Plan B Discussion: Booking BusinessFirst Awards Without Availability

[Yehoshua]

The screenshot doesn't have anything specific in it, like my name, and doesn't even have the dates of travel. Technically, I could have pulled that out of anywhere.

Does it have the url visible on top? Maybe they could tell from there where it came from.

[jaywhy]

Boy, nothing goes simply in this game, does it?

Reps are claiming there was no Saver space available yesterday when I booked, that's why I was put in HN. Can you even DO Plan B if there's only standard space available?

Getting transferred around to try and show someone my screenshot that shows XN space. I hope that blocking out my dates doesn't come back to haunt me.

Book for a different date with saver space in I, and then call to waitlist I for your dates.

[@Yehuda]

Does it have the url visible on top? Maybe they could tell from there where it came from.

The screenshot is the one I posted here, so no - there's no URL.

Book for a different date with saver space in I, and then call to waitlist I for your dates.

Ah, the other kind of Plan B. Thanks, but for this ticket...


Somehow I got transferred around United and ended up at the desk of a supervisor in the "dot come" department. She was surprised to hear my voice and said she's not customer-facing today (serving as an internal supervisor for the day) so has no idea how I got through to her. But she was really nice and agreed to look at my issue. She was able to see the notes on my account and that I had originally reserved XN space. After a little while on hold, she was able to put me back in XN class b"h! (However, she would not waitlist me to IN class, I tried...)

[@Yehuda]

Playing around with another booking. Does this look like it would work? Picked a different date than I want that had I class and booked it with a waitlist for the day I do want (that doesn't have I or X space). I understand that if it doesn't clear, I would be stuck with a flight on the wrong date. Just curious if this looks equivalent to a normal Plan B.

[ilherman]

Playing around with another booking. Does this look like it would work? Picked a different date than I want that had I class and booked it with a waitlist for the day I do want (that doesn't have I or X space). I understand that if it doesn't clear, I would be stuck with a flight on the wrong date. Just curious if this looks equivalent to a normal Plan B.

It does not look the same. But technically its the same thing. BTW I don't think the 753 offers the flat bed seating.

[elya]

It does not look the same. But technically its the same thing. BTW I don't think the 753 offers the flat bed seating.

I dont think thats pr-1 status. its just a benefit they offer elite members to waitlist, but unless I actually becomes available you wont get it.

[@Yehuda]

It does not look the same. But technically its the same thing. BTW I don't think the 753 offers the flat bed seating.

It's not lie flat. But that's not the flight I actually want. I'll have to cancel this tomorrow. Only tried it because someone told me they did one like this and in the process the agent ticketed him on the day he wanted instead of waitlisting. Figured I might as well try :-)

[elya]

It's not lie flat. But that's not the flight I actually want. I'll have to cancel this tomorrow. Only tried it because someone told me they did one like this and in the process the agent ticketed him on the day he wanted instead of waitlisting. Figured I might as well try :-)

It will only work if I class opens...

[D93]

Is it possible to set up a plan b to waitlist for J and F on the same reservation?

[@Yehuda]

My Plan B flight had a 1 hour schedule change made to it, and I thought I would be able to convince them to clear me into J because of it, but they're not budging. :-(

[AJK]

My Plan B flight had a 1 hour schedule change made to it, and I thought I would be able to convince them to clear me into J because of it, but they're not budging. :-(

What does a schedule change have to do with clearing into J?

[@Yehuda]

What does a schedule change have to do with clearing into J?

I thought the consumer had this magical power once there is a schedule change. I guess I was wrong.

[AJK]

I thought the consumer had this magical power once there is a schedule change. I guess I was wrong.

To redeposit/cancel without penalty.

[ilherman]

To redeposit/cancel without penalty.

+100. Not even worth HUCAing.

[keravelt]

I apologize if this has been addressed before on this thread, but the thread is long and dont have right key words to search...
I booked a Plan B award to Australia 2 months ago. Reservations says I Class Requested (As it should have). The extra miles were never debited. What do I do? Will it still work? Can I ask for PR-1 status, even though I never technically "paid" for BC seat?
If that doesn't work, will I be on standby list, or will agents say, no I seat ever opened so tough luck...
Plane takes off on Sunday...

[AJK]

Miles need to be debited or your stuck.

[benjie1305]

Miles need to be debited or your stuck.

(There he is!)

[keravelt]

Miles need to be debited or your stuck.

But how do I address the phone agent to debit the miles?
Everything is ticketed.
Am I supposed to cancel? Ill get hit on the cancellation and again on the close-in. Never mind, that on segment, there is seat availability for United Saver...

[AJK]

Well,  you may be stuck now. Should have addressed this at time of original booking.

[keravelt]

Well,  you may be stuck now. Should have addressed this at time of original booking.

ok. But I should still be placed on the upgrade list, based on the award rules pasted below. So whats the practical difference? Can I still claim PR-1 status?

You may redeem miles for travel in United Global First, United First, United Business or United BusinessFirst, even if the space is not available. In these cases, United Economy in the same award type must be confirmed, and the front cabin will be waitlisted. If the courtesy waitlist does not clear, it will expire 24 hours before itinerary departure, and you will automatically be added to the airport upgrade standby list upon check-in. In these cases, you will be confirmed on a space-available basis by a United airport representative at the gate once the flight has closed for check-in. For United BusinessFirst and United Business travel awards, the difference in miles will be refunded when the United BusinessFirst or United Business class segment of the trip could not be confirmed. Waitlist requests may only be made over the phone with your local United Customer Contact Center.
From http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/travel/types.aspx