United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Upgrade of award ticket questions

Hi all... My first post to the United forum as I'm usually on AA. And yes, I did a search first and didn't find anything. If you have a better search record than I do, pls post the link vs. flaming me. :p

My girlfriend and I going SFO-OGG this week on an award ticket, sitting in Economy Plus. I notice this morning that there's lots of inventory available in F. I'm Premier Gold on United via status match from AA.

Any chance of getting comp upgraded to F? If so, any recommended methods to request this?

Thanks!

From the Upgrades Section (http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/awards/upgrade/default.aspx) of UA.com.


Upgrading award tickets

Premier members who are primary cardholders for certain Chase-issued credit cards are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades when traveling on award tickets on United-operated flights. The following credit cards qualify for this benefit:

MileagePlus Explorer
MileagePlus Explorer for Business
OnePass Plus
World MasterCard for Business
Presidential Plus
Presidential Plus for Business
MileagePlus Club Card
MileagePlus Club Business Card
Complimentary Premier Upgrades on award tickets will be prioritized after the lowest paid fare class. This benefit does not apply to companions traveling on award tickets.


Emphasis mine. So if you have an explorer card (or can get one in a week) then you might have a shot, but you'd be very very low down the pecking order. Unfortunately you're girlfriend doesn't even have that chance.

If there is F saver award availability open and you have the spare miles, it would be worth the $25 to change the tickets IMHO.

Thanks Alex. I appreciate the help. I don't have those cards, and I reviewed the upgrade policies for Hawaii. So I'll just enjoy Economy Plus!

Thanks Alex. I appreciate the help. I don't have those cards, and I reviewed the upgrade policies for Hawaii. So I'll just enjoy Economy Plus!

You're welcome, have you checked for F award availability, if it's there I've never had an issue swapping into it (although I'm a Plat so avoid any fees).

Going on a trip to Kauai in Sept with a friend. I bought my ticket so hopefully I'll get a comp upgrade since I'm 1k. I used miles from my acct to buy my friend's ticket since I have a Pres Plus MC. Last Jan I did the same thing for a trip and was advised to ask CO to change booking class to X class so my friend would be in line for an upgrade even though I used miles from my acct and it's my credit card acct. It worked and my friend got his upgrade.

I understood there was some glitch within CO which made this possible. Is that still the situation? Thanks

I was under the impression that if a MP member with elite status AND a Presidential Plus/United Club credit card redeems miles for an award ticket in someone else's name, the ticketed passenger receives the same elite status upgrade benefits. This is not a glitch...it is an advertised benefit that is offered to United Club cardholders. I didn't think there was any requirement to be ticketed in a specific fare class for this to work. Others with more experience in this area can chime in with more details.

Good luck with a comp upgrade on an award ticket; while the rules do state that Elite members with the Mileage Plus Visa Card are eligible for these upgrades, they are incredibly difficult to get. And, your friend (unless and elite member) is technically not eligible for this benefit.

These upgrades are prioritized on the lowest level (day of, once all other elite upgrades are processed), but Hawaii flights might be easier since they aren't as elite heavy.

Good luck with a comp upgrade on an award ticket; while the rules do state that Elite members with the Mileage Plus Visa Card are eligible for these upgrades, they are incredibly difficult to get. And, your friend (unless and elite member) is technically not eligible for this benefit.

These upgrades are prioritized on the lowest level (day of, once all other elite upgrades are processed), but Hawaii flights might be easier since they aren't as elite heavy.

Here's a data point:

I'm 1K and just got upgraded on a SFO-LHR award flight today. This is actually my first award flight since the new rules were added, so I'm 1 for 1. Given I'm going to London during the Olympics and still got upgraded, it may be easier to get the CPU for international flights.

Here's a data point:

I'm 1K and just got upgraded on a SFO-LHR award flight today. This is actually my first award flight since the new rules were added, so I'm 1 for 1. Given I'm going to London during the Olympics and still got upgraded, it may be easier to get the CPU for international flights.

Your flight is not CPU eligible, nor is it eligible for any kind of upgrade via a connection with your credit card. You got upgraded another way. If it was a total surprise to you, I would guess it was an operational upgrade.

Your flight is not CPU eligible, nor is it eligible for any kind of upgrade via a connection with your credit card. You got upgraded another way. If it was a total surprise to you, I would guess it was an operational upgrade.

