Oct 6, 2013, 9:42 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Guide to CPUs
In order for you to receive a CPU, four conditions have to be met at the same moment in time:
(NB: The following does not apply to GS members, whose CPUs process at least somewhat differently, out of the PN bucket.)
1. The flight must be within the relevant CPU window:
If the flight is scheduled to depart after midnight central time, all of these windows open 24 hours early, due to a system glitch.
2. There must be CPU availability. CPUs for non-GS members draw from an invisible bucket that is often (but not always) pegged to roughly one or two less than the R bucket. At the gate, all remaining seats are released.
3. You must be high enough on the relevant upgrade list.
There are two separate upgrade lists, used during the two different upgrade processes described in (4) below. Understand how these lists work is one of the things people struggle with the most.
The Pre-Gate List (a/k/a the "sweeps list" or "EUA list")
This list is used in the pre-gate process described in (4) below. Your presence on the list is indicated by the CPU Requested icon/language on your reservation, but you cannot find out what position you are on this list through any public method. The list is sorted in this manner:
This list controls upgrades at the gate. It is semi-visible to the public on the status page for a flight, but the status page only shows checked in passengers. Even if you appear first on the list, you might actually be fifteenth by the time everyone checks in.
This list is in the same order as the list above, except that the time-related tiebreakers (such as time of purchase) are replaced with sequence number (which is related to time of check-in). Additionally, certain non-revs (airline employees and family traveling for free or at low cost) are put on the gate list, at the end.
4. One of the two upgrade processes must run.
The Pre-Gate Process (a/k/a the "sweeps" or "EUA")
This process runs at certain times in the days leading up to the flight. It typically runs at 24 hour intervals leading up to T-24, at which point it begins to run more often. It is unclear exactly how often it runs, or when it stops running. There are reports of upgrades that seem to have been given by the pre-gate system even once boarding has begun.
The Gate Process
This process is manually accomplished by the GA, typically once if there are empty seats after check-in has closed, and again if there are no-shows in F. In the latter case, the GA may come onto the plane to give the new boarding pass to the passenger.
Sometimes the GA might not run the process, which makes them a Very Bad GA. On very rare occasions, they might fiddle with the process to upgrade their friends, which we call "shenanigans." That makes them a Mega Bad And Very In Trouble GA. Both of these situations should be reported in the relevant FT thread and directly to UA.
CPU FAQ
I'm number one on the upgrade list on the flight status page. Does that mean I'm first in line for the upgrade?
No, unless the check-in window has passed and the flight is under gate control.
There are seats available in F, why have I not been upgraded yet?
That's not how it works. See above.
There is R availability, why haven't I been upgraded yet?
That's not how it works. See above.
Will the time that I check in affect my ability to get an upgrade?
Probably not. It is the third tie-breaker on the gate list only. See above.
Do I need to check in to get an upgrade?
No. Except at the gate. But if you're not checked in by that time, you have bigger problems.
Who are all these people on the standby list and the upgrade list(s)?
Non-revs. See above.
But the website says that the Silver window opens the day of departure, not at T-24!
Ignore that.
But the website says that there is a "transfer" of the lists at T-24!
Ignore that.
But the agent said ____________________________!
Ignore them.
DidItClear
If the DidItClear website is going to be effective, it needs more members and trip upgrade data!
Please visit https://www.diditclear.com/ and include your trip experience with CPU's, RPU's, GPU's and any other means of upgrading available on United.
The better the data, the better the search results and experiential history.
In order for you to receive a CPU, four conditions have to be met at the same moment in time:
(NB: The following does not apply to GS members, whose CPUs process at least somewhat differently, out of the PN bucket.)
1. The flight must be within the relevant CPU window:
- GS: 120 hours
- 1K: 96 hours
- Plat: 72 hours
- Gold: 48 hours
- Silver: 24 hours
If the flight is scheduled to depart after midnight central time, all of these windows open 24 hours early, due to a system glitch.
2. There must be CPU availability. CPUs for non-GS members draw from an invisible bucket that is often (but not always) pegged to roughly one or two less than the R bucket. At the gate, all remaining seats are released.
3. You must be high enough on the relevant upgrade list.
There are two separate upgrade lists, used during the two different upgrade processes described in (4) below. Understand how these lists work is one of the things people struggle with the most.
The Pre-Gate List (a/k/a the "sweeps list" or "EUA list")
This list is used in the pre-gate process described in (4) below. Your presence on the list is indicated by the CPU Requested icon/language on your reservation, but you cannot find out what position you are on this list through any public method. The list is sorted in this manner:
- Displaced first-class passengers (Bought two-segment F ticket, F wasn't available on this segment at time of purchase)
- GS using any method (note GS clear out of PN)
- Uncleared instant upgrades, sorted by fare class* and status (e.g.: Silver in Y, Plat in B, Gold in B, 1K in M)
- Waitlisted instrument/mile upgrades, sorted by status of redeeming account, fare class, and then time of request (e.g.: person in N upgrading using 1K's miles, Plat in S using own RPU applied on Tuesday, person in S using a Plat's RPU applied on Friday)**
- CPUs, sorted by status, fare class, and time of purchase (e.g.: 1K in E, 1K in N, Plat in E, Plat in X***, Gold in G purchased in November, Gold in G purchased in December)
*The coach fare classes, in the order that is relevant to this whole discussion, are: Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G, N, YN/HN/XN/X
**Note: The upgrades above CPU can clear using R space, CPU appears to be a subset, so R space alone is not sufficent for CPU clearing.
