Christmas Day Upgrade
Dec 13, 2018, 11:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 102
Christmas Day Upgrade
My wife and I are flying from Frankfurt to Chicago on Christmas Day this year. We have never flown international on Christmas Day before and looking at the seat map there is no one in business class. (Actually it appears that there are four seats reserved as of 10 days out). I’m curious as to whether United ever offers any lower upgrade prices on that day since it seems that there isn’t anyone in that cabin or if they just fly it essentially empty. Anyone had an experience on Christmas Day and whether they have any special offers? I can do a miles+copay upgrade but just wondering if there is any attempt to sell those seats for less on a day that is basically empty. The current upgrade price online is not lower than normal.
Dec 13, 2018, 11:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
For me - if there is a decent miles + copay or reasonable buy-up AND upgrade space available, I'd grab it.
It is a gamble - which may or may not pay off, if the buy-ups go lower than what is currently offered.
It is a gamble - which may or may not pay off, if the buy-ups go lower than what is currently offered.
Last edited by HNLbasedFlyer; Dec 14, 2018 at 12:24 am
Dec 13, 2018, 11:59 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,424
Unlikely you'll see a buy-up for less than around $800. There was a report recently around $600 but that's quite unusual. Never lower than that.
Dec 14, 2018, 3:20 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: LHR
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, mLife Platinum
Posts: 380
We've flown LHR to various USA destinations on the 26th, which also has light loads. This year we've used GPUs, but in the past we've upgraded with both TOD and miles/co-pay. The usual TOD I can recall seeing is about $800.
Dec 14, 2018, 8:53 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,879
Dec 14, 2018, 9:46 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS (1MM), DL Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Avis CC
Posts: 526
Just checked the flight - VERY few bookings in J (can't give the exact number out of policy), but oversold in Y 
If you have status, try to be the first to 'volunteer' for the op-up.
If you have status, try to be the first to 'volunteer' for the op-up.
Dec 14, 2018, 11:16 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,215
I believe I had an op-up in August on LHR-ORD as I had no GPUs left but was in J on a K fare.
Dec 14, 2018, 11:21 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS (1MM), DL Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Avis CC
Posts: 526
There's no official way. Despite being an employee, I have my own earned Platinum status. On a recent revenue paid flight EWRCDG, same situation. I just went up to the gate agent and made a small joke "If Y is oversold, I'm happy to volunteer for an upgrade! haha". She laughed. I got a seat in J.
Technically, they're supposed to go by the MP status list (just like a CPU, which in my case she did- I legit was the next one on the list) but it doesn't hurt for the agent working the flight to like you!
edit to add: anything I say on this forum is my own opinion and not on behalf of the company.
Technically, they're supposed to go by the MP status list (just like a CPU, which in my case she did- I legit was the next one on the list) but it doesn't hurt for the agent working the flight to like you!
edit to add: anything I say on this forum is my own opinion and not on behalf of the company.
Dec 14, 2018, 12:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: KEWR
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Exec, GE/Nexus
Posts: 501
FRA-ORD, 12/25 1:00pm, UA906 - PZ is PZ9!
If I were you, I'd use (a) GPU or (b) miles + copay to upgrade the flight ... NOW! edit: This is a 3-class plane, if you're 1K you can sit in the old GF seats
If you're waiting for 'better' opportunity - lower cost, maybe a free upgrade - then remember the adage, "bird in hand is worth two in the bush."
If I were you, I'd use (a) GPU or (b) miles + copay to upgrade the flight ... NOW! edit: This is a 3-class plane, if you're 1K you can sit in the old GF seats
If you're waiting for 'better' opportunity - lower cost, maybe a free upgrade - then remember the adage, "bird in hand is worth two in the bush."
Last edited by miasmal; Dec 14, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Dec 14, 2018, 12:34 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS (1MM), DL Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Avis CC
Posts: 526
Dec 14, 2018, 1:08 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
OP does not list his status. Presuming he has none, it is highly unlikely that he receives an OPUP. If UA does offer the seats for <800, they will be grabbed up fairly quickly. Thus, if it is possible to get them now at $800, I would take it and not look back.
Dec 14, 2018, 1:52 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,215
I am flying YVR-SFO on December 26 and no FC seats left. I had purchased FC as it was extremely cheap when I booked in January. SFO-SAN is wide open in FC. So it does depend upon where you are going on the dates around Christmas. I am flying LAX-LHR on December 28 and the K fare return was less than $500 and I used miles and co-pay to UG and tons of space in J. NYE in London - best place to be on the Thames! Flight back in Y and the Y load is very light at this stage. Contrast with TPAC and very few seats available for the UG.