United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Any Plats Feeling The Squeeze?

I'm curious if there is any credence to my theory that if you didn't make "1k" the upgrades are really hard to come by. Back in the day before the system conversion as a CO plat I was upgraded 95% of the time. YYC-IAH was a given; Mrs. Brasky was even upgraded a bunch as a companion and as a Silver. I met the qualifications for Pres Plat but they stopped bestowing that honor due to the impending changes to OnePass/MP. So based on my 2011 miles/segments/spend I became Prem Plat with the new MP. Where I used to be at the top level, I know have 1k and GS above me.

So do you think it's because there are a ton of 1k's that upgrades for lowly plats and gold and silvers are becoming non existent? I used to get upgraded 72 hrs out and now if I don't get that email 48 out i know it ain't happening. I also figured like in the past after everyone's prior year status expired (for those who dropped down) would increase inventory for upgrades that doesn't seen to be happening this year.

It is what it is I guess, just disappointing after you get used to it.

I'm curious if there is any credence to my theory that if you didn't make "1k" the upgrades are really hard to come by. Back in the day before the system conversion as a CO plat I was upgraded 95% of the time. YYC-IAH was a given; Mrs. Brasky was even upgraded a bunch as a companion and as a Silver. I met the qualifications for Pres Plat but they stopped bestowing that honor due to the impending changes to OnePass/MP. So based on my 2011 miles/segments/spend I became Prem Plat with the new MP. Where I used to be at the top level, I know have 1k and GS above me.

So do you think it's because there are a ton of 1k's that upgrades for lowly plats and gold and silvers are becoming non existent? I used to get upgraded 72 hrs out and now if I don't get that email 48 out i know it ain't happening. I also figured like in the past after everyone's prior year status expired (for those who dropped down) would increase inventory for upgrades that doesn't seen to be happening this year.

It is what it is I guess, just disappointing after you get used to it.

I am as well, other than some trips to FL, upgrades have all but disappeared for me. I tried using a regional upgrade on a nonstop from EWR-LAX, 18 of 20 FC seats were available when I booked the flight, but no upgrade and I am still waiting for them to re-deposit my regional back in my account.

The good news is with more and more people getting pissed off at UA, the passenger loads at least on the flights I have been on have been lighter and most of the time I am in an exit row or E+ with no one occupying the middle seat.

Platinum status really doesn't mean much anymore, I am about 100K away from MM status, once I get that I will no longer use UA as my primary airline

Well, I'm someone who just made it up to Plat this last year, having been a 2P on UA, and then briefly a 1P on my way to Plat. So, I have to say I'm seeing more upgrades and better boarding than I did before. In fact, I almost never had anything clear at the window, but I have since making Plat (and since the merger.) I've also been pulled out of Y more than once after boarding. I can't complain, but my basis for comparison is different from those of you who have been Plat before.

From the threads, 1Ks aren't getting them like they used to either.

For plats it's a combination of some IAH/EWR flyers who did make 1K being differentiated as well as whatevers taking from 1Ks (lower/non-elites on miles, TOD, etc).

From the threads, 1Ks aren't getting them like they used to either.

The more I read the various threads on FT, I'm coming to the conclusion that Smesik in his infinite wisdom, has managed to piss off and alienate just about every elite level from silver on up including some UA GS customers.

You really have to work at it to achieve that level of dissatisfaction on so many levels and in such a short period of time...keep up the good work Jeff.

Well - since any elite can have instant upgrade for full fare, I am not surprised that it happens (No kidding, but a lot of PMUA elite were in full fare tickets).

But what I don't understand is PMUA and PMCO were basically 2 different market with almost no overlap. How can the upgrade becomes like this?

The more I read the various threads on FT, I'm coming to the conclusion that Smesik in his infinite wisdom, has managed to piss off and alienate just about every elite level from silver on up including some UA GS customers.

You really have to work at it to achieve that level of dissatisfaction on so many levels and in such a short period of time...keep up the good work Jeff.

I'm in the same boat. I've been a loyal CO/UA flyer for about 7 years now. Made Gold twice and Plat the rest of the time. This year, I just squeaked past 1K.

Upgrades have never been harder the last 24 months. Where I previously was upgraded consistently at the 5 day mark, I now sometimes have trouble clearing an upgrade to Florida at the gate.

Upgrades, the most important part of elite status, have been bartered and sold off to the lowest bidder to the point where it is insulting. The other stuff is icing on the cake. Any schmo who gets at UA credit card can clog up the security line, ma and pa kettle can buy the exit row before departure, and now I'm getting snack plates on a 2pm departure from LAS-EWR in F (sundae? what sundae? that's ancient history...). I could go on and on. The next time B6 can get me to vegas in an "even more legroom" seat with free snacks, free bags, free TV and priority boarding for 2/3 the price....you can bet your a55 that I will be buying that ticket.

