Upgrade with miles--waitlist actually does clear
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Rockville MD USA
Programs: UA former 1K MM
Posts: 2,184
Upgrade with miles--waitlist actually does clear
I booked a IAD-DEN trip about a month ago for a trip on August 3. The return flight had R space available for upgrade with miles, but not the outbound flight. So I tried the waitlist. Today the outbound upgrade cleared.
I had been under the (clearly mistaken) impression that if R space is not available for domestic flights at the time of booking, then it is never released. I guess that previously I had been unable to figure out the upgrade waitlist procedure, after they changed the reservation system.
Just like with the old reservation system, I had to call United to have the reservation agent "clean up" the reservation.
FWIW, the flight still shows R0.
I had been under the (clearly mistaken) impression that if R space is not available for domestic flights at the time of booking, then it is never released. I guess that previously I had been unable to figure out the upgrade waitlist procedure, after they changed the reservation system.
Just like with the old reservation system, I had to call United to have the reservation agent "clean up" the reservation.
FWIW, the flight still shows R0.
#2
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
I booked a IAD-DEN trip about a month ago for a trip on August 3. The return flight had R space available for upgrade with miles, but not the outbound flight. So I tried the waitlist. Today the outbound upgrade cleared.
I had been under the (clearly mistaken) impression that if R space is not available for domestic flights at the time of booking, then it is never released. I guess that previously I had been unable to figure out the upgrade waitlist procedure, after they changed the reservation system.
Just like with the old reservation system, I had to call United to have the reservation agent "clean up" the reservation.
FWIW, the flight still shows R0.
I had been under the (clearly mistaken) impression that if R space is not available for domestic flights at the time of booking, then it is never released. I guess that previously I had been unable to figure out the upgrade waitlist procedure, after they changed the reservation system.
Just like with the old reservation system, I had to call United to have the reservation agent "clean up" the reservation.
FWIW, the flight still shows R0.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Rockville MD USA
Programs: UA former 1K MM
Posts: 2,184
I was under the impression that status trumps miles for upgrades that close in. The upgrades have already been given away to GS and 1K members.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
CPU upgrades yes. but you don't get those on international flights. Miles + Copay will always trump instrument upgrades on the list.
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
Yes waitlists clear quite regularly prior to T-25 or so (assuming UA opens R). The bugginess now is mostly confined to T-25 in.
It will actually clear itself up in a day or so.
That's not really accurate. Waitlists frequently clear days, weeks, or months in advance of T-24.
That's not really accurate. Waitlists frequently clear days, weeks, or months in advance of T-24.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX & EWR/JFK
Programs: Fomerly UA 1K, now Gold... next year, who knows?
Posts: 1,432
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 15
Related question about international travel
So, if I book a flight from New York to Singapore 6-8 months in advance in, let's say E+, as a Silver, for my wife and myself, and we use miles + cash to upgrade to seats showing availability, what are the chances that we will actually be upgraded?
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
#11
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,661
I booked 2 xxx-IAH-NRT-SIN about four days ago and then yesterday applied GPUs to one and miles and copay to the other. Instant upgrade on the IAH-NRT and return legs--the ones I really want upgraded. R space wasn't available when I booked. I was surprised. I made this trip May-June and everything was upgraded except the NRT-SIN legs several weeks in advance. One NRT-SIN ticket was upgraded (mysteriously, a family of four got upgraded in advance of me and I was first on the upgrade list). Outbound was on a Wednesday, return on a Tuesday.
Now, I'm 1K so I'm ahead of you in the pecking order, but upgrades seem more plentiful than last year.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 15
Thanks manneca. Maybe even more plentiful next year if United drives away enough customers.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
But then again i don't know for sure so hey if you say so.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Platinum
Posts: 211
More discussion on this topic here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...p-rpu-gpu.html
Also, from United's own site (emphasis mine):
The following is the order of priority, within five days, on flights that are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades:
- Premier members on eligible Y- and B-class fares, as well as Premier 1K members on M-class fares: Instant upgrades that weren't confirmed in advance are sorted by fare class, then Premier status
- All travelers on waitlisted Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Sorted by Premier status of the redeeming account, then fare class and then time of request
- All remaining Premier members using Complimentary Premier Upgrades: Sorted by Premier status, then fare class and then award travel**
Last edited by MattR23; Jul 6, 2014 at 9:55 am Reason: More context in quote
#15
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 647
If I haven't cleared at T-24, any reason to delay checking in? I can't quite understand the upgrades for those already checked in but it appears those switch to standby upgrades and then those on the waitlist for mileage upgrades are SOL (in which case it would make sense to delay check in). Am I following that correctly?