cerealmarketer

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Per update email sent to OnePass members today.

"with some limitations" but nothing more specified

sbm12

Here is the text:
Not too much of a surprise here. I'm guessing W fares and higher and only once the new certs are issued, likely around June 15.

gdemander

Exact verbage from UA email:

"A note about upgrades.

We understand how important upgrades are to you. Currently, elite members of both programs enjoy unlimited upgrades on domestic flights on both United and Continental. This summer, you'll be able to use your Regional and Systemwide upgrades on Continental flights (with a few limitations). And once we have completed our merger, you will enjoy your upgrade benefits across our worldwide network. Rest assured, we are working to make your upgrade experience consistent across our worldwide network, as quickly as possible."

sfoactuary

Sounds like the winners/losers of this will vary greatly by destination. Since I haven't and don't plan to fly anywhere CO flies internationally, not overly excited about the prospect of CO SWUs now taking away some of the precious NC space on UA flights.

Peatisback

The announcement says:

"with a few limitations"
and
"once we have completed our merger, you will enjoy your upgrade benefits across our worldwide network"

Here's what I wonder: will the 'few limitations' be certain destinations rather than/in addition to the W fare restriction?

HNLescapee

That's my question, too. What CO routes are such revenue earners that I'll be estopped from using my Systemwides on them? Likewise, does this mean I'll no longer be able to use my Systemwides on routes like ORD-HKG or SFO-SYD? Ugh.

Cuse44

I don't think it has anything to do with Destination Restrictions. I personally think the CO SWUs earned in 2010 will be excluded and not be able to be used on United. That's what I think the "limitations" mean.

sfoactuary

I can't imagine that they would change the SWU policy on any existing routes (including SFO-SYD and ORD-HKG). Sounds like it'd be more of a restriction on certain CO routes/destinations

HNLescapee

But as a UA 1K, my e-mail had the same language? I can't imagine UA 1Ks/GSes would suddenly get to use CO metal while the reverse isn't true. Likewise, why open either side of this up to only Systemwides earned in 2011?

hobo13

It'll be interesting to see what this does to the value of CO SWU's on Coupon Connection. Right now, it seems that CO folks want naming rights to your first born in exchange for one of their UGs. I realize that 2010 vintage CO SWU's will still work on all fares, but at least those won't be the ONLY way to upgrade a CO flight.

May tulip-mania soon come to an end....

sbm12

My guess is that the legacy UA SWUs and CR1s will become valid on CO metal just like they are on UA metal. So figure the W fare minimums on the SWUs and the geographic restrictions on the CR1s.

The CO SWUs from 2010 have no fare restrictions so they'll likely either not be valid at all on UA metal or only for W+ fares; I'm betting not at all. The 2011 CO SWUs will be valid on UA metal, too, effectively the same as a UA SWU at that point. The CO CR1s arguably have a broader geographic range covered (i.e. everything where EUA applies) and it is possible that the UA ones will adopt the same policy there; time will tell.

There are limitations and it is better to indicate from the beginning that such will exist. No need to say "coming soon" and then surprise everyone with limits later. Sure, it would be better if all the details were announced right now but they aren't. Soon enough.

WineCountryUA

may be related to CR1s and BF?

skj

I suspect (or maybe just hope) this is the case. Now, I can use my CR1s to Hawaii - when I really want to confirm a seat, as I know this is a UDU-friendly route. I would hope that wouldn't change, but I could see excluding their use on the BF Hawaii service from EWR and IAH.

Red_Rob

I don't like how the CR1's are bieng handled.

When I merged accounts and got to choose between CO & UA bieng the main account I chose CO since that is what I fly most often and wanted CR1's that I could use. On UA I would have earned more CR1's though and already could have my SWUs (I have ~120,000 EQM this year).

Now it sounds like the same time I get CO CR1's the UA ones will also work on CO, but I earn at a lower rate (8 less over the course of the year).

I am all for allowing them to be used across the COmbined fleet, but earning rates should be the same.

sbm12

Unless you were a 1K last year also your CR1 earning rate is exactly the same. Other than the fact that the CO CR1s haven't been delivered yet I'm not sure you're really missing anything.