I've mentioned the e-certs as something I wish they'd go back to, so I thought I'd mention why I like them (compared to the previous situation).

First, a quick bit of personal perspective/experience with CPU. In 2010/2011/early 2012, as a 1K based in Chicago with majority of lights to LAX or overseas (Asia/Australia/Europe), I had about a 90% success rate on on UDUs. Life was good...there was a time when I honestly couldn't remember *not* getting upgraded. I was usually 2nd or 3rd (tops) on the waiting list at the gate if I hadn't cleared already.

Then, ever since the switch to SHARES, my percentage has gone to 10% for UDU (SWU and RPU has been normal, so to speak). It's odd, because on that specific date the priority rules/guidelines for upgrades weren't supposed to have changed. At least to my understanding. But from that day on, I have seldom been higher than 6th on the list at the gate....generally hovering no lower than 10th position. So something did change.

CPU essentially became a non-existent benefit for me.

So from my standpoint, what really irks me is that I never ever get the TOD offers, yet those who aren't loyal fliers/1K do. So my solution is to bring back the e-certs, with some changes. Some thoughts/notes about this:

-- I agree with many posters here that "free" upgrades is a losing proposition for the airline. It is a tough business, and generating revenue makes sense. I want United to be successful financially....I believe all of us do

-- If you're gonna give a deal on an upgrade, why not your most loyal travelers first? As I mentioned, I haven't gotten a TOD offer, yet my friends/girlfriend on the same flight has (upon check-in at the airport). This seems wrong.

-- I would have paid that "upgrade deal" given to my friends, as it was a good deal.

-- So my feeling is that e-certs can generate revenue for United + provide priority to the elites.

-- Keep the GPU/RPU for confirmed upgrades. Like it is now, give a selection to each level in an appropriate distribution based upon status. This seems to be working well for me.

-- As far as the e-certs, these could start clearing at the 120/96/72-hour point, much like the CPU. This way, United doesn't need to give away the seat any earlier.

--The upgrade standby list could be run as they do now, with the differentiation being anyone on it has applied e-certs.

--United couldn't apply supply/demand algorithms for the price, but honestly I would pay more than most of the TOD offers I've seen posted here...so maybe it would pay off for them.

United gets money. We get a more predictable system that seems more equitable for everyone.

Anyway....my thoughts.