Originally Posted by
Kmxu
Were you suggesting that you're more likely to get an upgrade by applying PPs to your reservation, rather than relying on the "instant upgrade"? For routes like IAD-SFO, there's no chance for a PZ upgrade, but there is a nonzero chance for a PN upgrade, provided you catch the PN space at the right time.
The CPU window is largely irrelevant nowadays because United sells premium cabin seats so effectively, except for short-haul flights. By T-4 days, there are usually very few seats left for CPUs. United tends to hold back the last few seats for upsells rather than offering them for free as CPUs.
To accept an instant upgrade, you should try both the app and the website, though the app tends to work better. I had some trouble with the EWR-IAD instant upgrade, but it worked a day later. I’m not sure why this route is so problematic.
I was just commenting on the OP statement that Applying PP to a B-fare lowers chances of upgrade vs depending on Instant upgrade. I agree, the chance of PP upgrade clearing is highly route dependent. If it's on EWR-SFO, the chance is near zero, if its on (I don't know ORD-MKE?) It's probably pretty high. With PN, it depends on your catching it. Unless you check all the time (or have someone else check for you), you could easily miss it whereas with PZ, you SHOULD automatically clear and thus the chances of upgrade with PZ could be higher.
All I'm saying is that it's not so cut and dry. Most "normal" people don't look at their reservation much after initial booking. They aren't like us monitoring inventory all the time.
I don't know what happens in the CPU window with PN. If it opens up, would you automatically clear? or would you still need to press the button. If it's automatic, then I suppose in that time frame, PN is better.
We're talking about which chance is higher not whether it will actually happen.
As for EWR-IAD, that's probably the route that this happens to me most often. Especially now that I'm avoiding ORD with the PL closed. I guess the bug with the button is specific to the route. I am flying out next week and the button actually worked for me.