Upgrades to Europe? Fly via AMS
Sep 2, 2007, 3:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Gold MM, UA Club Lifer, MC Lifetime Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 325
Upgrades to Europe? Fly via AMS
I've noticed that finding upgraded flights to Europe with SWUs is becoming more difficult. I usually fly to Germany a few times a year, but the advance upgrade availability to FRA and MUC seems scarce, altough I've always been successful in receiving an upgrade on the day of departure.
Well, my next trip to FRA is in early November--coinciding with the new 767 businsess seat roll-out. There was nothing to FRA on 11/09--in fact, the 767 only had 3 revenue seats available. What's a mileage junkie to do? Try booking through AMS. There are usually advance upgrade award seats available on that route. So, I'll connect to a LH flight to FRA. And this is still on a W fare! WARNING: Do not try this unless you are a mileage junkie.
Well, my next trip to FRA is in early November--coinciding with the new 767 businsess seat roll-out. There was nothing to FRA on 11/09--in fact, the 767 only had 3 revenue seats available. What's a mileage junkie to do? Try booking through AMS. There are usually advance upgrade award seats available on that route. So, I'll connect to a LH flight to FRA. And this is still on a W fare! WARNING: Do not try this unless you are a mileage junkie.
Sep 2, 2007, 3:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA1K MM, BA Gold, Hyatt LT Globalist, Bonvoy LTE, IHG Diam, HH Gold, Amtrak Sel Exec
Posts: 3,170
True enough. AMS often has the cheapest fare of the UA European destinations as well...but be warned--UA's catering in AMS is just about the worst I've ever seen, so don't expect to eat well on the flight back!
Sep 2, 2007, 4:56 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 163
I've also had very good luck going through Zurich - never had a problem getting the upgrade.
Sep 2, 2007, 7:39 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: UA 1K 799,000 Lifetime Miles
Posts: 67
A gate agent at MUC said to me a few weeks back that the C and F full fare loads at MUC and FRA are higher than any other European station. German companies pay F and C fares and fill their cabins. On three flights recently there was ONLY 1 seat in C left and it was left to two dueling 1K's each separated by a few hundred dollars in fare...
I've noticed that finding upgraded flights to Europe with SWUs is becoming more difficult. I usually fly to Germany a few times a year, but the advance upgrade availability to FRA and MUC seems scarce, altough I've always been successful in receiving an upgrade on the day of departure.
Well, my next trip to FRA is in early November--coinciding with the new 767 businsess seat roll-out. There was nothing to FRA on 11/09--in fact, the 767 only had 3 revenue seats available. What's a mileage junkie to do? Try booking through AMS. There are usually advance upgrade award seats available on that route. So, I'll connect to a LH flight to FRA. And this is still on a W fare! WARNING: Do not try this unless you are a mileage junkie.
Well, my next trip to FRA is in early November--coinciding with the new 767 businsess seat roll-out. There was nothing to FRA on 11/09--in fact, the 767 only had 3 revenue seats available. What's a mileage junkie to do? Try booking through AMS. There are usually advance upgrade award seats available on that route. So, I'll connect to a LH flight to FRA. And this is still on a W fare! WARNING: Do not try this unless you are a mileage junkie.
Sep 2, 2007, 8:01 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Posts: 1,958
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ams also has the cheapest car rentals. What the heck, load up the bong and drive 
Sep 2, 2007, 10:57 pm
#7
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Sep 2, 2007, 11:05 pm
#8
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Sep 3, 2007, 3:45 pm
#9
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Sep 3, 2007, 4:01 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Asia
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Posts: 883
Interesting info as I am about to book SFO to FRA, but could do AMS I guess!
Sep 3, 2007, 5:07 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: ORD
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Sep 3, 2007, 5:25 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: UA/MAR
Posts: 724
Ssh! This is my best kept secret! I actually have to go to AMS 4-6 times a year and I've never had a problem upgrading so far. BRU on the other hand (which makes up the other 8-6 times a year) can be a nightmare if World Bank, EU, etc. is in session. I'm stuck there an extra day this week because I can't get a business class upgrade confirmed on Friday. 
Sep 3, 2007, 5:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
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AMS isn't a terrible drive even all the way over to NW Germany. There are also ICE trains from Amsterdam Centraal station into Germany, stopping at several major cities in the Rhine Valley (DUS, CGN, FRA for instance).
Sep 4, 2007, 9:03 am
#14
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AMS does indeed make a great gateway, but I've always had the opposite luck finding inexpensive fares, it always seems to be the highest for me. I usually find that booking ORD-LHR and then continuing from there is the least expensive option.
Sep 4, 2007, 9:16 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Posts: 1,075
I fly to/from AMS often and usually find that C is full, so either you've been lucky in getting UG's or you're one of the people who's had the UG.