Regarding use of a ZED ticket on UA
 

I have a couple questions regarding use of a ZED ticket (in my case, it will be on United). I am traveling BOM-EWR-GSO on Oct. 22. The id90 site indicates smiley faces for the flights. Looking at the seat maps for the particular flights, it looks like a fair number of seats are available.

1. With that data, is it pretty likely that I'll get on?

2. Is there a chance United would allow me to sit in Biz class for the flight from BOM to EWR? Or is it definitely Econ?

My return is scheduled for Nov 4th. Again, right now seats look good. I also have a ticket available to me on my company airline which is most likely biz class (load permitting). However, if I go on the UA flight, which leaves after my company's flight, I will spend less time traveling.... thus...

3. If I have a ZED ticket with the original intention of going on an early flight out of GSO but then decide (early enough to relist), can I use the ZED ticket on a later flight? Is the ZED ticket super flexible?

4. And finally.... if I arrive in EWR on the morning of the 23rd and am listed for the first flight to GSO, but for some reason the load has changed, will the gate agent try to put me on one of the later flights?

I'm not well versed in ZED ticket usage, so any info you guys can provide is very helpful.

Thanks, gsoflyer

As of right now the flight looks good 75+ seats open BOM-EWR and 40+ open EWR-GSO.

You will likely be on ECON unless you can get the on-board crew to bump you up, but don't count on it.

ZEDs are very flexible.

Yes if you don't make it on first one they should automatically list you for the next one. Not a big deal.

I'm a noob wrt ZED, too.... Are you saying that the gate agent can't/won't upgrade a ZED pax, but that the flight crew can/might? How does that work--have to ask for it, or are they told who's a ZED traveller and then choose (or not) to offer a professional courtesy...? Is this airline-specific, or in general?

Also to add.. if you are a pilot, then you also have the option to travel as a jumpseater on the United flights, assuming you work for someone with a jumpseat agreement. While the actual cockpit jumpseat is not available to you, they can assign you a cabin seat under the OMC agreement, and then you only have to pay the taxes, rather than the ZED fare plus taxes. Also, since that requires you to check in with the captain upon boarding, the crew will definitely know that you are onboard as an offline pilot, and will be able to move you up to BusinessFirst if they choose to do so.

I travelled on then, Continental from BOM to EWR on a buddy type pass. Brought a couple of bags of candy... next thing I knew, I was in their Business First.

Good luck GSOflyer

Buddy pass riders can sit in Biz, ZED fares are strictly Y. If you are able to get a good introduction with the purser and come with gifts then you might have a chance.

Gifts will always up your chances of sitting in biz/first.

This. As a former CS agent I know of numerous examples of people holding ZED tickets being upgraded to Business; seats permitting.
Bring something for the CS agent at the gate....worst-case scenario have some backup for the flight crew ;)

I'd bank on the in-flight crew before the gate agent...

Agents in Bombay, Mumbai which ever, are not savy when it comes to upgrading ZED Ticket Holdres. It's up to the Purser.