PZ not strictly greater than IN/I?
Jan 23, 2019, 1:51 pm
#1
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PZ not strictly greater than IN/I?
I've noticed this on a few flights that I've spot-checked: PN>0, PZ=0, PN>IN/I>0
Has anyone else seen this? I had always expected that PZ would open before IN/I, so I was surprised to see it in a few cases (as an example, I saw it on today's UA179 EWR-HKG before it departed). I'd be somewhat disappointed if this is the fix to upgrades not clearing automatically when someone is wait listed but inventory opens up.
Has anyone else seen this? I had always expected that PZ would open before IN/I, so I was surprised to see it in a few cases (as an example, I saw it on today's UA179 EWR-HKG before it departed). I'd be somewhat disappointed if this is the fix to upgrades not clearing automatically when someone is wait listed but inventory opens up.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 23, 2019 at 4:19 pm Reason: title change per OP request
Jan 23, 2019, 1:56 pm
#2
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I'm not sure what could lead you to assume this. I'm not aware of any public statements by United on the matter, and that was certainly not the observed behavior for R previously.
Jan 23, 2019, 2:03 pm
#3
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Ah, got it. It was my small, (obviously) statistically insignificant observations over a few years that had led me to this assumption; I had never seen this until today. Thanks for clarifying!
Jan 23, 2019, 2:13 pm
#4
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I disagree. R >= IN, more-or-less always. I think I remember seeing maybe one example a year where IN/I would open and R would not. I'd expect that PZ >= IN, even though I agree that UA hasn't publicly stated that it will be the case.
Jan 23, 2019, 2:16 pm
#5
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Once (3 years ago) myself and +1 was flying SFO-FRA or the part of the year ehen there are two flights, One had R space I needed for a GPU and one had IN/I space needed for+1's ticket. Neither flight had both. I called in and queried about it, asking what's the chance some R space on one flight or I space on the other flight could be converted so there could be both R & I on one flight. The agent said, hold on, and about 5 minutes later returned and offered both, on our preferred flight. Should have brought a lottery ticket that day -- I doubt that will ever happen again.
Jan 23, 2019, 2:27 pm
#6
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I saw three TATL flights PN9 PZ0 IN6 I6 and two PN9 PZ0 IN9 I9. There's probably an inventory glitch somewhere. If it means too much IN space, grab it now!
Jan 23, 2019, 2:29 pm
#7
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In fact, the ability to turn PZ space into I space is a Global Services benefit, IIRC. UA clearly expects upgrade space to be more widely available than saver award space.
Jan 23, 2019, 2:38 pm
#8
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Jan 23, 2019, 4:19 pm
#9
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Yes, nearly all the time, and I believe contrary instances (which I've seen from time to time) to be errors.
Jan 23, 2019, 7:04 pm
#11
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Jan 23, 2019, 7:54 pm
#12
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Jan 23, 2019, 8:00 pm
#13
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I noticed the same thing as well today. Happened sometime after 5AM PST and before 12PM PST, so it wasn’t during the usual midnight CST daily refresh. One flight went from PZ7 I0 to PZ0 I0. Another flight went from PZ9 I9 to PZ0 I9. I’m hoping that the inventory comes back because I have to book my flights by tomorrow. AA will get my business if this hasn’t resolved by then...
I called into United and got information from an agent that didn’t seem correct at all. She said that all PZ space from now on is only going to be released <96 hours in advance, and that the rollout of the new fare class was to facilitate this policy change. I really hope she was misinformed! Another HUCA call to a different agent was unable to verify the statement of the first agent, but she also said that there was no “inventory glitch” as far as she could tell. After putting me on hold to talk to revenue management, she confirmed that the reduction in PZ inventory overnight was as expected.
I called into United and got information from an agent that didn’t seem correct at all. She said that all PZ space from now on is only going to be released <96 hours in advance, and that the rollout of the new fare class was to facilitate this policy change. I really hope she was misinformed! Another HUCA call to a different agent was unable to verify the statement of the first agent, but she also said that there was no “inventory glitch” as far as she could tell. After putting me on hold to talk to revenue management, she confirmed that the reduction in PZ inventory overnight was as expected.
Last edited by blahmeh14; Jan 23, 2019 at 8:14 pm
Jan 23, 2019, 8:44 pm
#14
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Not that we can necessarily trust the phone agents but did he/she give any indication as to why? I too noticed a route I frequently fly and need to book a flight for next week is showing numerous flights I=1/2/3 and PZ=0. Seems like something is indeed messed up, considering these flights were the opposite a few days ago, unless this is indication of some sort of bigger change.
Jan 23, 2019, 8:46 pm
#15
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Does anyone currently see any PZ on any Polaris route? I see nothing, even on "gimmes" like July 4 TPACs to ICN, NRT, KIX.
Phone agent comments are worthless in this context.
I called into United and got information from an agent that didn’t seem correct at all. She said that all PZ space from now on is only going to be released <96 hours in advance, and that the rollout of the new fare class was to facilitate this policy change. I really hope she was misinformed! Another HUCA call to a different agent was unable to verify the statement of the first agent, but she also said that there was no “inventory glitch” as far as she could tell. After putting me on hold to talk to revenue management, she confirmed that the reduction in PZ inventory overnight was as expected.
Last edited by Kacee; Jan 23, 2019 at 8:51 pm