I fly mostly in Asia on United, but am doing more in the US this year. Both my wife and I are 1K and I am a million miler (I know it doesn't make a difference for upgrade status). I have made 1K again for 2014.

We are booked economy on a flight from the Newark to Denver. We have both submitted a Regional Premier Upgrade for this flight. While others have been upgraded already, we have not. There is now less than 24 hours prior to the flight, we are checked in and no upgrade and others keep moving ahead of us on the list.

What gives? Is it worth using the RPUs? I have had the same thing happen on other flights where we have used RPUs and even with seats available 96 hours prior to the flight and others were bumped and continue to be bumped into first, but we were not.

Even in cases where we had a lower class ticket, I assumed that the RPU would help, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Thoughts?

When u review at possible flights look for "R" availability. When there is and you book, it will upgrade immediately.

Otherwise doesn't matter what should be done. UA system not very efficient. Best to always keep checking for R and then call- agents will force upgrade.

Of course there is a mystery about what actually goes on behind the scenes, but the scenario you describe also often happens when I use GPUs on international flights. Like most FTer's, I always go through a moment of suspecting some grand conspiracy, but usually get the upgrade within the last 24 hours.

Your status, then fare class (then time of booking) should determine your place in the queue. You're going from hub to hub on a Monday morning, surely a time when heavy-hitters from NYC will be heading somewhere. If they are GS, or 1K but booked at the last minute for business reasons into a higher fare class, they will jump right over you

The best time to use RPU's is when you can already see R availability at booking - then you can grab it!

Sorry for your lack of success

First MM status has no impact on upgrades.

RPUs place you ahead of CPUs.

But ahead of you are all GS (even GS using CPU) and all elites on Y or B fares that have not been Instant Upgraded.
Additionally all 1K on M fares or requested RPUs on higher fares than you.
Depending on the route and day, these can be a significant number of folks.

Additionally at check-in -- do you allow the system to split your PNR (if booked together)? If not you will not be considered for upgrading at the gate.

see the prioritization process at Upgrades Overview

On a personal note, I'm nearly 100% on use of RPUs but the few cases it has not worked is when the RPU did not clear at booking or before the start of the CPU window.

Thanks for the replies, pretty much what I figured.