2004 SWU's go electronic
Nov 12, 2003, 10:50 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">OK, who is going to be the first to try and upgrade an XY or XC ticket???</font>
Nov 12, 2003, 10:57 am
#17
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: None, but flying a lot more Delta these days
Posts: 707
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
2004 SWUs will be eligible in Region 1 from all booking classes except Z and G, and in Region 2 from all booking classes except Z, S, T, K, L and G. </font>
2004 SWUs will be eligible in Region 1 from all booking classes except Z and G, and in Region 2 from all booking classes except Z, S, T, K, L and G. </font>
Nov 12, 2003, 11:30 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Earth
Programs: UA MM Platinum; HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; Starwood Gold; Hyatt Discoverist; Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,527
No, this means the SWUs will be good for essentially any published fare in Region 1 (domestic), and all but the cheapest fares in Region 2 (international). Not quite as good as a sweet spot, but inclusive of all but the cheapest international fares. For example, this past weekend's $199 special fares to London would not have qualified. But the cheapest regularly published fares would.
Nov 12, 2003, 11:32 am
#19
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
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It means your 2004 1K Systemwides would be valid internationally (between and within Region 1 & 2) on C, D, Y, B, M, H, Q, V, W fares. Which is a compromise of sorts that falls between the no-restriction SWUs of old (and the wonderful Sweet Spots), and the dreaded H+ of recent.
Basically Q, V and W have just been added to the standard 2004 Systemwides, internationally.
If you should have to use a 2004 Systemwide only within Region 1 (all domestically, if you will), then it's basically still good on any published fare, excluding only Z and G (whatever the heck those are).
[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited Nov 12, 2003).]
Basically Q, V and W have just been added to the standard 2004 Systemwides, internationally.
If you should have to use a 2004 Systemwide only within Region 1 (all domestically, if you will), then it's basically still good on any published fare, excluding only Z and G (whatever the heck those are).
[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited Nov 12, 2003).]
Nov 12, 2003, 11:33 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
Programs: BD / BA / AF
Posts: 4,388
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by carlhaynes:
Does this mean traveling from or traveling to. Am I reading it right that international travel from the US is essentially H and above for upgrades with SWUs? </font>
Does this mean traveling from or traveling to. Am I reading it right that international travel from the US is essentially H and above for upgrades with SWUs? </font>
Nov 12, 2003, 11:51 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA Lifetime Global Services
Posts: 407
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MatthewClement:
the new rules don't prohibit W, V or Q fares -- which is where most of the international cheapies live.</font>
the new rules don't prohibit W, V or Q fares -- which is where most of the international cheapies live.</font>
koppelman
Nov 12, 2003, 1:40 pm
#22
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Has anyone had any success confirming an upgrade using 2004 SWU's?
I just tried to book, ticket and confirm upgrades for flights (V fare) in April, 2004, but the agent was reluctant to confirm the upgrade as I do not yet I have any 2004 upgrades "in my bank". (Obviously I can't confirm using Sweet Spots as those will have expired on 2/29/04, nor can I use 2003 SWU's as those are only good on H+ fares [and in my case they will have expired on 3/31/2003], nor can I use miles.) I guess we have to wait until 1/1/04 or later to utilize these upgrades?
I just tried to book, ticket and confirm upgrades for flights (V fare) in April, 2004, but the agent was reluctant to confirm the upgrade as I do not yet I have any 2004 upgrades "in my bank". (Obviously I can't confirm using Sweet Spots as those will have expired on 2/29/04, nor can I use 2003 SWU's as those are only good on H+ fares [and in my case they will have expired on 3/31/2003], nor can I use miles.) I guess we have to wait until 1/1/04 or later to utilize these upgrades?
Nov 12, 2003, 1:47 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2003
Location: RDU, NC, USA
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton something
Posts: 844
Transpac,
I've never had UA reservations trouble me over this before... I've got a SYD-SFO flight booked in 2004 and they went ahead and cleared the upgrade. As someone mentioned earlier, the threat of them putting you back in 59E between the fat guy and the screaming six-year-old should be sufficient motivation to make sure that you actually have an upgrade to use when your flight comes around. ;-) I'd try calling back and maybe someone else will help you, or you can explain the above rationale to them and maybe that will help.
