Jul 24, 2016, 4:23 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Operational Upgrades - Op-ups -- are upgrades that occur when there is a need by the airline to move passenger to the higher cabin: could be due to overbooking of the lower cabin, could be a weight and balance issue, could be a broken seat, ....... whatever the reason, it is an airline driven reason, not a customer request.
If the issue still exists after all upgrades have cleared, then the common approach is for passengers to be selected based on status or status/fare but the GA has discretion and may make a selection for other reasons.
Overbooking is the most common reason, as there is no available / allowed seat for all the passengers in the cabin. If the cabin has available seats, there will be no op-ups except for some special corner cases (such as weight & balance).
Asking for an upgrade because of a special occasion or you are dressed especially professional, or you have a suave manner does not work, those often repeated "upgrade secret hints" will just get you a chuckle or a "go away" look.
pmUA FT classic thread on Op-ups - Operational upgrades from a gate agent's perspective
Related threads:
2014 Thread - Are Discretionary Complimentary (Operational) Upgrade Common on UA?
Chances of Operational Upgrade on International Flights (Honeymoon)? ..
Consolidated United Operational Upgrade (OP-UPs) Experiences
If the issue still exists after all upgrades have cleared, then the common approach is for passengers to be selected based on status or status/fare but the GA has discretion and may make a selection for other reasons.
Overbooking is the most common reason, as there is no available / allowed seat for all the passengers in the cabin. If the cabin has available seats, there will be no op-ups except for some special corner cases (such as weight & balance).
Asking for an upgrade because of a special occasion or you are dressed especially professional, or you have a suave manner does not work, those often repeated "upgrade secret hints" will just get you a chuckle or a "go away" look.
pmUA FT classic thread on Op-ups - Operational upgrades from a gate agent's perspective
Related threads:
2014 Thread - Are Discretionary Complimentary (Operational) Upgrade Common on UA?
Chances of Operational Upgrade on International Flights (Honeymoon)? ..
Consolidated United Operational Upgrade (OP-UPs) Experiences
Consolidated - Chance of Operational Upgrade (Op-Up) on my flight?
Mar 21, 2016, 1:09 pm
#91
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Two "good" seats still open too in E+. Next to a "bassinet" seat though.
Mar 21, 2016, 5:33 pm
#92
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UA49 | BOM-EWR | 777-200 | Cancelled due to maintenance
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/26337785-post274.html
I believe it's #3006 of 1998 vintage and IIRC the VOD systems hardly ever works on that one.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N77006
Jun 15, 2016, 12:04 pm
#93
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UA893 tomorrow SFO-ICN looks like Op-Up city . . . . Y booked full, BF booked somewhere in the mid-30s (out of 52) but blocked to full, while GF is booked 4/12, with 7 blocked.
I'm on an upgraded W fare, so not expecting one myself, but looks like there will be quite a few happy surprises for both Y and J pax.
I'm on an upgraded W fare, so not expecting one myself, but looks like there will be quite a few happy surprises for both Y and J pax.
Jun 15, 2016, 2:05 pm
#95
Join Date: Mar 2003
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UA893 tomorrow SFO-ICN looks like Op-Up city . . . . Y booked full, BF booked somewhere in the mid-30s (out of 52) but blocked to full, while GF is booked 4/12, with 7 blocked.
I'm on an upgraded W fare, so not expecting one myself, but looks like there will be quite a few happy surprises for both Y and J pax.
I'm on an upgraded W fare, so not expecting one myself, but looks like there will be quite a few happy surprises for both Y and J pax.
Jun 15, 2016, 4:02 pm
#96
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I'm not 100% certain how the process works, but am not sure this is a good scenario for NRSA . . . wouldn't they op-up currently confirmed Y and J pax first to open space in Y, then clear the revenue pax without seat assignments, and then NRSA would get whatever seats (if any) are left?
Based on number of empty E+ seats that definitely seems to be the case. I'm guessing Golds have a shot at the op-up here.
Based on number of empty E+ seats that definitely seems to be the case. I'm guessing Golds have a shot at the op-up here.
Jul 7, 2016, 9:48 pm
#97
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 28
Chance of a free upgrade? Seat already selected, but not checked-in.
Hi FlyerTalk travel pros,
I have an United SFO-FRA flight tomorrow--Economy with a seat already selected, but not checked-in. While checking-in online, they noted the flight was overbooked and asked if I'd like to volunteer giving up my seat for a voucher. I didn't finish the check in process, but did see the seat map and noticed only 5-6 seats left.
Now is there any chance I could be bumped up a class? If so, should I get to the airport early and ask the ticketing agent? I can also just take my selected seat and fly of course, but looking to maximise what little I have.
Thanks!
I have an United SFO-FRA flight tomorrow--Economy with a seat already selected, but not checked-in. While checking-in online, they noted the flight was overbooked and asked if I'd like to volunteer giving up my seat for a voucher. I didn't finish the check in process, but did see the seat map and noticed only 5-6 seats left.
Now is there any chance I could be bumped up a class? If so, should I get to the airport early and ask the ticketing agent? I can also just take my selected seat and fly of course, but looking to maximise what little I have.
