UA to start their Unlimited Domestic Upgrades March 18--Will CO follow?
Feb 16, 2010, 3:56 pm
#61
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The shafted Elite at the airport is more likely to be a bottom-tier member - the Elite shafted at the window is more likely to be another Plat at a lower fare class (lower priority) or a Gold. I'm assuming this is how UA or US handles the process.
Feb 16, 2010, 4:06 pm
#62
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Plus CO has been (just recently) operating in a mode where they sweep EUA at T-24 hours, since they have had a glitch which was allowing low fare non-elites to get an OLCI upgrade for nominal amount.
So the way CO EUA seems to be working is that most F seats are being processed at T-24. I do not know if this is permanent or just a temporary workaround.
So the way CO EUA seems to be working is that most F seats are being processed at T-24. I do not know if this is permanent or just a temporary workaround.
Feb 16, 2010, 4:10 pm
#63
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Ummm...I don't think so. An M-Up books into ZE and posts into the account as ZM. B-Ups also book into ZE, FWIW.
Feb 16, 2010, 4:12 pm
#64
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It's less likely a seat will be held back at the airport for companions. If a seat is available, great. If not, we'd like to think most if not all of the eligible Elites have been upgraded at that point.
The shafted Elite at the airport is more likely to be a bottom-tier member - the Elite shafted at the window is more likely to be another Plat at a lower fare class (lower priority) or a Gold. I'm assuming this is how UA or US handles the process.
The shafted Elite at the airport is more likely to be a bottom-tier member - the Elite shafted at the window is more likely to be another Plat at a lower fare class (lower priority) or a Gold. I'm assuming this is how UA or US handles the process.
Plus CO has been (just recently) operating in a mode where they sweep EUA at T-24 hours, since they have had a glitch which was allowing low fare non-elites to get an OLCI upgrade for nominal amount.
So the way CO EUA seems to be working is that most F seats are being processed at T-24. I do not know if this is permanent or just a temporary workaround.
So the way CO EUA seems to be working is that most F seats are being processed at T-24. I do not know if this is permanent or just a temporary workaround.
What about people who can OLCI before 24 hours (i.e., people connecting into that flight from somewhere else)? Are those people still offered the upgrade?
Feb 16, 2010, 5:04 pm
#65
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This is the post that I replied to originally:
Feb 16, 2010, 8:06 pm
#66
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Agree. DCA-IAH is easier in the AM, but difficult for the evening flights from IAH-DCA. As a Platinum I am less than 50% upgraded on IAH-DCA evening flights. And as pointed out a UA 1K will be below a CO Plat. You likely need to buy B fares to get upgraded on those evening flights as a UA 1K.
This route is elite heavy - on the IAH-DCA evening flight this past Sunday and the flight was sold out in F and others were on B ups - so no upgrades. Also - half the plane boarded with Elite access. As a Plat I was about 6 on the upgrade list out of over 20 people on the list - none of which cleared. If a UA 1K was on the list - they would likely have been 10-12 people down the list with no clears.
This route is elite heavy - on the IAH-DCA evening flight this past Sunday and the flight was sold out in F and others were on B ups - so no upgrades. Also - half the plane boarded with Elite access. As a Plat I was about 6 on the upgrade list out of over 20 people on the list - none of which cleared. If a UA 1K was on the list - they would likely have been 10-12 people down the list with no clears.
Feb 16, 2010, 9:37 pm
#67
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All this discussion about Y/B/M-ups has me wondering: is this perk actually available to UA elites or is this purely a speculative concern about what may happen in the future?
Feb 16, 2010, 10:18 pm
#68
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If CO Elites cannot enjoy the same benefit on UA, I strongly oppose this policy - it's a short-sighted design to encourage UA Elites to buy tickets on CO and get instant upgrades (something they apparently cannot do on their home airline), removing inventory from CO Elites, which is a problem on a number of routes.
A better long-term option is for CO to advertise this is a great benefit for its own Elites and encourage other *A members to join OnePass and move their business to CO permanently. The only hitch is the no-poach rule which won't allow status matches.
