Jan 27, 2024, 4:51 pm
The way of the Dodo? - 1K upgrades, PP or CPU
May 2, 2022, 10:43 am
#121
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
For domestic, getting people to buy up to F makes sense. The cabin is almost always filled with it. But for international, does it make sense if the business class cabin is not full to charge a high retail price and then release a bunch of upgrade only at the last minute? I might have bought business on one leg if I could have upgraded the other at booking. Instead that drives me to other airlines, as I am not willing to waitlist.
May 2, 2022, 10:45 am
#122
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
My point is that F cabins seem to be full well before T-24, meaning folks are simply paying big sums to lock it in.
May 2, 2022, 11:38 am
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
UA and DL (don't fly AA so not sure) make the offers available at any point after booking. Sometimes the price drops during the check-in window, and historically lower prices were available then.
But yes, I agree that statistically a full F cabin prior to T-24 probably implies mostly outright-booked fares. Most people don't log in to check their booking constantly.
But yes, I agree that statistically a full F cabin prior to T-24 probably implies mostly outright-booked fares. Most people don't log in to check their booking constantly.
May 2, 2022, 12:08 pm
#124
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: United 1K/*G, HHonors Platinum
Posts: 142
Like other said, it is getting harder to get upgrades, even with PPs. I have been lucky though; I have an August LAX-TYO on UA with PP upgrades upon ticketing, later in May another LAX-NRT OW on UA with a PP upgrade (return on P fare NH), LAX-IAH-CZM with the IAH-CZM leg PP upgrade and the return nonstop CZM-LAX with a PP upgrade.
For the July RT LAX-LHR, I got P+ tickets, upgraded to Polaris on the return leg for under $700 per person for my wife and I, and, applied PPs to the outbound. I think we will remain in our P+ seats on that leg.
For the July RT LAX-LHR, I got P+ tickets, upgraded to Polaris on the return leg for under $700 per person for my wife and I, and, applied PPs to the outbound. I think we will remain in our P+ seats on that leg.
May 2, 2022, 1:54 pm
#125
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
I too am paying for PP (O/A/R) on certain segments so that if my PPs (pluspoints) don’t clear it is a less brutal landing. And buying into PP does give a better chance of having the upgrade come through
May 2, 2022, 3:54 pm
#126
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
May 2, 2022, 6:10 pm
#127
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,066
May 2, 2022, 6:16 pm
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I (Plat) just got upgraded for my PHX-IAH flight tomorrow (first leg of PHX-IAH-MSY), making me 3/3 on the year. If 1K upgrades are extinct, Plat upgrades seen to be thriving!
Of course I couldn't leave well enough alone and made a SDC to a more convenient flight (with no chance whatsoever of an upgrade) so this will end my streak. On the good side they opened up some T inventory so I could make the change without paying a ~$600 fare difference (my entire round trip was only about $350), so overall I'm happy with the treatment I'm getting as a platinum.
Of course I couldn't leave well enough alone and made a SDC to a more convenient flight (with no chance whatsoever of an upgrade) so this will end my streak. On the good side they opened up some T inventory so I could make the change without paying a ~$600 fare difference (my entire round trip was only about $350), so overall I'm happy with the treatment I'm getting as a platinum.
May 3, 2022, 6:41 am
#129
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
May 3, 2022, 10:09 am
#130
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
I've got 2 OGG-SFO flights this summer that are already fully booked in F (I booked them 3 months ago and they were very expensive compared to HNL). I only noticed this because UA changed my seats for some reason and sent me a message (same equipment).
May 3, 2022, 10:53 am
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
You mentioned SFO-EWR. As you have seen, transcontinental flights often sell out up front, with n PP upgrades ever clearing. On other routes, they are much more likely to clear -- particularly if you are GS.
PP upgrades ever clearing. On other routes, they are much more likely to clear -- particularly if you are GS.
May 3, 2022, 10:59 am
#132
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Pretty hard to clear on routes other than transcon as well. If you are flying SYR/EWR, maybe you clear. Other spots, less than 20%. Bait & switch
May 3, 2022, 10:59 am
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
For 1Ks, it's lot more challenging.
May 3, 2022, 11:03 am
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
May 3, 2022, 12:15 pm
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,025
The good news is round-trips for less than $100 between OGG and HNL on WN and HA can still be had. That's one way to possibly save money to/from Maui, plus UC presence at HNL for layovers. Downside could be added time/inconvenience, depending on destination. Not sure upgrades are any easier out of HNL. I'm on tonight's HNL-IAH flight (paid F) and only two upgrades given out (pretty sure GS and spouse). One seat left, and I'm pretty sure it'll be bought before next upgrade processed. Tomorrow morning's 9:40am IAH-EWR 763ER sold out in F - no upgrades from visible list.