Although you seem like a savvy FT'er (based on your number of posts), I may actually would have to disagree with you here. I don't see anything on the United site which tells me that my flight was ineligible for an upgrade: United CPU T&C's (http://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/premier/upgrades.aspx). The rules for revenue and award tickets look to be different and from how I read this, is that as long as you're a premier member traveling on UA metal (irrespective of regions) and own a valid credit card, you are eligible for a CPU.

Upgrading award tickets
Premier members who are primary cardholders for certain Chase-issued credit cards are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades when traveling on award tickets on United-operated flights. The following credit cards qualify for this benefit:

MileagePlus Explorer
MileagePlus Explorer for Business
OnePass Plus
World MasterCard for Business
Presidential Plus
Presidential Plus for Business
MileagePlus Club Card
MileagePlus Club Business Card

Complimentary Premier Upgrades on award tickets will be prioritized after the lowest paid fare class. This benefit does not apply to companions traveling on award tickets.

and from how I read this, is that as long as you're a premier member traveling on UA metal (irrespective of regions) and own a valid credit card, you are eligible for a CPU.
Key point bolded .. your 'interpretation' of UA policy is frankly overly-optimistic.

Chances that UA allows CPU on all regions for award tix only vs this is a glitch? come on now .. you're grasping at straws ..

Hi,

I could not find if a GPU can be applied when booking an award from an 1K account.
Does it work?

I read about some surprise upgrades, but what are the rules?

Thx

... I could not find if a GPU can be applied when booking an award from an 1K account. ...1Ks can not use GPUs on award flights.

Adding a question to this thread, I got my 1K status last month. I also have a PP Card for Business. How do I go about requesting a CPU for an award ticket. I called MP, they bumped me to reservations and reservations to me to call the PPlus credit card.

I have an award ticket on the non-stop from EWR to ITO for Jan and would like to upgrade. I'm also contemplating getting an award ticket for LAX to SYD for Feb '13. If my first trip works out, then I'll try to use my award for SYD. Any help on how to request the CPU is appreciated.

Adding a question to this thread, I got my 1K status last month. I also have a PP Card for Business. How do I go about requesting a CPU for an award ticket. I called MP, they bumped me to reservations and reservations to me to call the PPlus credit card.

I have an award ticket on the non-stop from EWR to ITO for Jan and would like to upgrade. I'm also contemplating getting an award ticket for LAX to SYD for Feb '13. If my first trip works out, then I'll try to use my award for SYD. Any help on how to request the CPU is appreciated.

CPU is only for domestic flights- the system automatically requests it

Adding a question to this string hopefully someone can clarify.

If I am premier and have the correct cc, but Ms. G2244 (a GM) makes an award reservation for both of us using miles from her account, will we be eligible for a CPU style upgrade? In other words do the miles used for the award have to come from the premier with the credit card or does simply having that person on the PNR make it eligible?

Thanks in advance.

Adding a question to this string hopefully someone can clarify.

If I am premier and have the correct cc, but Ms. G2244 (a GM) makes an award reservation for both of us using miles from her account, will we be eligible for a CPU style upgrade? In other words do the miles used for the award have to come from the premier with the credit card or does simply having that person on the PNR make it eligible?

Thanks in advance.
It is clear at the best only one of you will be eligible -- only the primary card holder is eligible, no companions.

Other experience suggests the provider of the miles sets the elite status of all on the award booking got the IT systems -- so the system will see this as a GM award booking and not eligible for CPU. You will be able to show you card at check in to get your bag waiver and other airport elite privileges.

I have the presidential plat chase card and used miles to book my wife's LAX-->OGG ticket. It was a saver economy fare. We leave on Wednesday afternoon, and we just received the "Elite Upgrade Notification" for her reservation. I was under the impression that while the award tickets were eligible for upgrades, that all revenue fares for 1Ks to Premier Silver would take priority over an award ticket. After today's experience, I think it may be that the award tickets have the lowest priority within a premier status bin (e.g., 1k award trumps revenue premier plat fare). Is my experience a fluke? I know Hawaii is a bit abnormal due to the lower share of top-level premier travelers.

A family member of mine, 1K, was upgraded four days ahead on an award ticket SFO-DFW from having the Explorer Visa Card. It was a Saturday flight, and ended up going out with only four of 12 F seats occupied and no one else on the upgrade list. We too were surprised at the early upgrade notice for an award ticket.

