they use an upgrade instrument or J is oversold.
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Old Oct 7, 2018, 8:44 pm
  #37  
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Originally Posted by jsloan
For CPU-eligible flights like EWR-ORD, they'd follow the CPU process; by status and then by fare class.
For non-CPU-eligible flights, they won't move anyone into the F seats until they use an upgrade instrument or J is oversold.
This is what I was told by a GS manager.
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Old Oct 11, 2018, 11:20 am
  #38  
 
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Originally Posted by jsloan
For non-CPU-eligible flights, they won't move anyone into the F seats until they use an upgrade instrument or J is oversold.
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.
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Old Oct 11, 2018, 11:45 am
  #39  
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Originally Posted by drewguy
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.
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.
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Old Oct 11, 2018, 12:29 pm
  #40  
 
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Originally Posted by jsloan
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.
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!
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Old Oct 11, 2018, 2:09 pm
  #41  
 
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Originally Posted by adambrau
The sooner the 8 across IPTE cabins are replaced the better for all.
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.
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Old Oct 11, 2018, 3:07 pm
  #42  
 
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Originally Posted by jsloan
But if they don't sell those extra seats, they will let F go out empty rather than upgrading passengers from J.
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.
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Old Oct 11, 2018, 4:50 pm
  #43  
 
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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.
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Old Oct 11, 2018, 6:42 pm
  #44  
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Originally Posted by u600213
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.
Last time I did a double upgrade, to fool the computer, the agent had to do the double upgrade the other way around: first the buy-up, then the mileage/instrument upgrade. This was because the buy-up can go into a revenue bucket in business (usually P) and the computer can mistake it for a paid business fare whereas an upgrade will be in R and the computer will know it is an upgrade and won't stack a buy-up on top of it. It worked for me in the past anyway-- I don't know if they have since tightened things up.
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Old Oct 11, 2018, 11:36 pm
  #45  
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Originally Posted by u600213
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....
A double upgrade is a no go.

Originally Posted by Ari
Last time I did a double upgrade, to fool the computer, the agent had to do the double upgrade the other way around: first the buy-up, then the mileage/instrument upgrade. ....
A cash upgrade and a supported upgrade has not traditionally been considered a disqualifying double upgrade. Cash upgrades on award upgrades are regularly offered by UA.

The cash upgrade first, booking into the award fare class was likely the source of the problem.
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