Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the master thread is CPU Clearance Experiences
CPU Clearance Experiences - Archive
#1006
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Checking into this thread after a few more months on the road. Still averaging a 65% upgrade rate, 115 segments so far this year and I only count segments which have an F cabin.
Last year cleared 68% after SDCs and 74% before, hopefully with the 15k next year the leaner 1k group will prosper even more.
Last year cleared 68% after SDCs and 74% before, hopefully with the 15k next year the leaner 1k group will prosper even more.
My wife and I will make the 1K group leaner by 2. However, we will not help the 1K group prosper even more. The savings which will be above $10,000 will be used to directly purchase First Class seats.
#1007
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: United Mileage Plus - 1K
Posts: 113
Ive cleared ever ORD-LAX this year and then every SNA-ORD return with one exception and I used an RPU. I take the first flight or last flight which certainly helps my numbers.
#1008
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,284
#1009
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,227
I think it all is about what flights youre on and then the fare class. Theres many tie breakers and I certainly use them to my advantage. Im normally on U or E fares and occasionally on an M fare. I have an explorer card for nothing more than a tie-breaker and access to CPUs on awards.
#1011
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,108
Even then, I can't imagine that particular tiebreaker makes a difference very often. It's the fifth tiebreaker (status, fare class, Club card, corporate preferred program, then Explorer card). I'm either on flights where there are 8 1Ks and none of us clear or there are one or two 1Ks and we both clear. I'm not moving $25K of spending to the Explorer card just to change the order amongst the 8.
#1012
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I think it all is about what flights youre on and then the fare class. Theres many tie breakers and I certainly use them to my advantage. Im normally on U or E fares and occasionally on an M fare.
Ive cleared ever ORD-LAX this year and then every SNA-ORD return with one exception and I used an RPU. I take the first flight or last flight which certainly helps my numbers.
Ive cleared ever ORD-LAX this year and then every SNA-ORD return with one exception and I used an RPU. I take the first flight or last flight which certainly helps my numbers.
On the outbound, I cannot take the first flight out as I have to take the first flight out of my outstation to get to ORD. On the inbound, I don't take the last flight as I really dislike red-eye flights inside the US. I did it once in First Class. Never again. And I find it painful enough on my international long hauls in Polaris Business. So, for the inbound, I end up on flights that are packed with passengers continuing on to Europe.
#1013
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SLC
Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 768
I would say Houston given your location. But still CPU's will be tough with Plat for sure. And most definitely it will depend on when and where you are flying of course. Mid week always seems the best but some destinations and hubs such as EWR and SFO are notoriously bad as far as CPUs, I am GS out of SFO and I get shut down all the time as far as CPUs and as 1K it was of course even worse, almost non exsistent but YMMV. I am sure others will throw in there 2 cents.
#1014
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,879
Got my CPU at T-95.5 for LAS-LAX 14 August 7:47pm. There are some flights where UA has no problem running CPUs at/near upgrade windows...
#1015
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 939
Last trip as a 1MM Gold,
Tues 7/30 SBA - SFO, no go, #7 on the list for a 12 seat ERJ-175
Tues 7/30 SFO - BOS, non CPU route
Wed 8/14 BOS - LAX, cleared at T-24 check in, lie flat seats too
Wed 8/14 LAX - SBA, cleared at T-48 Gold window, ERJ - 175.
So 2 of 3 eligible segments, although Tues & Wed flying.
Tues 7/30 SBA - SFO, no go, #7 on the list for a 12 seat ERJ-175
Tues 7/30 SFO - BOS, non CPU route
Wed 8/14 BOS - LAX, cleared at T-24 check in, lie flat seats too
Wed 8/14 LAX - SBA, cleared at T-48 Gold window, ERJ - 175.
So 2 of 3 eligible segments, although Tues & Wed flying.
Last edited by tstauck; Aug 14, 2019 at 11:53 am Reason: typo on date
#1016
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: United Mileage Plus - 1K
Posts: 113
8/14 Cleared ORD-ALB at T96
8/15 Cleared EWR-ORD at T18
Still working with approximately a 64% CPU rate as a 1k systemwide.
8/15 Cleared EWR-ORD at T18
Still working with approximately a 64% CPU rate as a 1k systemwide.
#1017
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: ORD
Programs: United Mileage Plus - 1K
Posts: 113
I like routes like this, there seems to be certain routes tagged for instant PN/PZ availability. This morning ORD-ALB (1421) we left 10/16 in F after CPUs and a NR made the cut too.
#1018
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,389
Return yesterday got upgrade on lie flat 757 ORD-
Last edited by drewguy; Aug 21, 2019 at 2:53 pm
#1019
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K \\ ConciergeKey
Posts: 524
SFO - LAX (7:00am departure) cleared 24 hours in advance
LAX - SFO (2:45pm departure) cleared right after I SDCd.
Both this past Friday!
LAX - SFO (2:45pm departure) cleared right after I SDCd.
Both this past Friday!
#1020
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,284