Dl767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3274 times:
My dad and I are flying LAX-IAD this wednesday and it's an international 777 and I was wondering what the chances were of being offered an upgrade at check in. The business class so far is pretty empty so I guess it just depends if UA offers it for this flight, do they usually?
UALFAson From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 582 posts, RR: 4 Reply 1, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3220 times:
I assume you and your dad are traveling on revenue tickets and not employee passes? If so, do either of you have Premier or higher status within Mileage Plus? If so, you may have a shot. United now offers unlimited complimentary upgrades on all domestic flights, meaning any empty United First and/or United Business seats will be filled with upgrades of Premier (or higher) passengers from United Economy. Even though it is an internationally configured aircraft, it's not an international flight (at least the LAX-IAD portion isn't), so the upgrade potential exists.
If you aren't Premier or higher, your chances of randomly being offered an upgrade are slim to none.
I have taken UA946 many, many times. On a Wednesday in November, it wouldn't suprise me if there are lots of UA First and Business seats. Good luck and have a nice flight!
"We hope you've enjoyed flying with us as much as we've enjoyed taking you for a ride."
Dl767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 3199 times:
It would be us paying for the upgrade. I've flown UA before and was offered to pay to upgrade to first at check in when there were empty seats, and no we don't have any status with UA but we did pay for the flight
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8746 posts, RR: 52 Reply 3, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2990 times:
Upgrades are few and far between for non elite members after they instituted complimentary upgrades for elites. Although there are a lot of business class seats, that route has a lot of frequent flyers. You are more likely to get offered upgrades to tourist destinations during vacation travelling season.
With that said, loads might be low enough since it is currently dead season. If they are low enough (sorry can't check for you), then it is a possibility. It never hurts to ask as well. You will see at the gate how many business seats are open and how many standby upgrades there are. A few of the names on the list might be employees traveling for business reasons, but other than that you will be on the bottom of the upgrade list.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
iairallie From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 2960 times:
Quoting RoseFlyer (Reply 3): A few of the names on the list might be employees traveling for business reasons, but other than that you will be on the bottom of the upgrade list.
As long as economy is not sold out employees would be higher on this list than a non-elite revenue passenger that is not on full Y or has not paid for an upgrade.
General tips for upgrades. Dress nicely, treat people nicely, volunteer for a bump and ask for an upgrade as part of your compensation, don't have any expectations or entitlement attitude. But the odds of that making a difference is slim, unless you pay or have status upgrades are really really rare.
Dl767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 2960 times:
Just looking at the available seats for tomorrows flight (considering most of the elites have already cleared with their upgrade) there are a ton of seats available which is why I was thinking i might have a good chance
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8746 posts, RR: 52 Reply 6, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 2870 times:
Quoting iairallie (Reply 4): As long as economy is not sold out employees would be higher on this list than a non-elite revenue passenger that is not on full Y or has not paid for an upgrade.
I was assuming he would pay for the upgrade since he was referring to being offered an upgrade. The offer that the Kiosk makes requires the passenger to pay a fee for it.
Complimentary upgrades when economy is not full are practically nonexistant. The only times I have seen it recently is for military personnel traveling in uniform.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
zrs70 From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 2872 posts, RR: 10 Reply 7, posted (2 years 6 months 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 2850 times:
Quoting Dl767captain (Thread starter): My dad and I are flying LAX-IAD this wednesday and it's an international 777 and I was wondering what the chances were of being offered an upgrade at check in. The business class so far is pretty empty so I guess it just depends if UA offers it for this flight, do they usually?
What was the outcome? And how did you determine that business was pretty empty?
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