UA filtering NH, OZ, SQ and TG???
Jul 16, 2008, 3:11 pm
#91
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,830
DO you remember, may be 2-2.5 year ago UA announced with fanfare special inventory for 1K and saver award availability on every UA flight?
I have been trying to book business saver award on SFO-SYD route for May 2009 with no success. Nothing is available, but seat map shows empty business.
Policy was quietly reversed, i guess?
We are taken for a ride again and again. UA makes loud announces but they seem to filled with empty promises. New route to Moscow in press release some time ago!!!
It is postponed now , but just try to find this information on UA website.
I have been trying to book business saver award on SFO-SYD route for May 2009 with no success. Nothing is available, but seat map shows empty business.
Policy was quietly reversed, i guess?
We are taken for a ride again and again. UA makes loud announces but they seem to filled with empty promises. New route to Moscow in press release some time ago!!!
It is postponed now , but just try to find this information on UA website.
Jul 16, 2008, 3:30 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K-whatever it worth
Posts: 120
My last 5c
I was trying to book saver award in business from MOW to SFO a month ago for July2008.
Let me tel you about my ordeal with UA filters.
First of all UA doesn't fly to Moscow, it means you can check availability. I was only able to see LHR, FRA-SFO. Inventory was non existent. Had learned about ANA tool (Thank you ANA!!!). It showed availability on FRA-SFO on LH.
I had tried hard to convince them to find it but (as i know from this thread now ) even 1K desk agents aren't allowed to see
and book it So no help on MOW-FRA-SFO route. Kept researching and calling.
Ended up with a very dedicated 1K agent who was very attentive, knowledgeable and wiling to help. She found MOW-LHR-DEN-SFO. Thank you my angel!!!!
It took me a week and 15 calls to 1K desk to find and book it finally.
Lesson learned:
Research information
be persistent
But the most important to end up with really professional, knowledgeable and not lazy UA booking agent
Let me tel you about my ordeal with UA filters.
First of all UA doesn't fly to Moscow, it means you can check availability. I was only able to see LHR, FRA-SFO. Inventory was non existent. Had learned about ANA tool (Thank you ANA!!!). It showed availability on FRA-SFO on LH.
I had tried hard to convince them to find it but (as i know from this thread now ) even 1K desk agents aren't allowed to see
and book it So no help on MOW-FRA-SFO route. Kept researching and calling.Ended up with a very dedicated 1K agent who was very attentive, knowledgeable and wiling to help. She found MOW-LHR-DEN-SFO. Thank you my angel!!!!
It took me a week and 15 calls to 1K desk to find and book it finally.
Lesson learned:
Research information
be persistent
But the most important to end up with really professional, knowledgeable and not lazy UA booking agent
Jul 16, 2008, 3:32 pm
#93
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K-whatever it worth
Posts: 120
Jul 16, 2008, 3:58 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,906
DO you remember, may be 2-2.5 year ago UA announced with fanfare special inventory for 1K and saver award availability on every UA flight?
I have been trying to book business saver award on SFO-SYD route for May 2009 with no success. Nothing is available, but seat map shows empty business.
Policy was quietly reversed, i guess?
...
I have been trying to book business saver award on SFO-SYD route for May 2009 with no success. Nothing is available, but seat map shows empty business.
Policy was quietly reversed, i guess?
...
Jul 16, 2008, 9:24 pm
#95
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: UA, AA, SPG - Gold, LM
Posts: 589
I don't know if it's technically correct to say that your routing is "illegal," but it's certainly RTW. Although you will find agents who will book SQ25/26 at TPAC levels, they're not supposed to, and once it's caught by an agent, you won't lose it but you can't change it. You might get lucky by calling back, but tread lightly...
The same problem from even the 1K desk. In one of those 15 to 20 calls, one agent even refuse to accept the fact EgyptAir is an *A member. I thought the 'call again and again and again...' was applicable only to ICC, but what a disappoinment. Even at the 1K desk you gotta use that rule!!!
After so many calls, I got an agent who was able to do the change of routing / itenarary the way I wanted, and all in C
I being new to this game, I felt it like a BIG achievement.
PS - The Good News - new partners bring a lot of fresh award inventory.
Jul 18, 2008, 12:09 am
#97
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,813
I had success today getting 2 business return award seats from Brisbane to Hanoi - no problem getting the dates I wanted - thank God being 1K ,I only had taxes to pay.
Jul 18, 2008, 6:24 am
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
Jul 18, 2008, 6:34 am
#99
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: UA Gold (Million Miler), FI Gold, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,075
Jul 18, 2008, 6:50 pm
#100
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,121
Brisbane to Hanoi can be considered semi long haul?
Sep 2, 2008, 2:39 am
#102
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 609
OZ ICN-SFO blocked
Just ran into OZ ICN-SFO being blocked for an economy award. Shows as available on ANA. Gave the agent the exact flight number and departure time and the agent said there is no OZ flight ICN-SFO. Of course there is, but UA is blocking it since UA also operates ICN-SFO. But the UA flight leaves too early to make the connection at ICN I was trying to build. 
Last edited by BayAreaPilot; Sep 2, 2008 at 2:48 am
Sep 2, 2008, 2:42 am
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,297
Sep 2, 2008, 8:42 am
#104
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
Just ran into OZ ICN-SFO being blocked for an economy award. Shows as available on ANA. Gave the agent the exact flight number and departure time and the agent said there is no OZ flight ICN-SFO. Of course there is, but UA is blocking it since UA also operates ICN-SFO. But the UA flight leaves too early to make the connection at ICN I was trying to build.
United really is making it difficult to burn my miles
Sep 2, 2008, 9:42 am
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,474
