Originally Posted by
demosthenes1
My working hypothesis is still that R does indicate upgradable space. It's working on a sweeps methodology, so it won't necessarily clear the first minute that it potentially could.
But, if R>0 AND you are inside the clearance window AND its been that way for a few hours AND nobody is clearing, then the system is not working the way it is supposed to work.
Under those conditions, let UA Insider know. I believe they are actively researching those situations, trying to figure out why the system isn't doing what it is supposed to do.
At least from the way CO did sweeps -- at least up to a day or two prior does the sweep only once a day, at flight time. The sweeps change closer to flight time, but I honestly don't know the times they actually do that.
Remember R availability also indicates you can use miles or a instrument as well.
Originally Posted by
limey1K
I should have mentioned that the agent on the phone said "there are 3 first class seats still for sale". Expertflyer indicates RN3.
My experience with UAL as a 1K over the past 3 years has been MANY upgrades at 100 hours and much fewer not clearing until the gate.
And I can say as a Plat at CO, I probably got 5 day upgrades (up until Sat, they started clearing plats as soon as 5 days), for me to get a five day notice it was probably 25% of the time for me, hardly ever happened.
That said usually I would get it before being at the gate... But I have had to do the gate dance many times,
That said, for a EWR-BOS flight I flew Sunday afternoon as a new 1k,they upgraded 12 people and I ended up as number 3 on the un-upgraded list, but to be fair, that's a very elite heavy route.
I also think they may be still working out issues with the process after this weekends cutover.
Again, it also heavily depends on the route and how elite heavy the route may be.