Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Types of Upgrades
UA's Upgrades overview
UA has multiple methods for upgrading to a higher cabin. Examples include: Economy to Domestic First, Economy to International Business or Business (ex-p.s. flights) or Economy to Premium Economy ("Premium Plus").
In this regard, seating in Economy Plus is considered Economy.
Not all upgrade methods are available on all flights (see table).
Paid/cash upgrades are a different mechanism and are only available if confirmable -- no waitlisting. Depending on methods, paid upgrades can clear into almost any fare class. If the class would otherwise be used for upgrades, the cash upsell can show up on the cleared upgrade list.
Plus Points and MUA (also called "miles+cash upgrades") are collectively referred to as instrument-supported upgrades, as they are considered with equal priority once applied. They may also be used on Copa (CM), Lufthansa (LH), and ANA (NH) flights.
Waitlisting for a premium cabin award and all forms of Economy Plus are not considered upgrades.
Upgrade Priority and Required Inventory
All upgrades other than CPU may clear immediately if the required inventory class is available. If you request an upgrade when there is not inventory to confirm your upgrade immediately, you will be added to the upgrade waitlist. The required inventory classes are as follows:
RN class is required for all upgrades to Premium Economy (United Premium Plus)
PN class is required for Instant Upgrades to Business/First from Y, B, and M fares for Premier 1K members, and for all upgrades to Business/First of any type for Global Services members.
PZ class is required for all other upgrades to Business/First except CPUs.
Note: The display of the upgrade lists is rather complicated at the moment. There seems to be more information available than usual, but its accuracy is disputed. The following is how it has historically functioned in terms of public visibility.
Passengers with unconfirmed upgrade requests will be added to the upgrade waitlist. This is not the same as the upgrade standby list which you can see on the Flight Status page. You cannot see this list by any means. The ordering of the upgrade waitlist is as follows:
Recent announced modification
United will periodically run sweeps from this list. The required inventory class for your upgrade does not need to be available in order to be upgraded from the standby list; passengers on the list will be upgraded at the discretion of United's systems. (You can also think of it as space was opened and then you immediately took it.)
Once check-in starts a new waitlist will be generated for use at the gate. The pre-gate list will continue to process until the flight goes to the gate, typically one to three hours prior to departure. This new list is the visible one on the Flight Status page. Generally they will have the same order, but there can be some differences in priority ordering of the two lists -- usually due to the time tiebreaker -- which is time of request for the pre-gate list and time of check-in (sequence number) for gate list. The visible (upgrade standby) list has only checked-in passengers and is not used until the flight is under gate control and the gate agent manually processes an upgrade.
The upgrade list sometimes also shows passengers who have been upgraded. Advance-cleared upgrades will not show on the gate list as cleared -- only passengers who clear after they check in will display with a green checkmark. Some paid Premium Economy fares may show as a confirmed upgrade to Premium Economy.
For both cases, display cleared upgrades will appear in alphabetic order and regardless if checked-in (as long as a seat has been assigned). Uncleared, waitlisted requests will appear, once checked in, in priority order. But until all have checked in, the visible gate waitlist is incomplete.
Upgrades and Companions
Main article: Comprehensive Companion Upgrade Questions
The following applies ONLY to the invisible upgrade list.
Up to one companion on the same PNR as you is entitled to a CPU based on your status. However, because PNRs must consist only of passengers with the same itinerary, you will only be eligible for an upgrade if all passengers on your PNR have the same upgrade eligibility. For CPUs, you may extend your CPU status to one companion, and then the system will take the status of the lowest passenger on the reservation.
