CPUs improving ?
Mar 29, 2013 | 2:43 pm
#61
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For a long time, I have been trying to make sense out of this "higher number of elites" argument. It should be a wash, except for the fact, as you point out, that capacity is lower.
I wonder if somehow the combination is forcing clusters of elites into higher concentrations across certain routes?
For example, UA didn't serve MXP. So, the combination can force all of UA into EWR for the EWR-MXP, thereby increasing elite concentration on that route.
Similarly, UA has a huge range of flights out of SFO to Asia. I don't know CO's old route map, but I'm guessing they were weaker to Asia. So, before the combination, CO flyers would have chosen any airline to get to Asia. Now, all of them are being more aggressively funneled into the SFO to Asia routes.
Do you think dynamics like this are responsible for the disproportionate increase in elite concentrations being discussed here?
I wonder if somehow the combination is forcing clusters of elites into higher concentrations across certain routes?
For example, UA didn't serve MXP. So, the combination can force all of UA into EWR for the EWR-MXP, thereby increasing elite concentration on that route.
Similarly, UA has a huge range of flights out of SFO to Asia. I don't know CO's old route map, but I'm guessing they were weaker to Asia. So, before the combination, CO flyers would have chosen any airline to get to Asia. Now, all of them are being more aggressively funneled into the SFO to Asia routes.
Do you think dynamics like this are responsible for the disproportionate increase in elite concentrations being discussed here?
It's on the domestic flights that we see the issues - those IAH-based flyers weren't and aren't taking the LGA-ORD flights where I've now missed 3 of my past 4 upgrades on off-peak times.
The key difference? TODs & cheap V-ups are found domestically.
Mar 29, 2013 | 2:44 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 320
Everyone complains about not getting upgraded, then when they do thee complain about the product...so why even care about the CPU?
Last edited by iluv2fly; Mar 29, 2013 at 5:44 pm Reason: merge
Mar 29, 2013 | 2:46 pm
#63
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
Agreed that this is now the case on some int'l routes - TLV/MXP as examples for PMUA flyers, BKK/DXB for PMCO flyers. Yet I don't have any great sense that int'l UG rates are tanking for elites.
It's on the domestic flights that we see the issues - those IAH-based flyers weren't and aren't taking the LGA-ORD flights where I've now missed 3 of my past 4 upgrades on off-peak times.
The key difference? TODs & cheap V-ups are found domestically.
It's on the domestic flights that we see the issues - those IAH-based flyers weren't and aren't taking the LGA-ORD flights where I've now missed 3 of my past 4 upgrades on off-peak times.
The key difference? TODs & cheap V-ups are found domestically.
No doubt, though, that TODs and cheap V-ups have drastically reduced the number of seats available for UG. And, that's here to stay.
Mar 29, 2013 | 2:48 pm
#64
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
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Posts: 733
True
Having been getting upgraded, mostly once I board the plane. A few times being in the exit row with unlimited legroom, I've passed. Other times, I've been grateful.
CPU's are really nothing special on the equipment that UA uses domestically. Yes you get food. Yes you get free direct tv, but that's about it. Nonetheless, I was always taught to never look a gift horse in the mouth. Thank you United. I"M grateful for my status and when the CPU's come, I"m happy.
CPU's are really nothing special on the equipment that UA uses domestically. Yes you get food. Yes you get free direct tv, but that's about it. Nonetheless, I was always taught to never look a gift horse in the mouth. Thank you United. I"M grateful for my status and when the CPU's come, I"m happy.
Mar 29, 2013 | 2:50 pm
#65
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In fairness, I've always had a hard time clearing hub-hub with UA during peak business hours. However, what used to be hard has now become impossible.
No doubt, though, that TODs and cheap V-ups have drastically reduced the number of seats available for UG. And, that's here to stay.
No doubt, though, that TODs and cheap V-ups have drastically reduced the number of seats available for UG. And, that's here to stay.
What IS new now is missing on shorter off-peak, non hub-hub routes - what once was a fluke is now SOP it seems.
Mar 29, 2013 | 3:49 pm
#66
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SFO/JFK
Programs: UA 1P MM, AA-PP, AS, DL
Posts: 2,060
Out of SFO for me - 0 out of 16 so far. So no. Last year a friend, also a PP got 0 all year. He is also based out of SFO>
Last edited by zoegksf; Mar 29, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Mar 29, 2013 | 4:37 pm
#67
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DEN
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I booked 4 friends on economy saver tickets. 4 different reservations. All 4 got upgraded on the domestic leg, at the window. (I have the United card.) Even better? It was an RJ. They occupied 4 of the 6 FC seats, simply because I had the United card and I was a 1K. And because I was smart enough to put them on their own reservations.
Now sure, I should be happy. They are my friends. But c'mon, this sucks. No wonder I never get upgraded anymore!
Mar 29, 2013 | 4:45 pm
#68
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
That's not all. If you want to know where the FC seats are going, consider this story from February.
