Hey UA 1Ks...amid all this CO bashing, aren't we forgetting that UDUs were CO's idea?
#76
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,192
I'm cool with UDU. My domestic trips encompass all days of the week and all times of the day. I have missed very few upgrades. I know my 1P colleagues are flying first class way more than prior to UDU. I don't doubt that for some it has changed the game, just not mine. CR1 earning in 2012.... another story for another thread.
I should add, I greatly miss the ability to upgrade others with e500s, especially on different PNR's.
I should add, I greatly miss the ability to upgrade others with e500s, especially on different PNR's.
Last edited by anc-ord772; Jul 25, 2011 at 7:56 pm
#77
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
#78
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,134
I've never forgotten that we have only CO to blame for the disaster known as UDU.
#79
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, Marriott/IHG Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 291
I HATE UDU.
Not only because 1P has no chance from SFO, but why requires TWO 1P to check-in (and added to the long long list) separately. Can't UA make a smarter system to do it automatically?
p.s. I did get UDU once on DEN-DTW and had to go through the hassle to give it up and to claim my seat back before it was too late.
It is annoying and I discourage my bf to requalify for 1P.
I fly most internationally but I used to save my little e500 for domestic long haul. With UDU, I will pass and open to any one w/ good price/seat (and do not require us to checkin twice!)
Not only because 1P has no chance from SFO, but why requires TWO 1P to check-in (and added to the long long list) separately. Can't UA make a smarter system to do it automatically?
p.s. I did get UDU once on DEN-DTW and had to go through the hassle to give it up and to claim my seat back before it was too late.
It is annoying and I discourage my bf to requalify for 1P.
I fly most internationally but I used to save my little e500 for domestic long haul. With UDU, I will pass and open to any one w/ good price/seat (and do not require us to checkin twice!)
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
You think that's bad? CO makes you split the record to get on the airport upgrade list.
#82
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
#84
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: TX
Programs: UA mm, Marriott PLT, Hilton Dia
Posts: 580
One thing puzzles me. High status posters against UDU have suggested that the certificate approach is good for the lower status folks and for upgrading companions with no status. Doesn't anything that favors low status and no status flyers, disfavor high status flyers? Or, is it only the 1K kettles (I love the term) disfavored?
As a mostly domestic flyer (90%domestic10%international) flying from the middle of the country (no coast to coast for me), I think the difference to me may be academic since I am near 100% upgrade this year (not so a year ago). I do like SWU though.
As a mostly domestic flyer (90%domestic10%international) flying from the middle of the country (no coast to coast for me), I think the difference to me may be academic since I am near 100% upgrade this year (not so a year ago). I do like SWU though.
#85
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
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One thing puzzles me. High status posters against UDU have suggested that the certificate approach is good for the lower status folks and for upgrading companions with no status. Doesn't anything that favors low status and no status flyers, disfavor high status flyers? Or, is it only the 1K kettles (I love the term) disfavored?
Perhaps, in theory, it does. But in practice, the certificate approach allowed flyers to target their upgrades.
So that high-status flyer who is currently sweating out competitive transcons on UDU might have easily cleared before. In exchange, he may not have bothered upgrading short, insignificant flights, in essence ceding them to the lower status flyers.
Now the high-status flyer is competing with more people for the competitive flights, while also getting upgraded on flights he never would have bothered with (those come at the expense of the lower status flyer who is now sweating out everything).
#86
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: TX
Programs: UA mm, Marriott PLT, Hilton Dia
Posts: 580
high-status flyer who is currently sweating out competitive transcons on UDU might have easily cleared
I am, of course, assuming that no F seats fly empty.
#87
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
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Exactly. Someone who wouldn't have put in for the upgrade, or did not have enough certificates.
#88
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: TX
Programs: UA mm, Marriott PLT, Hilton Dia
Posts: 580
who wouldn't have put in for the upgrade
the definition of a 1K kettle
did not have enough certificates
btw, i would prefer the choice system over the udu even it it meant I would be theoretically losing some upgrades, which is I think your point. I am not sure all of the posters get it.
#89
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
If it really is that competitive would one not assume that there were enough folks listing with certs that it still would have been a challenge to clear?
#90
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
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Posts: 35,068
Or some busy executive who doesn't keep up with this stuff, who has a secretary who doesn't know how to manage the upgrades.
There was a management component to the cert-based system. With UDU, you really don't have to do much.
I think people realize that both systems have merit. There is a misguided notion (and hence this thread in the first place) from the CO contingent that UDU must be better for all, hence the 7 pages so far of debate on the topic.