This is a little complicated. Here are some example PNRs:
1K and non-status companion: both are eligible to CPU as 1Ks
1K and two non-status companions: no one is eligible to CPU
1K, Gold, and non-status companion: the companion gets "1K CPU status" but the Gold cannot, so all three pax have Gold priority
The situation for instrument supported upgrades is slightly different. Waitlisting an instrument is also all-or-nothing on the PNR. Either all pax must have a waitlisted upgrade, or none may. If you have a waitlisted upgrade for a multiple passenger PNR, it will have the priority of the highest Premier status on the reservation. Thus:
1K and non-status companion, 2x GPU applied: both are eligible as 1Ks with GPU
1K and three non-status companions, 4x GPU applied: all four are eligible as 1Ks with GPU
Multi-pax PNR upgrades are all or nothing - you may (or may not) be skipped over if there are fewer available seats than members in your party. If you do not like the treatment of your PNR, you may split it into smaller pieces at any time and be treated as smaller groups or individuals.
Now, what happens if you haven't cleared by check-in?
Multiple pax PNRs are not eligible for the (visible) upgrade standby list. If you wish to be added to the list, you must split the PNR at check-in. This often happens even if you didn't intend to. Note, however, that the hidden list is active until 3 hours before departure and splitting your PNR changes it. Therefore, you may wish to delay check-in until the airport. On the other hand, the tiebreak for the gate list is time of check-in, so you may wish to do so immediately. It depends on your situation.
Companions may be eligible for the upgrade standby list even after splitting the PNR, if it is split at check-in. The behavior of your companion(s) depends on whether the reservation had instruments applied. You may have one CPU companion, who will be waitlisted with your Premier priority but with an effective fare class below X (namely, last). If your companion was on a different PNR originally, or you want to designate a different companion, an airport agent can do that for you. Therefore, the list of 1Ks might be:
1) 1K on an S fare (you)
2) 1K on a K fare
3) Your no-status companion
4) Plat on a B fare
If your reservation had instruments applied, however, this process is different. In this case, if the reservation is auto-split at check-in, all travelers will have your Premier priority with their fare class. Say you are a 1K with three non-status companions, all with GPUs applied. Then you have
1) 1K on a V fare, GPU applied
2..5) you (1K) and your three companions on W fares, ordered by sequence number
6) Plat on a Q fare, miles+cash applied
Frequently Asked Questions
I was #1 on the upgrade list, but someone else got the upgrade instead. What happened?
The most likely answer is that the upgraded passenger was not checked in. Remember that the upgrade standby list (the visible list) only shows passengers who have checked in.
I'm #1 on the upgrade list but seats in the forward cabin keep disappearing. No one is being upgraded. What's going on?
There are two major sources of this. First, once your flight is within 24 hours of departure, it is eligible for SDC. Passengers with paid premium tickets can change to your flight and take seats. Many experienced flyers, especially FT members, underestimate the volatility of flight loads on the day of departure. Additionally, United usually makes a time-of-departure upsell offer available at check-in. Purchasers of this upgrade may often appear similar to last-minute revenue bookings.
I was waitlisted for I (or IN) class and did not clear. Am I now eligible for an upgrade?
"Upgrade" is the wrong terminology. You should be automatically placed on the standy list for business or first (whichever applies). Historically there have been problems with this occurring automatically, but that seems to have mostly been fixed. The exact priority compared to passengers who are waitlisted for an upgrade is unclear and a matter of some dispute. See discussion of GG ONESTANDBY lines 32-55.
Who are these people who are on standby lists for both Business and First?
These are non-revs (i.e., UA employees and family members) - either NRPS (non-rev positive space) or NRSA (non-rev standby). Non-revs can list for any cabin. NRPS are traveling on company business (e.g., deadheading pilots) and will clear into open space ahead of upgraders. NRSA travel standby and will be last in priority after all paid passengers. Why would someone be listed on both standby & upgrade list(s)?
Can you have one companion on a different PNR?
Yes, but only at the airport/gate and some agents are not familiar with the process. They are at the bottom of your status group.
Related threads
Ever see (+X blocked) in booked column on upgrade list?
Consolidated "Waitlist for Award Seats Questions/Issues"
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight
Decoding the alphabet soup - fare buckets for UA
Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively [Archive]
UA's Upgrades overview
UA has multiple methods for upgrading to a higher cabin. Examples include: Economy to Domestic First, Economy to International Business or Business (ex-p.s. flights) or Economy to Premium Economy ("Premium Plus").
