Correct Regional Premier Upgrade strategy?
Oct 5, 2012, 4:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Amex Plat, UA 1K
Posts: 17
Correct Regional Premier Upgrade strategy?
I just became United Plat and have two regional upgrades and am wondering what is the optimal way to use them.
Is the right way to use them to wait for the upgrade period to begin (72 hrs before departure) and then use the reg upgrade if I am not upgraded? Or should I use the reg upgrade immediately after purchasing the ticket?
Also, there seems to be no way to apply the reg upgrade online. Is calling the only way to apply it?
Is the right way to use them to wait for the upgrade period to begin (72 hrs before departure) and then use the reg upgrade if I am not upgraded? Or should I use the reg upgrade immediately after purchasing the ticket?
Also, there seems to be no way to apply the reg upgrade online. Is calling the only way to apply it?
Oct 5, 2012, 5:03 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA MileagePlus cattle, DL SkyPesos peon, HHonors Blue
Posts: 431
Do it as early as you can so you don't get crowded out by everyone else using one. Since you will be using an instrument on a flight where you don't want to roll the dice on a UDU clearing, there probably isn't any reason to wait to put it in.
Oct 5, 2012, 7:58 am
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
I just became United Plat and have two regional upgrades and am wondering what is the optimal way to use them.
Is the right way to use them to wait for the upgrade period to begin (72 hrs before departure) and then use the reg upgrade if I am not upgraded? Or should I use the reg upgrade immediately after purchasing the ticket?
Also, there seems to be no way to apply the reg upgrade online. Is calling the only way to apply it?
Is the right way to use them to wait for the upgrade period to begin (72 hrs before departure) and then use the reg upgrade if I am not upgraded? Or should I use the reg upgrade immediately after purchasing the ticket?
Also, there seems to be no way to apply the reg upgrade online. Is calling the only way to apply it?
Oct 5, 2012, 8:03 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I just became United Plat and have two regional upgrades and am wondering what is the optimal way to use them.
Is the right way to use them to wait for the upgrade period to begin (72 hrs before departure) and then use the reg upgrade if I am not upgraded? Or should I use the reg upgrade immediately after purchasing the ticket?
Also, there seems to be no way to apply the reg upgrade online. Is calling the only way to apply it?
Is the right way to use them to wait for the upgrade period to begin (72 hrs before departure) and then use the reg upgrade if I am not upgraded? Or should I use the reg upgrade immediately after purchasing the ticket?
Also, there seems to be no way to apply the reg upgrade online. Is calling the only way to apply it?
Oct 5, 2012, 8:31 am
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CLE
Programs: RA, UA MM 1k, AA EXP, Marriott LTP, Hyatt Plat, SPG100
Posts: 476
I just became United Plat and have two regional upgrades and am wondering what is the optimal way to use them.
Is the right way to use them to wait for the upgrade period to begin (72 hrs before departure) and then use the reg upgrade if I am not upgraded? Or should I use the reg upgrade immediately after purchasing the ticket?
Also, there seems to be no way to apply the reg upgrade online. Is calling the only way to apply it?
Is the right way to use them to wait for the upgrade period to begin (72 hrs before departure) and then use the reg upgrade if I am not upgraded? Or should I use the reg upgrade immediately after purchasing the ticket?
Also, there seems to be no way to apply the reg upgrade online. Is calling the only way to apply it?
Oct 5, 2012, 8:37 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA MileagePlus cattle, DL SkyPesos peon, HHonors Blue
Posts: 431
In general, RPUs are best for longer flights as Kit notes, special occassions/needs (again, personal there), or experiencing a specific premium product to try it out (e.g., a real J seat on an IAD-LAX 777/767 run).
Oct 5, 2012, 9:18 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA-1K
Posts: 308
After you book a ticket, there is a way to apply it online. Under the seat map there is often an offer to upgrade to first class. Sometimes it is just with $, other times you'll see mileage options. If the mileage option is available, then you can generally use the regional upgrade. I think you can also put yourself on the waitlist this way, but it's been a while since I've done it, so the details are a little fuzzy.
