Jun 28, 2019, 10:46 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
It appears at times, UA will release upgrade space, now labeled as PZ, but the upgrade waitlist is not processed until a later time. During this period of time, a new upgrade request will clear, ignoring the waitlist. This could be a new request or someone calling to request their waitlisted request to be clear (sometimes called -- "jumping the queue"). So as a defensive move, some may try to call to get their waitlisted request cleared if this situation occurs. Over the years agents, at times, have been reluctant or agreeable to doing this. More recently there are reports of agents needing supervisor approval to do this (this may be UA's attempt to prevent "queue jumping").
Another strategy in this situation is to remove a waitlisted request and then reapply. This does risk losing one's place on the waitlist if unsuccessful
At times, the waitlist process seems to be delayed for an extended period of time, it is speculated that this is a situation where the waitlist processing is "stuck" -- this may be due to a ticket out-of-sync issue with the passenger on top of the waitlist or other causes. A good agent will notice this if you call about clearing and fix the situation.
Releated thread
Difference of"Upgrade Requested","Segment has been Waitlisted","R/PZ class requested"
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Archive thread: Upgrade still waitlisted even though R (now PZ) class is available {Archive}
Another strategy in this situation is to remove a waitlisted request and then reapply. This does risk losing one's place on the waitlist if unsuccessful
At times, the waitlist process seems to be delayed for an extended period of time, it is speculated that this is a situation where the waitlist processing is "stuck" -- this may be due to a ticket out-of-sync issue with the passenger on top of the waitlist or other causes. A good agent will notice this if you call about clearing and fix the situation.
Releated thread
Difference of"Upgrade Requested","Segment has been Waitlisted","R/PZ class requested"
Changes to UA's Fare Classes (19-20 October 2018)
Archive thread: Upgrade still waitlisted even though R (now PZ) class is available {Archive}
Upgrade still waitlisted even though PZ (previously R) class is available
Dec 8, 2019, 6:35 pm
#436
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Basically, there's no way to detect that inventory has changed for PN/PZ without going through every single flight.In fact, with the new handy-dandy " you can see the waitlist for future flights" tool, the folks who try to skip the PZ queue while knowing full well there is an existing waitlist can't be too irritated if they see themselves appear on the waitlist where they should be.
Dec 8, 2019, 8:05 pm
#438
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Dec 8, 2019, 9:30 pm
#439
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-RM
Dec 8, 2019, 9:38 pm
#440
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I was on ORD-SFO-LAS a few days ago using an instrument. I had not been upgraded on the SFO-LAS flight was it was sold out. On my way to SFO, I see that two people must have cancelled/taken another flight and it became J2 and PN2. I still had not been upgraded. When I landed in SFO 2.5 hours later, same thing. I went to the UC and asked if they could confirm the upgrade. Two agents refused, stating that only the gate could do it and that they were saving these seats for purchase. I countered that if they were doing that, they probably would not have PN2 there. They called a GS agent at SFO and she reluctantly pushed it though (and btw, I was first on the list).
Dec 10, 2019, 6:56 am
#441
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
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"Incompetent agent" describes that entire experience. There's no requirement the instrument be applied only to the segment that has PZ. You apply it to the itinerary, and it clears the segments that have upgrade space, and waitlists on the ones that do not.
My observations have consistently been to the contrary.
IME long-haul flights frequently close with PZ never opening. Indeed, since UA stopped leveling buckets predictably inside T-3, they'll often close without P or Z opening, preventing SDC on discount fares.
My observations have consistently been to the contrary.
IME long-haul flights frequently close with PZ never opening. Indeed, since UA stopped leveling buckets predictably inside T-3, they'll often close without P or Z opening, preventing SDC on discount fares.
Dec 10, 2019, 7:11 am
#442
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Dec 10, 2019, 7:43 am
#443
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Dec 10, 2019, 8:05 am
#444
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If this were before T-1h and closer to the T-3h then it's very easy to apply an upgrade and get confirmed immediately using the website or app.
PS - your post didn't specify but I'm assuming this is for someone who isn't already waitlisted. If they were, they can un-apply the waitlisted upgrade and then re-apply for it and get confirmed immediately. Queue jumping has been around for years and United doesn't want to fix it. So this loophole remains.
-RM
Dec 10, 2019, 10:08 am
#445
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
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Good to know it works up to T-1h, I guess I might feel more reticent about snagging upgrades in this manner when the list is clearly published and folks are likely checking their apps and I’m lower down on the list, but maybe not...
.
Dec 27, 2019, 9:32 am
#446
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Chicago
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Can confirm this happened even with MUA. Applied an MUA for 30k+$450 (lol never flew business before) PP+Polaris on 12/6 for CMH-DEN-SFO-TPE on 12/13 and was waitlisted as no PZ is available. On the day of travel, I was #13 for PP and #18 for Polaris (I’m a silver) and cpu didn’t clear on domestic legs. However, while onboard DEN-SFO, I discovered that the “Upgrade Cabin” button was available and I applied 30k+$450 again and was double charged $450 but miles was not deducted again. Spoke to reps at SFO and I was confirmed on PP but also waitlisted #8 for PP AND double-waitlisted #13,14 for Polaris. Somehow I jumped the queue (cleared to #9) and got confirmed in Polaris before boarding (maybe they clear passengers in PP first regardless of paid/upgrade status?).
Dec 27, 2019, 9:45 am
#447
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Somehow I jumped the queue (cleared to #9 ) and got confirmed in Polaris before boarding (maybe they clear passengers in PP first regardless of paid/upgrade status?).
Ended up either changing the date or canceling the ticket and flying another day...
Would be interested in hearing others experiences, though!
Dec 27, 2019, 10:24 am
#448
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Feb 1, 2020, 8:54 pm
#449
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calling to request upgrades while on waitlist?
I am sure this is covered at length somewhere......
but, especially in this new PP-era........
some of you have commented about how after purchasing a ticket, you get waitlisted for an upgrade - but in expert mode, can you tell what fare class indicates that there is an upgrade available - and if you can call in to request it?
-m
but, especially in this new PP-era........
some of you have commented about how after purchasing a ticket, you get waitlisted for an upgrade - but in expert mode, can you tell what fare class indicates that there is an upgrade available - and if you can call in to request it?
-m
Feb 1, 2020, 9:27 pm
#450
Moderator: United Airlines
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Same as before, PZ for non-GS supported requests, PN for GS supported requests