In this regard, seating in Economy Plus is considered Economy.
Not all upgrade methods are available on all flights (see table).
- Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPU) are available for most North American flights, Central America flights, and some select Oceania flights.
"ex-PS" flights (EWR-SFO/LAX, BOS-SFO and v.v.) and Hawaii-EWR, IAD, ORD, IAH, DEN, GUM, MAJ and v.v. are not CPU eligible. CPUs are available for all paid fares and in some cases on award tickets with certain credit cards. A CPU is requested automatically for all elites as long as there is a maximum of one non-Premier as only one companion on the same PNR is also eligible for CPU. CPUs cannot be confirmed until inside the particular window:Global Services: 120 hours
Premier 1K: 96 hours
Premier Platinum: 72 hours
Premier Gold: 48 hours
Premier Silver: 24 hours- Plus Points (provided to Plats and above) are the upgrade currency of United elites. This wiki of this thread has more details about pricing of various Plus Points upgrades.
- Mileage Upgrade Awards (MUA) can be requested for all UA flights with a higher cabin on all paid fares. This a varying amount of miles and a $ copay (elites are exempt from the co-pay for CPU eligible flights) -- see UA award chart for details Note the miles and copay are due at time of the request and will be returned if unsuccessful.
- Instant Upgrades are space available for all elites on Y & B fares for CPU-eligible flights at booking. For Plats and below these require PZ space. For 1Ks and GS, this can be done on Y, B & M fares and requires PN space. 1K & GS, if not cleared at booking, will be waitlisted.
- Plus Points (provided to Plats and above) are the upgrade currency of United elites. This wiki of this thread has more details about pricing of various Plus Points upgrades.
Paid/cash upgrades are a different mechanism and are only available if confirmable -- no waitlisting. Depending on methods, paid upgrades can clear into almost any fare class. If the class would otherwise be used for upgrades, the cash upsell can show up on the cleared upgrade list.
Plus Points and MUA (also called "miles+cash upgrades") are collectively referred to as instrument-supported upgrades, as they are considered with equal priority once applied. They may also be used on Copa (CM), Lufthansa (LH), and ANA (NH) flights.
Waitlisting for a premium cabin award and all forms of Economy Plus are not considered upgrades.
Upgrade Priority and Required Inventory
All upgrades other than CPU may clear immediately if the required inventory class is available. If you request an upgrade when there is not inventory to confirm your upgrade immediately, you will be added to the upgrade waitlist. The required inventory classes are as follows:
RN class is required for all upgrades to Premium Economy (United Premium Plus)
PN class is required for Instant Upgrades to Business/First from Y, B, and M fares for Premier 1K members, and for all upgrades to Business/First of any type for Global Services members.
PZ class is required for all other upgrades to Business/First except CPUs.
Note: The display of the upgrade lists is rather complicated at the moment. There seems to be more information available than usual, but its accuracy is disputed. The following is how it has historically functioned in terms of public visibility.
Passengers with unconfirmed upgrade requests will be added to the upgrade waitlist. This is not the same as the upgrade standby list which you can see on the Flight Status page. You cannot see this list by any means. The ordering of the upgrade waitlist is as follows:
- All Global Services members (presumably prioritized similar to other members below), including those awaiting a CPU.
- For CPU eligible flights, Premier 1K members on eligible Y-, B- and M-class fares that were not cleared at time of booking are prioritized by fare class and then time of request.
- All travelers on waitlisted instrument-supported upgrades: Prioritized by Premier status of the traveler, then fare class and then time of request. There is no priority difference between types of instruments.
