tombourn

I am a new Premier Executive with 4 , 500 milers and one upgrade 1,000 miles from MP Visa

With the 500 miles going away , Should I try and upgrade on every flight just to use them by 2nd Quarter. Flying on a United CR7 1000 miles next week. I know I would normally not upgrade on a regional because its not much different. But as only a P1, trying to get on other flights might not happen with everyone getting rid of their 500 milers. I only need to upgrade one way as I am a back of the plane guy ( w/ prisoner) on the way home. fly 1-2 times a week, but not always on united out of denver , so my flying out of a hub might play into you guys answers. Thanks

I was up-op once due to being LE on a small plane, other than that never flown up front. taxpayers money and all

FlyinHawaiian

I'm planning on burning as many of my e500s before the new UDU program goes into effect. As you note, all you will get on the CR-7 is a wider seat and maybe a snack box, but if that's your only chance to upgrade, why not treat yourself?

tombourn

So you would burn them even on a 2 hour flight on a regional...If i request it and it doesnt clear they are redeposited right.. i know stupid question..

tombourn

as a 1p i guess they will be hard to use anyway.. might as well try

FlyinHawaiian

Don't beat yourself up too much! Yes, if a requested upgrade does not clear, the e500s are normally redeposited.

Do you forsee yourself flying anywhere else on UA between now and this spring where you might be able to use your e500s? I had good luck on using them DEN-LAX and DEN-SFO (757 and 767 especially) when I was a 1P and that was a good value, as it cost two e500s to upgrade and certain flights had meal service.

mahasamatman

Extra knee and leg room as well.

fzwinter

First use the 1,000 mi upgrade for your flight - it's hard to combine that with other upgrade instruments. Then you'd have more flexibility with your e500s.

tombourn

Thanks for all the advice. I looked and the 1000 isn't good on UX unforinately

bmvaughn

Depends on the route about combinability, but I'd actually save the 1000mi upgrade as it will still be usable after UDU goes into effect.

Should definitely be.

gregas

I am in the exact same position as the OP. I searched the other threads and some post said they were combinable, some not (mostly the later ones). Is it really dependent upon the route? I'd love to use it on s TCON N/S.

My flying this spring will between SoCal and DC. I normally fly LAX-IAD, but BUR is much more convenient. However, BUR is UX (and CRJ200 no less!). No love there.

So I am considering LAX-DEN-IAD. So, now I am booking a longer flight through a city with snow just to sit in a nicer seat and get a meal that would be considered disappointing in any decent restaurant? Hmm....

And then...should I book both ways through DEN? If I don't clear on the way out, I'll have another shot on the way back. However, same logic applies.

I was connecting through DEN during the huge storm of March 2003, when it closed for two days. I still have bad memories of that.

What's a little 1P to do?

G

ndot

The w/ prisoner part of your post caught my eye. Is it pretty common to escort prisoners on commercial flights? And of course I have to ask, do the prisoners earn miles for the flight? What if they want to use their own upgrade instruments?

tombourn

Anytime 3-4 people preboard before GS /1K And all the rest, you have a clue. And it is fun to watch some Red Carpet boarders give us the dirty look. They could get the miles but a thousand or two won't get them far where they are going

AFJon

Burn the E-500's. I've had a lot of success burning them (down to my last 2). I think there are some GS/1K's that may be hoarding E-500's as they'll convert to miles (you had to sign up for this a couple of years ago)

bseller

I dissent. I fly ORD-SAT a few times/year, and it is about a 1000 mile trip. The CR7, if one is able to get Seat 1A, provides one of the best seats in the domestic fleet, IMO.

You have no seat opponent, you have practically unlimited legroom and it is truly very comfy.
I recognize that OMMV.

Dave

mre5765

1A and 2A of the CR7 and E170 are the best seats in the domestic fleet.

OP, burn your e500s as fast as you can. Once UDU comes, you might never get upgraded again.