LASUA1K

greg99

As my grandmother would say: "Old Man Usedto is dead..."

Boraxo

Somewhat OT, but I would dissent from the opinion on rental cars. While admittedly it can take 10-15m to ride the train between the SFO terminals and rental car building, the setup is no worse than the shuttle bus systems that service remote rental car facilities at other airports like DEN, PHX, DFW, etc. Wish they all could be like SNA, but high traffic airports simply lack the space.

I don't know if RPUs have higher clearance rate O/D at SJC, but for me it's simply not worth the hassle unless the clearance rate was 80%.

HNLbasedFlyer

If you are an infrequent flier to Hawaii, then yes - it probably surprises you. Up until a couple of years ago - my upgrade success as a 1K was literally 100% flying nearly weekly. Even Gold had a chance.

Regardless, tourism has taken a major hit on the Big Island from the eruptions, I've read some reports of 50% cancellations, so I'm a bit surprised the KOA route is still so strong.

Now, I'm often 10+ down the list out of HNL.

The economy has changed - record tourism - and they've priced First Class lower than years past in order to entice buying it outright.

WineCountryUA

Likely a higher level than normal of exiting travellers-- due to Kilauea

Multiple reports of low prices and open R space for inbound flights to multiple islands. Hawaii island travel is taking a big hit.

DELee

Not that this will make nomad420 and other elites happy, but I've been upgraded on two flights from the islands. My primary flight, LIH-LAX, I was upgraded at or before T-96. My original flight, a HNL-LAX connection that I won't be taking with my wife because I have to leave a day earlier, I was upgraded at or before T-96 as well.

Neither are 752 or 772s (738 from LIH and 739 from HNL) but at least I can say I've been upgraded from Hawaii...

David

...and will be cancelling the LIH-HNL-LAX segments when I can call 1K today...

helvetic

Huh? It's a leisure destination, and KOA is one of the cheapest Hawaiian islands. (Also in the middle of a volcanic eruption, incidentally.)

I doubt it's the highest concentration of GSs (which would much more obviously be in NYC/CHI/SFO

Kacee

I think Greg99 was referring to bay area based GS (and wealthy individuals) traveling to the Kohala coast. You also see lots of high end traffic (purchased F) on SFO-LIH.

greg99

Exactly.

And friends who have places in Kohala (who have been talking to their caretakers) are saying there's no material issue there from the volcano. In fact, one friend wishes that he could have taken advantage of the great AS sale, but his house is being remodeled.

DELee

cancelled my LIH-HNL-LAX segments.

probably should have originally posted to a different thread - both upgrades were/are CPUs....no instruments applied...

David

nomad420

Just booked SFO-KOA 6/16 and perhaps people are hoping for a change in the Kilauea situation but no R space (of course), no F available, and even the available E+ seats were the least desirable. I found the situation even worse on the return (6/23). Of course RPU'ed it at booking but not optimistic.

Boraxo

Looking into July for SFO<->OGG I see no R space but almost every seat is available for assignment in the F cabin. Do these seats open for RPU/GPU prior to the CPU window, or maybe UA just slashes the price of F as the dates draw closer?

HNLbasedFlyer

Upgrade chances are very slim at best even with a RPU - July is smack in the middle of high season.

nomad420

+1
They will NEVER show R space on that route in July.
Totally agree SFO into OGG even with an RPU upgrades are very rare, maybe midweek will clear but still tough. They will try to sell F until the door closes!

zombietooth

The problem isn't the tram/train, it's the horrible design of the parking garage/ramps and the surface street layout around it. The last several times that I have used the facility, it has taken me more than 30 minutes to return a car, and one time an hour, because of the traffic jams into and inside the garage. Admittedly, I mainly flew out in the early afternoon, but I still find this an unacceptable delay. Denver, while very remote, has never delayed me by 30 minutes for a return-not even once. I don't do PHX (prefer TUS) or DFW, so I can't comment there.

I think with your status that you would clear around 80% at SJC. I just completed another trip yesterday, and my RPU cleared somewhere around 72 hours out, making me 5 for 5 on transcons to/from SJC in just the last 4 months.