Upgrade priority on UA
Sep 21, 2012, 10:59 am
#77
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COdbaUA has shown that it doesn't "really" care about benefits for MM flyers - unless they are InfiniteElites - so I don't believe they'd have changed the upgrade status list.
Others may disagree.
Dave
Sep 21, 2012, 11:02 am
#78
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No. Purchase date and then check-in time break the tie, I believe. MM status does not come into play at all.
Sep 21, 2012, 11:11 am
#80
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Sep 21, 2012, 11:18 am
#81
Moderator: United Airlines
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Sep 21, 2012, 8:48 pm
#82
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Reston, VA, USA
Programs: UA GS MM, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 115
Are some 1K's better than others?
Okay, I'm frustrated. Please help me out:
I travel with a colleague from IAD-ICN and back each month. He became a 1K for the first time a few months ago and has flown about 130K BIS this year. I have been Global Services for 4 years, and 1K for 6 years after that. I have 1.5M miles on UA, 200K BIS this year.
Since my collegaue became 1K he is ALWAYS higher than me on any of the upgrade lists. His last name starts with a G, mine with an S.
It got really ridiculous today, as we are returning from ICN:
Tickets were booked together on one PNR. Same status (1K), Same fare class (V), same ticket price. As soon as the tickets confirmed we requested upgrades. We were using SWU from the same account (mine) for the return. The PNR separated into two separate (but linked) PNR's 24 hours before departure on the outbound.
He used auto-check in for his flight and was automatically checked in for the return a T-24.
I checked in manually at T-23.
At that point the DM list looked as follows:
1. XYZ/ A
2. My colleague, Mr. G.
3. XYZ/A
4. Myself, Mrs. S.
and so on.
As we get closer to departure, people start slotting in between us. He remains no. 2 for a long time, I keep dropping. As we are on the bus to the airport, I call UA and ask them what is going on. At that point Mr G is still second, I have dropped to 8th and won't be clearing. Nobody can explain why I keep dropping, and he stays put. Remember: same status, same fare, time added is different by one hour, but that doesn't explain why people are getting between us on the list. Based on what I know they should either:
1. Be GS and slot in above Mr. G.
2. Be 1K and a higher fare and slot in above Mr. G
3. Be 1K, same fare and added to the list later and slot in below both of us.
Number 3 on the DM list makes sense: 1K on same fare who checked in after Mr. G, but before me.
2 Supervisors review this while I'm on the phone and tell me the Mr. G and myself are still adjacent on the "sequence list", and they have no idea why we are separating on the DM list. They end up putting a memo on the record for the airport staff to review the list. At the airport another supervisor looks at it and agrees it makes no sense. He ends up overriding the list and clearing me just after Mr. G, and number 3.
If I hadn't called and had it reviewed, I would have been in coach (the horror!).
Additional data point: We were cleared for first on the SFO-IAD leg at booking. On the screen at the airport they show cleared upgrades at the top of the list. Mr. G was listed as number 3 on the list, I was number 15. Those cleared at the same time several weeks back, but the priority glitch still "made the list" with 12 spaces separating us.
So:
Is there a ranking system between 1Ks (for example are 1Ks appointed by MMers less than first-hand 1Ks)?
Is there something wrong with my profile at UA that gets me bumped down the list?
Can it be fixed?
I'm puzzled and really frustrated. At first it was sort of funny that a brand new first time 1K would trump a MM 1K on the same fare, but when it results in this sort of skewing, I am no longer amused, and wondering what else I am not clearing as a result? Usually I do not have the benefit of knowing the status and fare and time added of my fellow upgraders. It seems clear that something is not right, but how can I fix it?
Froeken
I travel with a colleague from IAD-ICN and back each month. He became a 1K for the first time a few months ago and has flown about 130K BIS this year. I have been Global Services for 4 years, and 1K for 6 years after that. I have 1.5M miles on UA, 200K BIS this year.