I have the presidential plat chase card and used miles to book my wife's LAX-->OGG ticket. It was a saver economy fare. We leave on Wednesday afternoon, and we just received the "Elite Upgrade Notification" for her reservation. I was under the impression that while the award tickets were eligible for upgrades, that all revenue fares for 1Ks to Premier Silver would take priority over an award ticket. After today's experience, I think it may be that the award tickets have the lowest priority within a premier status bin (e.g., 1k award trumps revenue premier plat fare). Is my experience a fluke? I know Hawaii is a bit abnormal due to the lower share of top-level premier travelers.

According to Mileage Plus, the credit card upgrades of award tickets are only available at the gate on day of travel. So it should not have happened automatically (like a revenue ticket) in advance...It appears this was a fluke.

My reading of the fine print on the website is the same as yours - that a 1k award would trump Premier Plat revenue fare - but a Mileage Plus supervisor thought that all credit card upgrades on award tickets would fall below the lowest Silver on a cheap revenue ticket. From my one experience in asking to be on the list at the gate, I appeared on the upgrade standy list on the screen as #7 out of 20 as a Gold. Which made me think that I was at the bottom of all Golds on the standby list..


Out of about 6 award flights after 3/3, I have NEVER automatically been placed on the upgrade standy list...

According to Mileage Plus, the credit card upgrades of award tickets are only available at the gate on day of travel. So it should not have happened automatically (like a revenue ticket) in advance...It appears this was a fluke.

My reading of the fine print on the website is the same as yours - that a 1k award would trump Premier Plat revenue fare - but a Mileage Plus supervisor thought that all credit card upgrades on award tickets would fall below the lowest Silver on a cheap revenue ticket. From my one experience in asking to be on the list at the gate, I appeared on the upgrade standy list on the screen as #7 out of 20 as a Gold. Which made me think that I was at the bottom of all Golds on the standby list..


Out of about 6 award flights after 3/3, I have NEVER automatically been placed on the upgrade standy list...

I have a saver flight from SNA to IAD in a few months. This is typically a difficult route to get a domestic upgrade on a revenue fare, but I will keep you posted about my success--or lack thereof.

According to Mileage Plus, the credit card upgrades of award tickets are only available at the gate on day of travel. So it should not have happened automatically (like a revenue ticket) in advance...It appears this was a fluke.

I was upgraded on an IAH-YVR award flight a few days out. Incidentally, my AUS-IAH flight was not. When I checked in at the airport, they wouldn't put me on the upgrade list "because it was an award ticket". Luckily, I had already printed out the appropriate page from the website. After further investigation, it appeared that my one-way award had a different fare class than if it were a round-trip, causing the confusion at the airport.

I have the same story. I have a flight tommorrow, tried to get on the U/G list.. and got the run-around... "You can't, you're on an award ticket" to finally "The airport controls it, request it at the gate"

Now, it wasn't so direct, and the customer service agent was professional, so all in all, a good CS encounter. I just wish they would figure it out where we didn't have to fight for it at the gate.

Edit: CPU processed T-22:50... never on the waiting list.

Question FTer's,

I have an award booking in coach (Yeeesh) from Newark to Buenos Aires in 2 months and trying to find out what I could do to upgrade to business class. From what I see the SWU's for United cannot be applied to award booking's. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks!

You can collect the additional miles required and change the award.

Alternatively, you may get an offer at checkin to buy up if there is plenty of space in BF but definitely wouldn't count on this happening.

I have already booked an award ticket PEK<->HNL with a stopover in Seoul.

The PEK<->Seoul segments are Economy, and the Seoul<->HNL are Business.

The departure date is Feb 6th, return Feb 18th.

Has anyone been successful in upgrading such an economy segment to business after booking since the miles for business are already spent?

If so, what has worked for you?

Thanks.

1Ks can not use GPUs on award flights.

Thought I had seen but could not find on search, that GS can use GPUs on award tickets. Is this correct.

I have an ward ticket for Mrs Ex (as opposed to the ex Mrs ) EWR-LHR - would I be able to, assuming GPU-eligible seats available, utilise a GPU?

Thx

Thought I had seen but could not find on search, that GS can use GPUs on award tickets. Is this correct.

