Upgrading
 

What do folks think is better: to buy a packet of 8 500 mile upgrades which allow 24 hour upgrading or to use Mileage Plus miles to upgrade your ticket directly? I have tried both now. I like the hassleless upgrade with the miles but the upgrade certicficates seem a better deal. Any thoughts?

I have no preference, but the less hastle the better. I keep a pack of upgrade certificates just in case I run into problems
and don't want to go into my miles to upgrade for a non-overseas/leasure flight.

As I said, it's always good to have backup (Like upgrade certificates at teh ready!)
CATMAN

What's UA policy in calculating the miles required for upgrading?

For example, when I will be flying BOS-LAX this Christmas season, I requested to use the certificates and was told 3000 miles (6 cert.) will be needed. However, the flight is only 2600 miles!?

Since I rather spend less $$ out of pocket, especially if the BOS-LAX trip will require 12 cert., I will likely use the 20k miles to upgrade.

I think I would prefer to use certificates instead of the miles -- you can use miles instead for almost last-minute travel if seats are open, buying you the equivalent of a full-fare last-minute ticket. On the other hand, upgrades don't change in value with time, and you can (almost) always purchase them. (correct me if I'm wrong?)

Kyklin, the upgrade certificates are in increments of 500 miles, therefore a 2600 mile journey would require 3000 miles of certs (6). This is pretty standard in the industry. On United, there is a 50 mile "grace" on the mileage, so if you are flying 2550 miles it's 5 certs, and 2551 is 6 certs.

One more thing Kyklin... when you make your reservations another CAT tip is to check with the agent for how many upgrades certificates
you'll need in case you need to use them for upgrading. That way you are not delayed at
check-in waiting to buy upgrade certificates,
processing the credit card, etc.

And welcome aboard FlyerTalk! CATMAN

Since there are a lot more experience fliers out here, here are some more questions:

1. How does the UA business class seat on a 3-class flight compare with first class seat on a 2-class flight? Are they comparable, different, or dramatically different?

I have flown 1st class on 2 and 3 class flights but never the business. Quite impressed and enjoyed the 1st class on a 3 class flight.

2. How are the premium transcontinental flights (NYC-LAX) different from the regular transcontinental (BOS-LAX)? Is it worth the difference to take a connection in NYC?

Thanks in advance for the tips.

Ken

ken,
see my report on the SFO-JFK 767 First class service under another thread( sorry can't remember which one. It was created by Matt Wald) And YES, its definitely worth it at least once.

kyklin,

I would say the business class seat (and service and food and entertainment) in any 3 class aircraft is DRAMATICALLY better than the first class seat in most 2 class aircraft. (737, 757 etc.)

As a newbie and 1st year ff-er, Ken has got a lot of questions…

From the posts, I assume that 757-200 has only two classes. If I remember correctly, there is really no difference among the 1st class seats, right?

A year ago I flew 1st on an award ticket. The outbound leg was 1st on a 2 class connecting flight (BOS-DEN-LAX) while the return leg was a direct LAX-BOS flight. On the e-ticket receipt, it had printed "confirmed first" on both flights. While boarding the returning flight, I found out I had a business class seat.

Being a newbie and not knowing that my award tix is only for the next class of service, I argued (politely) that I should be seated on a confirmed first seat as my receipt had shown. They relented and I ended up in the middle seat on a 2-1-2 seating. It was quite enjoyable. My question is: has this happened to anyone? Is this a reliable (albeit sneaky) way to get a double upgrade?

Last question (slightly off the topic here): I want to change the return leg for my 1/4/98 LAX-BOS trip from a red eye to sometime in the afternoon. I assume UA's official policy for changing the itinerary is $75 and difference in price of tickets. Has anyone been hit with either or both? What is the best way to avoid them e.g. call the 800 reserv #, or go to a ticket office, or go to the PremEx line at the time of the afternoon flight and request a standby?

Thanks again for the tips.

As a Premier Executive, you can change your flight to another on the same day (as long as the same class of fare is available) and they will waive the fee as long as the routing is the same. If you want to connect in a different city you still have to pay the $75.

Call the PremEx hotline and they will set you up.

my ranking of seats (10 best, 1 worst) with UA:

1) three-class aircraft:
11) first = 10
12) business = 8
13) eco = 3

2) two-class aircraft:
21) first = 5
22) eco = 2

3) Shuttle by UA:
31) first = 4
32) eco = 1

my ranking of food/drinks (10 best, 1 worst) with UA:

1) three-class aircraft international (not USA, Canada, Mexico):
11) first = 10
12) business = 8
13) eco = 5

2) three-class aircraft USA-Canada-Mexico:
11) first = 8
12) business = 6
13) eco = 4

3) two-class aircraft:
31) first = 6
32) eco = 4

4) Shuttle by UA:
31) first = 2
32) eco = 1

Rudi, from your ratings, would you say that United can actually compete with the best when it comes to international service-- while it's just the US domestic service that stinks?

(of course, broad generalizations, comparing with regard to seats, service, food, baggage, i.e. everything)

no - my rating was just for UA's best vs. UA's worst. I am not competent to make a fair comparison of many airlines (in the US I fly exclusively UA).

Rudi, in general I agree with your rankings. The type of the aircraft also makes a difference in the seats (and more imprtantly on the number of first class seats - which is impotant to those who upgrade).