Author Topic: Plan B Discussion: Booking BusinessFirst Awards Without Availability (Read 512497 times)

sky121 · « **Reply #820 on:** September 11, 2014, 06:06:51 PM »

Quote from: VacationLover on September 11, 2014, 06:05:58 PM

I want to attend a wedding in Austria in December. I want to fly business with united. Should i wait till the saver reward becomes available or should i book now a "plan B"?

I'd book now with plan B.

D93 · « **Reply #821 on:** September 11, 2014, 06:07:44 PM »

Quote from: VacationLover on September 11, 2014, 06:05:58 PM

I want to attend a wedding in Austria in December. I want to fly business with united. Should i wait till the saver reward becomes available or should i book now a "plan B"?

just book a plan b. Because if it's set up properly and the saver business comes avaliable, you'll be automatically confirmed for business

ilherman · « **Reply #822 on:** September 11, 2014, 06:42:18 PM »

Quote from: VacationLover on September 11, 2014, 06:05:58 PM

I want to attend a wedding in Austria in December. I want to fly business with united. Should i wait till the saver reward becomes available or should i book now a "plan B"?

Just to make so are you aware if it, you can only set up plan B on UA metal.

VacationLover · « **Reply #823 on:** September 11, 2014, 06:53:59 PM »

Quote from: ilherman on September 11, 2014, 06:42:18 PM

Just to make so are you aware if it, you can only set up plan B on UA metal.

Sorry I'm new here. What is "UA metal"?

D93 · « **Reply #824 on:** September 11, 2014, 06:55:03 PM »

Quote from: VacationLover on September 11, 2014, 06:53:59 PM

Sorry I'm new here. What is "UA metal"?

united Airlines plane not partner flights like Austrian

efflpetzel · « **Reply #825 on:** September 12, 2014, 10:41:02 AM »

Plan B Mini TR

I'm writing this on my phone in the sky thanks to gogo so forgive me for any errors

A couple of days ago I set up Plan B for JFK-LAX flight 443 even though it was showing high occupancy with two biz seats unsold which then went down to zero as the day approached, so I wasn't surprised when 24 hours before the flight I didn't upgrade + there were nine people on the wait list ahead of me meaning I'd have to get to the airport to ensure I get PR-1 status.
so for a 8:30 flight I left at 5:45 (which is very early for me), got to the airport & went to biz class check-in, I then started with my pshetel of paying for an I class seat & being a displaced biz class passenger needing PR-1 status.....
The agent checked my Rez & said I see that you booked an award ticket I don't understand & then asked her to call up the award desk to confirm that I had indeed booked a biz ticket, I also referenced gg onestandby, at which point she looked up shocked & said you seem to know a lot about our internal systems to which I explained that I'm in the travel industry (being a DDF'er qualifies

),with a doubtful look she called up the reward desk to be honest at this point I wasn't feeling that it will work out but somehow the agent explained to her what needed to be done. She then handed me my ticket saying she took care of it, so off I went to the United club lounge & double checked with the agent that I had PR-1 status.

At this point the flight was looking like this

which meant that every biz seat was claimed with only one person not checked in which means I was relying on 1 no show. At boarding time I went to the gate agent & explained the situation to which he explained if the last pax doesn't show as checked in at 15 min before takeoff the seat is mine, he also advised me to board & sit in my coach seat rather than wait at the gate until he gets further news (which in hindsight is something I wouldn't advise as it's a real PITA to get up, incovieniance passengers & move my bags to the front)

So I was sitting in my coach seat wedged between two different passengers refreshing the upgrade list on the phone & praying that would clear.
At exactly 17 min before scheduled takeoff was my 'Oh Yeah Baby Moment' !!!!!!!!

.

I'm now enjoying my lie-flat seat & fressing all the the kosher snacks that they're giving me for free

Thanks to everyone who helped with their advice & especially Dan for the exact instructions!

Dan · « **Reply #826 on:** September 12, 2014, 10:43:47 AM »

Awesome!