Oct 5, 2012, 9:58 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: United Premier 1K, Marriott Platinum, Frontier, Delta, Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club
Posts: 928
I have only used one, but my strategy was check for R, and apply it to a long (3+ hour) flight. Maybe my CPU clears as a Plat, and maybe (probably, per my own stats) not.
So the RPU guarantees the upgrade right now. That's worth something.
Hub-to-Hub is likely to be full of elites, so less likely a CPU will clear. Using an RPU there makes sense too if you want the upgrade.
So the RPU guarantees the upgrade right now. That's worth something.
Hub-to-Hub is likely to be full of elites, so less likely a CPU will clear. Using an RPU there makes sense too if you want the upgrade.
Oct 5, 2012, 10:26 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I have only used one, but my strategy was check for R, and apply it to a long (3+ hour) flight. Maybe my CPU clears as a Plat, and maybe (probably, per my own stats) not.
So the RPU guarantees the upgrade right now. That's worth something.
Hub-to-Hub is likely to be full of elites, so less likely a CPU will clear. Using an RPU there makes sense too if you want the upgrade.
So the RPU guarantees the upgrade right now. That's worth something.
Hub-to-Hub is likely to be full of elites, so less likely a CPU will clear. Using an RPU there makes sense too if you want the upgrade.
Oct 5, 2012, 10:32 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75k, OW Emerald, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, National EE
Posts: 303
I'm in the same boat -- just became Platinum for the first time. I've used one RPU already -- a return from EWR to SFO, through IAH, with two legs on the 787. In that case, I didn't even consider strategy. This is probably in line with the above comment about using it on premium products, like transcon 777s.
I did experience a small bit of anxiety, though, knowing I only have 2 to use. I understand I'll get more with each 25,000 mile increment, but that doesn't diminish the sense of protection over each one.
I did experience a small bit of anxiety, though, knowing I only have 2 to use. I understand I'll get more with each 25,000 mile increment, but that doesn't diminish the sense of protection over each one.
Oct 5, 2012, 10:34 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-1K, Hertz-Gold, Marriott-Gold, PC-Platinum, SPG
Posts: 2,777
Oct 5, 2012, 11:18 am
#12
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,606
Oct 5, 2012, 11:27 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA1K .455 MM, Hilton and Marriott Gold
Posts: 397
In addition to everyting said above...when traveling with a companion and you want to ensure you both ugraded, use the RPUs on both of you.
If you think you have the status to clear a UDU, then use the RPU to upgrade your companion first, thus only you have to play roulette and not do it with a +1 after OLCI.
Nothing makes Mrs. B happier than knowing ahead of time she gets to sit in the more comfy chair!
If you think you have the status to clear a UDU, then use the RPU to upgrade your companion first, thus only you have to play roulette and not do it with a +1 after OLCI.
Nothing makes Mrs. B happier than knowing ahead of time she gets to sit in the more comfy chair!
Oct 5, 2012, 11:45 am
#14
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Becuase RPU upgrades do not clear instantly when R becomes available, I have refrained from applying them if there is no R and set up an alert through EF..
Then the minute R opens up, I'll go and apply it online.
This prevents me from being jumped by a mileage upgrader, someone redeeming saver F/C awards, and someone applying an instrument. However, my strategy results in me jumping the queue including GSes waiting for an upgrade with an RPU.
Until UA fixes the system to instantly upgrade people who are on the waitlist, I will continue to jump the queues.
Then the minute R opens up, I'll go and apply it online.
This prevents me from being jumped by a mileage upgrader, someone redeeming saver F/C awards, and someone applying an instrument. However, my strategy results in me jumping the queue including GSes waiting for an upgrade with an RPU.
Until UA fixes the system to instantly upgrade people who are on the waitlist, I will continue to jump the queues.
Dec 2, 2012, 6:34 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: 2013: UA 1K (2013: 4/7 UDU, 2012: from GM to 1K!), Global Entry
Posts: 66
If I have an AAA-BBB-CCC trip, and we only want to use the RPU if the AAA-BBB trip clears, is EF still the correct strategy? Is RN related to R, so should I put an alert on R, RN, or both? There's an AAA-BBB domestic red-eye with BF lie-flat that I want to try.