- For CPU eligible flights all remaining Premier members: Prioritized by Premier status of the traveler and fare class (award tickets are considered the lowest fare class)
Recent announced modification
Effective August 14, 2018, upgrade waitlists are processed in the following priority order:
- Premier status of the traveler
- Fare class
- Chase United MileagePlus Club cardholder
- United Corporate Preferred participant
- Time of request
Once check-in starts a new waitlist will be generated for use at the gate. The pre-gate list will continue to process until the flight goes to the gate, typically one to three hours prior to departure. This new list is the visible one on the Flight Status page. Generally they will have the same order, but there can be some differences in priority ordering of the two lists -- usually due to the time tiebreaker -- which is time of request for the pre-gate list and time of check-in (sequence number) for gate list. The visible (upgrade standby) list has only checked-in passengers and is not used until the flight is under gate control and the gate agent manually processes an upgrade.
The upgrade list sometimes also shows passengers who have been upgraded. Advance-cleared upgrades will not show on the gate list as cleared -- only passengers who clear after they check in will display with a green checkmark. Some paid Premium Economy fares may show as a confirmed upgrade to Premium Economy.
For both cases, display cleared upgrades will appear in alphabetic order and regardless if checked-in (as long as a seat has been assigned). Uncleared, waitlisted requests will appear, once checked in, in priority order. But until all have checked in, the visible gate waitlist is incomplete.
Upgrades and Companions
Main article: Comprehensive Companion Upgrade Questions
The following applies ONLY to the invisible upgrade list.
Up to one companion on the same PNR as you is entitled to a CPU based on your status. However, because PNRs must consist only of passengers with the same itinerary, you will only be eligible for an upgrade if all passengers on your PNR have the same upgrade eligibility. For CPUs, you may extend your CPU status to one companion, and then the system will take the status of the lowest passenger on the reservation.
This is a little complicated. Here are some example PNRs:
1K and non-status companion: both are eligible to CPU as 1Ks
1K and two non-status companions: no one is eligible to CPU
1K, Gold, and non-status companion: the companion gets "1K CPU status" but the Gold cannot, so all three pax have Gold priority
The situation for instrument supported upgrades is slightly different. Waitlisting an instrument is also all-or-nothing on the PNR. Either all pax must have a waitlisted upgrade, or none may. If you have a waitlisted upgrade for a multiple passenger PNR, it will have the priority of the highest Premier status on the reservation. Thus:
1K and non-status companion, 2x GPU applied: both are eligible as 1Ks with GPU
1K and three non-status companions, 4x GPU applied: all four are eligible as 1Ks with GPU
Multi-pax PNR upgrades are all or nothing - you may (or may not) be skipped over if there are fewer available seats than members in your party. If you do not like the treatment of your PNR, you may split it into smaller pieces at any time and be treated as smaller groups or individuals.
Now, what happens if you haven't cleared by check-in?
Multiple pax PNRs are not eligible for the (visible) upgrade standby list. If you wish to be added to the list, you must split the PNR at check-in. This often happens even if you didn't intend to. Note, however, that the hidden list is active until 3 hours before departure and splitting your PNR changes it. Therefore, you may wish to delay check-in until the airport. On the other hand, the tiebreak for the gate list is time of check-in, so you may wish to do so immediately. It depends on your situation.
Companions may be eligible for the upgrade standby list even after splitting the PNR, if it is split at check-in. The behavior of your companion(s) depends on whether the reservation had instruments applied. You may have one CPU companion, who will be waitlisted with your Premier priority but with an effective fare class below X (namely, last). If your companion was on a different PNR originally, or you want to designate a different companion, an airport agent can do that for you. Therefore, the list of 1Ks might be:
1) 1K on an S fare (you)
2) 1K on a K fare
3) Your no-status companion
4) Plat on a B fare
If your reservation had instruments applied, however, this process is different. In this case, if the reservation is auto-split at check-in, all travelers will have your Premier priority with their fare class. Say you are a 1K with three non-status companions, all with GPUs applied. Then you have
1) 1K on a V fare, GPU applied
2..5) you (1K) and your three companions on W fares, ordered by sequence number
6) Plat on a Q fare, miles+cash applied
Frequently Asked Questions
I was #1 on the upgrade list, but someone else got the upgrade instead. What happened?
