Jul 3, 2022, 3:33 pm
Upgrade Shenanigans? [Consolidated]
Mar 21, 2024, 7:17 pm
#286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
I swear in the CO days, before the app was a glimmer in anyone's eye (anyone remember pda.continental.com?) up to 30% of a GA's workload pre-boarding could be summarized as "Will my upgrade/standby clear?" (Some of the old CO outstations still have the refrigerator clips adjacent to the podium where proactive gate agents would print and post the ranked list of NRSAs for that flight; don't believe that ever included revenue upgrades though)
Those were the days.
Mar 21, 2024, 7:45 pm
#287
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
Agreed, although IIRC it was actually a free-for-all once it got to the gate. “Do you happen to have any upgrades available on CO1234?” The answer was almost always yes — IIRC I had something like 100 consecutive segments in F, except for two that I had cleared at T-100 or whatever it was, but had to do a last-minute change to full flights.
Those were the days.
Those were the days.
Mar 22, 2024, 3:48 pm
#288
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YEG
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 323
This happened to me once. Mid-flight I felt a tap on my shoulder and some guy standing there says he was #1 and this was supposed to be his seat. Would I mind explaining how I got upgraded ahead of him?
I stared at him for a few seconds before putting my headphones back on and ignoring him. The FA told him to return to his seat.
So no, I don’t think it’s a good idea to disturb a total stranger to satisfy your curiosity. You’ll only make an arse of yourself.
I stared at him for a few seconds before putting my headphones back on and ignoring him. The FA told him to return to his seat.
So no, I don’t think it’s a good idea to disturb a total stranger to satisfy your curiosity. You’ll only make an arse of yourself.
(Also, I asked him after the flight, I wouldn't want to create any uncomfortable situations in a confined space. And I was very friendly about it, I swear!)
Mar 22, 2024, 3:54 pm
#289
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YEG
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 323
Well, given that I am 100% certain that there are at least two lists, what’s to say that there aren’t three? Or, more to the point, what’s to say that there aren’t two, but you, the gate agent, and the guy who got upgraded were all looking at the wrong one? And yes, I understand how ridiculous this sounds, but I’m telling you that I saw somebody who was like 7th on the app’s list be #1 on the website’s list and get the upgrade. Since that day, I haven’t trusted the lists much at all, which is sad, really.
I've sent a complaint off to United, see what they say. Usually it's a simple explanation, I hope they have one. Thanks for your perspective.
Mar 22, 2024, 4:27 pm
#290
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 2,774
This happened to me once. Mid-flight I felt a tap on my shoulder and some guy standing there says he was #1 and this was supposed to be his seat. Would I mind explaining how I got upgraded ahead of him?
So no, I don’t think it’s a good idea to disturb a total stranger to satisfy your curiosity.
So no, I don’t think it’s a good idea to disturb a total stranger to satisfy your curiosity.
Mar 22, 2024, 10:28 pm
#291
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Silicon wasteland
Programs: UA 1KMM
Posts: 1,381
Are you 100 perccent certain that there are two lists on every flight (and hence there would necessarily have also been two on OP's flight) or are you 100 percent certain that there have been instances with two lists?
Can you satisfy my curiosity? How were you upgraded ahead of him???
Can you satisfy my curiosity? How were you upgraded ahead of him???
I still think it's some sort of "surprise and delght" UA said they would do by upgrading those who hadn't upgraded much. But I'd never not been upgraded for a long time -- back when one could apply the +P at T-80.
So either there is a hidden list, or some sort of intentional randomness. But it really honks off the #1 that skipped
Mar 22, 2024, 11:31 pm
#292
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
The latter. But seeing it even once has torpedoed my faith in the entire system. The web and the app lists are not pulling from the same data source or they couldn’t possibly get out of sync in the way that I saw.
Mar 23, 2024, 8:15 am
#293
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
Programs: *
Posts: 2,774
Last edited by ani90; Mar 23, 2024 at 8:21 am
Mar 23, 2024, 9:15 am
#294
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
So if your faith in the system is torpedoed, what makes you certain that a 'right' list actually exists and this isn't just shenanigans as the OP suggests? How do we know that there was a 'right' list that existed and that the initial upgrade indeed followed any listed sequence?
Mar 23, 2024, 9:54 am
#295
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YEG
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 323
I've been upgraded as #7. With one seat remaining. Onboard. Just after my neighbor got upgraded (also onboard) as #3 on the list, and I made a slightly snide comment. Neither of us made any attention or pleads to the GA. We knew the drill.
I still think it's some sort of "surprise and delght" UA said they would do by upgrading those who hadn't upgraded much. But I'd never not been upgraded for a long time -- back when one could apply the +P at T-80.
So either there is a hidden list, or some sort of intentional randomness. But it really honks off the #1 that skipped
I still think it's some sort of "surprise and delght" UA said they would do by upgrading those who hadn't upgraded much. But I'd never not been upgraded for a long time -- back when one could apply the +P at T-80.
So either there is a hidden list, or some sort of intentional randomness. But it really honks off the #1 that skipped
Mar 23, 2024, 12:55 pm
#296
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
If there are "two lists" (which has perhaps been reported once or twice - no suggestions yet it is a widespread issue) it is a computer issue not GA caused.
Mar 23, 2024, 2:32 pm
#297
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Your assuming the GAs are doing that (note the FAs have no role in clearing upgrades). It is all done by computer and if a GA tries to override, their fingerprints will be all over the override and subject to audit. GA discretion has been severely restricted on upgrades due to past history of GA shenanigans. The display list was the best enforcement issue against shenanigans and GAs know they will be called out.
Mar 23, 2024, 3:03 pm
#298
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: UA *Alliance
Posts: 5,621
Absolutely not, mind your own business. Would you follow someone to a table at a busy restaurant to find out why they may have been seated before you? Would you go bother another table at a restaurant to ask why they got food first or drinks first? It's nunya. Randomly knock on a hotel room door and found if they got upgraded or paid for the room?
Mar 23, 2024, 5:50 pm
#299
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
1) Mommy and I were waitlisted for I. Showed up as 13 and 14 in app but CS agent said we were 1 and 2 on her screen. Did not clear.
2) I was waitlisted for I. I did not show at all in the app. My BP said "upgrade requested." Agents could see me on one list but not another. So they gave me PR1 (I did not ask for it) and I was magically #1 on the app list. I cleared just as boarding was starting.
Mar 23, 2024, 9:40 pm
#300
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
Almost 20 years ago the fabulous MsHalls120 and I were traveling IAD-LHR. At check-in, I was surprisedly upgraded to J, but she was not, as she had no status. We went through security, and then to the UC. After getting settled, I walked over to the gate and explained to the GA that I'd like to let my wife sit in J and I'd take her seat in coach. The GA said that would be something I needed to take up with the Purser. Back to the lounge, we eventually headed back to the gate, and heard the GA asking for MsHalls120. She went up and came back with a smile and an upgrade.
Sometimes being nice pays off.
Sometimes being nice pays off.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 23, 2024 at 9:57 pm Reason: Using symbols, spaces or other methods to mask vulgarities is not allowed.