D93 · « **Reply #827 on:** September 12, 2014, 10:44:27 AM »

Really happy to hear it worked out for you! Those moments in economy must have been so painful! Lol

ChAiM'l · « **Reply #828 on:** September 12, 2014, 10:47:19 AM »

Nice!

jaywhy · « **Reply #829 on:** September 12, 2014, 11:11:53 AM »

Awesome. Good job.

Yehoshua · « **Reply #830 on:** September 12, 2014, 11:55:48 AM »

Oh the benefits of traveling solo...

TC610 · « **Reply #831 on:** September 15, 2014, 03:46:35 PM »

Quote from: efflpetzel on September 12, 2014, 10:41:02 AM

he also advised me to board & sit in my coach seat rather than wait at the gate until he gets further news (which in hindsight is something I wouldn't advise as it's a real PITA to get up, incovieniance passengers & move my bags to the front)

But if you decide to wait at the gate and you don't clear in to F/J, then you're in coach with the possibility of no room for your carry-on.

efflpetzel · « **Reply #832 on:** September 15, 2014, 03:51:06 PM »

Quote from: TC610 on September 15, 2014, 03:46:35 PM

But if you decide to wait at the gate and you don't clear in to F/J, then you're in coach with the possibility of no room for your carry-on.

indeed, that's why I boarded

TC610 · « **Reply #833 on:** September 16, 2014, 10:35:41 AM »

So where does one find a "Knowledgeable looking agent"? I tried in the United Club and the Customer Service desk in Concourse C at CLE and and every agent looked at me like I had 3 heads. Didn't even bother to consult Shares. I'm now at T-1 and First is now checked in full for CLE-EWR so I won't even bother the gate agent. Good thing it is a short flight...

Can anyone give me a hint as to where to find one in EDI? I only have a 90 minute layover there so I will need to make every minute count. I'll be arriving from IST so I will not be able to finish the Plan B anywhere else.

Platinum · « **Reply #834 on:** September 16, 2014, 07:05:39 PM »

When doing Plan B if I don't clear 24 hours prior to the flight should I wait to get to the airport to check-in or check-in online? Thanks

efflpetzel · « **Reply #835 on:** September 17, 2014, 10:59:56 AM »

Quote from: Platinum on September 16, 2014, 07:05:39 PM

When doing Plan B if I don't clear 24 hours prior to the flight should I wait to get to the airport to check-in or check-in online? Thanks

it doesn't make a difference, but if you check in online at least you'll be able to pick your own seat if you don't clear the waitlist, as opposed to getting assigned a middle seat stuck between two fat woman (as I found out for 5 minutes)

ilherman · « **Reply #836 on:** September 17, 2014, 11:02:37 AM »

Quote from: efflpetzel on September 17, 2014, 10:59:56 AM

it doesn't make a difference, but if you check in online at least you'll be able to pick your own seat if you don't clear the waitlist, as opposed to getting assigned a middle seat stuck between two fat woman (as I found out for 5 minutes)

Since when do you have to check in to assign a seat???

efflpetzel · « **Reply #837 on:** September 17, 2014, 11:08:58 AM »

Quote from: ilherman on September 17, 2014, 11:02:37 AM

Since when do you have to check in to assign a seat???

hmm good point, so how did I end up with that seat if I picked an aisle seat online?

ilherman · « **Reply #838 on:** September 17, 2014, 11:23:44 AM »

Quote from: efflpetzel on September 17, 2014, 11:08:58 AM

hmm good point, so how did I end up with that seat if I picked an aisle seat online?

Very weird.

HolyNyc · « **Reply #839 on:** September 18, 2014, 11:27:52 AM »

Will plan b work on a domestic route booking in saver business and sitting in standard economy?
Assuming they are the same amount of miles.
Sorry if it was discussed before I couldn't search it because plan b the 'b' is not a 2 letter word

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Author Topic: Plan B Discussion: Booking BusinessFirst Awards Without Availability (Read 512497 times)