Jun 28, 2019, 10:46 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
It appears at times, UA will release upgrade space, now labeled as PZ, but the upgrade waitlist is not processed until a later time. During this period of time, a new upgrade request will clear, ignoring the waitlist. This could be a new request or someone calling to request their waitlisted request to be clear (sometimes called -- "jumping the queue"). So as a defensive move, some may try to call to get their waitlisted request cleared if this situation occurs. Over the years agents, at times, have been reluctant or agreeable to doing this. More recently there are reports of agents needing supervisor approval to do this (this may be UA's attempt to prevent "queue jumping").
Another strategy in this situation is to remove a waitlisted request and then reapply. This does risk losing one's place on the waitlist if unsuccessful
At times, the waitlist process seems to be delayed for an extended period of time, it is speculated that this is a situation where the waitlist processing is "stuck" -- this may be due to a ticket out-of-sync issue with the passenger on top of the waitlist or other causes. A good agent will notice this if you call about clearing and fix the situation.
Releated thread
Difference of"Upgrade Requested","Segment has been Waitlisted","R/PZ class requested"
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Archive thread: Upgrade still waitlisted even though R (now PZ) class is available {Archive}
Another strategy in this situation is to remove a waitlisted request and then reapply. This does risk losing one's place on the waitlist if unsuccessful
At times, the waitlist process seems to be delayed for an extended period of time, it is speculated that this is a situation where the waitlist processing is "stuck" -- this may be due to a ticket out-of-sync issue with the passenger on top of the waitlist or other causes. A good agent will notice this if you call about clearing and fix the situation.
Releated thread
Difference of"Upgrade Requested","Segment has been Waitlisted","R/PZ class requested"
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Archive thread: Upgrade still waitlisted even though R (now PZ) class is available {Archive}
Upgrade still waitlisted even though PZ (previously R) class is available
Oct 18, 2016, 9:09 am
#61
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,893
My wife applied an RPU to waitlist an upgrade IAD-LAX. The upgrade did not clear in advance and inventory ticked down to F1, with the flight booked 19/20; my wife was #1 on the departure-management upgrade waitlist and a phone agent told her that she was #1 on the secret invisible pre-departure waitlist (!).
Between three and four hours before departure, the flight opened up to F1 R1. After about 30 minutes in this state, my wife called in and had United force through the RPU, which worked fine.
Between three and four hours before departure, the flight opened up to F1 R1. After about 30 minutes in this state, my wife called in and had United force through the RPU, which worked fine.
Oct 18, 2016, 11:47 am
#62
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
I find that there is often a rough (but not exact) correlation between R and I on international flights. EF will search for I, and I have used those alerts, usually coming in overnight, as a prompt to check for R.
Oct 18, 2016, 11:52 am
#63
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,461
It's generally true that if UA opens I, it will also open R. But the reverse is not true. In fact, I'd say that the incidence of R>0, I=0 is greater than 75%. So while the EF alert is certainly a good idea, it's not a substitute for checking regularly for R using Expert Mode.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:02 pm
#64
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: CO Plat
Posts: 255
I have a flight on Friday night IAH-SCL, waiting for an upgrade.
The fare classes are currently:
Available fare classes:
J9
JN9
C9
D9
Z9
ZN9
P9
PN0
R0
RN0
IN0
I0
Y9
YN9
B9
M9
E9
U9
H9
HN9
Q9
V9
W9
S9
T9
L9
K9
G9
N9
XN9
X9
Will the tipping point for upgrades be when R>0 ?
If I see R>0, should I call and ask for a manual upgrade ? I have no current status with UA (except for a very expensive MP Club Card)...
... been white-knuckling this upgrade since buying the ticket back in May 2016.
Cheers for any advice.
The fare classes are currently:
Available fare classes:
J9
JN9
C9
D9
Z9
ZN9
P9
PN0
R0
RN0
IN0
I0
Y9
YN9
B9
M9
E9
U9
H9
HN9
Q9
V9
W9
S9
T9
L9
K9
G9
N9
XN9
X9
Will the tipping point for upgrades be when R>0 ?
If I see R>0, should I call and ask for a manual upgrade ? I have no current status with UA (except for a very expensive MP Club Card)...
... been white-knuckling this upgrade since buying the ticket back in May 2016.
Cheers for any advice.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:05 pm
#65
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
It's generally true that if UA opens I, it will also open R. But the reverse is not true. In fact, I'd say that the incidence of R>0, I=0 is greater than 75%. So while the EF alert is certainly a good idea, it's not a substitute for checking regularly for R using Expert Mode.