I have an ward ticket for Mrs Ex (as opposed to the ex Mrs ) EWR-LHR - would I be able to, assuming GPU-eligible seats available, utilise a GPU?

Thx

I have not tried this myself, but I know this is a perk of being a GS member.

I have already booked an award ticket PEK<->HNL with a stopover in Seoul.

The PEK<->Seoul segments are Economy, and the Seoul<->HNL are Business.

The departure date is Feb 6th, return Feb 18th.

Has anyone been successful in upgrading such an economy segment to business after booking since the miles for business are already spent?

If so, what has worked for you?

Thanks.

Not really the topic of this thread, but the answer is yes. If you booked a saver business award, if saver business space becomes available on the PEK-Seoul segment then you can call in and they will change it to business. I just did this on an award ticket I had. If you booked a standard award, then you only need standard availability to open up.

I have not tried this myself, but I know this is a perk of being a GS member.

Spoke to a GS agent who said it could be done but only if Mrs Ex was flying with me on same PNR. Does this sound accurate or should i keep shopping for another agent?

Originally Posted by Upgrademe731

I have not tried this myself, but I know this is a perk of being a GS member.
GS member + (non-premier) companion - both upgraded on award ticket in past - and a lot of elites did not get upgraded on the same flight. No Club or Explorer card either; we have one of the old 'no fee' legacy cards.

I'm very confused about how award upgrades work. Used to be GS and that was so easy....

Last week my daughter (a GM on United) went to Boston on an award ticket from my account. Taxes were purchased on my Chase United card. Outbound both the 1K line and at check-in they said she was not eligible for any upgrade. But at T-4 days on the return, one segment cleared and we got an "elite complementary upgrade notification".

In 4 days, I go to DC on award ticket with taxes purchased on my chase card. There is one R-class seat left. I called and was first told that my ticket wasn't upgradable under any circumstances. When asked about credit card upgrades, they said check at the airport....

The description on the web site simply says that credit card holders award tickets are eligible for CPU's. 1K CPU's are eligible to be cleared at 96 hours. I just have no idea how to get on the CPU list. But somehow it happened automatically for my daughter last week.

Any suggestions?

....
The description on the web site simply says that credit card holders award tickets are eligible for CPU's. 1K CPU's are eligible to be cleared at 96 hours. I just have no idea how to get on the CPU list. But somehow it happened automatically for my daughter last week.

Any suggestions?The process has been hit & miss -- hence this thread. It should be automatic (based on the ticket's MP account) but if it isn't, the success of getting the GA to add you is low (they are just too busy to figure out how to do it). It does feel (from the posting levels) it is happening better now than before.

Should an award CPU be eligible for a IAH-PTY flight, which would be eligible if it were a revenue ticket? United phone agents are telling me it's not eligible for an award CPU, even though there is nothing on ua.com saying that it is not.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9930; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.11+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.1.0.755 Mobile Safari/534.11+)

Should an award CPU be eligible for a IAH-PTY flight, which would be eligible if it were a revenue ticket? United phone agents are telling me it's not eligible for an award CPU, even though there is nothing on ua.com saying that it is not.

Yes, IAH-PTY is eligible. Just like every other CPU-eligible flight.

Yes, IAH-PTY is eligible. Just like every other CPU-eligible flight.

This is what I thought. Yet despite an hour on the phone with an agent and a manager they constantly told me it was not eligible.

This is what I thought. Yet despite an hour on the phone with an agent and a manager they constantly told me it was not eligible.

I've tried three times today with 1K desk.. every time I've been told that you get on the list at the gate the day of.

One agent was honest enough to say, it was because they wanted to upgrade all the revenue passengers before any award travel...

I take it no one recently has had luck with an agent to put them on the list prior to check-in?

I've tried three times today with 1K desk.. every time I've been told that you get on the list at the gate the day of.

One agent was honest enough to say, it was because they wanted to upgrade all the revenue passengers before any award travel...

I take it no one recently has had luck with an agent to put them on the list prior to check-in?

My most recent was November to get an agent to put me on list. 1K desk supervisor managed it. It appeared as if some 1Ks got upgraded, so I called. She saw I wasn't on the list for the automatic upgrade sweeps, so she put me on and I cleared the outbound that night and the return a couple of days later @ 96 hours out. Award tickets, if the system is working right (and that's a big "if"), are cleared at your elite level after revenue pax at that level. If 1K, you should get upgraded after all revenue 1K and before ANY Platinum. The bigger mess up appears that if you do not clear ahead of T-24, you don't appear on the airport list.

