PN fare as 1K international flight
Mar 10, 2018, 8:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 235
What does PN availability really mean on an Intl flight?
So I get that PN availability means instant upgrades on Y/B/M fares when on a CPU eligible fare.
But what does it mean on an international fare?
I just booked a fare to SYD with PN avail and did the M class (as a 1K) and you guessed it, nothing happened.*
What's interesting, is that earlier today, my GS friend tried searching on it and it showed him as upgradable with a GPU.
Would his GPUs work on my reservation? even at W fare?
*UA shows $639 upgrade price on both going and coming - but when you click it, it totals $3,200. Must be some glitch on the site.
So is PN avail only for GS? Or for GS certs on anyone's ticket?
But what does it mean on an international fare?
I just booked a fare to SYD with PN avail and did the M class (as a 1K) and you guessed it, nothing happened.*
What's interesting, is that earlier today, my GS friend tried searching on it and it showed him as upgradable with a GPU.
Would his GPUs work on my reservation? even at W fare?
*UA shows $639 upgrade price on both going and coming - but when you click it, it totals $3,200. Must be some glitch on the site.
So is PN avail only for GS? Or for GS certs on anyone's ticket?
Mar 10, 2018, 8:58 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Mar 10, 2018, 8:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
Yes, A GS GPU books into PN and yes, his GPU will work on your reservation and confirm immediately.
The $639 (+mileage, I'm assuming) books into R, just like a 1k's GPU and in this case, will be waitlisted.
No instant upgrades are available for int'l longhaul.
The $639 (+mileage, I'm assuming) books into R, just like a 1k's GPU and in this case, will be waitlisted.
No instant upgrades are available for int'l longhaul.
Mar 10, 2018, 10:36 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,403
No -- if it were the mileage upgrade, it would be $600, not $639. $639 sounds like a buy-up price. UA will honor it if you call web support. However, it may not be some incredible deal -- it may just be the fare difference from M to P or Z. M is typically a very expensive fare.
Mar 11, 2018, 9:26 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 235
Thanks everyone
Here is the story... on the M fare class, it is indeed offering me $639 buy up each way. But as noted, if you select both, it suddenly goes to $3,209? I could do each one, one at a time, but that still ends up over $5K.
Now it gets interesting...
So my friend went to use his GPUs on my W reservation t his morning. Get this - shows 3 seats available, but when he clicks on the GPU and hits next, it says wait list only. I might have him call later and see what the GS agent says.
Here is the story... on the M fare class, it is indeed offering me $639 buy up each way. But as noted, if you select both, it suddenly goes to $3,209? I could do each one, one at a time, but that still ends up over $5K.
Now it gets interesting...
So my friend went to use his GPUs on my W reservation t his morning. Get this - shows 3 seats available, but when he clicks on the GPU and hits next, it says wait list only. I might have him call later and see what the GS agent says.
Mar 11, 2018, 9:55 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
Thanks everyone
Here is the story... on the M fare class, it is indeed offering me $639 buy up each way. But as noted, if you select both, it suddenly goes to $3,209? I could do each one, one at a time, but that still ends up over $5K.
Now it gets interesting...
So my friend went to use his GPUs on my W reservation t his morning. Get this - shows 3 seats available, but when he clicks on the GPU and hits next, it says wait list only. I might have him call later and see what the GS agent says.
Here is the story... on the M fare class, it is indeed offering me $639 buy up each way. But as noted, if you select both, it suddenly goes to $3,209? I could do each one, one at a time, but that still ends up over $5K.
Now it gets interesting...
So my friend went to use his GPUs on my W reservation t his morning. Get this - shows 3 seats available, but when he clicks on the GPU and hits next, it says wait list only. I might have him call later and see what the GS agent says.
Feb 13, 2019, 1:29 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 6
PN fare as 1K international flight
I have called UAL three times and have been given three different answers to the same questions. The questions: As a 1K booking a M fare on an international flight can i get an instant upgrade if there are PN fares. I did search here and also found conflicting answers.
Agent 1: No, pn fares are not for international flights, no idea why you are seeing them - this answer I know is wrong.
Agent 2: Yes, as a 1K you can use GPU and it will clear if you book B,M fare
Agent 3: No, PN are only for GS flyers and 1K will not clear.
I would like to know: With an M fare, will:
A GPU clear if pn inventory is available?
Will an MPU (miles and money) clear with an M fare if PN is available?
Goal is get confirmed upgrade, I do knowledge of the pecking order on non-confirmed upgrades
Thanks
matt
Agent 1: No, pn fares are not for international flights, no idea why you are seeing them - this answer I know is wrong.
Agent 2: Yes, as a 1K you can use GPU and it will clear if you book B,M fare
Agent 3: No, PN are only for GS flyers and 1K will not clear.
I would like to know: With an M fare, will:
A GPU clear if pn inventory is available?
Will an MPU (miles and money) clear with an M fare if PN is available?
Goal is get confirmed upgrade, I do knowledge of the pecking order on non-confirmed upgrades
Thanks
matt
Feb 13, 2019, 1:36 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 127
The primary factor is whether or not the flight is CPU eligible. If it’s a CPU eligible flight (domestic or international) any premier member is able to confirm into PN instantly on a Y or B fare, and M fare if 1K or GS.
If it’s a non CPU route (long haul domestic or international) instant upgrades are not available and a 1K GPU will need to clear into PZ. With an M fare, you would clear before any other 1K’s on lower fares.
If it’s a non CPU route (long haul domestic or international) instant upgrades are not available and a 1K GPU will need to clear into PZ. With an M fare, you would clear before any other 1K’s on lower fares.
Feb 13, 2019, 1:38 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,403
You can get confirmed into PN as an instant upgrade, but only on CPU-eligible flights. 1Ks cannot get into PN on longhaul flights.
Feb 13, 2019, 1:41 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Note also that on a CPU eligible flight, only 1K and GS instant upgrades clear into PN. Other elite levels clear into PZ.
Feb 13, 2019, 1:56 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Feb 13, 2019, 1:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,618
What blows me away with the OP's comment is the apparent lack of knowledge by essentially all three agents he spoke to. I don't even work for UA, or for that matter any airline, I have a better understanding of what the fare rules are in this situation. Wow!