At <24h, int'l UPGs now only can be WL'd by airport staff
#16
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: UA MP 1K 2MM
Posts: 527
This policy of basically erasing the WL at 24 hrs, is really a bad idea for those of us whose international flights (where GPU really matters) are connecting from another station. We have a SEA-SFO-SYD flight later this year and the idea that we would wait until the change of plane at SFO to GET on the list again, is pathetic. Come to think of it, I think this is something that CO may have done previously--we had a dramatic wait at the gate on an EWR-BOM flight last year and I think we got on only because I asked a CSR at EWR when we arrived there if we were on the WL--she couldn't find us, although we'd been on the WL for 3 months.
How did CO have such a fine reputation for customer service? Or was that in the previous administration? I recall in the 1960s-1970s always preferring CO to UA on SEA-DEN flights; and when they pulled out of DEN, I had fewer experiences and didn't know how much CO had changed.
Flyer 420
in sunny (seriously) Seattle
How did CO have such a fine reputation for customer service? Or was that in the previous administration? I recall in the 1960s-1970s always preferring CO to UA on SEA-DEN flights; and when they pulled out of DEN, I had fewer experiences and didn't know how much CO had changed.
Flyer 420
in sunny (seriously) Seattle
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
This is patently false. Plenty of agents are confused about the new policies. Unfortunate, but it comes with change.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
I'd say it basically is when it's C-F on a US-Asia flight.
Things are so bad that all the apologists and shills have either given up or gone to ground.
Things are so bad that all the apologists and shills have either given up or gone to ground.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Mar 24, 2012 at 8:53 am Reason: merge
#19
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Programs: Hertz and Best Western, a free agent in all other respects
Posts: 384
There was a long related thread that I can't find, but this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18210316-post31.html
has part of it.
has part of it.
#20
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,895
If the list doesn't transfer over (and it has in the past but that might not be active or it might be broken since 3/3; I have no idea) then the action of being put back on the list manually is, in fact, an airport function. I wouldn't expect the phone agents to be able to handle airport functions.
#21
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
That is certainly one limitation of it being an airport function.
#22
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
But, really, it's an awful system if the descriptions are true!
(Loved our recent visit to Seattle - and it was sunny then too!)
#23
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
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Posts: 67,146
#24
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 86
I am glad someone started a thread on this because I am very confused and was about to post my experience from this week. I am a GS and was traveling between ORD and Asia (outbound to PEK, return from NRT).
Two weeks ago, I put in for GPUs to move from J/C to F. For both segments, the online reservation showed the booked and waitlisted segments. On Monday of this week, I went to the airport knowing that I hadn't cleared on the outbound. At the United Club, I asked about my status on the w/l and was told that I wasn't on it. I was also told that the new policy was that one could not request to be put on the w/l after T < 24. I complained that I had put in for a GPU two weeks ago and the agents put me back on the list. I ended up being #1 and never cleared.
While in Asia during the week, I called the GS line to check on my return upgrade. Now mind you the nice ladies at the United Club at ORD told me that my return upgrade was properly documented, looked good, and would most likely come through (no promises of course). When I called to check on Wednesday, the GS agent told me that not only was I not on the w/l, but that she had no history indicating that I had ever been on it. I asked to NOT be put back on the list due to all this confusion. Of course, two GPUs are missing from my account and have yet to return.
I am so confused about what is the right procedure and why my upgrades are not working. I hope UA gets its act together very soon.
Two weeks ago, I put in for GPUs to move from J/C to F. For both segments, the online reservation showed the booked and waitlisted segments. On Monday of this week, I went to the airport knowing that I hadn't cleared on the outbound. At the United Club, I asked about my status on the w/l and was told that I wasn't on it. I was also told that the new policy was that one could not request to be put on the w/l after T < 24. I complained that I had put in for a GPU two weeks ago and the agents put me back on the list. I ended up being #1 and never cleared.
While in Asia during the week, I called the GS line to check on my return upgrade. Now mind you the nice ladies at the United Club at ORD told me that my return upgrade was properly documented, looked good, and would most likely come through (no promises of course). When I called to check on Wednesday, the GS agent told me that not only was I not on the w/l, but that she had no history indicating that I had ever been on it. I asked to NOT be put back on the list due to all this confusion. Of course, two GPUs are missing from my account and have yet to return.
I am so confused about what is the right procedure and why my upgrades are not working. I hope UA gets its act together very soon.
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
What's most disappointing/frustrating about all of these problems is that the new system won't allow human intervention into the process. I don't think it's a coincidence that the new DL TV ads make reference to DL's application of "common sense" into the airline experience. UA used to have this, but the new managers clearly don't want this as part of the new airline. Quite frustrating. DL's new ad campaign has resonated strongly with me and as a result, I stepped onto a DL plane last week for the first time in several years.
#27
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
...
After checking with airport, 1k supervisor advised that the "new process" is that not only do int'l res WL (ie, those created > 24 hours from flight) NOT automatically transfer to the airport nowadays, but that the ONLY way to get on the airport UPG list is at the airport at departure. Online check-in does NOT put one on the WL for int'l flights.
She noted that this "new process" (ie, the only way to get on the <24h list is to do it at the airport) applies only to int'l flights and not to dom ones....
After checking with airport, 1k supervisor advised that the "new process" is that not only do int'l res WL (ie, those created > 24 hours from flight) NOT automatically transfer to the airport nowadays, but that the ONLY way to get on the airport UPG list is at the airport at departure. Online check-in does NOT put one on the WL for int'l flights.
She noted that this "new process" (ie, the only way to get on the <24h list is to do it at the airport) applies only to int'l flights and not to dom ones....
If working correct (which is not a certainity), anyone on a waitlist at T-24 is transferred to the upgrade standby list (note not called waitlist). And you can not make a new "waitlist" request post T-24. If there is R/RN space you should be able to make a post T-24 request but that needs to be done on the phone, not at the airport.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-upgrades.html
#29
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
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Posts: 66,859
#30
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Programs: UA Gold 1mm, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 662
Actually, I was thinking that if all of this is true, a person connecting to an international flight from another airport might have an advantage, as they would be at the first airport much earlier than people just flying the international segment alone, and could get added earlier. This assumes that any agent at any airport could add you to the wait list, which seems likely if the RCC people can do it as reported.
But, really, it's an awful system if the descriptions are true!
(Loved our recent visit to Seattle - and it was sunny then too!)
But, really, it's an awful system if the descriptions are true!
(Loved our recent visit to Seattle - and it was sunny then too!)