What is the "science" of selling check-in upgrades?
Oct 24, 2015, 12:01 pm
#46
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ORD-LAX had 56 on the waitlist last week on a 737!
Here's what I'll give UA credit for -- with cheaper first class seats, I am booking into first if I cannot clear upgrades with instruments. Not every time (sometimes I am happy to remain in coach with E+ and wifi), but if I need first, I get it right away and never leave ti to chance. That's a whole new world for me.
Oct 24, 2015, 12:03 pm
#47
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Just to clarify on AA's policies on check-in upgrades for domestic routes.
Prior to T-24, only fare difference upgrades are typically available unless elites which can waitlist for E500 upgrades (which are accrued and sold at the specified discounted price). Top level EXP do not pay for domestic upgrades.
At T-24, there is no TOD concept, but LFBUs can happen if no elites at any level are still awaiting/waitlisted an upgrade. LFBUs are typically priced at $45 per 500 miles (sometimes rounded to nearest 250 miles distance). LFBUs are only available/sold to non-elites.
I am not sure about any dilution of freebies for upgrades on AA currently. In fact, as of the integration date, many avenues of free upgrades on certain flights are now gone/poof.
AA did sign a plusupgrade contract, but haven't seen much action and there are more 'flat' rates for international flights available at the gate/kiosk based on availability.
Rasheed
Prior to T-24, only fare difference upgrades are typically available unless elites which can waitlist for E500 upgrades (which are accrued and sold at the specified discounted price). Top level EXP do not pay for domestic upgrades.
At T-24, there is no TOD concept, but LFBUs can happen if no elites at any level are still awaiting/waitlisted an upgrade. LFBUs are typically priced at $45 per 500 miles (sometimes rounded to nearest 250 miles distance). LFBUs are only available/sold to non-elites.
I am not sure about any dilution of freebies for upgrades on AA currently. In fact, as of the integration date, many avenues of free upgrades on certain flights are now gone/poof.
AA did sign a plusupgrade contract, but haven't seen much action and there are more 'flat' rates for international flights available at the gate/kiosk based on availability.
Rasheed
Oct 24, 2015, 5:38 pm
#48
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I'll bet there have been some funny moments with new Silver "elites" who don't understand how this game works. In 50th place on the waitlist, they walk up to the gate counter and ask if they can pre-select their dinner entrée. Oh how nice this F upgrade will be now that I'm Premier Silver!
Oct 24, 2015, 7:24 pm
#49
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
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(wheas as my 0K wife was flying F constantly with the TODs...that I was paying I was paying for
)As they say, if you can't beat 'em; join 'em....and definitely stay under 25k miles.
Congrats and good luck with Silver status...hopefully you can springboard upwards.
Oct 26, 2015, 6:06 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2012
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I just ran into a case where a co-worker and I were traveling on the same flight from IAD to LAX. He's 1K and I'm Gold. He's a VP, and I'm a Director. At check-in, there was 1 seat left. I was offered an upgrade for $249, he wasn't offered anything - we had the exact same airfare (he booked 2 days before I did).
Debated on taking it, but decided not to (I sleep better in a coach window seat than in a FC seat...).
Neither of us understand their logic...
Also, on the return, 59 of 124 coach pax were "upgrade eligible" for the 1 seat available...
J
Debated on taking it, but decided not to (I sleep better in a coach window seat than in a FC seat...).
Neither of us understand their logic...
Also, on the return, 59 of 124 coach pax were "upgrade eligible" for the 1 seat available...
J
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 26, 2015 at 10:46 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Oct 26, 2015, 6:32 am
#51
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I just ran into a case where a co-worker and I were traveling on the same flight from IAD to LAX. He's 1K and I'm Gold. He's a VP, and I'm a Director. At check-in, there was 1 seat left. I was offered an upgrade for $249, he wasn't offered anything - we had the exact same airfare (he booked 2 days before I did).
...
J
...
J
Thanks for posting it.
