Originally Posted by
CO Insider
Hi golfingboy, this is more complicated thank you might think. In the advance period, ZE class (the inventory we use for B and M instant Elite upgrades), is a more widely available inventory class. This is the case up until 24 hours before departure. At 24 hours before departure, we will prioritize expired waitlists for Regional Upgrades, Systemwide Upgrades and Mileage Upgrade Rewards ahead of all complimentary Elite upgrades, including those that would otherwise book into ZE class. This is a change we implemented only in the last couple months to ensure our Elite Upgrade Automation properly accounted for these customers with expired upgrade reward waitlists within 24 hours.
And here we have it. So in 2011, upgrade chances are going to be worse than they are even now because on top of mileage upgrades, we'll have a greater number of SWUs and additional CR1s that will clear before any EUA.
This cements my stance that I will fly UA next year for E+ for the few flights I need to requalify for *Gold. No need to take any chances to fly CO at this point.
Question for Scott. Is this policy only for CO for 2011, or will this be the policy of the combined carrier from 2012 on?