Feb 9, 2019, 8:39 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight
Related thread - Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight
Related thread - Understanding the United Upgrade List Comprehensively
[Consolidated] Chance of upgrade clearing on my flight {Archive}
Jul 31, 2017, 6:28 pm
#1411
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Does anyone have luck clearing upgrades on the latest EWR-LHR departure (10PM)? Debating whether to apply GPUs once I have them...currently showing P9 PN7 for a late December flight.
Jul 31, 2017, 7:25 pm
#1412
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Aug 2, 2017, 7:11 pm
#1413
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Curious if UA will tell me where I am on the upgrade list ... do agents have access to this info?
Aug 2, 2017, 7:17 pm
#1414
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: CLE (mostly)
Programs: UA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Mlife Gold, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 823
Some have claimed they have been told their position by a UA phone agent, others have been told by agents that "there's no way I can tell."
So either some agents have access and others don't, or some agents lie to tell you something you have no way of knowing is the truth.
The only real way to know is to watch the list itself after check-in until departure.
Aug 2, 2017, 9:35 pm
#1415
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: 66,850
... Some have claimed they have been told their position by a UA phone agent, others have been told by agents that "there's no way I can tell."
So either some agents have access and others don't, or some agents lie to tell you something you have no way of knowing is the truth. ....
So either some agents have access and others don't, or some agents lie to tell you something you have no way of knowing is the truth. ....
Aug 3, 2017, 12:45 am
#1416
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Not sure why they don't have access to the upgrade list. Granted the numbers are always subject to change, but surely they can tell me:
"As of now, there are 10 passengers on the upgrade list, you are #3 and we have 8 seats unsold. This is just where things are at this moment, it can and will change".
"As of now, there are 10 passengers on the upgrade list, you are #3 and we have 8 seats unsold. This is just where things are at this moment, it can and will change".
Given the complexity of the gate list in particular which is the merging of multiple separate waitlists (upgrades, waitlisted awards, displaced passengers, ....) and the fact that folks can join or leave the list at any point, anything you are told is basically fiction.
Aug 3, 2017, 12:52 am
#1417
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,412
I believe agents are explicitly instructed not to tell pax their position on the waitlists.
Aug 3, 2017, 1:44 am
#1418
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: 66,850
.... "As of now, there are 10 passengers on the upgrade list, you are #3 and we have 8 seats unsold. This is just where things are at this moment, it can and will change".
People only hear what they want to hear and ignore the rest.
With a significant number of higher elites and high fare purchases in the days before departure, the position on the upgrade list is meaningless until close to departure. Someone # 1 four weeks out is likely to be much lower at departure.
Aug 3, 2017, 2:26 am
#1419
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NBO/ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 188
All right, feeling lucky....10/16 UA 58 SFO-FRA. 2 pax waitlisted GPUs, both 1K, Q fare.
J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0
Decent shot, right?
J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN0 R0 RN0 IN0 I0
Decent shot, right?
Aug 3, 2017, 8:45 am
#1420
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 287
Upgrade for LAX-LHR on 8/6 cleared this morning. :-)
Aug 3, 2017, 1:54 pm
#1421
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,618
Been there on that flight more than a few times. Here is the rub. IF a bunch of GS jump on it (it is SFO) you won't clear.
Aug 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
#1422
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
You'll likely have a better chance on the later SFO-FRA departure UA 926. Consider a same-day change (of it doesn't cost you) and if the J cabin on UA 58 is filling up with GS.
Aug 3, 2017, 2:38 pm
#1423
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 821
1k here....used miles to upgrade from E+ to First on the MCO-LAX flight on 8/21.....7 seats left and half the plane is empty....booked a T fare ticket...what u think my chances r on getting the upgrade and prediction on when it clears?
Aug 3, 2017, 2:41 pm
#1424
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,412
65% chance in favor of it clearing, no earlier than T-36 hours.
Aug 3, 2017, 2:47 pm
#1425
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: 66,850
Generally leisure routes have a better chance
PN0 means GS will be waitlisted , so am 1K on a low fare might not be at the top of the list. Additional A320 have a small F cabin.
UA is still selling P fares
my guess is a chance but not a certainty. Likely not before gate or day of travel.
Basic Economy is making reading seatmaps even harder with their delay in seating assignments. Sparse E+ is a sign of fewer elites to content with -- but late bookings and TOD are the wildcard.