Author Topic: Important time sensitive upgrade question from United S fare class (Read 7974 times)

jas1285 · « **on:** August 13, 2019, 04:33:54 PM »

I will try to keep short:
Uncle bought a ticket, back in March, in S Fare Class to attend his daughters wedding in Israel this week.
In June, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
His first round of chemo ends today and he flies tomorrow (UA 90 EWR-TLV 8/14/19 22:50)
We paid 35k Miles and $600 to get him upgraded. His upgrade has not cleared.
Checked United expert mode, no upgrade availability. Showing J5, JN5, C2.
He is already very weak and any flight will be difficult on his body and prevent him from enjoying his daughters wedding. Flying in business will help a little bit if he is able to lie down and be comfortable.
Can use some help figuring out if he's going to actually get upgraded?
what are his odds?
Is there a way to increase his odds?
Buying a business class seat outright is not in the budget. So any help, tips or tricks would be extremely helpful and appreciated. The sooner the better as check in for this flight is in 5 hours. Thank you in advance for any help anyone can be.

brodes18 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2019, 04:57:39 PM »

I'm sorry to hear about his situation. Refuah Shelaima.

As for chance of upgrades, they are poor at this point because most other upgrade requests will clear before his. Once check-in time arrives, you'll be able to see the priority list for upgrades. Sometimes at check-in, United will offer a paid upgrade at a reduced cost. You could use 180K UA miles to buy an award ticket and cancel this one, but that's a lot of miles.

This route during this time is very difficult to upgrade (unfortunately). There is no magic trick that I know of that will help you skip the line. Good luck

jas1285 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:04:02 PM »

Thank you for your kind words.

I had a feeling. Is there a way to buy a GPU from a "trustworthy" marketplace?

ruv · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:10:28 PM »

@nafnaf12

Dan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:19:36 PM »

S class is too low for a GPU.

elya · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:20:45 PM »

Quote from: Dan on August 13, 2019, 05:19:36 PM

S class is too low for a GPU.

Upgrading from S to W shouldn't be more than $50.

nafnaf12 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:30:01 PM »

Quote from: elya on August 13, 2019, 05:20:45 PM

Upgrading from S to W shouldn't be more than $50.

only E Available at the moment.

brodes18 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:37:42 PM »

Quote from: elya on August 13, 2019, 05:20:45 PM

Upgrading from S to W shouldn't be more than $50.

+ $300 change fee

chff · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2019, 05:42:28 PM »

Quote from: brodes18 on August 13, 2019, 05:37:42 PM

+ $300 change fee

Same flight upgrade there is no change fee

mileagejunkie · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2019, 07:19:19 PM »

Quote from: jas1285 on August 13, 2019, 04:33:54 PM

I will try to keep short:
Uncle bought a ticket, back in March, in S Fare Class to attend his daughters wedding in Israel this week.
In June, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
His first round of chemo ends today and he flies tomorrow (UA 90 EWR-TLV 8/14/19 22:50)
We paid 35k Miles and $600 to get him upgraded. His upgrade has not cleared.
Checked United expert mode, no upgrade availability. Showing J5, JN5, C2.
He is already very weak and any flight will be difficult on his body and prevent him from enjoying his daughters wedding. Flying in business will help a little bit if he is able to lie down and be comfortable.
Can use some help figuring out if he's going to actually get upgraded?
what are his odds?
Is there a way to increase his odds?
Buying a business class seat outright is not in the budget. So any help, tips or tricks would be extremely helpful and appreciated. The sooner the better as check in for this flight is in 5 hours. Thank you in advance for any help anyone can be.

What about availability on QF?

Dan · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2019, 07:22:15 PM »

Checkin at T-24 and see if there's a paid upgrade offer.

ar · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2019, 07:56:44 PM »

Decent upgrade offer is only from Z class and down ($989)

Looks like there are 7 seats available in Business, so you'll need to wait until it opens up in Z or P class which might only be 2 hours before the flight

elya · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2019, 08:50:23 PM »

Quote from: Dan on August 13, 2019, 07:22:15 PM

Checkin at T-24 and see if there's a paid upgrade offer.

Paid upgrade offer=Fare difference to lowest available Business fare class.

jas1285 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2019, 10:04:28 AM »

Thank you everyone for the help/advice. Still holding out hope, now 3 seats left...

Dan · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2019, 10:09:19 AM »

How much is the paid upgrade?
What number is he on the upgrade list?

jas1285 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2019, 10:15:03 AM »

Quote from: Dan on August 14, 2019, 10:09:19 AM

How much is the paid upgrade?
What number is he on the upgrade list?

No paid upgrade available
4th on the list, claimed his medical status is noted in upgrade request and it's possible he might get pushed up. I am assuming agent is giving out incorrect info/false hope.

jas1285 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 14, 2019, 10:19:24 AM »

*Make that 5th on the upgrade list

jas1285 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 14, 2019, 05:01:51 PM »

Doubtful it's going to clear, only 2 seats showing now but wanted say thank you to everyone for the help and advice. Especially big thank you to @nafnaf12 for trying to work you magic even though you don't know me. Hope I can pay it forward one day.

Dan · « **Reply #18 on:** August 14, 2019, 05:28:50 PM »

Sadly, it looks worse than doubtful:

eliteflyer · « **Reply #19 on:** August 14, 2019, 05:32:22 PM »

Quote from: Dan on August 14, 2019, 05:28:50 PM

Sadly, it looks worse than doubtful:

...but only 26 checked in, so still a chance I guess. UA84 also shows overbooked.