travelchat

I'm wait listed for a biz class seat on a UA international flight in October, reservation made back in May. Just viewed the seating chart and see most window/aisles are blocked off at this point. Wondering about the comfort level of center in the four across seats which it looks like I would be assigned one of, should the (elusive) upgrade come through.

I had requested an aisle seat when I booked, but it looks unlikely. Should I hope the upgrade doesn't come through and be happy with my window bulkhead in EP? Argh! The agony of the flying experience continues! There's a $200 change charge to cancel the upgrade request and restore the 20,000 miles, not to mention the bite that would be taken out of the $475 one way upgrade cost that was paid up front. Don't want to even think of the return right now, where the upgrade was $550.

Frequent Flyer programs just ain't worth the hassle anymore. I will use up my miles on domestic tickets and plan for the next overseas trip is to book EP on an international carrier just for that experience, instead of being loyal to AA and UA. I understand Lufthansa and KLM have decent EP offerings.

Thoughts - commentary?

simpsonc510

I tend to spend most of my time sleeping on those overnight flights to Europe (from Ohare, in my case). The lie flat seat really outranks any middle seat issues IMO. I don't sleep sitting up. The worst part of a middle seat is climbing over someone to get out. I have (very) long legs so I manage somehow without waking my neighbor.

Hoping your upgrade clears!! I need to book Ohare to Zurich in mid November and hope to upgrade Ohare to Munich. No upgrade availability right now, but will probably go ahead and waitlist in the next few weeks.

travelchat

Thanks for your positive input Simpsonc510. My issue with the middle seat is claustrophobia as well as the climbing over seat mate with my knee replacement/balance difficulty. Hate the thought of jolting a fellow traveler awake by falling on them.

I am departing ORD, going through Munich then on to Barcelona, return Madrid/Munich/ORD. I understand that the Munich is an easy airport to connect through, so,that's a good thing. If the seat really is "lie flat" and not toes pointing at the floor, head toward the ceiling, I will try to sleep after the meal service. That is, if the upgrade comes through. The suspense is killing me.

simpsonc510

The seat really is lie flat. It isn't a Barcalounger, recliner style, with leg rest. Hopefully your upgrade clears soon enough before departure that you can pick a good seat!

Carol

simpsonc510

Forgot to say that the seatmap isn't necessarily a good way to determine load availability. And some of those folks with desirable business class aisle seats will most likely get upgrades to first class at the last 100 hours before departure.

Fingers crossed for a good outcome for you!

travelchat

Good point about those possibly upgrading to first class from biz, thus opening seat availability. Crossing my fingers!
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MissGreen

The stress of waiting to see if you are upgraded on your long haul is too much for me. I just pay for it from the beginning so I know exactly what I am getting.

FF programs are a pain in the butt I agree.

travelchat

MissGreen
When I win the lottery, first class will be my mode of travel. Using miles plus dollars for a potential upgrade and then waiting it out is getting old real fast. New plan: use what miles I have for for domestic tix and fly EP internationally from now on. I am so done with the FF programs. Looking forward to flying on international carriers instead of being loyal to AA and UA.

julia1

Some mileage plans will confirm a cash+miles upgrade at time of purchase. On BA the upgrades come out of award buckets. My strategy is to wait for E+ sale, then search for a mileage upgrade award to Business. Have been doing this for over 10 years and, with some flexibility on dates and departure points, haven't been disappointed yet. Flying from west coast USA to London, I have several departure airport options. Using London as my jump-off point, almost anywhere in Europe is manageable, and usually quite affordable, in economy. It's the 10-, 11-, 12-hour overnight flights where, at my age, I need to sleep in a flat bed.

Waiting to hear whether I am in business or not just doesn't work for me. I'd much rather be flexible with dates, etc, than find myself stuck in economy.

[BTW, westbound to Asia, I've had great good luck getting award tickets on Cathay Pacific in business (and also JAL in a pinch, though flights on JAL cost more points) using BA miles.]

ET

You might want to check out seatguru.com if your upgrade comes through to help select your seat.

dutyfree

Qantas has three across on their 747's in business class. I was miserable on aisle from SYD to DFW with the clown in the center seat to me. He accidentally drank my champagne(small tray between seats),kept having to get up and go to the bathroom and snored him in my ears because he was about 12 inches away. Misery! I like some of the US airlines that have the 1-2-1 seating in BE or the herringbone style business seats.