Just set up few R alerts.
However, EF won't search for PN.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:05 pm
#66
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
I have a flight on Friday night IAH-SCL, waiting for an upgrade.
The fare classes are currently:
Available fare classes:
J9
JN9
C9
D9
Z9
ZN9
P9
PN0
R0
RN0
IN0
I0
Y9
YN9
B9
M9
E9
U9
H9
HN9
Q9
V9
W9
S9
T9
L9
K9
G9
N9
XN9
X9
Will the tipping point for upgrades be when R>0 ?
If I see R>0, should I call and ask for a manual upgrade ? I have no current status with UA (except for a very expensive MP Club Card)...
... been white-knuckling this upgrade since buying the ticket back in May 2016.
Cheers for any advice.
The fare classes are currently:
Available fare classes:
J9
JN9
C9
D9
Z9
ZN9
P9
PN0
R0
RN0
IN0
I0
Y9
YN9
B9
M9
E9
U9
H9
HN9
Q9
V9
W9
S9
T9
L9
K9
G9
N9
XN9
X9
Will the tipping point for upgrades be when R>0 ?
If I see R>0, should I call and ask for a manual upgrade ? I have no current status with UA (except for a very expensive MP Club Card)...
... been white-knuckling this upgrade since buying the ticket back in May 2016.
Cheers for any advice.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:05 pm
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,024
...Will the tipping point for upgrades be when R>0 ?
If I see R>0, should I call and ask for a manual upgrade ? I have no current status with UA (except for a very expensive MP Club Card)...
... been white-knuckling this upgrade since buying the ticket back in May 2016.
Cheers for any advice.
If I see R>0, should I call and ask for a manual upgrade ? I have no current status with UA (except for a very expensive MP Club Card)...
... been white-knuckling this upgrade since buying the ticket back in May 2016.
Cheers for any advice.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:10 pm
#68
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
If you are waitlisted for I award (saver business), then it is I>0. BTW, never refer to this an an upgrade, it isn't and it will confuse folks as it has here.
Z9, P9 is a moderately positive sign. You is willing to still sell discount premium fares. Also means there will be decent cash upgrade offerings a check (not a good sign for mileage upgrades)
PN0 is a negative sign as it means there may be uncleared GSs ahead of you.
If R>0 and you don't get upgraded, then call -- they should not clear you unless you are at the top of the list but some agents might.
Same for I>0, if an award waitlist -- note this is less likely to happen.
All in all these are neither positive or negative signs, I want not take the bet either way.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:12 pm
#69
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: CO Plat
Posts: 255
I paid cash for the original economy ticket in T class, then paid $500 + 25K miles for the upgrade request (which was charged and miles deducted immediately).
Status currently says "Upgrade Requested".
There seem to be 13 out of 30 Polaris seats available.
Status currently says "Upgrade Requested".
There seem to be 13 out of 30 Polaris seats available.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:15 pm
#70
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
Jan 23, 2017, 1:23 pm
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,024
I guess the alternative is to have agents clear from top of list when alerted to R space from an upgrade hopeful. Still doesn't prevent a late bookee grabbing an upgrade away from someone who's been waiting months.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:47 pm
#72
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: CO Plat
Posts: 255
Yeah, the period between allocation of seats to R and an upgrade sweep is a free-for-all. Logically, a sweep should run immediately with top of list getting seats(s). Unfortunately, that's not the way it works - a time gap often exists between R becoming available and an upgrade sweep. This creates a situation where someone booking a new ticket in that window can grab that R, cutting in front of the entire waitlist. As long as United allows that kind of situation to exist, I have no problem with someone lower on the waitlist grabbing it when they see it.
I guess the alternative is to have agents clear from top of list when alerted to R space from an upgrade hopeful. Still doesn't prevent a late bookee grabbing an upgrade away from someone who's been waiting months.
I guess the alternative is to have agents clear from top of list when alerted to R space from an upgrade hopeful. Still doesn't prevent a late bookee grabbing an upgrade away from someone who's been waiting months.
... At these rates, Polaris should come with a massage ... although I would settle for the bear.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:52 pm
#73
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 518
Yeah, the period between allocation of seats to R and an upgrade sweep is a free-for-all. Logically, a sweep should run immediately with top of list getting seats(s). Unfortunately, that's not the way it works - a time gap often exists between R becoming available and an upgrade sweep. This creates a situation where someone booking a new ticket in that window can grab that R, cutting in front of the entire waitlist.
