That's strange, it looks like because their oversold on UA127 they've tried to move you onto the direct EI flight. Usually they ask first and give compensation, although I don't believe they have to.

I would suggest that if you're happy with the direct route (which I would be) call back to UA and tell them EI say you're not ticketed on that flight and ask them to fix it. Secondly ask them to assign decent seats for you. Finally after flying, email UA and ask for original routing credit for the itinerary.

Get to the airport in plenty of time tomorrow as it looks like it could be a painful experience.

PS The weather up here in the NE is rubbish, so I'd steer clear if I were you.

It seems like they've merely "protected" you on the other flight, as is sometimes done with IRROPS, rather than actually ticketing the new reservation. Interesting.

^

Does seat assignment even play any role in Op Ups, however miniscule? From everything I've read and experienced, the answer is "no".

On the phone now, 25 minute wait time. Guessing there are lots of IRROPS at the moment?

Good point, although it could also be that the SHARES not playing nicely with partners issue has struck again and they had intended on ticketing him with EI.

I have seen no evidence that it does, but then a GA might chose to op-up somebody waiting for a seat assignment if there is a last minute no-show in C/F rather than try and upgrade somebody who has already boarded.

It's now ticketed with me flying both flights tomorrow DUB->MCO on EI and DUB->IAD->MCO on UA. So no idea which flight I am on. I called United and the agent told me she didn't know and to go to the airport in the morning to find out.

Which would you prefer? If I were you I'd take the non-stop.

Id prefer non-stop. Do you think I'll get to choose?

If you're booked and ticketed on the EI flight, just check in... You might want to swing by the UA desk at the airport and check that they've properly sorted the segments so that nothing goes wrong with your return though.

How will he receive his miles though? EI gives 50% RDM and 0% PQM. Would they give him original routing credit in this case?

At the airport now and checked in on the EI flight. Worked out extremely well in the end! That was the flight I wanted to be on originally but it was waay to expensive.

Should do; they changed his flight due to an oversale.

For the original issue, not having a seat assigned in economy does increase slightly your chances of getting an "upgrade", but only as far as E+. However far more likely is that once you hit the check-in window a number of Silvers who currently have seats in E- will move up to E+, freeing seats in E-.

If both E- and E+ are full and an op-up is required, the odds of it being someone without status are all but zero - they are going to move someone with status up, and then give you their seat.

Yes, but it won't happen automatically - he'll need to call.

My reservation has disappeared on the website. I'm guessing I should I be worried?

Yes. Call immediately.