Feb 26, 2024, 1:05 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the master thread is CPU Clearance Experiences
CPU Clearance Experiences - Archive
May 20, 2019, 10:58 am
#961
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
Plus it can take several minutes longer to offload from the exit row. I am extremely impatient, so absolutely prefer row 7, mainly for that reason. Plus the seats are less uncomfortable.
May 20, 2019, 11:11 am
#962
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,412
One of the principle reasons I will forgo the exit row for row 7 is a tight connection. I'm not absolute in my preference (to not to be teased by the F cabin).
May 21, 2019, 1:45 pm
#963
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
Ditto, plus I find the cheeseburgers often run out before the exit row. Of course proximity to lav odors and traffic can be a big minus, depending on the plane. Everything has tradeoffs.
May 24, 2019, 9:39 am
#964
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Bay Area - East Bay
Programs: UA 1k, AS 75k, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 641
Just got my first ever CPU out of SFO! I guess I just need to be booking more short Saturday morning flights on holiday weekends, lol
May 24, 2019, 10:43 am
#965
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 941
May 25, 2019, 12:55 pm
#967
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Tacoma, WA
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 495
As of right now, I am 5/11 for upgrades as a SEA-based Premier Gold over the last 2 months (just completed a 3 MO status match from Delta). Much better than I anticipated, although the UG lists on hub-hub flights like SFO-DEN are predictably massive, with me typically being in the 30-40 range.
1. EWR-NAS - E+ at booking, was 7th or so out of 15 for FC (A320)
2. SEA-SFO - Upgraded to FC at the 48-hour window, to my surprise (738)
3. SFO-SNA - Upgraded o FC at the gate, even though all 12 FC seats were showing as checked in. Interesting that I was actually called up to the counter by the gate agent; Delta rarely does this (E175)
4. SEA-SFO - E+ at booking, +1 companion (738 I think)
5. SFO-OGG - E+ at booking, +1 companion (752)
6. OGG-DEN - E+ at booking, + 1 companion (772)
7. DEN-PAE - Upgraded at 48-hour window, +1 companion (E175)
8. SEA-SFO - E+ at booking (A320 or 738, don't recall)
9. SFO-DEN - Paid UG to FC for $150. Was a jam packed flight and I didn't have a great seat in E+, so I opted for the cash UG (753)
10. DEN-PAE - Upgraded to FC at gate, although the flight never left due to IRROPS, did sit on tarmac for 5 hours (E175)
11. DEN-PAE, round 2 - Upgraded to FC at gate (E175)
Pretty happy with CPU's on UA so far, as I've only been UG'd 3 times on 20 segments as a Delta Gold Medallion so far this year.
1. EWR-NAS - E+ at booking, was 7th or so out of 15 for FC (A320)
2. SEA-SFO - Upgraded to FC at the 48-hour window, to my surprise (738)
3. SFO-SNA - Upgraded o FC at the gate, even though all 12 FC seats were showing as checked in. Interesting that I was actually called up to the counter by the gate agent; Delta rarely does this (E175)
4. SEA-SFO - E+ at booking, +1 companion (738 I think)
5. SFO-OGG - E+ at booking, +1 companion (752)
6. OGG-DEN - E+ at booking, + 1 companion (772)
7. DEN-PAE - Upgraded at 48-hour window, +1 companion (E175)
8. SEA-SFO - E+ at booking (A320 or 738, don't recall)
9. SFO-DEN - Paid UG to FC for $150. Was a jam packed flight and I didn't have a great seat in E+, so I opted for the cash UG (753)
10. DEN-PAE - Upgraded to FC at gate, although the flight never left due to IRROPS, did sit on tarmac for 5 hours (E175)
11. DEN-PAE, round 2 - Upgraded to FC at gate (E175)
Pretty happy with CPU's on UA so far, as I've only been UG'd 3 times on 20 segments as a Delta Gold Medallion so far this year.
May 25, 2019, 5:47 pm
#968
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 107
On the last one LAX-SFO ~7 of the 12 seats were upgrades, according to the app. Mine cleared about T-3. The early morning E75 SFO-BUR cleared a few hours after booking (~3-4 days before).
May 29, 2019, 11:05 am
#969
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,290
IAD-LAX 6am on a Wednesday as Gold and I SDC-ed onto that flight (which may or may not have been due to the open F space). 
