Ua: Lax-den-lax $100
Feb 1, 2017, 9:22 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Feb 1, 2017, 2:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 4,044
I see that you're platinum, so that explains the 72hr CPU confirmation...but, how did you know you'd be getting the CPU? I just got platinum for the first time last year, and haven't flown since getting that status, so I'm looking forward to the addt'l benefits compared to gold. I'm just curious so that I can find out about my CPU status for an upcoming flight in a couple weeks. Thanks!
the 5:40am LAX-DEN is not a popular flight on a saturday. i was upgraded on the same flight last december.
Feb 2, 2017, 1:28 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
I see that you're platinum, so that explains the 72hr CPU confirmation...but, how did you know you'd be getting the CPU? I just got platinum for the first time last year, and haven't flown since getting that status, so I'm looking forward to the addt'l benefits compared to gold. I'm just curious so that I can find out about my CPU status for an upcoming flight in a couple weeks. Thanks!
1. Pick a departure time and day/date that's not as in demand (e.g. avoid the LAX-DEN 5:40 am on Monday if you can avoid it - I'm also not suggesting flying the 5:40 am on Saturday but that's up to you)
2. Pick a bigger aircraft with more F seats (772, 753, 739 vs 738, 319, 320)
3. Look for flights where, even at T<24 hrs, few are upgraded => fewer higher elites waiting for CPUs; do a SDC
- or -
4. Use Expert Mode to confirm that R>0 and apply one of your RPUs
One other thing to look at is what you get if and when you upgrade or get CPU'd - do you get much of a benefit besides the seat: e.g. what's for breakfast/lunch/dinner?2. Pick a bigger aircraft with more F seats (772, 753, 739 vs 738, 319, 320)
3. Look for flights where, even at T<24 hrs, few are upgraded => fewer higher elites waiting for CPUs; do a SDC
- or -
4. Use Expert Mode to confirm that R>0 and apply one of your RPUs
Counter questions: with your status prior to reaching platinum, what was your upgrade percentage before? Were there better times that you observed to get upgraded?
David
Last edited by DELee; Feb 2, 2017 at 1:52 am
Feb 2, 2017, 9:02 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
For example, I have an upcoming flight to ORD in a few weeks. I realize that's still a long time for things to change, but if the flight were in 3-4 days, what do you think my chances would be? It's an 8am flight from DEN-ORD on a Saturday on a 757-300, and right now the flight is showing R4, E+ has 18 (of 51) seats available, First is showing 14 (of 24) seats available.
Also, my girlfriend and I are flying on the same PNR...she has no status, and I have Platinum. Will she be put on the CPU list at the same point I am? I've *never* understood the whole splitting a reservation vs not splitting, etc. I don't know why it has to be so confusing! haha
Feb 2, 2017, 9:11 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
And, as for keeping track of when I got upgraded, I definitely knew that if I was flying a DEN-SFO or DEN-ORD (or reverse) early in the morning on a Monday, or late on a Friday, that my chances of a CPU were definitely slim to none. There's nothing like being number 50 on the upgrade list when there are 2 seats available!
Feb 8, 2017, 5:27 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: UA1K
Posts: 4,044
R2 means that there are 2 R class seats available which people could use RPUs for, right? So you're basing your suspicion of upgrade on the fact that there are still upgrade seats available, combined with the fact that you don't think there will be many 1Ks on the flight (who would be ahead of you in the CPU line), right? I'm just trying to figure out the reasoning so that I can try to plan ahead for things like that, etc
so seeing the flight that open, i figured my chances were good.