Since my collegaue became 1K he is ALWAYS higher than me on any of the upgrade lists. His last name starts with a G, mine with an S.
It got really ridiculous today, as we are returning from ICN:
Tickets were booked together on one PNR. Same status (1K), Same fare class (V), same ticket price. As soon as the tickets confirmed we requested upgrades. We were using SWU from the same account (mine) for the return. The PNR separated into two separate (but linked) PNR's 24 hours before departure on the outbound.
He used auto-check in for his flight and was automatically checked in for the return a T-24.
I checked in manually at T-23.
At that point the DM list looked as follows:
1. XYZ/ A
2. My colleague, Mr. G.
3. XYZ/A
4. Myself, Mrs. S.
and so on.
As we get closer to departure, people start slotting in between us. He remains no. 2 for a long time, I keep dropping. As we are on the bus to the airport, I call UA and ask them what is going on. At that point Mr G is still second, I have dropped to 8th and won't be clearing. Nobody can explain why I keep dropping, and he stays put. Remember: same status, same fare, time added is different by one hour, but that doesn't explain why people are getting between us on the list. Based on what I know they should either:
1. Be GS and slot in above Mr. G.
2. Be 1K and a higher fare and slot in above Mr. G
3. Be 1K, same fare and added to the list later and slot in below both of us.
Number 3 on the DM list makes sense: 1K on same fare who checked in after Mr. G, but before me.
2 Supervisors review this while I'm on the phone and tell me the Mr. G and myself are still adjacent on the "sequence list", and they have no idea why we are separating on the DM list. They end up putting a memo on the record for the airport staff to review the list. At the airport another supervisor looks at it and agrees it makes no sense. He ends up overriding the list and clearing me just after Mr. G, and number 3.
If I hadn't called and had it reviewed, I would have been in coach (the horror!).
Additional data point: We were cleared for first on the SFO-IAD leg at booking. On the screen at the airport they show cleared upgrades at the top of the list. Mr. G was listed as number 3 on the list, I was number 15. Those cleared at the same time several weeks back, but the priority glitch still "made the list" with 12 spaces separating us.
So:
Is there a ranking system between 1Ks (for example are 1Ks appointed by MMers less than first-hand 1Ks)?
Is there something wrong with my profile at UA that gets me bumped down the list?
Can it be fixed?
I'm puzzled and really frustrated. At first it was sort of funny that a brand new first time 1K would trump a MM 1K on the same fare, but when it results in this sort of skewing, I am no longer amused, and wondering what else I am not clearing as a result? Usually I do not have the benefit of knowing the status and fare and time added of my fellow upgraders. It seems clear that something is not right, but how can I fix it?
Froeken
Sep 21, 2012, 9:14 pm
#83
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Do they perhaps look at how long one has been 1K vs fare vs revenue earned overall ?
eg I'm zero now. Literally. But am thinking of doing like 4 MRs in coach on LH/UA for around $8K which can make me 1K which would make me look like peanuts in UA's eyes !
eg I'm zero now. Literally. But am thinking of doing like 4 MRs in coach on LH/UA for around $8K which can make me 1K which would make me look like peanuts in UA's eyes !
Last edited by Guy Betsy; Sep 21, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Sep 21, 2012, 9:21 pm
#84
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,761
Are you now a GS?
If you are no longer a GS but a 1K, then MM status does not matter.
It is suppose to be status, fare class and time of request
Note the time can not be the same, so whoever requested first is first.
If you are no longer a GS but a 1K, then MM status does not matter.
It is suppose to be status, fare class and time of request
Note the time can not be the same, so whoever requested first is first.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 21, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Sep 21, 2012, 9:23 pm
#85
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: Recovering after 7 years of UA 1K, Still UA Silver (Which means nothing), Marriott Lifetime Plat Pre
Posts: 1,950
I had the opposite happen, where I was #1 on the list and they cleared two people below me for the last remaining seats. I went up and asked and was told that they were already upgraded on an earlier flight and missconnected. I was told they showed up below me because they had lower fares, but that they upgraded them ahead of me as they had already been upgraded, so they had priority.
