Told by UA agent to choose between CPU queue OR companion benes
Apr 11, 2013, 1:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Southern CT & Phoenix, AZ
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Hyatt Plat, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 237
Told by UA agent to choose between CPU queue OR companion benes
Here is the story.
3 pax res - one PNR - Plat plus two general members
Assigned all 3 seats in E+
At T+72 (my upgrade window), I needed to split the reservation to allow myself and one companion enter the CPU upgrade queue. Assumed other companion would remain eligible for E+ seating (already assigned) and free baggage allowance since all 3 tix were PURCHASED on the same PNR.
After split, the "upgrade requested" and "upgrade eligible" flags appear on the original PNR which now has 2 pax. New PNR with general member now shows a E+ upsell offer AND baggage fees of $25/$35.
Called Premier line and agent says that new PNR is no longer eligible for E+ or baggage allowance. She said it was my choice to split the reservation and I now lose these benefits. I protest saying this is a system limitation of UA and NOT my choice, and she basically tells me to go pound sand.
Never would have made the split if the stupid SHARES system did not require me to do this in order to process potential upgrades. Now I am told I need to trade off one Premier benefit for the other.
Wondering if anyone else has had similar experience or different POV from other agents.
3 pax res - one PNR - Plat plus two general members
Assigned all 3 seats in E+
At T+72 (my upgrade window), I needed to split the reservation to allow myself and one companion enter the CPU upgrade queue. Assumed other companion would remain eligible for E+ seating (already assigned) and free baggage allowance since all 3 tix were PURCHASED on the same PNR.
After split, the "upgrade requested" and "upgrade eligible" flags appear on the original PNR which now has 2 pax. New PNR with general member now shows a E+ upsell offer AND baggage fees of $25/$35.
Called Premier line and agent says that new PNR is no longer eligible for E+ or baggage allowance. She said it was my choice to split the reservation and I now lose these benefits. I protest saying this is a system limitation of UA and NOT my choice, and she basically tells me to go pound sand.
Never would have made the split if the stupid SHARES system did not require me to do this in order to process potential upgrades. Now I am told I need to trade off one Premier benefit for the other.
Wondering if anyone else has had similar experience or different POV from other agents.
Apr 11, 2013, 1:24 pm
#2
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,281
it is one or the other in this case.
For PMUA, to guest someone into E+, you had to also be in E+, not up front.
For PMUA, to guest someone into E+, you had to also be in E+, not up front.
Apr 11, 2013, 1:26 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 334
Exactly same situation
However, mine ended differently.
My two kids (GM's) on my PNR (GS). My wife who is also GS was upgraded at the 120 hour make on the same flight under a separate PNR (not split, different booking).
We called GS and asked to move one of the kids to my wife's PNR since having two kids was restricting the upgrade for me since we're allowed only one companion upgrade. She couldn't attach my son to my wife, but she just went ahead and upgraded me and the two kids right away.
Now that my son was dangling on his own PNR, he wasn't auto upgraded on the return. We called again, boom upgraded no issues.
This has happened before too.
My two kids (GM's) on my PNR (GS). My wife who is also GS was upgraded at the 120 hour make on the same flight under a separate PNR (not split, different booking).
We called GS and asked to move one of the kids to my wife's PNR since having two kids was restricting the upgrade for me since we're allowed only one companion upgrade. She couldn't attach my son to my wife, but she just went ahead and upgraded me and the two kids right away.
Now that my son was dangling on his own PNR, he wasn't auto upgraded on the return. We called again, boom upgraded no issues.
This has happened before too.
Apr 11, 2013, 1:29 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,982
However, mine ended differently.
My two kids (GM's) on my PNR (GS). My wife who is also GS was upgraded at the 120 hour make on the same flight under a separate PNR (not split, different booking).
We called GS and asked to move one of the kids to my wife's PNR since having two kids was restricting the upgrade for me since we're allowed only one companion upgrade. She couldn't attach my son to my wife, but she just went ahead and upgraded me and the two kids right away.
