V-Flyer

Hi

I have a return trip booked in sept LHR-LAX. I have managed to secure a miles upgrade for the outbound, however the availability for the inbound in non existent. I have been checking LAS & SFO as well but there is nothing showing up.

Does anyone know why the G availability for USA-LON is so sparse when the outbounds are so fruitful?

Semtex

You're right that availability from the US, in particular west coast cities, to the UK is poor. I would guess it's because these flights are entirely night-time, and hence more people are keen to upgrade to a lie-flat bed on this sector, compared with the day-time routing in the other direction.

I have seldom been able to upgrade in advance but have never failed at check-in in LAX. They have 2 flights most days which gives plenty of opportunities for people to no show.

Out of interest, I just checked G a/v for flights from SFO to LHR (flying from there next week). The closet available G is in December!! I realise seats open up, but still that's a bit crazy!

G's from the West Coast to the UK are much rare this year than in previous years ... it's not due to surge in paying passengers methinks but perhaps deliberately less availability as well as some allocation to DL ... but who knows why!

Bump

Still nothing for Sept at all.....hoping the upgrade fairy does her thang!

Weirdly, Nov & Dec seem to have loads of G's available from West Coast to LON, but nothing for Oct or before?????

We managed to get our G reward seats in November when October were released, LHR-LAX-LHR, they have been very sparse since then.

You may be lucky you will have to preserve, its the same with BA having, just qualified for our 2-4-1 voucher (will we ever get to use it).

Like you I was looking for G availability back but nothing doing until November (October for PE), with the sale on I ended up upgrading with cash (only to PE though!) From an M fare it was very reasonable indeed and means I don't have to visit the god awful VS website three times a day to trawl for an upgrade.

Sorry to hijack this post but I've been searching for ages on the forum unsuccessfully. Is it best (in terms of availability and price) to go for an economy fare and upgrade to UC with miles or go for a PE fare and upgrade to UC with miles?

FLYERZ wrote:Sorry to hijack this post but I've been searching for ages on the forum unsuccessfully. Is it best (in terms of availability and price) to go for an economy fare and upgrade to UC with miles or go for a PE fare and upgrade to UC with miles?

It's a gamble. Pick economy and the fare difference to an upgradeable bucket is generally reasonable even quite close to the flight - but you'll need more miles and if those Gs don't appear you're stuck in Y. Pick a cheap PE fare and you won't need many miles to upgrade and you know you'll be in PE at a minimum, but if the Gs appear close to the flight's departure date you may find that the advance purchase restrictions mean the fare difference to an upgradeable bucket is considerable.

It's annoyingly difficult to secure G seats of late. Would be great if one could just register for availability and receive when open...

Thats annoying. Is it not possible to ring up and just ask for the PE fare and upgrade at the same time? Say if I try booking far in advanced. Just trying to use my 90,000 miles as efficiently.

Ah I see -- I was assuming there wasn't availability. If there is, then yes - you can book and upgrade all in one go. It will probably cost more cash to do it via PE, but obviously you'll use fewer miles.

I was looking for JFK for next Feb and seems to be some G's showing. I know prices can vary hugely but does anyone have even a rough estimate of how much a single PE upgraded to UC with miles could cost, just to give me a rough idea and save face over the phone

FLYERZ wrote:I was looking for JFK for next Feb and seems to be some G's showing. I know prices can vary hugely but does anyone have even a rough estimate of how much a single PE upgraded to UC with miles could cost, just to give me a rough idea and save face over the phone

I've often called FC and have got the agent to price up various flights/fares/use of miles etc and they've always been happy to do it.....you can then work out which option is best for you.....

....I would suggest you give them a call as you'll get definite answers to your questions....

Semtex1871 wrote:

FLYERZ wrote:I was looking for JFK for next Feb and seems to be some G's showing. I know prices can vary hugely but does anyone have even a rough estimate of how much a single PE upgraded to UC with miles could cost, just to give me a rough idea and save face over the phone

I've often called FC and have got the agent to price up various flights/fares/use of miles etc and they've always been happy to do it.....you can then work out which option is best for you.....

....I would suggest you give them a call as you'll get definite answers to your questions....

Agree with this , unless I'm booking a standard flight with money I always ring the flying club as I find it easier when trying to mix and match flights or upgrading with miles etc

Ok, will do but thanks for your help