So, I won a trip to Australia on United...
Sep 18, 2008, 11:39 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1.5 Million Mile flyer, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz 5* and PC since 1985
Posts: 5,611
Is the ticket a real ticket that shows an actual cash value?
If it's a full fare Y ticket the odds of an upgrade are better
Did United have anything to do with the prize?
If it's a full fare Y ticket the odds of an upgrade are better
Did United have anything to do with the prize?
Sep 18, 2008, 11:43 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
...Since everyone is offering medical advice, I'll put in a plug for Ambien. Here's my Australia sleeping methodology: Have dinner and fall asleep naturally -- it'll be late, and you'll be exhausted after the flight to LAX, so you should be able to sleep for a few hours. When you wake up, pop your Ambien and go back to sleep. You should wake up an hour or two before arrival into SYD.
I must say that for anyone concerned about DVT, and particularly an inexperienced flyer, this is terrible advice. The OP, at 6-5/300#, will be very cramped in Y, even if he scores E+. He will need to move around every few hours to keep blood flowing not drug himself into oblivion for hours, most likely in a cramped position.
Sleep meds are probably fine for C or F where you can stretch out and sleep. Y- is another story. MHO.
Sep 18, 2008, 11:59 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
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Posts: 3,758
Monolith 2 - welcome to FT!
Call UA and see if you can purchase an upgrade to E+ ASAP! Since they sell them at time of purchase they might sell you the upgrade before checkin. It won't hurt to try. And if C is offered at checkin consider it a health issue and not just simply a comfort issue.
Just know that, as others have posted, the trip will be somewhat unpleasant even in E+. But absolutely, poitively make sure you have an aisle seat. Make sure you get up and move around every few hours.
Good luck and make sure you climb the Harbor Bridge.
Call UA and see if you can purchase an upgrade to E+ ASAP! Since they sell them at time of purchase they might sell you the upgrade before checkin. It won't hurt to try. And if C is offered at checkin consider it a health issue and not just simply a comfort issue.
Just know that, as others have posted, the trip will be somewhat unpleasant even in E+. But absolutely, poitively make sure you have an aisle seat. Make sure you get up and move around every few hours.
Good luck and make sure you climb the Harbor Bridge.
Sep 18, 2008, 12:11 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 11,522
Monolith 2 - welcome to FT!
Call UA and see if you can purchase an upgrade to E+ ASAP! Since they sell them at time of purchase they might sell you the upgrade before checkin. It won't hurt to try. And if C is offered at checkin consider it a health issue and not just simply a comfort issue.
Just know that, as others have posted, the trip will be somewhat unpleasant even in E+. But absolutely, poitively make sure you have an aisle seat. Make sure you get up and move around every few hours.
Good luck and make sure you climb the Harbor Bridge.
Call UA and see if you can purchase an upgrade to E+ ASAP! Since they sell them at time of purchase they might sell you the upgrade before checkin. It won't hurt to try. And if C is offered at checkin consider it a health issue and not just simply a comfort issue.
Just know that, as others have posted, the trip will be somewhat unpleasant even in E+. But absolutely, poitively make sure you have an aisle seat. Make sure you get up and move around every few hours.
Good luck and make sure you climb the Harbor Bridge.
The OP just needs to log into My Itineraries and see if Economy Plus is available for the flights in question.
Sep 18, 2008, 12:24 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA, AS, SQ, Hilton Diamond, PC Platinum, National Exec
Posts: 726
Last year I also payed to upgrade SFO-SYD and SYD-SFO to E+ it was something like $150 each way IMHO it was worth every penny. The UA 744 E- cabin looks extremely tight and I'm only 5'8.
Last edited by Dan6681; Sep 18, 2008 at 12:25 pm Reason: right not left
Sep 18, 2008, 12:29 pm
#21
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
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I'd call right now and buy-up to an E+ aisle seat as insurance against not having an opportunity to buy-up to biz class at checkin. E+ would be bearable but E- would be painful.