Bottom line: going out of my way to spend the extra money to loyally fly UA is no longer worth the effort or expense. Upgrades are elusive, customer service is at an all time low, and the other "benefits" are all smoke in mirrors.

My only remaining goal with UA is to use my remaining 800K redeemable miles before they start liquidating assets...

Plat for 20 yrs... Upgrades during recession were easy becuz business travel was down ..... After9/11 becuz no one traveled except me...now that the economy is snapping back for business travel AND smaller planes are used on many routes upgrades are more competitive. You have to know the route and judge on that... Ord is hard for everyone. Iah and ewr depend on your destination... If its ord or ewr or iah plat is a squeaker .. It IS a comp upgrade not an entitlement. I'm just glad to get the upgrade An exit row is just as good most of the time and I'm a big boy

I believe it is too early to answer questions about CPUs. Since 3/3, the upgrade system is still somewhat broken as detailed in threads on the UA/CO consolidated forum.

I'd give it another month or two.

I'm 50% on 18 flights since 3/3. All M-Th domestic travel.

I have been a Plat for a very lng time and could not agree more.... I used to get upgraded about 95-98% of the time, mostly DEN-IAH, DEN-EWR and even EWR-DEN, IAH-RDU BUT since the first of the year for get about it, I have had 2 upgrades in 18 segments but mostly I have noticed the attitude change. Used to be a Plat would be recognized somewhat now I do feel like a kettle. and I hate being in the GROUP 2, I am not hopeful that things will shake out and get better:td:

I scored my first upgrade of the year yesterday flying ORD-CHS. Then again, all of my flights this year have been on E145s or CRJs. This flight was a CR7 so I got lucky.
All of my mainline flights have been hub to hub so not a prayer for an upgrade at all. I have been more content with E+ lately as I find it comfortable so I have not been a sourpuss about sitting in coach more frequently.

Flew this week for the first time since the 3/2 change over and it was a hard reality for my new 1K status. Monday I was flying IAH – SEA – ANC. I was 8th on the upgrade list for IAH – SEA (actually got the battlefield upgrade when they removed all the weather disconnects) and 14th on the SEA – ANC.

While these routes are not automatic upgrades by any means, I have never been more than 5th on the list in the last 5 years.

My return is Saturday and have cleared SEA- IAH but not ANC – SEA (there are 8 seats open right now). So I have seen a difference as a 1K, but can’t complain as I will be 75 % on the upgrades this trip.

The more I read the various threads on FT, I'm coming to the conclusion that Smesik in his infinite wisdom, has managed to piss off and alienate just about every elite level from silver on up including some UA GS customers.

+1
Many of us here, Pre-Merger, were quite vocal about the idea that "when everyone's elite - NO ONE is elite" which seemed to be part of the CS solution at the former CO.

I'm not sure the blame can be placed at Jeff's feet, but I wonder to what extent we were RIGHT about the cause of the problem? Surely others will se things differently.

Dave

+1
Many of us here, Pre-Merger, were quite vocal about the idea that "when everyone's elite - NO ONE is elite" which seemed to be part of the CS solution at the former CO.

I'm not sure the blame can be placed at Jeff's feet, but I wonder to what extent we were RIGHT about the cause of the problem? Surely others will se things differently.

Dave

I agree that Smesik is not the only one responsible for the changes in Mileage-Minus, or the current cluster that's going on right now, but when you are the CEO, you either get the credit or take the blame for what the UA customer base believes he is doing with the premium benefits and integrating the two airlines...it's lonely at the top.

I've just tried to accept the fact that the airline industry has just evolved to this. "Getting there is half the fun" is no longer true.
We're just about down to three majors. It won't get any better.
Just holding my breath for Gordon to set up shop somewhere ^

But what I don't understand is PMUA and PMCO were basically 2 different market with almost no overlap. How can the upgrade becomes like this?

It is fairly easy to explain. PMCO elites were probably going out of their way to stay on CO metal and PMUA elites were probably going out of their way to stay on UA metal. Now they can probably get more direct routings so more overlap. Just a theory.

It is fairly easy to explain. PMCO elites were probably going out of their way to stay on CO metal and PMUA elites were probably going out of their way to stay on UA metal. Now they can probably get more direct routings so more overlap. Just a theory.

I'd say better reasons are 1) reduced capacity (just fewer seats available for UGs now) and 2) TODs (why give to your loyal customers when you can sell for pennies on the dollar?)

Wouldn't it be easier to upgrade with miles instead of causing all this self suffering and complaining? :mad:

I have been doing it for years so as not have to take a chance and sitting in coach. A GQQD use of miles. Or using miles for an award ticket in BF right from the start, especially on International flights. :cool:

Of course now I can expect to sit in EconPlus, which makes many flights without meal service more comfortble! :p;)