Post Your SWU Intercontinental Upgrade Failures
Nov 15, 2010, 10:00 pm
#526
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Bangkok/SFO
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 91
Failed NRT-SFO 10/2. Don't recall how long SWU's have been around, but have been 1K for at least last 10 years. Over 60 SFO-BKK trips and as I said first no-go. Believe it or not, experience wasn't that bad as I had an exit row aisle. First time in 10 years I actually had a conversation with a fellow traveler on that flight. Back and butt a bit weary after the flight, but I survived. Also not saying I hope to have to do so again.
Nov 18, 2010, 8:20 am
#527
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 32
ORD to HKG 11/18 @ noon. #13 on the list, 12 seats open.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Nov 21, 2010 at 9:29 am Reason: vulgarity removed
Nov 18, 2010, 9:56 am
#528
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RDU, NC, USA
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton something
Posts: 841
friendly reminder: PLEASE remember to post your current status and fare bucket with your SWU failure date/flight/time. Since status is the most significant component to the waiting list... it's difficult for anyone to build valuable data without it. If you're a 2P on a Y fare and fail a SWU it shouldn't surprise anyone -- if you're a GS on an M fare that's a whole different story!
Nov 21, 2010, 9:06 am
#529
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: FLL
Programs: AA Gold, DL Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold, too many cruise programs to list
Posts: 655
11/20/10, IAD-FCO #966, Q fare, booked 9/25/10, 1P
Plane was packed full. 3rd on upgrade list out of IAD, only one got upgraded. Empty seats in F
At least I had 20B back in Y.
To add insult to injury, also failed both SWU and UDU on #581, DEN-IAD same day.
Plane was packed full. 3rd on upgrade list out of IAD, only one got upgraded. Empty seats in F
At least I had 20B back in Y.To add insult to injury, also failed both SWU and UDU on #581, DEN-IAD same day.
Nov 28, 2010, 8:32 pm
#530
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 343
11/19/10, LAX-SYD #839, W fare, booked 10/25/10, 1K
11/28/10, SYD-LAX #840, W fare, booked 10/25/10, 1K
Flight 839 was completely sold out in all classes. I was #7 on the waitlist and apparently 5 cleared to biz.
Flight 840 was also completely sold out in all classes. According to the GA, I was #12 and no one got upgraded.
Big waste of $400 on the difference between the lowest fare and W fare at the time of booking.
11/28/10, SYD-LAX #840, W fare, booked 10/25/10, 1K
Flight 839 was completely sold out in all classes. I was #7 on the waitlist and apparently 5 cleared to biz.
Flight 840 was also completely sold out in all classes. According to the GA, I was #12 and no one got upgraded.
Big waste of $400 on the difference between the lowest fare and W fare at the time of booking.
Nov 29, 2010, 11:16 am
#531
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Programs: UA 1P 1MM, IHG Plat, HH Silver, DB BahnComfort
Posts: 332
11/28/10 @ 19:10: UA 916 IAD-FRA, W fare, booked 10/18, 1K.
Gate display showed "Business Class checked-in full", I was #4 on upgrade list with no seats available.
I also considered trying an informal standby for UA 916, which departs at 17:21. However, when I walked by, the gate display was showing "4 business class seats remaining" and there were *24* people on the upgrade list! (So I didn't bother to try...)
Gate display showed "Business Class checked-in full", I was #4 on upgrade list with no seats available.
I also considered trying an informal standby for UA 916, which departs at 17:21. However, when I walked by, the gate display was showing "4 business class seats remaining" and there were *24* people on the upgrade list! (So I didn't bother to try...)
Nov 29, 2010, 11:47 am
#532
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Colorado Springs
Programs: UAMP Gold Million Miler; American, Delta, Southwest; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt; Marriott, A-Plus
Posts: 33
I got the last seat IAD-FRA Fl 916 11/28/2010
11/28/10 @ 19:10: UA 916 IAD-FRA, W fare, booked 10/18, 1K.
Gate display showed "Business Class checked-in full", I was #4 on upgrade list with no seats available.
I also considered trying an informal standby for UA 916, which departs at 17:21. However, when I walked by, the gate display was showing "4 business class seats remaining" and there were *24* people on the upgrade list! (So I didn't bother to try...)
Gate display showed "Business Class checked-in full", I was #4 on upgrade list with no seats available.
I also considered trying an informal standby for UA 916, which departs at 17:21. However, when I walked by, the gate display was showing "4 business class seats remaining" and there were *24* people on the upgrade list! (So I didn't bother to try...)
Sorry about that!
Nov 30, 2010, 9:45 am
#533
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: United GS MM, Hilton LT Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 229
11/28/10 UA 941 FRA-ORD 1P partner's V fare class booked 5 weeks in advance. Mine cleared at about 24 hour mark, but his never did.
Nov 30, 2010, 11:10 am
#534
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ravens Country
Programs: UA-1K, Marriott-Gold, SPG-Gold, IC RA/Plat, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,887
I dont know why UA will let F seats go empty when there are people trying to upgrade to C... Why not just upgrade a Full Fare 1K or GS??? This way you make another elite happy, who is most likely a 1K or GS since they will be at the top of the list and getting the upgrade.
Nov 30, 2010, 11:42 am
#535
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: UA MM Gold
Posts: 1,193
Sponsoring a 1P on W fare ORD/NRT failed today. Put in 5 weeks ago....
Nov 30, 2010, 12:18 pm
#536
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1 k ;Hertz Gold; Marriott Gold; Starwood Gold; Priority Club Gold; BMI Silver
Posts: 478
sfo
I went to BKK to NRT to SFO- SWU no problem. I am a 1k and went from Ord. However, when I got to SFO (with the largest concentration of 1K's), I end up in E+. I asked about an upgrade and the GA said "Oh, we didn't even do any since we were full". Give me a break-if UA has that kind of packed planes don't you think they should be adding some. I know they have tried to reduce capacity but why would you reduce capacity in places where they are completely full and need more seats? Did i miss something-if you sell more tickets and fill more planes, don't you make more money?
Nov 30, 2010, 12:30 pm
#537
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: 52,134
Nov 30, 2010, 12:44 pm
#538
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
Well, if you took any economics classes, you did miss something. Selling more tickets doesn't mean higher profits; it depends on the ticket price and operating costs. Shortages can be very good for the seller's bottom line.
Nov 30, 2010, 1:29 pm
#539
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: United MP 1p, PC Ambassador, GP Platinum
Posts: 439
11/28 HKG to ORD Fail as 2P
Sponsored on upgrade Y-C four months out.
Gate agent laughed when i went up to the counter to ask about the status of the upgrade:
"Ha ha, not even 1K get upgrade today!"
Sponsored on upgrade Y-C four months out.
Gate agent laughed when i went up to the counter to ask about the status of the upgrade:
"Ha ha, not even 1K get upgrade today!"
Nov 30, 2010, 2:23 pm
#540
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,836
Increasing supply tends lead to lower prices with higher costs due to more operations. Therefore increasing supply and operating more planes (at lower total ulitization) does not maximize profits,
This the reason there needs to competition that is hungry.