The most likely answer is that the upgraded passenger was not checked in. Remember that the upgrade standby list (the visible list) only shows passengers who have checked in.
I'm #1 on the upgrade list but seats in the forward cabin keep disappearing. No one is being upgraded. What's going on?
There are two major sources of this. First, once your flight is within 24 hours of departure, it is eligible for SDC. Passengers with paid premium tickets can change to your flight and take seats. Many experienced flyers, especially FT members, underestimate the volatility of flight loads on the day of departure. Additionally, United usually makes a time-of-departure upsell offer available at check-in. Purchasers of this upgrade may often appear similar to last-minute revenue bookings.
I was waitlisted for I (or IN) class and did not clear. Am I now eligible for an upgrade?
"Upgrade" is the wrong terminology. You should be automatically placed on the standy list for business or first (whichever applies). Historically there have been problems with this occurring automatically, but that seems to have mostly been fixed. The exact priority compared to passengers who are waitlisted for an upgrade is unclear and a matter of some dispute. See discussion of GG ONESTANDBY lines 32-55.
Who are these people who are on standby lists for both Business and First?
These are non-revs (i.e., UA employees and family members) - either NRPS (non-rev positive space) or NRSA (non-rev standby). Non-revs can list for any cabin. NRPS are traveling on company business (e.g., deadheading pilots) and will clear into open space ahead of upgraders. NRSA travel standby and will be last in priority after all paid passengers. Why would someone be listed on both standby & upgrade list(s)?
Can you have one companion on a different PNR?
Yes, but only at the airport/gate and some agents are not familiar with the process. They are at the bottom of your status group.
Related threads
Ever see (+X blocked) in booked column on upgrade list?
Consolidated "Waitlist for Award Seats Questions/Issues"
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight
Decoding the alphabet soup - fare buckets for UA
Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively [Archive]
Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively {Archive}
#166
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 79
For A) I didn't think any status, even GS allowed more than +1 on a CPU?
For B) My understanding was that in order for the companion CPU to work, it had to be elite + 1 on the PNR (more specifically, that the presence of more than 2 on the PNR would cause the auto-CPU to fail). So it looks to me like your examples describe various elite +1 situations, but I'm not clear whether you're saying you've seen this with 4 (2 elite, 2 not) on the same PNR.
Thanks!
#167
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
I say "theoretically" because the published CPU rules often don't apply to GS.
#168
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 79
I generally agree with this, but note that when there are three or more pax on the PNR, and one is not premier, CPU priority is theoretically determined by the lowest premier level on the reservation. CPU Policies
I say "theoretically" because the published CPU rules often don't apply to GS.
I say "theoretically" because the published CPU rules often don't apply to GS.
If two or more travelers on the reservation are not Premier members, it will not be processed automatically. In these cases, Premier members should call the Premier Priority Desk to request a separate reservation for themselves and the eligible companion.
#169
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 144
I think the reason why it's so hard to get an upgrade these days are the upgrade offers. I usually get $79 upgrade offers for LGA-ORD and ORD-LGA, and just got one for $79 for DTW-IAH (and the price of the ticket had nothing to do with it -- these offers are either at booking or at check-in, and are consistently the same price for the same route).
At that price, and knowing that there aren't a lot of seats in first and so many GS and 1ks with higher fares, it's hard to resist. I usually take the offer. I think CPUs are thus slowly going away, as more and more passengers take these kinds of buy-ups.
At that price, and knowing that there aren't a lot of seats in first and so many GS and 1ks with higher fares, it's hard to resist. I usually take the offer. I think CPUs are thus slowly going away, as more and more passengers take these kinds of buy-ups.
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
What about the case where someone applies an RPU to a non-elite. If RPUs go away at check-in, then the non-elite would be off the list, right? And if the non-elite stays on the list, then that would also tell you what priority they get in the system (if you knew the status of one or more other people on the list).