Feb 17, 2010, 6:57 am
#69
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...If CO Elites cannot enjoy the same benefit on UA, I strongly oppose this policy - it's a short-sighted design to encourage UA Elites to buy tickets on CO and get instant upgrades (something they apparently cannot do on their home airline), removing inventory from CO Elites, which is a problem on a number of routes....
Feb 17, 2010, 7:59 am
#70
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Not equivalent at all - and US elites are getting access to 'gratis' upgrades on CO, and our premium seats and exit rows. In fact, I suspect even the bottom tier UA elites can claim an exit row on CO while a CO Silver cannot. I'm going to re-check the official announcement to confirm that suspicion. If so, it would be completely unfair and CO Silvers should be screaming.
Feb 17, 2010, 10:36 am
#71
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It was mentioned in the official announcement that UA Elites would receive instant upgrades on Y/B fares and UGS/1K would receive upgrades (normal availability restrictions apply) on M fares, mirroring the CO Elite experience.
If CO Elites cannot enjoy the same benefit on UA, I strongly oppose this policy - it's a short-sighted design to encourage UA Elites to buy tickets on CO and get instant upgrades (something they apparently cannot do on their home airline), removing inventory from CO Elites, which is a problem on a number of routes.
A better long-term option is for CO to advertise this is a great benefit for its own Elites and encourage other *A members to join OnePass and move their business to CO permanently. The only hitch is the no-poach rule which won't allow status matches.
If CO Elites cannot enjoy the same benefit on UA, I strongly oppose this policy - it's a short-sighted design to encourage UA Elites to buy tickets on CO and get instant upgrades (something they apparently cannot do on their home airline), removing inventory from CO Elites, which is a problem on a number of routes.
A better long-term option is for CO to advertise this is a great benefit for its own Elites and encourage other *A members to join OnePass and move their business to CO permanently. The only hitch is the no-poach rule which won't allow status matches.
Last edited by UnitedEF; Feb 17, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Feb 17, 2010, 11:38 am
#72
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Not equivalent at all - and US elites are getting access to 'gratis' upgrades on CO, and our premium seats and exit rows. In fact, I suspect even the bottom tier UA elites can claim an exit row on CO while a CO Silver cannot. I'm going to re-check the official announcement to confirm that suspicion. If so, it would be completely unfair and CO Silvers should be screaming.
Feb 17, 2010, 12:32 pm
#73
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Not equivalent at all - and US elites are getting access to 'gratis' upgrades on CO, and our premium seats and exit rows. In fact, I suspect even the bottom tier UA elites can claim an exit row on CO while a CO Silver cannot. I'm going to re-check the official announcement to confirm that suspicion. If so, it would be completely unfair and CO Silvers should be screaming.
while UA Elites will basically get if High enough a shot at an Exit Row and EUA for FC but since even a CO Plat has trouble scoring an UP due to Y/B/M UPs basically all a UA will end with is a reg Coach seat in an area called Premium which has nothing premium about it except for the name
Feb 17, 2010, 12:54 pm
#74
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On the routes both airlines operate, I see very little incentive for a UA&CO elite to ride with CO except turkey dog. I took two transcons on UA as a CO Plat recently and really enjoy E+. Actually I got exit rows both times.
sorry but CO will get the better deal by getting E+ seating, thats besides free UPs to FC on UA
while UA Elites will basically get if High enough a shot at an Exit Row and EUA for FC but since even a CO Plat has trouble scoring an UP due to Y/B/M UPs basically all a UA will end with is a reg Coach seat in an area called Premium which has nothing premium about it except for the name
while UA Elites will basically get if High enough a shot at an Exit Row and EUA for FC but since even a CO Plat has trouble scoring an UP due to Y/B/M UPs basically all a UA will end with is a reg Coach seat in an area called Premium which has nothing premium about it except for the name
Last edited by westlaker; Feb 17, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Feb 17, 2010, 3:05 pm
#75
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If CO Elites cannot enjoy the same benefit on UA, I strongly oppose this policy - it's a short-sighted design to encourage UA Elites to buy tickets on CO and get instant upgrades
Why? as has been said, UA members dont' get Y/B instant upgrades. But now all you CO elites are going to be flying UA for the free E+ and a shot at an upgrade.. and realize that E+ on a 320 is a lot better than a rock hard Y- seat on CO, turkey dog or not.