***CPUs are only available for mileage tickets for certain credit card holders. It's a complicated issue that is generally beyond the scope of this thread. There is a separate thread for it.
The Gate List (a/k/a the "visible list")- GS using any method (note GS clear out of PN)
- Uncleared instant upgrades, sorted by fare class* and status (e.g.: Silver in Y, Plat in B, Gold in B, 1K in M)
- Waitlisted instrument/mile upgrades, sorted by status of redeeming account, fare class, and then time of request (e.g.: person in N upgrading using 1K's miles, Plat in S using own RPU applied on Tuesday, person in S using a Plat's RPU applied on Friday)**
- CPUs, sorted by status, fare class, and time of purchase (e.g.: 1K in E, 1K in N, Plat in E, Plat in X***, Gold in G purchased in November, Gold in G purchased in December)
*The coach fare classes, in the order that is relevant to this whole discussion, are: Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G, N, YN/HN/XN/X
**Note: The upgrades above CPU can clear using R space, CPU appears to be a subset, so R space alone is not sufficent for CPU clearing.
***CPUs are only available for mileage tickets for certain credit card holders. It's a complicated issue that is generally beyond the scope of this thread. There is a separate thread for it.
This list controls upgrades at the gate. It is semi-visible to the public on the status page for a flight, but the status page only shows checked in passengers. Even if you appear first on the list, you might actually be fifteenth by the time everyone checks in.
This list is in the same order as the list above, except that the time-related tiebreakers (such as time of purchase) are replaced with sequence number (which is related to time of check-in). Additionally, certain non-revs (airline employees and family traveling for free or at low cost) are put on the gate list, at the end.
4. One of the two upgrade processes must run.
The Pre-Gate Process (a/k/a the "sweeps" or "EUA")
This process runs at certain times in the days leading up to the flight. It typically runs at 24 hour intervals leading up to T-24, at which point it begins to run more often. It is unclear exactly how often it runs, or when it stops running. There are reports of upgrades that seem to have been given by the pre-gate system even once boarding has begun.
The Gate Process
This process is manually accomplished by the GA, typically once if there are empty seats after check-in has closed, and again if there are no-shows in F. In the latter case, the GA may come onto the plane to give the new boarding pass to the passenger.
Sometimes the GA might not run the process, which makes them a Very Bad GA. On very rare occasions, they might fiddle with the process to upgrade their friends, which we call "shenanigans." That makes them a Mega Bad And Very In Trouble GA. Both of these situations should be reported in the relevant FT thread and directly to UA.
CPU FAQ
I'm number one on the upgrade list on the flight status page. Does that mean I'm first in line for the upgrade?
No, unless the check-in window has passed and the flight is under gate control.
There are seats available in F, why have I not been upgraded yet?
That's not how it works. See above.
There is R availability, why haven't I been upgraded yet?
That's not how it works. See above.
Will the time that I check in affect my ability to get an upgrade?
Probably not. It is the third tie-breaker on the gate list only. See above.
Do I need to check in to get an upgrade?
No. Except at the gate. But if you're not checked in by that time, you have bigger problems.
Who are all these people on the standby list and the upgrade list(s)?
Non-revs. See above.
But the website says that the Silver window opens the day of departure, not at T-24!
Ignore that.
But the website says that there is a "transfer" of the lists at T-24!
Ignore that.
But the agent said ____________________________!
Ignore them.
DidItClear
If the DidItClear website is going to be effective, it needs more members and trip upgrade data!
Please visit https://www.diditclear.com/ and include your trip experience with CPU's, RPU's, GPU's and any other means of upgrading available on United.
The better the data, the better the search results and experiential history.
"Questions About Complimentary Premier Upgrades (CPU) on UA" Thread [ARCHIVE])
Apr 29, 2013, 3:48 pm
#137
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 109
No CPU for St. Maarten?
Just back from St. Maarten. I am a Platinum but was never listed for an upgrade. When I asked I was told by agent that I had to use miles for an upgrade.
Apr 29, 2013, 3:57 pm
#138
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,243
Not true - there are CPUs on that route. The agent was wrong.
Did your reservation (not the checkin standby list) indicate that an upgrade was requested? Anything unusual about the ticket? (Bought through a consolidator, award ticket, etc.?)
Did your reservation (not the checkin standby list) indicate that an upgrade was requested? Anything unusual about the ticket? (Bought through a consolidator, award ticket, etc.?)