Sadly when I missconnected after being upgraded, and had to wait for the upgraded flight, I was not offered the same courtesy.
I really don't trust that upgrade list, or the way they mange it these days.
Sep 21, 2012, 10:03 pm
#86
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 246
Tickets were booked together on one PNR. Same status (1K), Same fare class (V), same ticket price. As soon as the tickets confirmed we requested upgrades. We were using SWU from the same account (mine) for the return. The PNR separated into two separate (but linked) PNR's 24 hours before departure on the outbound.
Froeken
Why did this get moved to a GS thread? OP makes it clear that she is a 1K.
Sep 22, 2012, 4:23 am
#87
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: UA/CO-GS/PPlat,AA-Gold,SPG-Plat,Hilton-Diamond,Marriott-Plat,Hertz-Pres_Circe
Posts: 824
Okay, I'm frustrated. Please help me out:
I travel with a colleague from IAD-ICN and back each month. He became a 1K for the first time a few months ago and has flown about 130K BIS this year. I have been Global Services for 4 years, and 1K for 6 years after that. I have 1.5M miles on UA, 200K BIS this year.
Since my collegaue became 1K he is ALWAYS higher than me on any of the upgrade lists. His last name starts with a G, mine with an S.
It got really ridiculous today, as we are returning from ICN:
Tickets were booked together on one PNR. Same status (1K), Same fare class (V), same ticket price. As soon as the tickets confirmed we requested upgrades. We were using SWU from the same account (mine) for the return. The PNR separated into two separate (but linked) PNR's 24 hours before departure on the outbound.
He used auto-check in for his flight and was automatically checked in for the return a T-24.
I checked in manually at T-23.
At that point the DM list looked as follows:
1. XYZ/ A
2. My colleague, Mr. G.
3. XYZ/A
4. Myself, Mrs. S.
and so on.
As we get closer to departure, people start slotting in between us. He remains no. 2 for a long time, I keep dropping. As we are on the bus to the airport, I call UA and ask them what is going on. At that point Mr G is still second, I have dropped to 8th and won't be clearing. Nobody can explain why I keep dropping, and he stays put. Remember: same status, same fare, time added is different by one hour, but that doesn't explain why people are getting between us on the list. Based on what I know they should either:
1. Be GS and slot in above Mr. G.
2. Be 1K and a higher fare and slot in above Mr. G
3. Be 1K, same fare and added to the list later and slot in below both of us.
Number 3 on the DM list makes sense: 1K on same fare who checked in after Mr. G, but before me.
2 Supervisors review this while I'm on the phone and tell me the Mr. G and myself are still adjacent on the "sequence list", and they have no idea why we are separating on the DM list. They end up putting a memo on the record for the airport staff to review the list. At the airport another supervisor looks at it and agrees it makes no sense. He ends up overriding the list and clearing me just after Mr. G, and number 3.
If I hadn't called and had it reviewed, I would have been in coach (the horror!).
Additional data point: We were cleared for first on the SFO-IAD leg at booking. On the screen at the airport they show cleared upgrades at the top of the list. Mr. G was listed as number 3 on the list, I was number 15. Those cleared at the same time several weeks back, but the priority glitch still "made the list" with 12 spaces separating us.
So:
Is there a ranking system between 1Ks (for example are 1Ks appointed by MMers less than first-hand 1Ks)?
Is there something wrong with my profile at UA that gets me bumped down the list?
Can it be fixed?
I'm puzzled and really frustrated. At first it was sort of funny that a brand new first time 1K would trump a MM 1K on the same fare, but when it results in this sort of skewing, I am no longer amused, and wondering what else I am not clearing as a result? Usually I do not have the benefit of knowing the status and fare and time added of my fellow upgraders. It seems clear that something is not right, but how can I fix it?