#171
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
What about the case where someone applies an RPU to a non-elite. If RPUs go away at check-in, then the non-elite would be off the list, right? And if the non-elite stays on the list, then that would also tell you what priority they get in the system (if you knew the status of one or more other people on the list).
#172
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
They inherit the status of the sponsor, but if they're prioritized above CPUs at the gate, then by knowing the situation of one or two other pax on the waitlist this question is easy to answer.
#173
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
It won't tell us anything because we still don't know how UA prioritizes the standby upgrade list. The RPU sponsored pax will be added to the list, and will inherit the sponsor's status for purposes of placement on that list.
#174
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: UA GS (1MM), DL Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Avis CC
Posts: 526
Waitlist at 24-hour Mark
I did my due diligence, and couldn't find a relevant (or recent) answer to this question:
I have a flight tomorrow ORD-IAD-DXB using a GPU Y->C (1K on a V fare). The IAD-DXB cleared several weeks ago, however I am still waitlisted on the domestic leg which shows 13/16 seats in F booked.
I'm confused by what exactly happens at the 24 hour mark. The website just vaguely says that "waitlists expire". Does that mean I pretty much just go into the regular CPU pool even though I have an instrument upgrade? Should I still check in online at the 24 hour mark? Just confused as to what exactly happens here and what I should do.
Thanks
I have a flight tomorrow ORD-IAD-DXB using a GPU Y->C (1K on a V fare). The IAD-DXB cleared several weeks ago, however I am still waitlisted on the domestic leg which shows 13/16 seats in F booked.
I'm confused by what exactly happens at the 24 hour mark. The website just vaguely says that "waitlists expire". Does that mean I pretty much just go into the regular CPU pool even though I have an instrument upgrade? Should I still check in online at the 24 hour mark? Just confused as to what exactly happens here and what I should do.
Thanks
#175
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Avis First, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
Question:
Traveling on the same PNR with a companion, and the ticket is split at checkin. What status does the companion have on the upgrade list with:
1) GPU
2) RPU
3) Miles upgrade + copay
4) Miles upgrade
5) CPU
In short, should I expect to get only 1 upgrade (mine) if we don't both clear before checkin? This is already a pain with CPU, I'm in the 1k bucket and my companion is in the 1k-companion bucket (between 1k and plat). With so few CPUs, we are often separated.
Traveling on the same PNR with a companion, and the ticket is split at checkin. What status does the companion have on the upgrade list with:
1) GPU
2) RPU
3) Miles upgrade + copay
4) Miles upgrade
5) CPU
In short, should I expect to get only 1 upgrade (mine) if we don't both clear before checkin? This is already a pain with CPU, I'm in the 1k bucket and my companion is in the 1k-companion bucket (between 1k and plat). With so few CPUs, we are often separated.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Nov 20, 2014 at 4:55 am Reason: moved from 2015 p.s. change thread
#176
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: ORD/IND
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Preferred, Hertz PC, Hyatt Discoverist , Marriott Titanium
Posts: 742
I'm confused by what exactly happens at the 24 hour mark. The website just vaguely says that "waitlists expire". Does that mean I pretty much just go into the regular CPU pool even though I have an instrument upgrade? Should I still check in online at the 24 hour mark? Just confused as to what exactly happens here and what I should do.
If, however, the automatic processing of the GPU doesn't clear you by around T-30 mins (after check-in is closed) and the gate takes over then it doesn't seem the GPU/RPU/Miles+Cash has any affect on your place on the list, as then it goes to the regular CPU list of status, fare class, time of request.
Read this whole thing a couple of times (bolding mine to help answer your question)...
"The following is the order of priority, within five days, on flights that are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades:
- Premier members on eligible Y- and B-class fares, as well as Premier 1K members on M-class fares: Instant upgrades that weren't confirmed in advance are prioritized by fare class, then Premier status
- All travelers on waitlisted Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Prioritized by Premier status of the redeeming account, then fare class and then time of request2,3
- All remaining Premier members using Complimentary Premier Upgrades: Prioritized by Premier status, then fare class and then award travel4
Priority within 24 hours
New waitlist requests for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, Regional Premier Upgrades and Global Premier Upgrades can be made until 24 hours prior to departure. At 24 hours from departure, waitlists will expire and automatic processing of upgrades, per the priority listed above, will continue. As customers check in, they will be placed on an airport upgrade standby list. This standby list will clear after check-in is closed, and is based on Premier status and fare class.2 Learn more about the upgrade standby list."
