ChasenSFO
hen teaser
Last trip, SFO-Asia was full, but SFO-HNL-GUM was open and from Guam, everywhere in Asia had seats. So I listed SFO-HNL-GUM-MNL. The same 77W does SFO-GUM and back usually. 230 open seats on HNL-GUM and 130 standbys as everyone was going to Asia.
However, SFO-HNL 777 suddenly filled up morning of departure (must have been IROPS somewhere), so rather than sit there and panic with 70 other non-revs, I did myUAdiscount and used 10k miles to knock SFO-HNL down to $98 confirmed and I kept checking the seatmap until 20A opened in Premium Plus (they sell it as Economy Plus on that route, which with Primer Silver you may select free inside of the 24hr mark). So 3 of 70 nonrevs got on, tho the next flight had 38 open and landed in time to make a very quick run over to GUM, while I got a nap in a premium seat as like #34 on standby. Nice to enjoy the open air of HNL and sunshine before 7 more hours flying, too.
Used a vacation pass on GUM as I've learned how they hook up the nonrevs, and rather than fill economy plus, they'll leave the middles open only giving away windows and aisles to solo travelers when it's wide open. The 45 open Polaris and 10 open Premium Plus all went to other Vacation Passes (I have gotten Polaris on this route at standard priority tho) while I got a window and empty middle in Economy Plus for 7 hours. Another nice nap and decent meal.
Then GUM-MNL was getting close with 7 seats 6 nonrevs, so I snagged the last window seat for $180. I had another nice meal and woke up as we came over the runway in MNL.
The alternative was economy on SFO-MNL for about 15 hours OR get there over half a day later than I did. But that option was there, too, including $300 economy plus (after upgrade) on the nonstop with myUAdiscount.
There is usually a reasonable AND comfortable way to get there if you utilize your resources. And remember, non-reving is like the Hunger Games. If you aren't getting on; buy the discounted seat before they get it.
Seeing lots of empty flights tho, still. 140 open to MSP on DL next Wed night and 150 open back on UA Saturday morning. The empty flights do exist, and with UA at least, you can search "open seats" by departure city and see what destinations have the most open seats that day.
However, SFO-HNL 777 suddenly filled up morning of departure (must have been IROPS somewhere), so rather than sit there and panic with 70 other non-revs, I did myUAdiscount and used 10k miles to knock SFO-HNL down to $98 confirmed and I kept checking the seatmap until 20A opened in Premium Plus (they sell it as Economy Plus on that route, which with Primer Silver you may select free inside of the 24hr mark). So 3 of 70 nonrevs got on, tho the next flight had 38 open and landed in time to make a very quick run over to GUM, while I got a nap in a premium seat as like #34 on standby. Nice to enjoy the open air of HNL and sunshine before 7 more hours flying, too.
Used a vacation pass on GUM as I've learned how they hook up the nonrevs, and rather than fill economy plus, they'll leave the middles open only giving away windows and aisles to solo travelers when it's wide open. The 45 open Polaris and 10 open Premium Plus all went to other Vacation Passes (I have gotten Polaris on this route at standard priority tho) while I got a window and empty middle in Economy Plus for 7 hours. Another nice nap and decent meal.
Then GUM-MNL was getting close with 7 seats 6 nonrevs, so I snagged the last window seat for $180. I had another nice meal and woke up as we came over the runway in MNL.
The alternative was economy on SFO-MNL for about 15 hours OR get there over half a day later than I did. But that option was there, too, including $300 economy plus (after upgrade) on the nonstop with myUAdiscount.
There is usually a reasonable AND comfortable way to get there if you utilize your resources. And remember, non-reving is like the Hunger Games. If you aren't getting on; buy the discounted seat before they get it.
Seeing lots of empty flights tho, still. 140 open to MSP on DL next Wed night and 150 open back on UA Saturday morning. The empty flights do exist, and with UA at least, you can search "open seats" by departure city and see what destinations have the most open seats that day.