Thanks!
Jul 7, 2016, 10:04 pm
#98
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If you want to play seat roulette, never select a seat at check in. Once you do, you aren't going to get moved to a better place as a surprise unless there is an equipment swap or IRROPS.
Generally any open seats in the front cabin are going to go to elite flyers (depending on the airline's rules for comped upgrades) offered for purchase at time of check-in, go to non-revenue flyers, or passengers who have gone so far down the IRROPS rabbit hole the airline is invoking 'any available seat regardless of cabin class' to get them to their destination. If you're on an elite-light flight, you might luck into an Economy Plus seat from Economy minus during seat roulette depending on airline rules.
Generally any open seats in the front cabin are going to go to elite flyers (depending on the airline's rules for comped upgrades) offered for purchase at time of check-in, go to non-revenue flyers, or passengers who have gone so far down the IRROPS rabbit hole the airline is invoking 'any available seat regardless of cabin class' to get them to their destination. If you're on an elite-light flight, you might luck into an Economy Plus seat from Economy minus during seat roulette depending on airline rules.
Jul 8, 2016, 8:13 am
#100
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On SFO-FRA? Odds of free upgrade are exactly zero.
I'd volunteer for the VDB in the hope they put me on the LH flight, which will be a better experience in economy.
I'd volunteer for the VDB in the hope they put me on the LH flight, which will be a better experience in economy.
Jul 8, 2016, 8:23 am
#101
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Both of UA's SFO-FRA flights today have ample seats in the economy cabin (including E+) and economy inventory down to the K bucket - K9 on both flights. It's possible they are oversold, but probably not by a lot. UA 58 is F0, J3, and UA926 is F7 J0. Check yourself in and get yourself on the bump list..it's the only benefit you can hope for..
Jul 8, 2016, 8:30 am
#102
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If you show up at the airport close to the end of the check-in deadline, and all seats in your cabin are occupied, of course the chance of an op-up is greater than zero! Basically, if it takes 5 seconds to assign you a seat in business class straight away v 5 minutes to op-up an elite passenger in order to give you his seat, you will definitely win in time crunch situations. It should go without saying that op-ups should never be relied upon, but the idea that non-status people are universally excluded from the party is simply incorrect.
Jul 8, 2016, 8:41 am
#103
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 841
If you show up at the airport close to the end of the check-in deadline, and all seats in your cabin are occupied, of course the chance of an op-up is greater than zero! Basically, if it takes 5 seconds to assign you a seat in business class straight away v 5 minutes to op-up an elite passenger in order to give you his seat, you will definitely win in time crunch situations. It should go without saying that op-ups should never be relied upon, but the idea that non-status people are universally excluded from the party is simply incorrect.
The check-in deadline for international flights is at least 60 minutes, and passengers must be at the gate at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure time. That's plenty of time for them to properly process upgrades in the event of an oversell. In fact, I'd be surprised, if they knew they were oversold, if they didn't start bumping up elites a little bit earlier than the deadline.
Jul 8, 2016, 8:45 am
#104
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If you show up at the airport close to the end of the check-in deadline, and all seats in your cabin are occupied, of course the chance of an op-up is greater than zero! Basically, if it takes 5 seconds to assign you a seat in business class straight away v 5 minutes to op-up an elite passenger in order to give you his seat, you will definitely win in time crunch situations. It should go without saying that op-ups should never be relied upon, but the idea that non-status people are universally excluded from the party is simply incorrect.
I have a friend with no status at time who has twice been upgraded from E to J on UA88,UA89. (She had purchased Q,U RT fares.) Overbooked flights. Seats already selected.
Jul 24, 2016, 2:19 pm
#105
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Lancashire, UK
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Is it worth trying for a 'discretionary' international upgrade
I have just clocked up 600k miles in 3 years with United flying once a month between the UK and the USA, I have Premier 1K status and I generally do ok on domestic complimentary upgrades and use my award miles for my return leg to the UK whenever I can. In those 3 years I have only had one 'discretionary' upgrade internationally by that I mean complimentary and not using any points or upgrade vouchers.
I know the international policy is different to domestic policy and I can understand that because United charge such a premium for international upgrades they are probably reluctant to give them away.
I am flying tomorrow, the plane is probably at 40% capacity ( 8 free seats in business class) and I have just blown all my points on upcoming award tickets so I don't have a legitimate way of getting upgraded, and I was wondering if anyone has any advice on trying to get upgraded.
Is it worth asking and if so who? Gate agent, An agent in the Club Lounge?
Any advice appreciated.
I know the international policy is different to domestic policy and I can understand that because United charge such a premium for international upgrades they are probably reluctant to give them away.
I am flying tomorrow, the plane is probably at 40% capacity ( 8 free seats in business class) and I have just blown all my points on upcoming award tickets so I don't have a legitimate way of getting upgraded, and I was wondering if anyone has any advice on trying to get upgraded.
Is it worth asking and if so who? Gate agent, An agent in the Club Lounge?
Any advice appreciated.