--lj
I've never had UA reservations trouble me over this before... I've got a SYD-SFO flight booked in 2004 and they went ahead and cleared the upgrade. As someone mentioned earlier, the threat of them putting you back in 59E between the fat guy and the screaming six-year-old should be sufficient motivation to make sure that you actually have an upgrade to use when your flight comes around. ;-) I'd try calling back and maybe someone else will help you, or you can explain the above rationale to them and maybe that will help.
--lj
Nov 12, 2003, 1:50 pm
#24
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 11,522
Although the res agents are now able to see a field called "CONFIRMED SYSTEM WIDE AVAILABLE" alongside your 500-mile and Regional Upgrades in your MP account details, it is likely that no actual upgrades have been issued to members yet. So for now, that field is 0.
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The views expressed here are not necessarily supported by United Airlines and its subsidiaries, nor do I represent the views, aims and/or opinions of United Airlines.
------------------
Thank you for flying and staying UNITED. Your business and support is highly appreciated. Enjoy your flight and spread the word!
The views expressed here are not necessarily supported by United Airlines and its subsidiaries, nor do I represent the views, aims and/or opinions of United Airlines.
Nov 12, 2003, 1:50 pm
#25
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
ljwobker
Thanks.
An agent at MileagePlus confirmed that it is possible to confirm an upgrade as long as you are flying after 1/1/04. She said that if the next 1K res. agent was at all reluctant, I should ask for a supervisor who can confirm my eligibility based on my 2003 ytd flight miles.
[This message has been edited by transpac (edited Nov 12, 2003).]
Thanks.
An agent at MileagePlus confirmed that it is possible to confirm an upgrade as long as you are flying after 1/1/04. She said that if the next 1K res. agent was at all reluctant, I should ask for a supervisor who can confirm my eligibility based on my 2003 ytd flight miles.
[This message has been edited by transpac (edited Nov 12, 2003).]
Nov 12, 2003, 2:24 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chicago, USA
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
Heck! I've been doing just that for years!</font>
Heck! I've been doing just that for years!
</font>
Has it ever worked? I've never tried. Did you use the SPEECH?
Nov 12, 2003, 5:05 pm
#27
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
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Worked many times. Sometimes they took a cert or miles. If they were smart or chicken, they took nothing and Operationally upgraded my free award ticket. 
Nov 12, 2003, 5:08 pm
#28
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
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Another of the drawbacks of Electronic Systemwides is their likely "One Year From Date Of Issue" expiry.
Theoretically, if they issue them on Jan 1, they would expire Dec 31. And I kinda liked that end-of-March business.
Perhaps we'll get lucky and all "beginning of year" types will still carry into the end of March. But I kinda doubt it. Except for "late bloomers" of course.
[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited Nov 12, 2003).]
Theoretically, if they issue them on Jan 1, they would expire Dec 31. And I kinda liked that end-of-March business.
Perhaps we'll get lucky and all "beginning of year" types will still carry into the end of March. But I kinda doubt it. Except for "late bloomers" of course.
[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited Nov 12, 2003).]
Nov 12, 2003, 5:57 pm
#29
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
Another of the drawbacks of Electronic Systemwides is their likely "One Year From Date Of Issue" expiry.
Theoretically, if they issue them on Jan 1, they would expire Dec 31. And I kinda liked that end-of-March business.
</font>
Another of the drawbacks of Electronic Systemwides is their likely "One Year From Date Of Issue" expiry.
Theoretically, if they issue them on Jan 1, they would expire Dec 31. And I kinda liked that end-of-March business.
</font>
Nov 12, 2003, 5:59 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Mountain View California UAL 1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 282
I am very glad to hear that I can book business class travel today for a trip next spring, based on my electronic SWU's soon to arrive. I'm trying to plan a vacation to Hong Kong and have NO intention of flying in economy.