Froeken
I travel with a colleague from IAD-ICN and back each month. He became a 1K for the first time a few months ago and has flown about 130K BIS this year. I have been Global Services for 4 years, and 1K for 6 years after that. I have 1.5M miles on UA, 200K BIS this year.
Since my collegaue became 1K he is ALWAYS higher than me on any of the upgrade lists. His last name starts with a G, mine with an S.
It got really ridiculous today, as we are returning from ICN:
Tickets were booked together on one PNR. Same status (1K), Same fare class (V), same ticket price. As soon as the tickets confirmed we requested upgrades. We were using SWU from the same account (mine) for the return. The PNR separated into two separate (but linked) PNR's 24 hours before departure on the outbound.
He used auto-check in for his flight and was automatically checked in for the return a T-24.
I checked in manually at T-23.
At that point the DM list looked as follows:
1. XYZ/ A
2. My colleague, Mr. G.
3. XYZ/A
4. Myself, Mrs. S.
and so on.
As we get closer to departure, people start slotting in between us. He remains no. 2 for a long time, I keep dropping. As we are on the bus to the airport, I call UA and ask them what is going on. At that point Mr G is still second, I have dropped to 8th and won't be clearing. Nobody can explain why I keep dropping, and he stays put. Remember: same status, same fare, time added is different by one hour, but that doesn't explain why people are getting between us on the list. Based on what I know they should either:
1. Be GS and slot in above Mr. G.
2. Be 1K and a higher fare and slot in above Mr. G
3. Be 1K, same fare and added to the list later and slot in below both of us.
Number 3 on the DM list makes sense: 1K on same fare who checked in after Mr. G, but before me.
2 Supervisors review this while I'm on the phone and tell me the Mr. G and myself are still adjacent on the "sequence list", and they have no idea why we are separating on the DM list. They end up putting a memo on the record for the airport staff to review the list. At the airport another supervisor looks at it and agrees it makes no sense. He ends up overriding the list and clearing me just after Mr. G, and number 3.
If I hadn't called and had it reviewed, I would have been in coach (the horror!).
Additional data point: We were cleared for first on the SFO-IAD leg at booking. On the screen at the airport they show cleared upgrades at the top of the list. Mr. G was listed as number 3 on the list, I was number 15. Those cleared at the same time several weeks back, but the priority glitch still "made the list" with 12 spaces separating us.
So:
Is there a ranking system between 1Ks (for example are 1Ks appointed by MMers less than first-hand 1Ks)?
Is there something wrong with my profile at UA that gets me bumped down the list?
Can it be fixed?
I'm puzzled and really frustrated. At first it was sort of funny that a brand new first time 1K would trump a MM 1K on the same fare, but when it results in this sort of skewing, I am no longer amused, and wondering what else I am not clearing as a result? Usually I do not have the benefit of knowing the status and fare and time added of my fellow upgraders. It seems clear that something is not right, but how can I fix it?
Froeken
Sep 22, 2012, 6:23 am
#88
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Reston, VA, USA
Programs: UA GS MM, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 115
I have had this happen. Wife and I were #1 & 2 using my GPU's on same PNR and others. Started appearing between us. This was PMCO (Shares pre 3-3). CO researched, and actually told me they believed it was manually done by an overseas contract agent. I was even successful at the time getting a RCC agent to move me to #1 on the list manually (I got the battlefield upgrade post boarding).
Last edited by iluv2fly; Sep 22, 2012 at 7:29 am Reason: merge
Sep 22, 2012, 9:13 am
#89
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
Nope, a 1K now. I see that MM status does not matter, I just included the info for a complete picture. So with Status, fare, and time added being the criteria, how are we becoming separated? We were added an hour apart with one person between us. At that point, I would have thought that we would travel up and down the list together (with one person between us).
Sep 22, 2012, 9:32 am
#90
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Shouldn't matter.
