CPU Clearance Experiences
Jan 4, 20, 2:45 pm
#2
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
My CPU rate as a Platinum in 2019 was 43.24% (16/37) which is fairly disappointing. I have the equivalent status with Delta where it was a little over 14% higher.
Jan 4, 20, 2:49 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 19,811
When I was Platinum in Austin, I'd say I got upgraded on about 50% of my flights. So, it's very locale-dependent, in addition to time and route of flight.
Jan 4, 20, 9:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott LT Titanium; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 672
EWR-IAH tomorrow on 1/5. Flight had about 10-12 open FC seats prior to check in. Checked in at T-24 but didn't check the upgrade list. Hours later, only 2 seats remaining and I'm not on the list. Had to call in and have the agent uncheck me in and then remove and add my MP #. Checked in again and #1 on the list 
. Great start to the new year
. Great start to the new year
Jan 5, 20, 10:59 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Premier 1K
Posts: 43
Here's my CPU successes for 2019, 6 months as a Silver, 4 months as a Gold, 2 months Platinum.
Silver 10/20, 7x DEN-GJT, 2x DEN-GEG, 1x DEN-RNO
Gold 11/18, 5x DEN-GJT, 2x DEN-BHM, 2x DEN-GEG, 1x DEN-MTJ, 1x DEN-SYR
Platinum 4/6, 2x DEN-GJT, 1x DEN-MSY, 1x MSP-EWR
The majority were Q/H/U fare class.
Silver 10/20, 7x DEN-GJT, 2x DEN-GEG, 1x DEN-RNO
Gold 11/18, 5x DEN-GJT, 2x DEN-BHM, 2x DEN-GEG, 1x DEN-MTJ, 1x DEN-SYR
Platinum 4/6, 2x DEN-GJT, 1x DEN-MSY, 1x MSP-EWR
The majority were Q/H/U fare class.
Jan 5, 20, 11:57 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 10,697
Here is a new experience for me.
I received CPU some time between T-96h and T-90h (that is when I looked). No email or text came, I only looked at my reservation. The reservation did not say anything about upgrade confirmed, though; it just had me now seated in the last row of F, even though more forward rows were available. Then I changed my seat, and now it says upgrade confirmed.
I received CPU some time between T-96h and T-90h (that is when I looked). No email or text came, I only looked at my reservation. The reservation did not say anything about upgrade confirmed, though; it just had me now seated in the last row of F, even though more forward rows were available. Then I changed my seat, and now it says upgrade confirmed.
Jan 5, 20, 1:44 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 731
Just did my first PQF status run going PDX-SAN via SFO and had a 75% success rate on my CPU upgrades clearing at the gate. Glad I made 1k. Sadly, I also realize I will have to be booking into Z/P if I plan on not overpaying UA to make 1k again for 2021.
Jan 5, 20, 1:53 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 19,811
One PQP = one PQP. I suppose if you fly on deeply discounted economy fares, as I often do, the taxes make up a larger share of the ticket price than they do on a P/Z fare, but other than that, the goals are the goals. For travel on UA, or on a 016 ticket, there is no multiplier for buying first class.
Jan 6, 20, 2:58 pm
#10
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
Here is a new experience for me.
I received CPU some time between T-96h and T-90h (that is when I looked). No email or text came, I only looked at my reservation. The reservation did not say anything about upgrade confirmed, though; it just had me now seated in the last row of F, even though more forward rows were available. Then I changed my seat, and now it says upgrade confirmed.
I received CPU some time between T-96h and T-90h (that is when I looked). No email or text came, I only looked at my reservation. The reservation did not say anything about upgrade confirmed, though; it just had me now seated in the last row of F, even though more forward rows were available. Then I changed my seat, and now it says upgrade confirmed.
Jan 6, 20, 3:42 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: YEG
Programs: AC 25K
Posts: 120
Same here. Two CPUs on my current trip (writing from UC in ORD), one at T-96 and one at T-3, no notification other than changed seat assignment. I used to get a text every time.
Jan 11, 20, 10:22 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,729
Got CPU'ed at T-96 for BUR-SFO. A nice change - it has usually been at T-24 or in more recently. Kind of annoying that the email notification seems to no longer come, though...good thing I check my UA app pretty much every day 
Feb 9, 20, 1:19 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,729
I think I was CPU'ed T-72 on my CMH-IAD flight (on an E175) in a few days, but no idea how to tell given UA has completely stopped sending emails out. This seems like it should be a simple fix.
Feb 9, 20, 1:55 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,473
If my experience is anything to go by, DAY is a great airport for Silvers. I just got another CPU, this time on IAH-DAY. And a terrific GA at IAH upgraded my companion, too, even though he was on a separate PNR which was an award ticket.
I'm afraid I haven't kept track of the details, but I'm sure I have a greater than 50% upgrade rate over the last year on DAY flights with two-cabin planes. (My other upgrades were on IAD flights also served by 175s.)That's the rub, of course: most DAY traffic these days is on smaller planes. The DAY-IAH route is going away in March, too. :-(
I'm afraid I haven't kept track of the details, but I'm sure I have a greater than 50% upgrade rate over the last year on DAY flights with two-cabin planes. (My other upgrades were on IAD flights also served by 175s.)That's the rub, of course: most DAY traffic these days is on smaller planes. The DAY-IAH route is going away in March, too. :-(
Last edited by ajGoes; Feb 9, 20 at 7:06 pm Reason: Add an important detail
Feb 9, 20, 4:27 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,747
As of today my CPU clearance rate for 2020 is 100% (three for three) Today’s UG was two seats. I can only hope that things remain the same when my transcons start next week.
Update 02/12/2020 still 100%. Five for five. On Monday ORD - BOS and UGed for Thursday’s BOS - EWR.
All short haul but it’s still the pointy end.
Update 02/12/2020 still 100%. Five for five. On Monday ORD - BOS and UGed for Thursday’s BOS - EWR.
All short haul but it’s still the pointy end.
Last edited by Dublin_rfk; Feb 12, 20 at 9:46 am Reason: Update