Now that my son was dangling on his own PNR, he wasn't auto upgraded on the return. We called again, boom upgraded no issues.
This has happened before too.
My two kids (GM's) on my PNR (GS). My wife who is also GS was upgraded at the 120 hour make on the same flight under a separate PNR (not split, different booking).
We called GS and asked to move one of the kids to my wife's PNR since having two kids was restricting the upgrade for me since we're allowed only one companion upgrade. She couldn't attach my son to my wife, but she just went ahead and upgraded me and the two kids right away.
Now that my son was dangling on his own PNR, he wasn't auto upgraded on the return. We called again, boom upgraded no issues.
This has happened before too.
Apr 11, 2013, 1:41 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 334
Domestic First from E+
True. I was hesitant to post this since I was afraid of the arrows heading my way, since someone might think I'm 'stealing' their upgrade.
As a GS member, they do allow us to upgrade a companion on the same PNR at the designated windows (IIRC). Since my child couldn't be attached (but could have had we booked together) we stayed within the intent of the benefit, despite not playing exactly by the rules.
On a different note, I was flying on a 24F 757 SFO-EWR this week and I was in row 6. The FA took GS orders for food and I was number 5 or 6 as she worked her way backwards. She then zigzagged around the cabin by status and ended up with the lady in front of me who got what was left. She was a 1K when I glanced at her BP. That alone keeps me flying UA to make sure I keep what I'm getting today. A 1K getting last choice, wow!
True. I was hesitant to post this since I was afraid of the arrows heading my way, since someone might think I'm 'stealing' their upgrade.
As a GS member, they do allow us to upgrade a companion on the same PNR at the designated windows (IIRC). Since my child couldn't be attached (but could have had we booked together) we stayed within the intent of the benefit, despite not playing exactly by the rules.
On a different note, I was flying on a 24F 757 SFO-EWR this week and I was in row 6. The FA took GS orders for food and I was number 5 or 6 as she worked her way backwards. She then zigzagged around the cabin by status and ended up with the lady in front of me who got what was left. She was a 1K when I glanced at her BP. That alone keeps me flying UA to make sure I keep what I'm getting today. A 1K getting last choice, wow!
Apr 11, 2013, 1:43 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,982
Domestic First from E+
True. I was hesitant to post this since I was afraid of the arrows heading my way, since someone might think I'm 'stealing' their upgrade.
As a GS member, they do allow us to upgrade a companion on the same PNR at the designated windows (IIRC). Since my child couldn't be attached (but could have had we booked together) we stayed within the intent of the benefit, despite not playing exactly by the rules.
On a different note, I was flying on a 24F 757 SFO-EWR this week and I was in row 6. The FA took GS orders for food and I was number 5 or 6 as she worked her way backwards. She then zigzagged around the cabin by status and ended up with the lady in front of me who got what was left. She was a 1K when I glanced at her BP. That alone keeps me flying UA to make sure I keep what I'm getting today. A 1K getting last choice, wow!
True. I was hesitant to post this since I was afraid of the arrows heading my way, since someone might think I'm 'stealing' their upgrade.
As a GS member, they do allow us to upgrade a companion on the same PNR at the designated windows (IIRC). Since my child couldn't be attached (but could have had we booked together) we stayed within the intent of the benefit, despite not playing exactly by the rules.
On a different note, I was flying on a 24F 757 SFO-EWR this week and I was in row 6. The FA took GS orders for food and I was number 5 or 6 as she worked her way backwards. She then zigzagged around the cabin by status and ended up with the lady in front of me who got what was left. She was a 1K when I glanced at her BP. That alone keeps me flying UA to make sure I keep what I'm getting today. A 1K getting last choice, wow!