My most recent was November to get an agent to put me on list. 1K desk supervisor managed it. It appeared as if some 1Ks got upgraded, so I called. She saw I wasn't on the list for the automatic upgrade sweeps, so she put me on and I cleared the outbound that night and the return a couple of days later @ 96 hours out. Award tickets, if the system is working right (and that's a big "if"), are cleared at your elite level after revenue pax at that level. If 1K, you should get upgraded after all revenue 1K and before ANY Platinum. The bigger mess up appears that if you do not clear ahead of T-24, you don't appear on the airport list.

Thinking of swapping the United Select out for a MileagePlus Explorer so I can get the free upgrades to Central/South America & Carribean. In my experience alot of these flights, so long as you have some status you get upgraded. Any thoughts on it?

I'm surprised UA is supposed to clear you at elite level.

Thinking of swapping the United Select out for a MileagePlus Explorer so I can get the free upgrades to Central/South America & Carribean. In my experience alot of these flights, so long as you have some status you get upgraded. Any thoughts on it?

I'm surprised UA is supposed to clear you at elite level.

Some South American destinations are not eligible for complimentary upgrades (Brazil and Argentina). Lima used to be, now it's not.

As for upgrades on award tickets, here's the wording (and it's worked for me) - "Complimentary Premier Upgrades on award tickets will be sorted as indicated in the "Upgrade Confirmation Priority" section above, and prioritized after the lowest paid fare class within each Premier level. This benefit does not apply to companions traveling on award tickets."

I booked the following award in saver economy, and have already traveled the first 2 segments:

PIT-LGA//JFK-FRA-FCO
GVA-MAD-IAD-PIT
PIT-LAX (upcoming in 2 months)

There is saver availability in F on the upcoming PIT-LAX trip, so I called to inquire about upgrading but was told that was not an option since I have already started my trip.

I thought you could make changes even after you started the trip? And if I can, anyone know how many miles it would be to upgrade? I'm aware there is a copay involved, but unsure of the miles since the itinerary includes international segments.

Thanks in advance!

So this post peaked my interest. My wife and I booked a mixed award from IAD to SGN, mostly in F. The first of our three flights back home (SGN-HKG) on 8/21 (ugh, UA 116 at 5 a.m. :() is in Y. So based on this thread, I just called UA and asked about upgrading. The response: Yes, you can. It will cost you 87,500 miles each (for a 2 hour 45 minute flight). The whole award travel cost 140,000 miles each. Good grief!

So I asked if I could check back and the agent suggested calling every day. She must have no other life. :(

So this post peaked my interest. My wife and I booked a mixed award from IAD to SGN, mostly in F. The first of our three flights back home (SGN-HKG) on 8/21 (ugh, UA 116 at 5 a.m. :() is in Y. So based on this thread, I just called UA and asked about upgrading. The response: Yes, you can. It will cost you 87,500 miles each (for a 2 hour 45 minute flight). The whole award travel cost 140,000 miles each. Good grief!

So I asked if I could check back and the agent suggested calling every day. She must have no other life. :(Did you specify save award or did the agent quote a standard award? If the latter, then the extra mileage is not surprising.

Did you specify save award or did the agent quote a standard award? If the latter, then the extra mileage is not surprising.

I told her it was a saver award and asked about upgrading. Not worth it. We are in F from HKG to ORD and ORD to IAD. For a couple of hours, we can sit in Y. If we can get a free upgrade, that's fine. Otherwise, not worth paying for.

So this post peaked my interest. My wife and I booked a mixed award from IAD to SGN, mostly in F. The first of our three flights back home (SGN-HKG) on 8/21 (ugh, UA 116 at 5 a.m. :() is in Y. So based on this thread, I just called UA and asked about upgrading...

I'm not exactly clear as to what you have in hand. Are you waitlisted for a seat in First already as part of the original award ticketing? If not, award ticket upgrades clear as part of the normal CPU process (if it's working right). Today is a little early to be angling for an CPU-type upgrade for a flight August 31.

