clearing into R on the phone
Sep 29, 2012, 7:01 pm
#61
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
If the system waits at all - let alone "a little while" - it won't do the right thing because as soon as R>1 a user on the web applying a new instrument will upgrade instantly. That is what a number of folks posting above don't seem to recognize. It isn't just about jumping queues by calling in - anyone applying a new instrument or mileage upgrade when R>1 and the waitlist has someone on it will clear ahead of the list. And lest anyone say that UA should force new requests onto a waitlist - that would be even worse in the general case where you are only willing to book a flight where upgrades are available. That would take the "W lottery" to a new level of risk.
Sep 29, 2012, 7:27 pm
#62
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K, SPG
Posts: 1,577
On Tuesday night I saw R1 for my Wednesday afternoon flight, called, applied an RPU, and was cleared. It took about 15 minutes on hold.
On Thursday night I saw R1 for my Friday afternoon flight even though I had already been waitlisted with an RPU. It took about 10 minutes on hold.
I feel a little bit guilty for the Tuesday gambit, since I was applying a new instrument. I don't feel guilty at all for the Thursday gambit.
Sep 30, 2012, 1:18 am
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
I've done this twice in the past few days.
On Tuesday night I saw R1 for my Wednesday afternoon flight, called, applied an RPU, and was cleared. It took about 15 minutes on hold.
On Thursday night I saw R1 for my Friday afternoon flight even though I had already been waitlisted with an RPU. It took about 10 minutes on hold.
I feel a little bit guilty for the Tuesday gambit, since I was applying a new instrument. I don't feel guilty at all for the Thursday gambit.
On Tuesday night I saw R1 for my Wednesday afternoon flight, called, applied an RPU, and was cleared. It took about 15 minutes on hold.
On Thursday night I saw R1 for my Friday afternoon flight even though I had already been waitlisted with an RPU. It took about 10 minutes on hold.
I feel a little bit guilty for the Tuesday gambit, since I was applying a new instrument. I don't feel guilty at all for the Thursday gambit.
Sep 30, 2012, 3:24 am
#64
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1k MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 256
Sep 30, 2012, 7:00 am
#65
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 362
Thanks everyone who replied to this. It looks as if we can conclude that we are still in the "Wild West" here, and, despite what the new expert mode disclaimer says, if you have an RPU/GPU waitlisted and see R>0, you should definitely phone and request to be cleared manually. In other words, there is no change to the frustrating situation that has existed for months.
I wonder if Shannon could comment on this conclusion?
I wonder if Shannon could comment on this conclusion?
Oct 6, 2012, 1:50 pm
#66
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO and SNA/LAX
Programs: JL JMB Diamond 1.4 MM, UA 1P 1.2 MM
Posts: 238
clearing into R on the phone
Just cleared over the phone into R this morning right after T-24. LAX - JFK tomorrow morning on pmco 2 class 757 with BF seats. Had applied a miles upgrade months ago. No R space opened up till T-23:50.
Oct 7, 2012, 12:01 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA USA // UA 1K 2 Million Miler, AA EXP 2MM, HH Diamond, SPG Plat // Easily found on SFO-ORDs
Posts: 2,726
I applied a GPU to a colleague's CDG-ORD about 6 days out; it waitlisted.
Four days prior, I got an EF alert that R space open.
First agent I called: not willing to clear -- "wait and system will handle automatically."
Second agent: put me on hold, came back with it cleared.
Oct 8, 2012, 8:43 pm
#69
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,553
I've been waitlisted to upgrade ORD-MUC for just a few days using a GPU. Tonight, I just happened to check and R=4. Go figure. Still was waitlisted so called UA and they cleared me into R. It might have cleared automatically but didn't want to take the chance.
Oct 9, 2012, 7:12 am
#70
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
This has been happening a lot. I never let it clear automatically. As soon as I get notified that R space is available I call right away.
Oct 9, 2012, 10:27 am
#71
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Boulder, CO and Waimea, HI
Programs: UAL 1K MM
Posts: 748
Only problem now is that one of the seat selections won't hold but that's a different thread.
Oct 9, 2012, 1:41 pm
#72
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion; IHG Platinum; Marriott Gold; Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,071
Oct 10, 2012, 5:28 am
#73
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
Just did the same to two seats IAD-LHR using GPUs (and thanks to ExpertFlyer). Took a few minutes and the agent had to ask for help but we finally concluded that it was because I was logged into the reservation (no changes just watching). Once I closed the window, they went through fine and no issues at all from the phone agent - good service.
Only problem now is that one of the seat selections won't hold but that's a different thread.
Only problem now is that one of the seat selections won't hold but that's a different thread.
Oct 10, 2012, 6:57 am
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
This was an issue several times shortly after the .bomb was subsumed by .sux. Recently I haven't noticed any problems.
Oct 13, 2012, 1:22 pm
#75
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA USA // UA 1K 2 Million Miler, AA EXP 2MM, HH Diamond, SPG Plat // Easily found on SFO-ORDs
Posts: 2,726
Had another successful experience with this.
EF alerted me that BOS-SFO R space had opened (a single seat) on a flight I was RPU waitlisted on.
I called and easily cleared into it; agent (PMUA, I think) wondered why it hadn't happened automatically.
EF alerted me that BOS-SFO R space had opened (a single seat) on a flight I was RPU waitlisted on.
I called and easily cleared into it; agent (PMUA, I think) wondered why it hadn't happened automatically.