Oct 12, 2015, 11:27 am
New HVF 'Surprise and delight' upgrade program / GFL access
Sep 25, 2015, 2:13 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
Especially in those instances where a GPU does not clear from Y->J, but a non-rev can clear directly into F. The elite is left sitting in Y, while the employee's mother-in-law gets to ride in 1A. (Disclaimer: I'm all for the employee's mother-in-law riding in 1A, but only once all instrument upgrades have been cleared into a higher class of service.)
I would be surprised and delighted if the GPU which has been languishing for months on my LHR-LAX flight in 2 weeks would clear.
I would be surprised and delighted if the GPU which has been languishing for months on my LHR-LAX flight in 2 weeks would clear.
Sep 25, 2015, 2:25 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,998
For example, I just booked domestic flights and used a GPU a week or so before the flights. That R might not have been available if the some high $ flier (who isn't me) gets an early upgrade. I can see this being bad for domestic RPUs/GPUs.
Sep 25, 2015, 2:30 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,281
They could surprise and delight me on just helping my RPUs clear on an ORD-MCO route on a Tuesday when nearly a month in advance has F=9 and I purchase a M fare yet still end up #4 on the list and missing the upgrade.....
Sep 25, 2015, 2:37 pm
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,155
New HVF 'Surprise and delight' upgrade program
Delight shouldn't be a surprise.
Sep 25, 2015, 2:37 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
I wonder if they learned from Hyatt's experience in publicizing "random" gestures. I would rather UA simply grant their higher elites more CS and a moderate level of waivers to rules when needed. I can also see expectations heightened when these kinds of initiatives are published.
Sep 25, 2015, 2:49 pm
#22
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,506
I wonder if they learned from Hyatt's experience in publicizing "random" gestures. I would rather UA simply grant their higher elites more CS and a moderate level of waivers to rules when needed. I can also see expectations heightened when these kinds of initiatives are published.
Sep 25, 2015, 2:53 pm
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Sounds like "Friends & Family" more than "Surprise & Delght."
Unaccountable upgrades. Great.
Unaccountable upgrades. Great.
Sep 25, 2015, 2:53 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I thought they already had a "Surprise and delight" program - they're called op-ups.
Sep 25, 2015, 2:53 pm
#25
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,453
I wonder if they learned from Hyatt's experience in publicizing "random" gestures. I would rather UA simply grant their higher elites more CS and a moderate level of waivers to rules when needed. I can also see expectations heightened when these kinds of initiatives are published.
Sep 25, 2015, 3:02 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: 1K
Posts: 784
As far as I am concerned, this is completely unsubstantiated. Anyone find a reliable source?
Sep 25, 2015, 3:12 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,813
http://www.briansumers.com/home/unit...-free-upgrades
Sep 25, 2015, 3:34 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: UA 1k MM
Posts: 96
Seems that this is a further devaluation of elite benefits, as I'm guessing that these HVF's will be upgraded ahead of elites using RPU's and GPU's.
Sep 25, 2015, 3:59 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,335
This hasn't started yet or I'm not an HVF. Have a SEA-SFO flight early next week that had 12 out of 20 seats open up front (F9...R9) and no CPU's processed at D4 for 1K. Finally got it today. So on a pretty wide open front cabin (and totally open economy cabin), I got upgraded a day "late". Only one proof point.
I suspect the HVF is really GS and anyone else is peanuts.
-RM
I suspect the HVF is really GS and anyone else is peanuts.
-RM
Sep 25, 2015, 4:01 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
This sounds basically same as the old program that used to let 1K members upgrade from Y to F on a full Y or B fare assuming that's what they mean by "high" value.