Do you fare up or down on hard to upgrade flights?
Feb 14, 2019, 1:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.2MM
Posts: 2,352
Do you fare up or down on hard to upgrade flights?
As a 1k based in SFO, I have a hard time clearing upgrades especially on routes like SFO-EWR. There was a time maybe until about 18 months ago when I would clear an upgrade maybe 50% of the time on that route, but those days are long gone. Formerly, I would buy a higher economy fare to increase my odds at an upgrade, but when booking a ticket just now I decided to just buy the very lowest fare since I have no chance to clear anyway. Got me wondering what others do in such a situation as this? Low fare, look for buy up? Higher fare and hope for upgrade...or most likely for me now, low fare and sit in Y!!?
Feb 14, 2019, 2:01 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,406
I have never purchased a higher fare class for the purposes of increasing my upgrade chances, unless you count avoiding BE to remain upgrade-eligible or purchasing a W fare overwater when there was an immediately confirmable upgrade. It's almost never worth it.
I will frequently buy the premium cabin if I don't think an upgrade can clear; not sure if this counts as "faring up" but it definitely means that UA tightening upgrades means more money out of my wallet (to a point)
I will frequently buy the premium cabin if I don't think an upgrade can clear; not sure if this counts as "faring up" but it definitely means that UA tightening upgrades means more money out of my wallet (to a point)
Feb 14, 2019, 5:38 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,117
Last week I went to purchase an economy ticket ORD-LHR but it was $4,000 (cheapest fare bucket was M). I couldn’t imagine that so I booked a 3 leg trip to Glasgow for $700 and upgraded outbound over water leg with miles and money and it cleared. Not exactly a big winner but for $1200 at least I saved my GPU and if it had not cleared no risk to me.
ive bought V fares to try to win the W fare lottery and it’s improved my clearing chances measurably. I’ve never had leftover GPU or RPU instruments.
ive bought V fares to try to win the W fare lottery and it’s improved my clearing chances measurably. I’ve never had leftover GPU or RPU instruments.