I just don't understand this.......
Mar 12, 2004, 5:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Medford, OR
Programs: UA1K/3MM, AA & DL 1MM, *wood Plat, Hertz Pres.
Posts: 588
I just don't understand this.......
I have to go to Rome on business. My office will pay business class for me and then I normally upgrade (normally with SW). I got a z fare for $4,900 or so from the West Coast with UA to LHR and then on BA to FCO. I just called United to see about an upgrade and was told that they won't upgrade the Z fare. So, they won't upgrade me, yet I am sure in empty seats in FC cabin I'll find UA staff flying to LHR on a pass. Yet I can't get upgraded. Keep in mind last year I spent nearly $30K with UA.
I'm sorry I don't understand this logic. I couldn't run my business this way.
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UA-GS/1K (M-M)-AA/DL/UA
Hilton Diamond, Starwood Plt.
I'm sorry I don't understand this logic. I couldn't run my business this way.
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UA-GS/1K (M-M)-AA/DL/UA
Hilton Diamond, Starwood Plt.
Mar 12, 2004, 6:05 pm
#2
In Memoriam, Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 6,879
Huh? Z fares do not allow upgrades. You should know that. Buy up to a D or C.
Mar 12, 2004, 6:06 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Evanston, IL
Posts: 373
I'm a little confused. Did your travel agent not tell you these weren't upgradeable? (If not, you should consider finding another agent.) UA Z fares have this in them (this has been discussed on this board before):
TICKET RESTRICTIONS
NOTE: Z CLASS FARES ARE NOT UPGRADABLE TO FIRST CLASS. NEITHER MILEAGE NOR CERTIFICATES MAY BE USED TO UPGRADE THIS FARE. PASSENGERS WISHING TO HAVE THE OPTION TO UPGRADE SHOULD PURCHASE C OR D CLASS PER THE RULES OF THOSE SPECIFIC FARES. CORPORATE VOLUME DISCOUNTS ARE ALSO NOT PERMITTED. Z CLASS FARES ACCRUE BASE MILES AND ELITE STATUS BONUS MILES BUT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CABIN/CLASS OF SERVICE BONUS MILES.
Whether or not they should permit upgrades or not I don't know but its not like UA wasn't upfront about it. Scold your travel agent!
TICKET RESTRICTIONS
NOTE: Z CLASS FARES ARE NOT UPGRADABLE TO FIRST CLASS. NEITHER MILEAGE NOR CERTIFICATES MAY BE USED TO UPGRADE THIS FARE. PASSENGERS WISHING TO HAVE THE OPTION TO UPGRADE SHOULD PURCHASE C OR D CLASS PER THE RULES OF THOSE SPECIFIC FARES. CORPORATE VOLUME DISCOUNTS ARE ALSO NOT PERMITTED. Z CLASS FARES ACCRUE BASE MILES AND ELITE STATUS BONUS MILES BUT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CABIN/CLASS OF SERVICE BONUS MILES.
Whether or not they should permit upgrades or not I don't know but its not like UA wasn't upfront about it. Scold your travel agent!
Mar 12, 2004, 6:09 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,192
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UA1kMFR:
Keep in mind last year I spent nearly $30K with UA.</font>
Keep in mind last year I spent nearly $30K with UA.</font>
Mar 12, 2004, 6:41 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2001
Location: San José, California
Posts: 792
My company pays for coach only. I'd be happy to trade places with you.
Mar 12, 2004, 7:26 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 11,522
Part of the restrictions of a cheap Z fare ($4900 in business class to Rome is a pretty good deal) is that upgrades are not allowed except for now-expired Sweet Spot certificates.
I'm sure most of the posters here would love UA to open up upgrades to all types of fares, etc... but that also isn't much of a way to upgrade to business. However, if you buy up to a C/D fare you can upgrade...
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Thank you for flying and staying UNITED. Your business and support is highly appreciated. Enjoy your flight and spread the word!
I'm sure most of the posters here would love UA to open up upgrades to all types of fares, etc... but that also isn't much of a way to upgrade to business. However, if you buy up to a C/D fare you can upgrade...
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Thank you for flying and staying UNITED. Your business and support is highly appreciated. Enjoy your flight and spread the word!
Mar 12, 2004, 8:26 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,069
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by anc-ord772:
Keep in mind I spent less than $2K with UA and they wont let me do it either.
</font>
Keep in mind I spent less than $2K with UA and they wont let me do it either.
</font>
Don't rag on UA1k, he's a nice guy.
Dan
Mar 12, 2004, 8:32 pm
#8
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
They need to have some incentive in the higher priced fares or else nobody would buy them. Allowing upgrades is one of those incentives. If every fare was upgradeable, well then they would only need the least expensive one.
It's no skin off their back, either way they get your money. This way, next time if you want to move up, you will probably pay more.
It's no skin off their back, either way they get your money. This way, next time if you want to move up, you will probably pay more.
Mar 12, 2004, 8:39 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 11,522
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cordelli:
They need to have some incentive in the higher priced fares or else nobody would buy them. Allowing upgrades is one of those incentives. If every fare was upgradeable, well then they would only need the least expensive one.
It's no skin off their back, either way they get your money. This way, next time if you want to move up, you will probably pay more.
</font>
They need to have some incentive in the higher priced fares or else nobody would buy them. Allowing upgrades is one of those incentives. If every fare was upgradeable, well then they would only need the least expensive one.
It's no skin off their back, either way they get your money. This way, next time if you want to move up, you will probably pay more.
</font>
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Thank you for flying and staying UNITED. Your business and support is highly appreciated. Enjoy your flight and spread the word!
Mar 12, 2004, 8:58 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 376
After becoming addicted to this game, years ago I've weaned myself off the upgrade tit and learned to use consolidators who get me the upgradable fare (NOT Z) for 2800. in biz.
Albeit I don't always go UA but I ALWAYS GET WHAT I PAY FOR, FIRE YOUR AGENT!
DJ
Albeit I don't always go UA but I ALWAYS GET WHAT I PAY FOR, FIRE YOUR AGENT!
DJ
Mar 12, 2004, 9:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: D.C. ...in between flights!
Programs: UA MM, AA PP
Posts: 871
Just for fun, have you priced a RTW tix on *A in C Class? Keep on going east from Rome to make your way back to the West Coast. You could upgrade to F to LHR, then from Asia to the U.S. Enjoy SQ from Europe to Asia.
I haven't priced this lately BUT think of all the status miles you'd get
and C class on SQ ain't so bad!
I haven't priced this lately BUT think of all the status miles you'd get
and C class on SQ ain't so bad!
Mar 13, 2004, 8:35 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 561
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by duplojohn:
After becoming addicted to this game, years ago I've weaned myself off the upgrade tit and learned to use consolidators who get me the upgradable fare (NOT Z) for 2800. in biz.
!
DJ</font>
After becoming addicted to this game, years ago I've weaned myself off the upgrade tit and learned to use consolidators who get me the upgradable fare (NOT Z) for 2800. in biz.
!
DJ</font>
Did you get miles on UA when you flew on the consolidator tix? Can you provide the name and contact info of your agent? Thanks
Mar 14, 2004, 6:35 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: 1K, Life-Marriott Plat
Posts: 81
They are also NON-REFUNDABLE.
Just last week I had a z to MEX, but ended up canceling it because I needed to go to a different city. When I called I was informed that it was non-refundable; the only non-refundable business class ticket.
Just last week I had a z to MEX, but ended up canceling it because I needed to go to a different city. When I called I was informed that it was non-refundable; the only non-refundable business class ticket.