Apr 11, 2013, 1:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAS, BUD
Programs: UA-1K, Aegean-Gold, TK-Elite, Accor-Platinum, SPG-Gold, Hilton-Gold, Club Carlson-Gold,AMEX-Platinum
Posts: 300
Domestic First from E+
True. I was hesitant to post this since I was afraid of the arrows heading my way, since someone might think I'm 'stealing' their upgrade.
As a GS member, they do allow us to upgrade a companion on the same PNR at the designated windows (IIRC). Since my child couldn't be attached (but could have had we booked together) we stayed within the intent of the benefit, despite not playing exactly by the rules.
On a different note, I was flying on a 24F 757 SFO-EWR this week and I was in row 6. The FA took GS orders for food and I was number 5 or 6 as she worked her way backwards. She then zigzagged around the cabin by status and ended up with the lady in front of me who got what was left. She was a 1K when I glanced at her BP. That alone keeps me flying UA to make sure I keep what I'm getting today. A 1K getting last choice, wow!
True. I was hesitant to post this since I was afraid of the arrows heading my way, since someone might think I'm 'stealing' their upgrade.
As a GS member, they do allow us to upgrade a companion on the same PNR at the designated windows (IIRC). Since my child couldn't be attached (but could have had we booked together) we stayed within the intent of the benefit, despite not playing exactly by the rules.
On a different note, I was flying on a 24F 757 SFO-EWR this week and I was in row 6. The FA took GS orders for food and I was number 5 or 6 as she worked her way backwards. She then zigzagged around the cabin by status and ended up with the lady in front of me who got what was left. She was a 1K when I glanced at her BP. That alone keeps me flying UA to make sure I keep what I'm getting today. A 1K getting last choice, wow!
I can live without it, but then please do not advertise it as some kind of "benefit" because people might expect it, that's all
Apr 11, 2013, 1:48 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
As a note, last year, the split off passenger also received the luggage benefits - but they tightened this up.
Just check their luggage under yours.
Apr 11, 2013, 1:49 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
On a different note, I was flying on a 24F 757 SFO-EWR this week and I was in row 6. The FA took GS orders for food and I was number 5 or 6 as she worked her way backwards. She then zigzagged around the cabin by status and ended up with the lady in front of me who got what was left. She was a 1K when I glanced at her BP. That alone keeps me flying UA to make sure I keep what I'm getting today. A 1K getting last choice, wow!
ps should be extended to the EWR flights as well, but w/o the likes of DL or AA its not gonna happen
Under PMCO as long as the res were at 1 time on the same PNR they allowed all those on the original PNR to get the Elites beenies, and theyw ere able to see when looking at the PNR spun off that it was originally apart of the other PNR. Since 3/3 have they stopped doing that, even back then the person spun off showed they had to pay for their bags. But once at the counter and they looked it wasnt charged
Last edited by craz; Apr 11, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Apr 11, 2013, 2:03 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Southern CT & Phoenix, AZ
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Hyatt Plat, Hilton Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 237
Thanks
Thanks for all the replies.
No the E+ seat for the GM split off was not reassigned (yet) so I'm not going to touch it and hope it continues to stick.
Agree now that if I need the extra baggage allowance, I'll have to deal with it at the counter and show the original PNR. I'll bring a printout with me just in case. If I get push back, I'm going to be a bit peeved -- especially if this whole mess never results in any upgrades being processed. After all it IS a CPU LOTTERY.....if I had to pay a $25 bag fee to be guaranteed 2 upgrades I might actually be able to rationalize this.
No the E+ seat for the GM split off was not reassigned (yet) so I'm not going to touch it and hope it continues to stick.
Agree now that if I need the extra baggage allowance, I'll have to deal with it at the counter and show the original PNR. I'll bring a printout with me just in case. If I get push back, I'm going to be a bit peeved -- especially if this whole mess never results in any upgrades being processed. After all it IS a CPU LOTTERY.....if I had to pay a $25 bag fee to be guaranteed 2 upgrades I might actually be able to rationalize this.