Jun 1, 2019, 10:29 am
#970
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Premier Gold, Starwood Gold, Plat AE, CO PP MC, Marriott Rewards Plat, Virgin Elevate Gold
Posts: 1,416
Pre-merger 75% upgrade success as CO Silver; post-merger just got UPG #2 today
Cant wait - its on an Embraer Jet too!
Will I have lie flats?
In the 2 hours and 10 minutes of travel time will I have a choice of several hot entries for breakfast?
Will they server sundaes afterwards?
Can you tell that I am sarcastic ?
Will I have lie flats?
In the 2 hours and 10 minutes of travel time will I have a choice of several hot entries for breakfast?
Will they server sundaes afterwards?
Can you tell that I am sarcastic ?
Jun 1, 2019, 10:48 am
#971
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,161
Yes, consulting firms such as BCG ran from airline to airline, at least the big 3, in the early-to-mid 2010s and convinced them to monetize front cabins at a mere 25-100% price premium to discount leisure economy (and selling 75-100% of seats in this way) rather than past practice of 400% price premium and selling 0-25% of inventory. So that leaves elite travelers with this paradigmatic shift of often/always scoring upgrades to rarely/never scoring upgrades. Nowadays, pax up front are largely kettles with enough disposable income to be in the market for an upgrade, which is a random occurrence for them given inventory shortage but they’re thrilled when they randomly get it and it’s a good economic decision versus paying for bags, f&b and what have you - given that TOD pricing can run very low. What can I say, it’s an industry phenomenon. Not sure if the analysis bears out in the long run as it has diminished loyalty among elites and it’s difficult to assign lifetime value to a customer. Airlines make all their money on ancillaries, not even what we’re talking about here.
Jun 1, 2019, 10:57 am
#972
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,545
Yes, consulting firms such as BCG ran from airline to airline, at least the big 3, in the early-to-mid 2010s and convinced them to monetize front cabins at a mere 25-100% price premium to discount leisure economy (and selling 75-100% of seats in this way) rather than past practice of 400% price premium and selling 0-25% of inventory. So that leaves elite travelers with this paradigmatic shift of often/always scoring upgrades to rarely/never scoring upgrades. Nowadays, pax up front are largely kettles with enough disposable income to be in the market for an upgrade, which is a random occurrence for them given inventory shortage but they’re thrilled when they randomly get it and it’s a good economic decision versus paying for bags, f&b and what have you - given that TOD pricing can run very low. What can I say, it’s an industry phenomenon. Not sure if the analysis bears out in the long run as it has diminished loyalty among elites and it’s difficult to assign lifetime value to a customer. Airlines make all their money on ancillaries, not even what we’re talking about here.
Jun 3, 2019, 6:26 am
#973
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
I'm Silver. Checked in at 7:10 this morning for tomorrow's 5264, DAY-DEN. Number one on upgrade list for an hour, then upgraded. I've lost track of how many CPUs I've received since making it back to Silver in 2017. This is either the second or third.
I rarely take these early-morning flights. I suppose I'd get more upgrades if I did.
I rarely take these early-morning flights. I suppose I'd get more upgrades if I did.
Last edited by ajGoes; Jun 3, 2019 at 6:38 am
Jun 4, 2019, 5:00 pm
#974
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 132
Went online to check a flight time for a trip later this week LAX-SEA and find out I’ve been upgraded both directions. No notification emails. I guess I found the unicorn route! Too bad I don’t have much business in Seattle.
Jun 6, 2019, 9:14 am
#975
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I had an annoying experience earlier this week. Flying MHT-IAD on a CR7 as a Platinum on an S Fare. Booked 4/6 for a week, checked in at T-24 at #1 and stayed at #1 all the way until just prior to boarding when I was finally upgraded. The gate agent upgraded me and one other person and gave me a BP for 1C. I'd noticed 2C had been open when I had checked the seat map and asked for it but she said "sorry I already printed that one for the other passenger". The worst part for me about holding upgrades back until boarding is you lose the ability to pick your seat.
On the larger scale, my Platinum upgrade percentage is steadily climbing from 0% (0/5) where it started to 50.00% (9/18) now.
On the larger scale, my Platinum upgrade percentage is steadily climbing from 0% (0/5) where it started to 50.00% (9/18) now.