I booked the following award in saver economy, and have already traveled the first 2 segments:

PIT-LGA//JFK-FRA-FCO
GVA-MAD-IAD-PIT
PIT-LAX (upcoming in 2 months)

There is saver availability in F on the upcoming PIT-LAX trip, so I called to inquire about upgrading but was told that was not an option since I have already started my trip.

I thought you could make changes even after you started the trip? And if I can, anyone know how many miles it would be to upgrade? I'm aware there is a copay involved, but unsure of the miles since the itinerary includes international segments.

Thanks in advance!

You should be able to upgrade of space is available. It usually starts around 17,500 and can go up to 35,000. Did this for my wife on the last leg of her trip during to NYC. United has no qualms. They will take miles anyway they can get them...

I go SFO-OGG on Wed (in 3 days). Award ticket. I have appropriate chase credit card to make me eligible for CPU and my reservation reflects it. On T-96 hours the reservation changed from noted "CPU eligble" to "CPU requested". At that time there were 5 R seats available. In the next 24 hours, three others were upgraded leaving 2 seats left.

I called (twice) and was told the same thing. That I should be upgraded as there was inventory available and it was within the 96 hour 1K window, but that it had to be done by the "system" and they couldn't override anything or get me the available seat. They just told me to wait and trust the system (sort of a funny thought!!).

Any suggestions?

I'm beginning to think the credit card is a waste of money if I can't get upgrades when they are available.

I go SFO-OGG on Wed (in 3 days). Award ticket. I have appropriate chase credit card to make me eligible for CPU and my reservation reflects it. On T-96 hours the reservation changed from noted "CPU eligble" to "CPU requested". At that time there were 5 R seats available. In the next 24 hours, three others were upgraded leaving 2 seats left.

I called (twice) and was told the same thing. That I should be upgraded as there was inventory available and it was within the 96 hour 1K window, but that it had to be done by the "system" and they couldn't override anything or get me the available seat. They just told me to wait and trust the system (sort of a funny thought!!).

Any suggestions?

I'm beginning to think the credit card is a waste of money if I can't get upgrades when they are available.Key point -- CPU upgrades do not come from R inventory. What the agent stated is correct, you will need to wait until CPU clears (and you will be bottom of the 1Ks).

Key point -- CPU upgrades do not come from R inventory. What the agent stated is correct, you will need to wait until CPU clears (and you will be bottom of the 1Ks).

What inventory do they come from?

I just called again and this agent said that my record was messed up and blocking the upgrade. Said my companion's MP number was incorrectly on the recond and not eligible for upgrade (she's a 1K too with a separate Chase Explorer Card). He said he would "fix" the record and the next time the computer checks it (says it is done twice a day) that it should upgrade.

I told him I've called twice before and no one mentioned the problem of two MP numbers on the record. He simply said the other agents should be more observant. I just wish I understood the rules.....

It is now T-72 so both the eligible 1K's and the Platinum's should have cleared. It is R2 and we still are in coach...

?...
It is now T-72 so both the eligible 1K's and the Platinum's should have cleared. It is R2 and we still are in coach...

As a 1K, WHY do you say this? The upgrades CAN occur AS EARLY as 96 and 72 hours for 1K and Plat. "Should" is not applicable. I'm a 1k on a paid coach ticket and didn't get upgraded until last night for 1181 to Maui tomorrow (48 hours). You are after GS and their companions, and all paid 1Ks and their companions. And as another thread details in gory detail, if you can split the record seeing that you're both 1Ks, why haven't you done that yet? I assume award tickets can be split. Upgrades only occur if seats are available - the agents insinuation may or may not be correct re "twice-daily record checks", but if there's no seats made available, an upgrade won't be forthcoming. There are R seats showing, but that's for upgrade instruments, which a CPU is not.

There's 6 seats and 5 seats left on morning and afternoon flights, respectively. It looks pretty good for you. The problem sometimes occurs where there are 2 people on a record and they only release one CPU seat - you will be skipped over until 2 seats are made available at the same time.

Also remember that if you don't get the automatic upgrade, you can pretty much forget about it because award tickets have not been transferring to the airport upgrade standby list--a long running computer glitch with this award ticket issue. If you have a lot of free time, you can find a sympathetic UC agent to try and get you added to the list at the airport but a few calls to help desk later, it's usually too late.

What inventory do they come from?

Unpublished CPU inventory.