Upsell Offers From UA For Business/First Seating (Time of Purchase, OLCI, or Gate)
Jun 22, 2008, 2:08 am
#1081
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 24
Has anyone been able to up-sell at one of the FRA gates with those
out-sourced Lufthansa gate agents they use? The person I dealt with
most recently even seemed to suggest that United doesn't offer
up-sells
I made a big complaint about this in the comment area for the ualsurvery
I filled out for that flight.
Jun 22, 2008, 4:18 am
#1082
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,992
Flying from LHR to either SFO or LAX I have ALWAYS been able to pay to upgrade from coach to business, or business to first...however, from SFO to LHR it has been touch and go...sometimes they have offered it, other times not...the last time we flew back to LHR from SFO they had loads of seats free in business but was not letting us pay....dont get it 
Jun 22, 2008, 6:14 am
#1083
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 11,956
Recently flew ORD-HKG . When I arrived at the gate asked about getting upgraded from economy without paying any extra $. The agent said no . So I asked if there was any rows with 4 or 5 seats empty. The agent said yes there is one row the last row with 4 seats empty. I said can you change my seat to the last row and block out the rest of the seats. The agent said yes I can change your seat but cannot block the rest of the seats . So I took the chance and went to the last row , and spread my carry- ons on the other 3 seats hoping no one else was assigned a seat in the last row . As the doors shut and the plane started to taxi no one came to the last row but some passengers were eying those seats as the flight was fairly full. One passenger asked me if anyone was sitting in the other 3 empty seats ? I said that I had puchased the other 3 seats 
I ended sleeping very well on the 14 hour flight and arrived in HKG well rested on a rock bottom economy fare. I would call that an upgrade from an economy seat to an economy bed
I ended sleeping very well on the 14 hour flight and arrived in HKG well rested on a rock bottom economy fare. I would call that an upgrade from an economy seat to an economy bed
Jun 22, 2008, 7:09 am
#1084
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, 6C AMB, HH Silver
Posts: 238
LHR to IAD on June 16, paid upgrade 350£. After long two weeks of vacation went ahead and did it.
Interesting thing is that when we (four of us) asked at the Economy check-in we were told none available. Later, as we were walking around (5 hours to kill) I went to the future ticket purchase desk and was told that plenty of seats available. BUT that I had to go back to the original agent, have him "accept my money" release my seats, then come back here for the reassignment. Thought it a bit weird, but took my chances and all worked out. All got upgrades and flight was great.
Side note, this was the first time that I saw a passenger kindly asked to go back to her economy seat... We are getting settled, when I notice an Attendant ask this young twenty-something lady, decked out in dark suit, dark sunglasses, huge purse with every imaginable buckle in the world, BUT of course wearing pool flip-flops UGH!, if he could see her boarding pass. She fumbled around for a good five minutes, looking through every imaginable pocket and folder in her briefcase, of course not finding it. She proceeds to tell him that her upgrade had been processed at the gate and that she was told to take any open seat. He asks her name and walk away. Upon his return, he very quietly and without show, tells her that in fact her upgrade had not been processed and that she needed to go to her original seat. She protests that there were many seats available (which was true, I had one seat next to me open). He was firm, but again very polite. She huffed a bit, chugged the champagne she had been offered when she sat down, and went on her way.
Oh well...
Interesting thing is that when we (four of us) asked at the Economy check-in we were told none available. Later, as we were walking around (5 hours to kill) I went to the future ticket purchase desk and was told that plenty of seats available. BUT that I had to go back to the original agent, have him "accept my money" release my seats, then come back here for the reassignment. Thought it a bit weird, but took my chances and all worked out. All got upgrades and flight was great.
Side note, this was the first time that I saw a passenger kindly asked to go back to her economy seat... We are getting settled, when I notice an Attendant ask this young twenty-something lady, decked out in dark suit, dark sunglasses, huge purse with every imaginable buckle in the world, BUT of course wearing pool flip-flops UGH!, if he could see her boarding pass. She fumbled around for a good five minutes, looking through every imaginable pocket and folder in her briefcase, of course not finding it. She proceeds to tell him that her upgrade had been processed at the gate and that she was told to take any open seat. He asks her name and walk away. Upon his return, he very quietly and without show, tells her that in fact her upgrade had not been processed and that she needed to go to her original seat. She protests that there were many seats available (which was true, I had one seat next to me open). He was firm, but again very polite. She huffed a bit, chugged the champagne she had been offered when she sat down, and went on her way.
Oh well...
Jun 22, 2008, 7:11 am
#1085
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 369
Yes, the agent actually apologized that the price of the upgrade had just gone up (to $705) This is the first time my friend has flown on United. He was taking the family on a three week trip to China including two kids aged 14and 12. He bought 2 annual e plus accesses on my advice as well, so United made a little more money off him.
Jun 26, 2008, 12:27 pm
#1086
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brookeville, MD
Programs: Mileage Plus P2
Posts: 10
6/25/08 LHR-IAD Y -> C 394 pounds; declined as we had 17 F&G and nearly $800 per seat seemed dear for trans-Atlantic; wouldn't have blinked trans-Pac.
