When are GPU / RPU waitlists processed - real time or not

I had this happened to me for one of my flight (EWR-HNL) for this year late May. I called up 1K and they cleaned up the res.

However, another of my flight (SFO-HNL) on a RPU did not clear the waitlist even though R=4 and I had seen others had been cleared. Called 1K but agent insisted to me to wait for the sweep but i persisted. She put me on hold and then came back and apologized that the system failed. She instantly cleared me into R class.

No e-mail/text/call to let me know the upgrade cleared- only found out because of my compulsive checking.

Last week I had booked PS flights for May. When I applied RPU, they ended up being wait listed. Today they cleared automatically. I reckon they have fixed the sweep of assigning R class seats when they open up.

Again, one data point is not conclusive; would like to hear other experiences.

I had to call the other day to "force" SIN - NRT as R>1 and it did not clear automatically. I still have the return leg waitlisted and will post the experience here.

I did have a waitlisted GPU automatically clear on FRA-IAD for Thursday -- got an e-mail and everything. Expert Flyer did not have time to alert me of the R inventory, so that is a positive sign.

Just one data point though.

Just another data point on this. Flying JFK-SFO tomorrow.
Watching these flights like a hawk since my upgrade from 3 MONTHS AGO was waitlisted. At 24hours exactly, all flights turn J space into R space. But R is not being cleared for those on the waitlist.
This is more evidence that RPU's on this route are not being cleared correctly.

UAINSIDER, are you listening?

There is no way that the 11am, 2:30pm, 5:35pm, and 7pm flights on THURSDAY evening (read: consultants, full-fare, Y/B/M) have no waitlisted passengers at the 24hour mark for p.s flights. Clearly RPUs are not being processed by the computer correctly.
I am also interested to learn if others are noticing that this at the 24 hour mark on this route, J turns to R automatically (and incorrectly)...

Posted this in GPU tracker thread but will do so here, too. Just like many of you, I am also looking my reservation like a hawk and noticed

! A modification has been made to your itinerary. Please contact United Reservations to have your ticket reissued.

Given the message, I started looking into whether I could pick a biz class seat on any uncleared segments and, what do you know, I was able to get into NRT - SIN UD but there was nothing to lead me to decipher that (besides the comments on this forum).

Just another reason to get ExpertFlyer subscription and set up notification alerts for when R-space opens up. I'd have preferred if the RPU upgrades processed correctly, but this way at least you can call and have them correct it.

The behavior you're describing is correct.

If R opens up at or inside 24 hours, you won't clear, because you cannot clear inside 24 hours due to SHARES system limitations.

At that point, you can either wait to clear at the gate, or you can call and use another Regional to clear right away.

Wow - I must have missed this...

I thought the GPUs/RPUs that were previously applied do go to the reservation at the 24hour mark, just that NEW GPUs/RPUs could not be applied within 24 hours.

If this is the case - where GPUs/RPUs do no good from 24hours to the Gate, then there is a HUGE issue here!

And THIS is the issue that COdbaUA is working SEVERAL MONTHS to get resolved???

-jeremy

They can be applied IF there is R/ON space available - if not, they can't be WL'd. Of course, you have to have another fresh UG to pull, and then you have to argue with MP to get your old one back. Great system.

In theory (probably more domestically), if you're tried to upgrade with an RPU, should be ahead of anyone in your status level (sans YB or M for 1K) hoping for a CPU. And you should also be ahead of any lower elite (or GM) also trying to use an UG instrumetn.

If I understand correctly, this is a known problem with UA's handling of upgrades and that all I can do now is ask to get on the WL when I arrive at the airport?

iOS app does not show me on WL.

This is C to ON (old configuration 777) for what it is worth (trans atlantic).

Showing F4 ON0 inside 24 hours.

Will I have problems getting on the WL at the airport? I do have a print out showing the previous WL for ON.

It'll cost them money if the 1Ks get fed up and stop flying b/c they aren't getting the upgrades they are accustomed to. (though who says they are logical)

Another data point- my ORD-NRT segment in December has been waitlisted for a few months now. Over the last few days I've noticed several award fare buckets filling up, but no R space. Early this morning at about 2am, every fare code except R was available. I checked again at 930am and it showed R1.

I called the 1K desk and the first agent said I had to wait for the computer. The second said only the revenue management desk can do it and they are unreachable. Finally I got an agent who had a supervisor clear it.

I have been watching PS flights over the last few days. Many are holding back R inventory until T-24, and then magically it opens.

By reading this, I *expect* to be thrown off the waitlist and not receive my upgrade. So, at this point, I would have to use a 2nd instrument to clear and then call them and redeposit? Really?