I read the comment to mean that there’s less SWU availability relative to the past. That’s personally my experience. You’re right - it can be found, but I’ve noticed it’s on the much less desirable flights for when I’ve sought it out (usually it’s for really awful multistop, but not the direct flight).
I haven’t flown in the back overseas since 2017. SWUs sometimes require waitlisting but if you find the right flights you can confirm at booking. LAX-LHR on the 77W with 52 J seats is an easy one to clear. The 788 is the worst with only 20 J seats
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That makes sense. I’m on the west coast, so even flying domestic, there’s lots of layover itineraries for the system to choose for SWU eligibility over the direct.
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While this is true, it’s also true that it’s much harder. I always call and check for a week or more in either direction of the time I want to go, and only rarely can I lock in at booking. I am EP and have been for many years, and have usually spent a significant amount on travel in trailing months, and still end up 5th or 6th on the waitlist much of the time.
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Only time to use a domestic SWU is when it is expiring (at least for me) or maybe on the 321T to JFK. AA loves that married segment crap.
I use all mine for overseas.
Also EP for 10+ years now. The domestic upgrade list, well International too has been monetized so they are selling upgrades. I refuse to use a SWU for domestic flights. When we were getting 8 of them a year maybe I’d have to use for domestic but I would also book a $500 HKG flight and upgrade just to burn the SWU.
They try to be stingy with SWUs but they’re usable.
FWIW, I’ve never used a SWU for domestic either. Two of mine just expired after I was unable to use them for planned international travel. I did not, however, try and book a cheap flight just to use one.
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Hate having to see them expire. I’ve been fortunate to have work trips to Germany to burn them on the last several years. I will use Expert Flyer to check flight loads prior to booking a trip so I know which flight has the best possibility to wait list if needed and of course try to find confirmable space at booking.
Seems taking the miles as LP rewards is a better strategy for many in place of SWUs. Upgrading with miles is nice except for the cash co-pay but you also get the taxes leaving the UK in J too.
They are extremely rare, unless you are talking about short notice. Very familiar with SWUs and Expertflyer as a former 10 year ExPlat.
Lack of confirmable C inventory is why I dropped chasing status and became a free agent.
When was the last time you confirmed two seats on a TATL or TPAC at booking more than 30 days out? This year?
Recent reports here
I wish I were traveling overseas! For me, it’s worth it for that SFO-JFK flight when the business class has lie-flat seats. Not the highest-and-best use of a SWU, but still cheaper than paying for the better ticket!
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I am typically booking for myself and using for a work trip. Haven’t had to book for 2 in quite a while and when I do I just use miles in place of the SWUs.
I refused to play the waitlist game unless I have a backup flight with a lie flat seat.
I used my last couple before the expired to upgrade from J to F on JFK-LAX. A weak use.
Didn’t they just extend the expiration date of them?
They did, but it didn’t apply to those expiring in Feb.
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So, going back to the the original theme of this thread, has anyone here flown Etihad business class recently? And if so, how would you rate their wine (and food) offerings?
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Rosso Verrazano 22 on AA jfk- lax business. I drank a glass.
That’s respectable
That is impressive! I hope you tried the Heitz!
I did! A fairly engaging Napa Cab. The nose was the best part - briary blackberry and cherries, but the palate was a bit heavy. Tons of fruit. Not my thing but I could see enjoying it - certainly didn’t lack punch.
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I love that airplane wines force me to get out of my comfort zone. Although I would not complain if I could drink a great German Riesling!
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