I booked 4 friends on economy saver tickets. 4 different reservations. All 4 got upgraded on the domestic leg, at the window. (I have the United card.) Even better? It was an RJ. They occupied 4 of the 6 FC seats, simply because I had the United card and I was a 1K. And because I was smart enough to put them on their own reservations.
Now sure, I should be happy. They are my friends. But c'mon, this sucks. No wonder I never get upgraded anymore!
I booked 4 friends on economy saver tickets. 4 different reservations. All 4 got upgraded on the domestic leg, at the window. (I have the United card.) Even better? It was an RJ. They occupied 4 of the 6 FC seats, simply because I had the United card and I was a 1K. And because I was smart enough to put them on their own reservations.
Now sure, I should be happy. They are my friends. But c'mon, this sucks. No wonder I never get upgraded anymore!
Mar 29, 2013 | 5:01 pm
#69
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Mar 29, 2013 | 5:36 pm
#70
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,242
Yes, a long known bug/feature is that award tickets are upgraded solely based on the status (if they have the right credit card0 of the person who booked it.
Mar 29, 2013 | 6:15 pm
#72
Join Date: Mar 2003
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I did a SDC the other day as a 1K and cleared immediately. It was from a hub, where i see lots of movement from flight to flight. I was happy because I was #6 on the list on my original flight.
Now, I dont know the status level of those on the upgrade list, or what the #1 person on the lists status was, but I am sure some of them wondered where that seat went. Of course, the assumtion on FT was that it was TOD. But it wasnt. No way in heck I would pay extra of my own money to sit up front on a midcon.
Now, I dont know the status level of those on the upgrade list, or what the #1 person on the lists status was, but I am sure some of them wondered where that seat went. Of course, the assumtion on FT was that it was TOD. But it wasnt. No way in heck I would pay extra of my own money to sit up front on a midcon.
Mar 29, 2013 | 6:27 pm
#73
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Gold here. Lots of success on short- to medium-hauls, and on a flight to HNL; long-hauls have been no-gos. (Except one transcon where an amazing dude asked me to switch with him from the Y exit row so he could sit with his friend -- what do we call that, a friend-up?)
If y'all have a spare moment, consider tracking your upgrade success at diditclear.com
If the reports on DidItClear are representative, Silver and Gold rates look similar (~30%), as do Plats and 1K's (~60%). To me, this suggests flights are trimodal in terms of F availability, which would make sense to me.
If y'all have a spare moment, consider tracking your upgrade success at diditclear.com
If the reports on DidItClear are representative, Silver and Gold rates look similar (~30%), as do Plats and 1K's (~60%). To me, this suggests flights are trimodal in terms of F availability, which would make sense to me.
Someday I'll have the chance to 'pay it forward'.
My flying is way down this year. but one observation I made was a recent SFO-YYZ flight, a flight for which there are no reasonable V-up (or discounted F seats), as a 319 was R5 a few days before the flight. I was already in F, my partner (Plat) was on a W fare in coach. The 1K window passed, still R4, plat window, R2, then it goes R0 at the gold window, then the flight swaps to a 320 (+4 seats). He ended up #6 on the list. I have a hard time believing that there were 4 plats/1K/GS on a higher fare (observing the lack of people in exit rows), and the presence of R seats post-GS/1K
I'd like to see who cleared, how and why... because I doubt it was according to the CPU published criteria.
I'd like to see who cleared, how and why... because I doubt it was according to the CPU published criteria.
I think this is part of the reason F is fuller - I have used miles or an instrument on every flight this year that I wanted to guarantee an F seat on...
I always try to use my miles to book tickets for others.
For myself, I either buy a cheap ticket if available, or use miles from my partner or children's accounts.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Mar 30, 2013 at 5:11 am Reason: merge
Mar 29, 2013 | 6:39 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Everyone complains about not getting upgraded, then when they do thee complain about the product...so why even care about the CPU?
It is just the new reality. CPUs are just much more of a surprise now than years past for some/most, however some of the other fringe benefits still remain and they have real value in my opinion. My post was mostly in jest but what is "the end"? Probably same place I'm at. I'm still going to fly United, just expect very little. I'll take my E+ seat and just move on. For the most part, United has gotten me where I need to be close to when I need to get there. I'll take the devil I know.
Mar 29, 2013 | 6:47 pm
#75
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 320
I am not seeing where in my post I was complaining about the product?
It is just the new reality. CPUs are just much more of a surprise now than years past for some/most, however some of the other fringe benefits still remain and they have real value in my opinion. My post was mostly in jest but what is "the end"? Probably same place I'm at. I'm still going to fly United, just expect very little. I'll take my E+ seat and just move on. For the most part, United has gotten me where I need to be close to when I need to get there. I'll take the devil I know.
It is just the new reality. CPUs are just much more of a surprise now than years past for some/most, however some of the other fringe benefits still remain and they have real value in my opinion. My post was mostly in jest but what is "the end"? Probably same place I'm at. I'm still going to fly United, just expect very little. I'll take my E+ seat and just move on. For the most part, United has gotten me where I need to be close to when I need to get there. I'll take the devil I know.
I was literally laughing because I loved your story about Bob
I was complaining about this entire thread