demosthenes1

I'm not at all okay with that. IM has plenty of ways to control inventory. They don't need an extra super secret way to do that we can't monitor. It makes it feel like United is cheating, killing whatever trust is left. Tell us how the system is supposed to work, and let us see that it is actually working the way its supposed to. If R isn't allowed to drop to zero during a sweep we have no way of knowing whether the system is working or not.

MichaelaMichaels

1K using RPU. I receivd notification that I was "waitlisted". At t -24, I did not see my name on the upgrade list. I called the 1K line and was told that my name does not show up on the list unless I am checked in. Sure enough, I check in and my name goes to position 1 but now the flight shows booked full. Was I ever on the list at all?

I am now on hold (for 45 minutes) to speak with a supervisor.

This still is not right---weeks later.

UA-NYC

I don't think it's unreasonable, IF it's R9 at T-96, to only let it go to R2 post-sweep - this does allow for mileage/RPU upgrades still to be processed, which gives late bookers a better shot especially if they're lower status.

Why does R have to drop all the way to 0 to know it's working? IF it drops 6-7 "amounts" right at a sweep window, we know it's working.

I wish R meant NF, but those days have passed. At this point I'd settle for knowing there was at least some correlation between R space and CPUs running at the windows, but that doesn't exist now.

belynch

Hang up. The system worked fine.

You don't show-up on the upgrade waitlist until you've checked-in. You received correct information and the system worked as designed.

Generally if you've applied an instrument to a reservation that doesn't clear you'll see a duplicate segment when viewing the reservation showing the upgraded cabin with a note in red saying "this segment is waitlisted."

demosthenes1

But R can act like NF. R can be managed over time as appropriate. Mileage/RPU upgrades can still be processed later as additional R is released. What I am objecting to is an inventory category that we can't see.

MichaelaMichaels

Prior to 3/3, upgrades on this route cleared 100% of the time.

UA-NYC

I hear you - not saying I like it. I doubt we'll ever see R=NF, but if at least we knew the rule was something like "at sweeps clear CPUs down to R2, but never clear CPUs below R2 until T-24", we'd at least feel confident if we saw R9 right before a sweep window.

As we've seen the past two weeks, R9 is meaningless (unless using an instrument/miles of course).

belynch

Must have been nice.
Doesn't mean the system is broken though.

ETA: My original reply came across as snarky, I apologize.

What I very un-eloquently was trying to say was that although past upgrade success is a good indicator for future upgrade success on specific flights, it is not an absolute indicator.

Not sure what the route is you're flying, but if there's a large event (NCAA tournament?), conference, or something unusual that may have created a temporary spike in premium traffic. Additionally, maybe revenue management re-evaluated the fare basis on the flight and manipulated it to get more revenue front-cabin passengers.

Or, maybe, you just got really unlucky and a handful of GS' beat you to it.

limey1K

I bought a B fare DEN-IAH-ATL ticket and then checked the "Instant Upgrade" button on the reservation for both legs. I was upgraded DEN-IAH but not on the IAH-ATL leg and I was put on the waitlist. Called UA and waited for an agent who told me that the Y/B/M upgrade is only available if seats are available in F. I pulled the seating availabliity again and asked her why I hadnt cleared as I had checked prior to buying the B fare and it showed:

United Economy (B)
Available Cabins: F2, JN1, Y4, YN4, B4, M1, E1, U1

She said she wasn't sure and that I should "just keep checking the website to see if it clears".

This was not a cheap ticket and purchased specfically in the B fare bucket to get the upgrade.

BTW, .bomb is offering to upgrade me on the IAH-ATL segment for 20K miles and show two seats available! Nice touch UA

NickP 1K

PN is needed for B/M Instant upgrades
JN for Y Instant upgrades

Both of these are searchable on expertflyer; normally also from what others reported if you purchase on united.com you DO have a chance to confirm the instant upgrade prior to payment final click through. Through your travel agent or offline ticketed you should use expertflyer.

PN seems to match ZN which is standard First/Biz Awards - This also seem to match regular farecodes A and P

JN seems to match regular seat availability in F - so a Y instant farecode upgrade means if a rev seat is available it's yours (so it seems)

NickP 1K

Full means system shows full; misconnects/no shows/flight changes can STILL give a little hope if you are #1 on the list.

davewang202

I just received an email @ 7:31AM this morning, stating that my L fare ticket for a March 20, 7 AM flight cleared Elite upgrade.

It seems that this upgrade cleared at the 96 hour mark on L fare. Which appears to serve as a counter example to the statement from the phone agent.

limey1K

Thanks for the info. That'll help on expectations in the future.

Sterndogg

Good to know and yeah clearly there is a ton of confusion over there at corporate. My L fare LAS-IAH cleared at the 48hr mark this week.

mnmme

But you now have Silver/Golds/Plat's on Y/B fares and RPU's/Miles with priority ahead of you.

It only taked 2 or 3 of those to put leave you in Y.