Oct 26, 2015, 8:36 am
#52
Join Date: Oct 2012
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If your company is flying LAX-IAD coach, be ticked off at your company, not UA. Your competition is the companies that are buying their biz people J, not the airline. If its important to you that you have Google on your business card, rank that against coach travel accordingly
If you are on your own dime, you are competing with the same and have to decide what J is worth to you. In this world of load factors, few will be upgrading into J on CPUs or XPUs for that matter
Oct 27, 2015, 2:17 pm
#53
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Misplaced anger.
If your company is flying LAX-IAD coach, be ticked off at your company, not UA. Your competition is the companies that are buying their biz people J, not the airline. If its important to you that you have Google on your business card, rank that against coach travel accordingly
If you are on your own dime, you are competing with the same and have to decide what J is worth to you. In this world of load factors, few will be upgrading into J on CPUs or XPUs for that matter
If your company is flying LAX-IAD coach, be ticked off at your company, not UA. Your competition is the companies that are buying their biz people J, not the airline. If its important to you that you have Google on your business card, rank that against coach travel accordingly
If you are on your own dime, you are competing with the same and have to decide what J is worth to you. In this world of load factors, few will be upgrading into J on CPUs or XPUs for that matter
I am honestly confused by what you wrote. The discussion is around 1Ks not being offered the same opportunity to purchase an upgrade during the check in period 24 hrs before the flight. This is not at all a discussion about CPU/XPU availability.
I am very capable of making purchase decisions and I know how I value what J is worth to me on various flights.
I purchase J fares when it makes sense to me.
What is not acceptable is United purposefully excluding me from having the same opportunity as other passengers to purchase upgrades.
Oct 27, 2015, 2:45 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Under your proposal, a 737-900 with only three paid F customers and three elites who are 'due' for an upgrade could go out with a jam-packed Y cabin, 6/20 in F, and any number of standbys / displaced pax sitting in the terminal hoping to get on a later flight.
CPUs, especially when processed after all other efforts to fill the F cabin have failed, give the airline the opportunity to 'surprise and delight' some elites with an F seat while simultaneously freeing up seats in Y for standby passengers / walk-up purchases.
Disclaimer: In 2015, as a Premier Gold, I've been upgraded on ~41% of eligible flight segments (i.e., domestic flights with an F cabin where I'm not already booked in F). I know this is highly dependent on routes and dates, but I'm pretty happy with the system as it stands.
CPUs, especially when processed after all other efforts to fill the F cabin have failed, give the airline the opportunity to 'surprise and delight' some elites with an F seat while simultaneously freeing up seats in Y for standby passengers / walk-up purchases.
Disclaimer: In 2015, as a Premier Gold, I've been upgraded on ~41% of eligible flight segments (i.e., domestic flights with an F cabin where I'm not already booked in F). I know this is highly dependent on routes and dates, but I'm pretty happy with the system as it stands.
UA can keep their "surprise and delight". I would rather have some increased certainty on upgrades. But then again I don't have nearly your success rate on CPU's. As a Plat in 2015, I am running at roughly 10% CPU success for eligible flight segments. If I was getting upgraded at your rate, I might like the current system too
Oct 27, 2015, 2:51 pm
#55
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Dave
Oct 27, 2015, 3:09 pm
#56
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Misplaced comprehension.
I am honestly confused by what you wrote. The discussion is around 1Ks not being offered the same opportunity to purchase an upgrade during the check in period 24 hrs before the flight. This is not at all a discussion about CPU/XPU availability.
I am very capable of making purchase decisions and I know how I value what J is worth to me on various flights.
I purchase J fares when it makes sense to me.
What is not acceptable is United purposefully excluding me from having the same opportunity as other passengers to purchase upgrades..
I am honestly confused by what you wrote. The discussion is around 1Ks not being offered the same opportunity to purchase an upgrade during the check in period 24 hrs before the flight. This is not at all a discussion about CPU/XPU availability.
I am very capable of making purchase decisions and I know how I value what J is worth to me on various flights.
I purchase J fares when it makes sense to me.
What is not acceptable is United purposefully excluding me from having the same opportunity as other passengers to purchase upgrades..