Originally Posted by
zrs70
If it is a change (from the UA way), I really don't like it, and I do hope it is announced as a change. I often buy tickets within the upgrade window, based on immediate upgradable space. But if the system works via sweeps rather than immediate clearing, ....
Another factor in all this is that the tickets no longer issue immediately. So if R>0 when the ticket is paid for, but it takes 1/2 hour for the ticket to be issued, R can become 0.
It is a sweep, CO never auto upgraded (unless B,Y or M fare). UA has pretty much adopted the CO rules for upgrades.
I know exactly where your coming from, years past when I used to fly US that's how they did it... You buy a flight within window and if it was available for upgrade, youd get it almost right away, however that's not how CO and now UA work.
If you buy a ticket at 5pm two days prior to a 8pm flight, and R is say 3, you'll get coach, at 8 pm that night sweep run according to the upgrade rules and clears the next in queue first, it could be you or it could be a GS or another 1k that purchased a higher fare class or for that matter a 1K on say a RPU or mileage upgrade or even a general member on a mileage upgrade.
The good news for you if your purchasing in the 5 day window, your buying pretty good fare classes and will most likely have the better chance for the upgrades
Originally Posted by
limey1K
Thanks for the info. Its good to hear how things worked on CO prior to the merger as I didnt have that much experience. I flew DEN-ORD today at 12:45pm today and there were 8 GS, three with companions sitting in FC on 752, so the seats may becoming harder to come by....
No problem, I think it's going to take folks from the UA side a while to get used to the new process.
I'm not saying its a great process but it at least seems to be a fair process for the most part.
Good Luck with your upgrades