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...e/default.aspx
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont...andby_FAQ.aspx
#177
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Daly City, CA
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat, Turkish Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 186
United seems to adjust the plane size based on specific routes' first class demand. For example, I'm pretty sure they fly 24 business class seats plane for the SFO-BOS route in spring but now they use the 16 business class seats plane, so it's harder to be upgraded
#178
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Avis First, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
If, however, the automatic processing of the GPU doesn't clear you by around T-30 mins (after check-in is closed) and the gate takes over then it doesn't seem the GPU/RPU/Miles+Cash has any affect on your place on the list, as then it goes to the regular CPU list of status, fare class, time of request.
-1k (myself) on a CPU
-Gold (different PNR) on a mileage upgrade
-GM (different PNR) on a 1K sponsored RPU
At T-30 min the agent started doing upgrades. The order was:
1) 1k on a CPU (got the upgrade)
2) GM on a 1K sponsored RPU (got the upgrade)
...
...
30+) Gold on a mileage upgrade
So I think the T-30 list is status only. The issue of instruments was masked by the fact that an instrument or mileage upgrade carries the status of the donating account.
The interesting part is how the new change (mileage upgrades no longer inherit the status of their owner) will affect this. Perhaps we will see a gate upgrade list like:
1) 1k on a CPU (got the upgrade)
...
...
30+) Gold on a mileage upgrade
40+) GM on a 1K sponsored RPU
This is my biggest concern with the new 2015 changes. Inheriting status when using an instrument covered up a lot of IT issues.
#179
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Avis First, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
What will happen in the following case:
- 2 passengers on the same PNR (1K + Silver/Gold)
- RPU/GPU/miles upgrade applied by 1K
- PNR split at check-in
What status will the Silver/Gold have on the battlefield list?
Will the new list look like this:
1) 1K with GPU/RPU/Miles
....
....
20) Silver/Gold with GPU/RPU/Miles
Instead of the current:
1) 1K with GPU/RPU/Miles
2) Silver/Gold with GPU/RPU/Miles
...
- 2 passengers on the same PNR (1K + Silver/Gold)
- RPU/GPU/miles upgrade applied by 1K
- PNR split at check-in
What status will the Silver/Gold have on the battlefield list?
Will the new list look like this:
1) 1K with GPU/RPU/Miles
....
....
20) Silver/Gold with GPU/RPU/Miles
Instead of the current:
1) 1K with GPU/RPU/Miles
2) Silver/Gold with GPU/RPU/Miles
...
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Nov 20, 2014 at 5:15 am Reason: moved from 2015 award sponsor thread
#180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
What will happen in the following case:
- 2 passengers on the same PNR (1K + Silver/Gold)
- RPU/GPU/miles upgrade applied by 1K
- PNR split at check-in
What status will the Silver/Gold have on the battlefield list?
Will the new list look like this:
1) 1K with GPU/RPU/Miles
....
....
20) Silver/Gold with GPU/RPU/Miles
Instead of the current:
1) 1K with GPU/RPU/Miles
2) Silver/Gold with GPU/RPU/Miles
...
- 2 passengers on the same PNR (1K + Silver/Gold)
- RPU/GPU/miles upgrade applied by 1K
- PNR split at check-in
What status will the Silver/Gold have on the battlefield list?
Will the new list look like this:
1) 1K with GPU/RPU/Miles
....
....
20) Silver/Gold with GPU/RPU/Miles
Instead of the current:
1) 1K with GPU/RPU/Miles
2) Silver/Gold with GPU/RPU/Miles
...