Then, at checkin, inquire about a buy-up to biz. Several hundred dollars well spent, IMO (especially compared to the price of full C class, which the OP has already seen). If available, then great! If not, at least you'd have an aisle seat in E+.
Then, at checkin, inquire about a buy-up to biz. Several hundred dollars well spent, IMO (especially compared to the price of full C class, which the OP has already seen). If available, then great! If not, at least you'd have an aisle seat in E+.
Sep 18, 2008, 12:31 pm
#22
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Location: Bay Area, CA
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Isn't it $350 for E+ access for a year? If you had other flights, that would sound like a better value.
Sep 18, 2008, 12:33 pm
#23
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
Australia is really a great place, and you ought to see it sometime, but I might advise passing on it (or gifting) unless you can move the date to one where you can get a better reserved seat.
Saw a espisode of Dr. J medical examiner last nite, one of her segments was on DVT.
At your height and weight (didn't say what age), I would pass on trip unless you could get a E+ aisle seat. You need to get up every four hours or so.
If you're determined to go, see your doc for trip recommendation & possible blood thinners and/or aspirin.
.
Saw a espisode of Dr. J medical examiner last nite, one of her segments was on DVT.
At your height and weight (didn't say what age), I would pass on trip unless you could get a E+ aisle seat. You need to get up every four hours or so.
If you're determined to go, see your doc for trip recommendation & possible blood thinners and/or aspirin.
.
Giving up a virtually free trip to Australia just because of the airplane seat is INSANE.
The OP may be a little uncomfortable for part of the flight, but he'll survive.
Just my humble opinion.
Sep 18, 2008, 12:36 pm
#24
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I'd call right now and buy-up to an E+ aisle seat as insurance against not having an opportunity to buy-up to biz class at checkin. E+ would be bearable but E- would be painful.
Then, at checkin, inquire about a buy-up to biz. Several hundred dollars well spent, IMO (especially compared to the price of full C class, which the OP has already seen). If available, then great! If not, at least you'd have an aisle seat in E+.
Then, at checkin, inquire about a buy-up to biz. Several hundred dollars well spent, IMO (especially compared to the price of full C class, which the OP has already seen). If available, then great! If not, at least you'd have an aisle seat in E+.
Sep 18, 2008, 12:39 pm
#25
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Sep 18, 2008, 12:46 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Washington,DC
Posts: 1,822
Is UA sending you a 1099 for winning the trip?
Depending on what they're reporting, your tax implications, all combined with the coach class trip, no FF miles, etc., it may not be worth accepting the "free" trip to SYD.
Sorry to be so grim, but such is life with prizes. Many game show contestants ultimatley decline their prizes once they realize the burdens they come with.
Depending on what they're reporting, your tax implications, all combined with the coach class trip, no FF miles, etc., it may not be worth accepting the "free" trip to SYD.
Sorry to be so grim, but such is life with prizes. Many game show contestants ultimatley decline their prizes once they realize the burdens they come with.
Sep 18, 2008, 12:59 pm
#27
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Posts: 3,906
That is definitely a better idea. I'm not sure what the cost for E+ for LAX-SYD is, but I assume it is at least $250 for a roundtrip. E+ access for a year is only $349, an extra $99. You would also be able to confirm an E+ seat now, rather than wait for check in.
Sep 18, 2008, 1:26 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA, AS, SQ, Hilton Diamond, PC Platinum, National Exec
Posts: 726
Sep 18, 2008, 1:33 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 28
PDX - SFO Fri, Dec 5 2008 USD 39.00
SFO - SYD Fri, Dec 5 2008 USD 149.00
MEL - LAX Sun, Dec 21 2008 USD 149.00
LAX - PDX Sun, Dec 21 2008 USD 39.00
$376 total including the domestic segments. I'd suggest purchasing the Economy Plus® annual option for $349.
Sep 18, 2008, 1:57 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
One can access “my itineraries” online only when PNR has his/her MP#. If OP’s MP# is not in his PNR, call UA and ask phone CSR to add his MP#. Sometimes CSR think adding one’s MP# is unnecessary because it is a free ticket. S/he fails to realize online access is not available unless MP# is in the PNR.