Jan 27, 2024, 4:51 pm
The way of the Dodo? - 1K upgrades, PP or CPU
Aug 26, 2022, 8:48 am
#346
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Aug 26, 2022, 9:24 am
#347
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
I'm flying SFO-EWR-RDU Sunday. I bought a $400 one-way Q fare back in March. At the time SFO-EWR was a 757-200 so no Premium Plus for sale. I immediately applied PlusPoints. I've been waitlisted since even though the plane has been changed from a 757-200 to a 787-9 and finally to a 777-300.
The upgrade list is now available. As a 1K on a Q Fare with PP I am 16th on the list. Sigh.
The upgrade list is now available. As a 1K on a Q Fare with PP I am 16th on the list. Sigh.
-RM
Aug 26, 2022, 9:33 am
#348
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
Looking at current fare within T-48, you can still get SFO-EWR-RDU for under $400. Even the nonstop fare is not much higher. This is the main reason I have stopped buying fares 6-12 months in advance; usually within a few weeks ahead only now. Also minimize the constant schedule change churns.
Aug 26, 2022, 9:52 am
#349
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Aug 26, 2022, 10:11 am
#350
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: United 1k, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador and LT-Gold
Posts: 1,660
what is interesting (painful?) in some of this is that the F flights are either relatively inexpensive or ridiculous - meaning for some of the flights that I am looking at over the next few months, F fares range from 2x econ prices to >6x econ prices!
... and the 2x ones appear to sell out quickly? (Hawaii - SFO or LAX on a 737 anyone?)
... and the 2x ones appear to sell out quickly? (Hawaii - SFO or LAX on a 737 anyone?)
Aug 27, 2022, 7:06 pm
#351
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
exactly. Late-August is moving beyond the family season (our schools start Aug 10) and midweek evening westbound is easier than mid afternoon weekend eastbound. Red eyes aLos seem to have cheaper F perhaps there are others like me who prefer to sleep in a bed rather than maximize a vacation day.
Aug 27, 2022, 11:05 pm
#352
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
I currently have 4 flights waiting for upgrades using Plus Points:
Monday (early December) TPAC Y fare to either PP or Polaris
Friday (mid January) TPAC Y fare to either PP or Polaris.
Bizarrely the Monday outbound and Friday return were significantly cheaper then a Tuesday/Wednesday flight which would be my usual choice.
Tuesday (mid May) TATL W fare to Polaris as there is no PP cabin.
Tuesday (mid June) TATL W fare to Polaris as there is no PP cabin.
Recognize the last one is less likely to happen and that is okay as it is a day time flight.
Am hoping there is a culling of the 1Ks but with all the PlusPoints extended to 7/31/23 feeling somewhat pessimistic...
Monday (early December) TPAC Y fare to either PP or Polaris
Friday (mid January) TPAC Y fare to either PP or Polaris.
Bizarrely the Monday outbound and Friday return were significantly cheaper then a Tuesday/Wednesday flight which would be my usual choice.
Tuesday (mid May) TATL W fare to Polaris as there is no PP cabin.
Tuesday (mid June) TATL W fare to Polaris as there is no PP cabin.
Recognize the last one is less likely to happen and that is okay as it is a day time flight.
Am hoping there is a culling of the 1Ks but with all the PlusPoints extended to 7/31/23 feeling somewhat pessimistic...
Aug 28, 2022, 9:58 am
#353
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Posts: 60,174
Aug 28, 2022, 10:16 am
#354
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: United 1k, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador and LT-Gold
Posts: 1,660
Part of the problem is the disconnect of reality. Many of us who travel for work can’t buy F or are stuck with the lowest fares. We are not competing with other 1k or GS - we are competing with tourists or those who pay for their own tickets.
some of my domestic flights over the next few months already have completely book F cabins. Even if I wanted to buy up or pay for F- it’s not an option. Hence, forget about cpu or pp
some of my domestic flights over the next few months already have completely book F cabins. Even if I wanted to buy up or pay for F- it’s not an option. Hence, forget about cpu or pp
Aug 28, 2022, 10:48 am
#355
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Denver, CO USA
Programs: UA GS 3Million, Marriott/SPG LIFETIME Platinum - current Titanium, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 633
What gets me as a GS are the types of routes which sell out in First. I’m flying DEN-MEM today (on an E175) and first was sold out when I bought my tickets 3 weeks ago. Who is buying these seats? Why? The flight is like 100 minutes. I’m sure most folks in first are connecting, but why on earth are they paying extra for first?
A $150 upgrade is like paying United $100 an hour to treat you just a little bit less worse that all the others in coach.
SMH
A $150 upgrade is like paying United $100 an hour to treat you just a little bit less worse that all the others in coach.
SMH
Aug 28, 2022, 11:43 am
#356
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
What gets me as a GS are the types of routes which sell out in First. I’m flying DEN-MEM today (on an E175) and first was sold out when I bought my tickets 3 weeks ago. Who is buying these seats? Why? The flight is like 100 minutes. I’m sure most folks in first are connecting, but why on earth are they paying extra for first?
A $150 upgrade is like paying United $100 an hour to treat you just a little bit less worse that all the others in coach.
SMH
A $150 upgrade is like paying United $100 an hour to treat you just a little bit less worse that all the others in coach.
SMH
Aug 28, 2022, 11:56 am
#357
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: United 1K; 1.66MM
Posts: 383
Just curious....Which one has better chance for upgrade? CPU or PP? Would you get upgraded sooner with PP, say, >T72-hours?
Do 1K still get "instant" upgrade with M fares? Never seemed to get CPU with my M fares.
Do 1K still get "instant" upgrade with M fares? Never seemed to get CPU with my M fares.
Aug 28, 2022, 12:01 pm
#358
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
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PP, of course. But...very much route specific, some routes you can clear without any instrument, and even at the lowest fare buckets (G,K), some routes no chances even applying PP.
Aug 28, 2022, 6:04 pm
#359
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: LAX
Posts: 211
Part of the problem is the disconnect of reality. Many of us who travel for work can’t buy F or are stuck with the lowest fares. We are not competing with other 1k or GS - we are competing with tourists or those who pay for their own tickets.
some of my domestic flights over the next few months already have completely book F cabins.Even if I wanted to buy up or pay for F- it’s not an option. Hence, forget about cpu or pp
some of my domestic flights over the next few months already have completely book F cabins.Even if I wanted to buy up or pay for F- it’s not an option. Hence, forget about cpu or pp
Aug 28, 2022, 6:14 pm
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
I'm not sure that's quite what the OP meant -- rather that if F is already sold out, there's nothing to be purchased -- but if you use a corporate travel department, they will absolutely be notified when you upgrade. They're acting as your travel agent, so UA will notify them about any changes to the ticket.