Jun 26, 2008, 10:38 pm
#1087
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Los Altos, CA
Programs: UA Prem Ex
Posts: 48
Tonight (6/26): UA 863 SFO-SYD $679 from E->C
Jun 30, 2008, 11:56 am
#1088
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,546
1. NC --> NF request for buy-up denied at check-in, RCC, gate for both LAX-HKG and HKG-SIN
2. LAX-HKG was 40% full in C, 100% in F. Not bad at all in upper deck C with no seat mate. Great HKG agent crew.
3. LAX-HKG buy-up to F quoted as $639 at RCC, but did not proceed once agent saw NC.
4. HKG-SIN for $199 and $99 for Vietnam route. Saw the MCO cheat sheat.
2. LAX-HKG was 40% full in C, 100% in F. Not bad at all in upper deck C with no seat mate. Great HKG agent crew.
3. LAX-HKG buy-up to F quoted as $639 at RCC, but did not proceed once agent saw NC.
4. HKG-SIN for $199 and $99 for Vietnam route. Saw the MCO cheat sheat.
Jun 30, 2008, 12:50 pm
#1089
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
1. NC --> NF request for buy-up denied at check-in, RCC, gate for both LAX-HKG and HKG-SIN
2. LAX-HKG was 40% full in C, 100% in F. Not bad at all in upper deck C with no seat mate. Great HKG agent crew.
3. LAX-HKG buy-up to F quoted as $639 at RCC, but did not proceed once agent saw NC.
4. HKG-SIN for $199 and $99 for Vietnam route. Saw the MCO cheat sheat.
2. LAX-HKG was 40% full in C, 100% in F. Not bad at all in upper deck C with no seat mate. Great HKG agent crew.
3. LAX-HKG buy-up to F quoted as $639 at RCC, but did not proceed once agent saw NC.
4. HKG-SIN for $199 and $99 for Vietnam route. Saw the MCO cheat sheat.
Jul 2, 2008, 8:28 pm
#1090
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA1K - SPG Plat
Posts: 921
Ord-fra 7.3
just did OLCI for ORD-FRA (UA940) for 7.3
was offered Y -> C for $569
declined the upgrade - cant justify on TATL
was offered Y -> C for $569
declined the upgrade - cant justify on TATL
Jul 3, 2008, 10:38 am
#1091
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
Iad - Eze
Just did OLCI for 7/4/2008 flight: LAX->IAD->EZE
This was a saver award ticket in economy (50K mi).
Was offered purchase upgrade from IAD->EZE for $549
This was a saver award ticket in economy (50K mi).
Was offered purchase upgrade from IAD->EZE for $549
Jul 3, 2008, 10:46 am
#1092
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: DL Silver Medallion
Posts: 2,671
Iad-bru 7/3/08
My co-worker who is a GM was offered $569 buy-up from Y=>C by Mr. Chicken, followed by a $97 offer for E+.
Jul 3, 2008, 1:10 pm
#1093
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 47
I'd have to agree on the inconsiderate part...smart move? Probably. Would I do it? Not for the whole row...but back on topic.
What do you think is a worthwhile upgrade at the gate? The last one I turned down was a NRT-IAD from Y to C @ a little over $700 @ the NRT RCC in a lower coach fare (they were gonna charge in yen) - Apr 08. I probably should've taken it in hindsight...
Also I wonder why UA has a "set" price (or do they?) when it comes to paid upgrades. It seems no matter what ticket class I have, be it a Y/B or a lower fare, the paid upgrades seem almost the same price (i.e. IAD-FRA I was offered a $600ish price, and that was me flying Y in a B fare, with a $325 excess baggage fee - 74lb case...even as a 1P in May 08) Almost doesn't seem "fare" to me...
What do you think is a worthwhile upgrade at the gate? The last one I turned down was a NRT-IAD from Y to C @ a little over $700 @ the NRT RCC in a lower coach fare (they were gonna charge in yen) - Apr 08. I probably should've taken it in hindsight...
Also I wonder why UA has a "set" price (or do they?) when it comes to paid upgrades. It seems no matter what ticket class I have, be it a Y/B or a lower fare, the paid upgrades seem almost the same price (i.e. IAD-FRA I was offered a $600ish price, and that was me flying Y in a B fare, with a $325 excess baggage fee - 74lb case...even as a 1P in May 08) Almost doesn't seem "fare" to me...
Jul 6, 2008, 3:38 pm
#1094
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: bay area
Programs: UA 1K-MM, FB Ivory
Posts: 73
Nrt-sfo 07/06
upgrade was offered to Ms AF-SFO and I at easy check in at the airport
this morning for about 57,000 yens Y->C on a Y award ticket on UA 838
Didn't take it as we were in the emergency exit.
this morning for about 57,000 yens Y->C on a Y award ticket on UA 838
Didn't take it as we were in the emergency exit.
Jul 7, 2008, 8:45 am
#1095
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM (2.4) RCC, Turkish, Emirates,HH Silver,SPG
Posts: 113
Sfo-pek
Two of my colleagues upgraded to C for $550 each June 11.