Lower TK fare classes are now eligible for upgrades with UA miles
Jul 28, 2020, 10:32 pm
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 11
Lower TK fare classes are now eligible for upgrades with UA miles
This is probably worth sharing since I know many probably many people here use the united miles as I do.
I found out that United will be adding four new upgrade-eligible fare classes for flights operated by Turkish Airlines.
This means that you can use the M, A, H, and S fares discounted coach tickets for a more affordable Turkish Airlines ticket.
So for example, if you have a round-trip ticket from New York to Istanbul, a B-class fare would run you about $2,325.
An S-class ticket on the same flights is going for $1,485 which is going to be significantly more affordable than one in B class.So in addition to the $1,485 ticket, you’ll need to shell out 25,000 United miles in each direction to upgrade to business class.
This could actually represent a good deal, depending on how much the underlying S-class coach ticket costs.
If you were to outright redeem United miles for a Turkish business class seat on this route, you’d need to shell out 154,000 miles round-trip.
By redeeming an upgrade instead, you’d be out 50,000 miles and $1,485 for the coach ticket (and you’d still be eligible to earn miles on the ticket).
I found out that United will be adding four new upgrade-eligible fare classes for flights operated by Turkish Airlines.
This means that you can use the M, A, H, and S fares discounted coach tickets for a more affordable Turkish Airlines ticket.
So for example, if you have a round-trip ticket from New York to Istanbul, a B-class fare would run you about $2,325.
An S-class ticket on the same flights is going for $1,485 which is going to be significantly more affordable than one in B class.So in addition to the $1,485 ticket, you’ll need to shell out 25,000 United miles in each direction to upgrade to business class.
This could actually represent a good deal, depending on how much the underlying S-class coach ticket costs.
If you were to outright redeem United miles for a Turkish business class seat on this route, you’d need to shell out 154,000 miles round-trip.
By redeeming an upgrade instead, you’d be out 50,000 miles and $1,485 for the coach ticket (and you’d still be eligible to earn miles on the ticket).
Jul 28, 2020, 11:16 pm
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Strictly speaking, this is a TK change that is being reflected on UA's site. The operating airlines sets the upgradeable fare classes.
Jul 29, 2020, 7:10 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
That is excellent news indeed 
However, let's remember that TK usually has some pretty low business fares to start with ... often through consolidators you can get $2k to Europe ... so even $1500 may not be that good of a deal when you add 50k UA miles which I would value at $750. Now, there will be cases where this is going to be useful, no question. Always good to see when new options are added
However, let's remember that TK usually has some pretty low business fares to start with ... often through consolidators you can get $2k to Europe ... so even $1500 may not be that good of a deal when you add 50k UA miles which I would value at $750. Now, there will be cases where this is going to be useful, no question. Always good to see when new options are added
Jul 29, 2020, 8:56 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
That is excellent news indeed However, let's remember that TK usually has some pretty low business fares to start with ... often through consolidators you can get $2k to Europe ... so even $1500 may not be that good of a deal when you add 50k UA miles which I would value at $750. Now, there will be cases where this is going to be useful, no question. Always good to see when new options are added
However, let's remember that TK usually has some pretty low business fares to start with ... often through consolidators you can get $2k to Europe ... so even $1500 may not be that good of a deal when you add 50k UA miles which I would value at $750. Now, there will be cases where this is going to be useful, no question. Always good to see when new options are added
Jul 29, 2020, 12:33 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
An S-class ticket on the same flights is going for $1,485 which is going to be significantly more affordable than one in B class.So in addition to the $1,485 ticket, you’ll need to shell out 25,000 United miles in each direction to upgrade to business class.
This could actually represent a good deal, depending on how much the underlying S-class coach ticket costs.
By redeeming an upgrade instead, you’d be out 50,000 miles and $1,485 for the coach ticket (and you’d still be eligible to earn miles on the ticket).
This could actually represent a good deal, depending on how much the underlying S-class coach ticket costs.
By redeeming an upgrade instead, you’d be out 50,000 miles and $1,485 for the coach ticket (and you’d still be eligible to earn miles on the ticket).
IIRC, there is no upgrade award chart published anymore.
Jul 29, 2020, 7:57 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Aug 1, 2020, 5:23 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
What's the best way to see if there's upgrade inventory on a TK flight?
Aug 2, 2020, 10:13 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
For upgrade inventory, you need to code F bc=j in ITA Matrix.
J fare class availability in TK is required for mileage upgrades.
F bc=s would give you the cheapest Economy fare that you are able to upgrade.
J fare class availability in TK is required for mileage upgrades.
F bc=s would give you the cheapest Economy fare that you are able to upgrade.
Aug 2, 2020, 11:09 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 7,582
Aug 3, 2020, 9:30 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Aug 4, 2020, 6:42 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,162
Archaic, yes. Awful, no - although obviously that's a personal preference. The seats are comfortable, a good size, and have lots of storage space. They don't have a huge amount of privacy, but compared to many J seats out there they are still a good ride IMHO.
Aug 18, 2020, 5:06 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 3
Hi, I was able to get an S class ticket on Turkish Airways from Istanbul to NYC and confirmed on ExpertFlyer there are still 4 business class upgrades available (J) on that flight.
However, when I try to use United’s Star Alliance upgrade interface it tells me no upgrades are available. I’ve tried calling United which keeps directing me to their website and to Turkish. Turkish has confirmed the upgrade availability is there. Any idea how I can secure these seats?
Thank you
ps: when I use ITA Matrix using F bc=J it shows nothing available. I’ve never used it before so not sure I’m doing it right... ExpertFlyer and Turkish are telling me the upgrades are there...
However, when I try to use United’s Star Alliance upgrade interface it tells me no upgrades are available. I’ve tried calling United which keeps directing me to their website and to Turkish. Turkish has confirmed the upgrade availability is there. Any idea how I can secure these seats?
Thank you
ps: when I use ITA Matrix using F bc=J it shows nothing available. I’ve never used it before so not sure I’m doing it right... ExpertFlyer and Turkish are telling me the upgrades are there...
Last edited by Dio; Aug 18, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Aug 19, 2020, 7:20 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,092
Hi, I was able to get an S class ticket on Turkish Airways from Istanbul to NYC and confirmed on ExpertFlyer there are still 4 business class upgrades available (J) on that flight.
However, when I try to use United’s Star Alliance upgrade interface it tells me no upgrades are available. I’ve tried calling United which keeps directing me to their website and to Turkish. Turkish has confirmed the upgrade availability is there. Any idea how I can secure these seats?
Thank you
ps: when I use ITA Matrix using F bc=J it shows nothing available. I’ve never used it before so not sure I’m doing it right... ExpertFlyer and Turkish are telling me the upgrades are there...
However, when I try to use United’s Star Alliance upgrade interface it tells me no upgrades are available. I’ve tried calling United which keeps directing me to their website and to Turkish. Turkish has confirmed the upgrade availability is there. Any idea how I can secure these seats?
Thank you
ps: when I use ITA Matrix using F bc=J it shows nothing available. I’ve never used it before so not sure I’m doing it right... ExpertFlyer and Turkish are telling me the upgrades are there...