Searched for this but couldn't find the answer. Simple question: I can use 500 mi certs and get waitlisted for an upgrade... or I can pay 15k miles and get waitlisted for the same upgrade... does it matter? Will one or the other help my chances?
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15k can clear anytime, e500s only within the window.Originally Posted by pnoeric
Searched for this but couldn't find the answer. Simple question: I can use 500 mi certs and get waitlisted for an upgrade... or I can pay 15k miles and get waitlisted for the same upgrade... does it matter? Will one or the other help my chances?
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Ahaaaaa. Thanks.Originally Posted by anc-ord772
15k can clear anytime, e500s only within the window.
So maybe I need some advice. I have enough certs to use for only one side of my upcoming travel (LAX-ORD-EWR outbound, then JFK-LAX returning home); I'm using 15k miles for the other. How can I tell which leg is better to apply miles towards, vs certs?
I'd probably use miles on JFK-LAX because its a more highly sought after upgrade -- unless your lax-ewr leg is during peak travel time and your jfk-lax flight is early morning etc. but I'd also suggest checking the avail business seats.
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So maybe I need some advice. I have enough certs to use for only one side of my upcoming travel (LAX-ORD-EWR outbound, then JFK-LAX returning home); I'm using 15k miles for the other. How can I tell which leg is better to apply miles towards, vs certs?
Depending on which AC is used on LAX-ORD, you might have a pretty good shot at clearing using e500s. As someone already mentioned, JFK-LAX is tougher to upgrade on (plus C on ps is way, way better than domestic F, hence the demand), so you would probably want to use miles for a better shot. Otherwise, the upgrade seats may be all gone by the time your window for e500s opens up.Originally Posted by pnoeric
Ahaaaaa. Thanks.So maybe I need some advice. I have enough certs to use for only one side of my upcoming travel (LAX-ORD-EWR outbound, then JFK-LAX returning home); I'm using 15k miles for the other. How can I tell which leg is better to apply miles towards, vs certs?
LAX
Agree with LAX's comment. Look at the aircraft. If it is an A319, or even an A320, upgrading will be hard with an e500. However, if it is a 757, 777, or 767, it should be okay if you were a 1k. But if you're premier, even the e500 may be hard.
If you don't want to chance it, use miles. That puts you ahead of all the e500's who are waiting (even those with higher status than you). But if you wouldn't mind sitting in economy and want to save those miles, then go for the e500.
If you don't want to chance it, use miles. That puts you ahead of all the e500's who are waiting (even those with higher status than you). But if you wouldn't mind sitting in economy and want to save those miles, then go for the e500.
Thanks all-- since I'm just a PremExec, I'll follow the advice to use miles for that p.s. flight, and 500 certs for LAX-ORD and ORD-EWR. And of course, fingers crossed for all three legs ;-)
I was lucky enough to get some okay E+ seats, and I'll be calling at 100 hours out to see what kind of other E+ seats become available as the higher-status fliers move up...
I was lucky enough to get some okay E+ seats, and I'll be calling at 100 hours out to see what kind of other E+ seats become available as the higher-status fliers move up...
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I was lucky enough to get some okay E+ seats, and I'll be calling at 100 hours out to see what kind of other E+ seats become available as the higher-status fliers move up...
No need to call, just check online. Originally Posted by pnoeric
Thanks all-- since I'm just a PremExec, I'll follow the advice to use miles for that p.s. flight, and 500 certs for LAX-ORD and ORD-EWR. And of course, fingers crossed for all three legs ;-)I was lucky enough to get some okay E+ seats, and I'll be calling at 100 hours out to see what kind of other E+ seats become available as the higher-status fliers move up...
If your P.S. flight is a red eye, I would waitlist with e5's.
Is this a change? While I know miles upgrades can clear "at any time", if they don't clear right away, I've always seen cert upgrades go through first.
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No change Despite what you may have seen, e500s will never trump miles upgrades. Miles/certs are the only option before the window, and have equal or better priority to e500s within the window (depending on what list you get placed on).Originally Posted by WoodyWindy
Is this a change? While I know miles upgrades can clear "at any time", if they don't clear right away, I've always seen cert upgrades go through first.
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Sure, but if you are a 1P or 2P, it may be better to use e500s within your window than miles outside your window, because mileage upgrades get placed on PB, while e500 upgrades get placed on PA... AFAIK.Originally Posted by CPMaverick
Miles/certs are the only option before the window, and have equal or better priority to e500s within the window (depending on what list you get placed on).
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Do e500s get on PA at the window? I thought it's based on status. 1Ks get on PA and the rest get on PB.Originally Posted by cepheid
Sure, but if you are a 1P or 2P, it may be better to use e500s within your window than miles outside your window, because mileage upgrades get placed on PB, while e500 upgrades get placed on PA... AFAIK.
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[edit]What cepheid said.Originally Posted by pnoeric
..How can I tell which leg is better to apply miles towards, vs certs?
Another aspect to consider - for anyone less than a 1K - is that miles always bring you onto the Priority B Waitlist (PB) for the upgrade whereas certs are rumoured to queue for the upgrade in the PA.
So when you apply within your window, your chances might be better with certs.
Also if there is no upgrade inventory a day or so out from the window.
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Nobody knows for sure, but it is widely believed here that e500s go on PA, regardless of status. AFAIK, the PB list is only for mileage upgrades from 1P or lower; all cert upgrades go on PA.Originally Posted by FormerAmtrakTraveler
Do e500s get on PA at the window? I thought it's based on status. 1Ks get on PA and the rest get on PB.
I have SFO-JFK and return leg waitlisted for November using miles (as part of an international itinerary).
Had a call to United today about an un-related matter and followed up at the end asking about this itinerary. Was told I was on the PA list, even though I didn't ask directly about PA or PB. Did ask to confirm and was told it was definitely PA on miles as 1P (will be 1K for return leg), so I'm confused.
Had a call to United today about an un-related matter and followed up at the end asking about this itinerary. Was told I was on the PA list, even though I didn't ask directly about PA or PB. Did ask to confirm and was told it was definitely PA on miles as 1P (will be 1K for return leg), so I'm confused.