UA Insider

Hi Everyone,

I want to give you an update on the changes to our united.com Expert Mode feature. By now, most of you know why we made the change we did: Displaying this level of information to all customers was causing significant confusion and questions.

We remain committed to providing information that makes your travel planning experience better, but there is a difference between a feature like Expert Mode -- which is understood by a select set of customers, and new features we’re developing like upgrade status visibility -- which is more easily understood by all customers. I’m happy to say that, as a direct result of your feedback, we have worked hard to accelerate a couple solutions that accomplish this goal.

Within the next two weeks we will:

• Introduce improved upgrade status visibility for all customers. As many of you have seen in our preview site, this feature makes it easier for customers to review their upgrade status on flights for which they have waitlisted for an upgrade, as well as check Complimentary Premier Upgrade eligibility and status. This feature is the direct result of your feedback and will be available to all customers when viewing their reservation on united.com
  Update added as post #267 on 9/21
  
  
• Re-launch of Expert Mode as an opt-in feature. We will re-introduce the ability to view fare-class level information (a.k.a. Expert Mode) to customers who choose this setting in their online MileagePlus profile. This will enable the same level of fare class detail previously displayed to all customers. I’ll post the details about how exactly to configure this setting once it launches
  Update added as post #327 on 9/24

Like you, we wish we could have made these changes concurrently. That said, we appreciate your patience over the next couple of weeks while we roll these out. Thank you as always for your feedback.

Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights
United Airlines

WineCountryUA

A larger number of pre-2016 posts have been moved to Expert Mode: better upgrade visibility and opt-in to see fare bucket data {Archive}

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

pbh220

Hi all,
It's been a while...in the new "expert" mode view, are the fare upgrade classes the same? ie: R/RN=econ-bz upgrade. Also I use to have a script running that would highlight my favorite fare codes: can I get the link to run it?

And, since then I'm Premier Gold, are there any upgrade codes for Gold econ>bz? Anyway could I get the link to the fare upgrade codes ? Are any of the rules changed?

With appreciation,
Peppermint

exerda

The buckets are the same.

Not sure what you mean by "upgrade codes." There are discount business/first fare classes which sometimes agents mistake as being economy fares with a "free upgrade." You can find the ones which are offered via a fare search for business or first; the site unless you ask for a specific fare class will return the cheapest premium cabin fares available, e.g. an A or P fare if offered.

As a Gold, an instrument upgrade (using miles + copay) is possible, of course. We need specifics on route and date to give a better idea on the chances. You may find that a paid upgrade / upgrade for cash is a better deal in some cases, though, and is often available as the fare difference from the economy fare to the discount premium cabin fare (there are threads on the complexities thereof; I don't have one handy, but we had a great analysis posted earlier this year on the premium cabin fares in various markets).

tarheelnj

Here you go...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-united-6.html

aphoward13

R is the fare bucket for any upgrades you would get as a Gold member. PN is used for GS (and instant upgrades on Y/B fares, and M for 1K).

WineCountryUA

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...nited-com.html

explanation of fare codes in the wiki of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...uckets-ua.html.

VWang1111

Clarification on the PN bucket for instant upgrades. PN is the upgrade bucket for instant upgrades for GS and 1k on Y, B, M. RN is used for instant upgrades for Plat and below on Y, B fares.

aphoward13

Is this documented anywhere? Ran a few searches and everything I'm finding from this year indicates PN for all instant upgrades, no mention of RN.

Syzygies

This thread raises an interesting question.

Now, United finds it obvious that they should game us with all the data science they can muster, while keeping us as far in the dark as possible. Shutting down ExpertFlyer R fare searches was just a tiny skirmish in this war. A decade from now, the successor techies at United will be baffled, what were people thinking back in this primitive era? United should be providing better agents than people can code for themselves, watching everything of interest at United on behalf of each customer, having intelligent AI conversations with each customer to learn exactly what we want. Why? Because the more we know, the more we spend.

It's so easy for United to get entrenched in battle formation, keep customers as uninformed as possible, isn't that the game? When will United realize that the real money is in providing expert tools to customers who can't code for themselves?

WineCountryUA

By United no, in FT, see recent posts in
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...does-work.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...uckets-ua.html

Missing EF or KVS access to R as much as anyone, UA provides more info than other domestic legacy carriers.

cur

issue with xpertmode now fixed

Harry IAH

How can I check on UA.com if there is first class available for upgrades?

I am booked on IAH-SCL return at the end of January, and requested an upgrade online, $500 + 25K miles each way. UA charged me and deducted miles, and my status is "upgrade requested".

Read through earlier posts and set my profile to 'expert mode', but now unsure what to do next to see upgrade availability.

Thanks for any help.

yyz_atc_qq

I would think the bigger issue is that there isn't international first (now polaris first) on IAH-SCL

Harry IAH

Just looking for some help on navigating the site. Whether you call it Polaris or First or BusinessFirst, it's all still the front of the plane. Slapping a new label doesn't make the nuts any warmer.