FlyerTalk Forums - Upgrade Math

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)

- United Mileage Plus (Pre-Merger) (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileage-plus-pre-merger-504/)

- - Upgrade Math (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileage-plus-pre-merger/654121-upgrade-math.html)

[QUOTE=mazzer;7122659]Working for the Govt., my fares (even the occasional YCA) do not qualify for the complimentary upgrade :( Though they do get the 1.5 EQMs.

Is that true? I just bought tickets using state government fare--so have not flown yet. I will get 1.5 MQM's? I know i can upgrade with less mileage but did not know about the MQMs

[QUOTE=seadoc;7122980]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazzer (Post 7122659)

Is that true? I just bought tickets using state government fare--so have not flown yet. I will get 1.5 MQM's? I know i can upgrade with less mileage but did not know about the MQMs

It is true for the Federal Govt. If your fare is a YCA fare you get 1.5 EQMs. I do not know enough about State Govt travel to know about your case.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazzer (Post 7121601)

I thought that I would add some math to this thread...

Suppose that the average SWU is used for 5,000 miles of flights and the average CR1 for 2,000 miles of flights. Then this will upgrade 6*5000 + 8*2000 = 46,000 worth of miles. If the 1k flys exactly 100,000 miles a year, they earn 40 of the 500 mile upgrades, which upgrade an average of 400 miles each giving another 16,000 miles of upgrades.

That seems to say that if you flew exactly 100,000 miles on cheap tickets, (ie nothing that gives you extra EQMs or Y/B fares with complimentary upgrades) the average 'cheap ticket' 1k could upgrade 62,000 miles of the 100,000 miles flown. For many people, given that there is no F on many UX flights or any TED flights, and why bother upgrading a short mainline flight if you have a good seat in E+ (eg row 6 in an Airbus), this pretty much upgrades everything.

Now there are many things that can alter this scenario. E.g. if you buy Y or B fares the upgrade is free (no 500 milers) and you get 1.5 EQMs ..... and my averages are numbers plucked out of thin air ... but you get the idea.

True and good stuff. The downside for mostly domestic travelers is there is no way to get the full benefit of the SWUs without those long international trips.

I always try to maximise my SWU's and can upgrade all the way when I fly MEL-SFO-FRA. I used to enjoy an overnight in LA in the past when up to 24 hour stop was allowed. The new 12 hour policy has ruined this one for me and now I have to fly straight through unfortunately. Have also been known to add an extra segment to an itinerary when a stop would have been longer than 12 hours , for example I might fly into SFO to connect back to Australia but if that flight arrives in SFO too early in the morning (meaning a longer than 12 hour layover) I will then fly on to LA and take LAX-SYD instead.

As a 100% domestic 1K, I have to say that those upgrades go pretty quick for me! Especially since I'm a little too generous with my CR1's @:-)

<deleted> Since the post I was quoting was also deleted, it seemed only fair...

I don't run out of upgrade instruments ... but that's because most of my UA travel is between SFO and IAD, with travel dates usually determined about a week in advance. Even as a 1K, my upgrades clear less than 25% of the time on that route.

The last few trips, I routed my outbound through San Diego. I don't mind getting to my hotel a little later in the evening than compared to a non-stop if I can get an upgrade, and so far, upgrades have been 100%. In fact, on one flight on a 757, a third of F was empty, including the seat next to me. Fares have also been cheaper routing that way.