Apr 29, 2013, 4:16 pm
#139
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 109
Nothing unusual about the economy ticket. But no "upgrade request" on reservation.
Apr 29, 2013, 5:51 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MCO, DCA, IAD
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,134
Apr 30, 2013, 8:21 am
#141
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,891
Are tix purchased in one fare bucket treated the same?
Myself and another F/t'er are flying SFO-BOS-SFO tomorrow (5/1)
Both of us are 1k's (& MM if that matters) and our tix were both purchased in "G" with me purchasing 2 days before her
Before we used vouchers, her G fare was higher than mine by $20 and her net purchase after vouchers was also higher than mine
My CPU cleared last night at midnight (T-36 hours) and she is still waitlisted
There is currently one seat still remaining (flight is F1 and as of now, she is #1 on the waitlist) but with both of us in G and her fare technically higher, should she/shouldn't she have cleared before me? I'm not complaining mind you
, just wondering.
Both of us are 1k's (& MM if that matters) and our tix were both purchased in "G" with me purchasing 2 days before her
Before we used vouchers, her G fare was higher than mine by $20 and her net purchase after vouchers was also higher than mine
My CPU cleared last night at midnight (T-36 hours) and she is still waitlisted
There is currently one seat still remaining (flight is F1 and as of now, she is #1 on the waitlist) but with both of us in G and her fare technically higher, should she/shouldn't she have cleared before me? I'm not complaining mind you
, just wondering.
Apr 30, 2013, 8:37 am
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,176
Myself and another F/t'er are flying SFO-BOS-SFO tomorrow (5/1)
Both of us are 1k's (& MM if that matters) and our tix were both purchased in "G" with me purchasing 2 days before her
Before we used vouchers, her G fare was higher than mine by $20 and her net purchase after vouchers was also higher than mine
My CPU cleared last night at midnight (T-36 hours) and she is still waitlisted
There is currently one seat still remaining (flight is F1 and as of now, she is #1 on the waitlist) but with both of us in G and her fare technically higher, should she/shouldn't she have cleared before me? I'm not complaining mind you, just wondering.
Both of us are 1k's (& MM if that matters) and our tix were both purchased in "G" with me purchasing 2 days before her
Before we used vouchers, her G fare was higher than mine by $20 and her net purchase after vouchers was also higher than mine
My CPU cleared last night at midnight (T-36 hours) and she is still waitlisted
There is currently one seat still remaining (flight is F1 and as of now, she is #1 on the waitlist) but with both of us in G and her fare technically higher, should she/shouldn't she have cleared before me? I'm not complaining mind you
, just wondering.
May 6, 2013, 10:18 am
#143
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,891
Does check-in time determine position on the waitlist?
Fellow F/t'er and myself flew SFO-IAD-CLT this past Saturday:
So with all of that, it appears that check-in time plays a factor in waitlist position as in theory (n.b. in theory), where my ticket was booked before his, that should put me on the waitlist before him, right?
- Both of us are 1k's
- Both of us were booked in "N"
- My ticket was booked 2 weeks before his
- We both checked in on-line at T-24
- His check-in sequence number was lower than mine (which I take as he checked in before I did)
- He appeared above me on the waitlist for both SFO-IAD and IAD-CLT
So with all of that, it appears that check-in time plays a factor in waitlist position as in theory (n.b. in theory), where my ticket was booked before his, that should put me on the waitlist before him, right?
May 6, 2013, 10:20 am
#144
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Fellow F/t'er and myself flew SFO-IAD-CLT this past Saturday:
So with all of that, it appears that check-in time plays a factor in waitlist position as in theory (n.b. in theory), where my ticket was booked before his, that should put me on the waitlist before him, right?
- Both of us are 1k's
- Both of us were booked in "N"
- My ticket was booked 2 weeks before his
- We both checked in on-line at T-24
- His check-in sequence number was lower than mine (which I take as he checked in before I did)
- He appeared above me on the waitlist for both SFO-IAD and IAD-CLT
So with all of that, it appears that check-in time plays a factor in waitlist position as in theory (n.b. in theory), where my ticket was booked before his, that should put me on the waitlist before him, right?
May 6, 2013, 10:35 am
#145
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,891
May 7, 2013, 9:53 pm
#146
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, IHG Plat, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,416
CPU - possible to know if available on flight booked within upgrade window?
Until recently I was exec plat on AA. When doing a new booking within the 100 hour complimentary upgrade window, I could actually be upgraded before even purchasing the ticket (if upgrade space was available, of course)
I'm now premier plat on UA, is it possible to know if you can be "immediately" upgraded for a new ticket within the 72 hour window?
I'm now premier plat on UA, is it possible to know if you can be "immediately" upgraded for a new ticket within the 72 hour window?
May 7, 2013, 9:58 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,720
No, UACO made it opaque.
May 7, 2013, 11:22 pm
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
May 7, 2013, 11:43 pm
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,720