1K/GS Leaving is Working - Upgrades Getting Easier?
Jun 16, 2012, 4:16 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 11,055
1K/GS Leaving is Working - Upgrades Getting Easier?
I am 1K but I am too cheap to pay high fares (for even company travels). So, I tend to book early and get lower fare classes (S or T, with rare W/V or H). The upgrades weren't clearning as quickly the last few months. I even did not get upgraded for some flights.
Now it seems to be getting easier. Out of 4 upgradable segments this week and next week, 3 cleared at 96 hours and 1 cleared at 72.
Maybe it is a summer thing? Or, they are releasing the seats more generously now they have better IM/YM data? Or, the real heavy travellers leaving is already starting to make a difference?
Now it seems to be getting easier. Out of 4 upgradable segments this week and next week, 3 cleared at 96 hours and 1 cleared at 72.
Maybe it is a summer thing? Or, they are releasing the seats more generously now they have better IM/YM data? Or, the real heavy travellers leaving is already starting to make a difference?
Jun 16, 2012, 4:18 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,781
I am 1K but I am too cheap to pay high fares (for even company travels). So, I tend to book early and get lower fare classes (S or T, with rare W/V or H). The upgrades weren't clearning as quickly the last few months. I even did not get upgraded for some flights.
Now it seems to be getting easier. Out of 4 upgradable segments this week and next week, 3 cleared at 96 hours and 1 cleared at 72.
Maybe it is a summer thing? Or, they are releasing the seats more generously now they have better IM/YM data? Or, the real heavy travellers leaving is already starting to make a difference?
Now it seems to be getting easier. Out of 4 upgradable segments this week and next week, 3 cleared at 96 hours and 1 cleared at 72.
Maybe it is a summer thing? Or, they are releasing the seats more generously now they have better IM/YM data? Or, the real heavy travellers leaving is already starting to make a difference?
Jun 16, 2012, 4:24 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I am 1K but I am too cheap to pay high fares (for even company travels). So, I tend to book early and get lower fare classes (S or T, with rare W/V or H). The upgrades weren't clearning as quickly the last few months. I even did not get upgraded for some flights.
Now it seems to be getting easier. Out of 4 upgradable segments this week and next week, 3 cleared at 96 hours and 1 cleared at 72.
Maybe it is a summer thing? Or, they are releasing the seats more generously now they have better IM/YM data? Or, the real heavy travellers leaving is already starting to make a difference?
Now it seems to be getting easier. Out of 4 upgradable segments this week and next week, 3 cleared at 96 hours and 1 cleared at 72.
Maybe it is a summer thing? Or, they are releasing the seats more generously now they have better IM/YM data? Or, the real heavy travellers leaving is already starting to make a difference?
Jun 16, 2012, 4:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: UAL 1K, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 348
not seeing it here and i am usually Q or above. even RPUs seem to be rare..did see in another thread that 2 other FTers were on same flt as me on Thursday and they bought upgrades for $109...no offer here.
Jun 16, 2012, 4:32 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 11,055
It was Friday, Friday, Sunday, Sunday.
Yesterday, one flight had only 16 people on the F WL (about 10 cleared? - was a 739 with 20 seats in F). The strange thing was that there was an empty seat and the gate agent pulled up a guy in AA FA uniform to sit in F.
Tomorrow, both are mid con 2 hour flights. I cleared the first one on Wednesday and 2nd one on Thursday.
Yesterday, one flight had only 16 people on the F WL (about 10 cleared? - was a 739 with 20 seats in F). The strange thing was that there was an empty seat and the gate agent pulled up a guy in AA FA uniform to sit in F.
Tomorrow, both are mid con 2 hour flights. I cleared the first one on Wednesday and 2nd one on Thursday.
Jun 16, 2012, 4:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,781
It was Friday, Friday, Sunday, Sunday.
Yesterday, one flight had only 16 people on the F WL (about 10 cleared? - was a 739 with 20 seats in F). The strange thing was that there was an empty seat and the gate agent pulled up a guy in AA FA uniform to sit in F.
Tomorrow, both are mid con 2 hour flights. I cleared the first one on Wednesday and 2nd one on Thursday.
Yesterday, one flight had only 16 people on the F WL (about 10 cleared? - was a 739 with 20 seats in F). The strange thing was that there was an empty seat and the gate agent pulled up a guy in AA FA uniform to sit in F.
Tomorrow, both are mid con 2 hour flights. I cleared the first one on Wednesday and 2nd one on Thursday.
Jun 16, 2012, 4:54 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 11,055
Jun 16, 2012, 6:09 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 534
1K/GS Leaving is Working - Upgrades Getting Easier?
Any ideas on SFO/LAX-HNL complimentary upgrades on a 767? Is using a regional upgrade worth it on a lunchtime flight in August?? Or should I just take chances on the UDU which looks like far from in-between nowadays even for 1K's?
Jun 16, 2012, 7:27 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: United Premier 1K, Marriott Platinum, Frontier, Delta, Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club
Posts: 928
Jun 16, 2012, 7:38 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver, CO USA
Programs: UA-Gold, 1MM, Marriott Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 1,086
Most 1k's & GS I know personally have moved to AA or Delta at least for the summer. IROP's and customer service rudeness is mentioned most often. They want pleasant service and buy lots of F. Roughly, half are from CO living in IAH, the others in DEN UA flyers, yet they agree UA has lost the striving for excellence standard.
On a positive note....At UA in FAI .....they have all new people with no experience w/ UA or CO. How refreshing! They all know the computer, they smile, and are a breath of fresh air. I also watched them interact with each other; they work as a team. True, it is not a busy hub, think it is seasonal, yet what a start....Hats off to the trainers and the new employees.
Upgrades are not as plentiful this year for me...I had a record of 4 years getting upgraded. It is no more....though all my west coast to Hawaii have come through...DEN to LAX & SFO have not.
On a positive note....At UA in FAI .....they have all new people with no experience w/ UA or CO. How refreshing! They all know the computer, they smile, and are a breath of fresh air. I also watched them interact with each other; they work as a team. True, it is not a busy hub, think it is seasonal, yet what a start....Hats off to the trainers and the new employees.
Upgrades are not as plentiful this year for me...I had a record of 4 years getting upgraded. It is no more....though all my west coast to Hawaii have come through...DEN to LAX & SFO have not.
Jun 16, 2012, 8:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: GSP
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 52
I am 1K but I am too cheap to pay high fares (for even company travels). So, I tend to book early and get lower fare classes (S or T, with rare W/V or H). The upgrades weren't clearning as quickly the last few months. I even did not get upgraded for some flights.
Now it seems to be getting easier. Out of 4 upgradable segments this week and next week, 3 cleared at 96 hours and 1 cleared at 72.
Maybe it is a summer thing? Or, they are releasing the seats more generously now they have better IM/YM data? Or, the real heavy travellers leaving is already starting to make a difference?
Now it seems to be getting easier. Out of 4 upgradable segments this week and next week, 3 cleared at 96 hours and 1 cleared at 72.
Maybe it is a summer thing? Or, they are releasing the seats more generously now they have better IM/YM data? Or, the real heavy travellers leaving is already starting to make a difference?
Jun 16, 2012, 8:51 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,845
If it's at all important to you, use the RPU but make sure the upgrade is available at time of ticketing. Otherwise, you're still running a big risk.