Yes, they might offer tix at the lower priced booking codes. Maybe not.

I don't think I would buy an H fare unless I was going to ug w/ miles. I'd figure that they are not going to fill the cabin with H fares, so you should be able to get one at a later date than today.

You might call United and ask about their policy if the fare drops. They changed their policy back in the spring, but I did a quick check and didn't see the new policy (which I had seen before). Maybe they changed it again. There might be a fee but might be worthwhile.

Hey there. AA is really not that bad, especially the flights to Japan. The last Tokyo-JFK flight I had was one of the best flights I have ever had, on any airline. As you may know, ANA has a decent fare but you have to leave Dec 31. I feel your pain - we would have loved to go in December but the prices are astronomical.

mywunrfl
I've got plenty of miles to do an upgrade, but I didn't want to pay that price because I assumed I'd be permanently waitlisted for it and never clear, after paying the price!

puttakka, enjoy your trip! Did you get your hotels all figured out yet?

Register with Yapta.com they will notify you if prices drop. If you have already purchased your ticket and prices drop they will also let you know if you qualify for a discount. A nifty little site.

Thanks for that tip, Nywoman!

Hi Carol- We're having the same problem and can't justify spending nearly $2k for a ticket when we usually spend half as much. Seats are hard to come by with the agent we normally use. It bums me out because I've always fancied spending the Xmas holidays in Thailand. Mang aoy!

mango, As I said before, I WILL go to Bangkok over the holidays. So will DS. DH already has his Swissair ticket from ZRH to BKK. I am not going to have him spend the holidays on his own in BKK... haha I'll find something that I can live with. Hope you can do the same.

The chances of a mileage upgrade will be significantly enhanced by being a 1K.

When is the flight that will get you to 100K EQMs when the double EQMs post?

Would be a $250 change fee to a lower fare.

I'll be at 1K after the Oct/Nov BKK trip, and before I head to ZRH. But I'll bet we don't see the miles posted before I need to head back to BKK in mid-December. Depends on how long it takes for miles to post.

The offer said 4 to 6 weeks.

I don't know when your November return is, but they may post before you leave. You wouldn't be able to upgrade your outbound W fare unless you got 1K and were able to get an early deposit of SWUs.

But for the return trip in H, you just need the DEQMs to post by ~ Dec. 29 or 30. When you do get to 1K you call United to have them put you on the PA list (see the link below). You will still be behind some 1Ks, but when the 100-hour window opens (on 12/30 or 31 or Jan 1) you will be there as a 1K. If you still don't get upgraded by the time the flight goes under DM, then at that point you would jump ahead of other 1Ks (those with Q,V,W fares) because of your H fare.

At least I think that is what happens. You could post at flyertalk to see what they say.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/7967362-post233.html

Hi Carol!!

Haven't firmed up our Bangkok hotels yet - we are really hoping maybe to score a deal at one of the gorgeous hotels (we may never be able to afford such a hotel anywhere else). I have a feeling prices are going to come down.

Have you thought to fly on Xmas day? Sometimes you get good deals that way. Or try a travel agent that specializes in Asia? Sometimes they have access to good fares because they bought them in advance.

A

Sorry, didn't notice that your dates are fixed. I'd try a travel agent that specialises in Asia. I find that HIS is pretty good for Japan; they also have some insight into when the fare may drop! For example, I chanced upon a great fare for peak season Japan travel last Feb; called HIS and they advised me to wait til April. I didn;t listen to them and bought my $1000 fare; three months later, the same flight was $800! Grrrr.

Hi Puttakka
If you can swing the Peninsula in Bangkok, you'd love it, I think. I've stayed there a couple of times. I prefer it over the Oriental, where I've also stayed once.

Now, my hangout is in the Sukhumvit area. I may or may not go down to the river during a 2-week Bangkok stay. It's too far out of the way for visiting my friends and shopping places.. lol

I see on the Boston GTG thread that you may decide to join us. That's be great! Hope to see you there.

Carol

I see that my crazy BKK price today (for my dates) is over $3k. Seats are almost gone on the BKK-ORD return. I think I need to talk to UA and ask them about returning via Hong Kong instead of NRT. That sort of option doesn't appear in the list of flights when I put in my dates.

That's a reason to call United. I've often found that a good agent can find me something via a different routing. If you get someone who isn't helpful - call back.

Carol, I know you HATE American but I found a flight on expedia on your dates for $1213 RT, taxes and fees included.

Traveling to Bangkok
Tue 15-Dec-09


Chicago (ORD)
Depart 10:35 am
Terminal 3 to Shanghai (PVG)
Arrive 3:05 pm +1 day
Terminal 2 7,055 mi
(11,354 km)
Duration: 14hr 30mn
AA
Flight: 289

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Economy/Coach Class, Boeing 777


Wed 16-Dec-09

Shanghai (PVG)
Depart 5:20 pm
Terminal 2 to Bangkok (BKK)
Arrive 9:15 pm 1,788 mi
(2,878 km)
Duration: 4hr 55mn
TG
Flight: 665

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Economy/Coach Class, Meal, AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-600


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Total distance: 8,843 mi (14,231 km)
Total duration: 19hr 25mn (21hr 40mn with connections)


Traveling to Chicago
Mon 4-Jan-10


Bangkok (BKK)
Depart 10:35 am to Shanghai (PVG)
Arrive 3:50 pm
Terminal 2 1,788 mi
(2,878 km)
Duration: 4hr 15mn
TG
Flight: 664

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Economy/Coach Class, Meal, AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-600


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Shanghai (PVG)
Depart 6:00 pm
Terminal 2 to Chicago (ORD)
Arrive 5:05 pm
Terminal 5 INTERNATIONAL 7,055 mi
(11,354 km)
Duration: 13hr 5mn
AA
Flight: 288

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Economy/Coach Class, Boeing 777


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Total distance: 8,843 mi (14,231 km)
Total duration: 17hr 20mn (19hr 30mn with connections

I should add that I fly American all the time and they have a great frequent flier program.

Thanks puttakka, but I'm making 1K (the bottom in the seat way) this year on UA. I was talking about it on another thread, in the airline forum. I "need" that BKK flight on UA to assure reaching 1K. There's no way I'm going to fly on AA... sorry. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter, I really do!

Time to call UA.

Carol