Is there an airline that respect upgrades for Elite members or everything is about $$
I was on a UA flight as Premier Gold, 10 hours before check in we were 3 costumers wait listed for an upgrade and 2 available seat in first class.
Then 1 hour before check in we were 5 people waitlisted for an upgrade and 0 seats availables in First class.
I guess United was selling same-day upgrades for no elite costumers, So far I think that United has the best frequent flyer worldwide but it really gets me mad that they dont care anymore for elite members in the end we are important we spend a lot of money on the airline.
I wondering to change airlines but I am afraid that all Us airlines are doing the same now, and also my travel are more between latin america and USA.
I think UA is the worst of the big 4 for Elite upgrades these days. Since I'm based overseas now, most of my flights are not eligible anyway, but last year out of 4 upgrade eligible segments, zero cleared. Two of those were near a holiday weekend which used to be a slam dunk for me. For me at the moment Mileage Plus still makes the most sense for a FF program but I've given up on upgrades as a perk. If US had one way awards, I would switch in a minute, but they don't and AA and DL both charge far more miles for the kinds of awards I utilize.
Programs: UA O-E 1K 0.98MM, AA EXP, SPG Plat (Ambassador), Hertz 5*
Posts: 10,526
Quote:
Originally Posted by miranda.mario
Another one please, AA from latin america to Europe request from 37,500 to 45,000 miles per way and all the others are around 32500.
But could be an option more miles but they will respect upgrades, do u know if they do match?
They were matching 1Ks, not sure what they're matching for now. Might have to do a challenge.
No free upgrades for Platinum on AA (UA Gold equivalent) - you earn 500 mile stickers, like PMUA. But that may be preferable for you. Also, you'd get 100% elite bonus miles, unlike 50% on UA.
It's worth noting that OP is a Gold, not a 1K. AA's upgrades aren't free -- he'll have to earn and burn certificates. Unless he's getting a <5% upgrade rate now on UA, AA's going to be even worse with their sticker program.
e.g. OP flies 50,000 per year (aka, 10 RTs of SFO-JFK). He earns a one-way upgrade of SFO-JFK. Not a great ROI.
Programs: PC Platinum Ambassador, United Premier Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,493
Is everything about $$$? Seriously? I can't imagine why a publicly traded multi billion dollar for profit corporation does everything for $$$.
I am and have been displeased about many changes and things that UA has done (taking away my 100% mileage bonus at gold for one...) but they do whatever they think will extract them more $$$. Just like we do our best to get the best flights, most miles, etc for the least $$$. Is there a frequent flier out there still that respects the airline that flies them, or are they all just about the CPM?
It's worth noting that OP is a Gold, not a 1K. AA's upgrades aren't free -- he'll have to earn and burn certificates. Unless he's getting a <5% upgrade rate now on UA, AA's going to be even worse with their sticker program.
e.g. OP flies 50,000 per year (aka, 10 RTs of SFO-JFK). He earns a one-way upgrade of SFO-JFK. Not a great ROI.
Your best bet will continue to be UA.
It really depends on if he actually gets any upgrades as a Gold or not. One upgrade on SFO-JFK is not a bad deal if you are getting nothing on UA. And my experience in the last half of 2012 as a 1K was that I didn't get upgrades anymore. And now I'm on AA, where I am getting them almost all of the time.
It really depends on if he actually gets any upgrades as a Gold or not. One upgrade on SFO-JFK is not a bad deal if you are getting nothing on UA. And my experience in the last half of 2012 as a 1K was that I didn't get upgrades anymore. And now I'm on AA, where I am getting them almost all of the time.
Different folks, different strokes. As a 1K last year, I had a >80% upgrade rate and I'm 75% so far this year.
He only has to have >5% upgrades on UA to beat AA -- a fairly low bar to meet.
Programs: UA PP, AA Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz 5 star,Marriott Gold, National Executive
Posts: 896
Quote:
Unless he's getting a <5% upgrade rate now on UA, AA's going to be even worse with their sticker program.
Not true at all. I was 80% on AA as a Plat using stickers. I was less than 35% on UA as a Plat. The difference is not everyone applies for an upgrade or is EXP on AA. With more F seats on AA plus not as many elites CPU eligible, there's a greater chance and opportunity to upgrade.
Programs: UA 1K 3.9MM (3.7MM BIS), AA EXP MM (BIS) , HH Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 970
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjque
And my experience in the last half of 2012 as a 1K was that I didn't get upgrades anymore. And now I'm on AA, where I am getting them almost all of the time.
My experience as well! In 2012, as far as upgrades were concerned, I was 90%+ successful on AA (mostly on long haul flights) and was able to use all of my SWUs (on cheap fares)...while on UA I was less than 40% successful and ended up with 6 unused GPUs and 2 RPUs at the end of the year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fieldeng
Not true at all. I was 80% on AA as a Plat using stickers. I was less than 35% on UA as a Plat. The difference is not everyone applies for an upgrade or is EXP on AA. With more F seats on AA plus not as many elites CPU eligible, there's a greater chance and opportunity to upgrade.
Yup!...my business partner is a Plat on UA and AA...he almost never was able to upgrade on UA but was 90%+ on AA using stickers!
Not true at all. I was 80% on AA as a Plat using stickers. I was less than 35% on UA as a Plat. The difference is not everyone applies for an upgrade or is EXP on AA. With more F seats on AA plus not as many elites CPU eligible, there's a greater chance and opportunity to upgrade.
