Does it happen a lot? All 16 in first class were there because of upgrades(CPU).
Jan 13, 2016, 8:41 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Programs: AA EXP(4mm), DL Gold, UA Gold (1mm), HH Diamond, Bonvoy Amb(l/t Titanium). Former EA/PA elite
Posts: 994
I feel the same way. On a recently flight(737-800), the flight was pretty
empty. No more than 40 or 50 people in coach. First class was completely
full. Maybe 3 or 4 were on paid tickets. The rest, myself included, were
upgrades. Immediately after reaching cruising altitude, I moved back
to an empty coach row. The rows in front and behind me were also empty.
While the coach seats were obviously narrower and less comfortable, the
luxury of having lots of empty personal space was worth more to me.
empty. No more than 40 or 50 people in coach. First class was completely
full. Maybe 3 or 4 were on paid tickets. The rest, myself included, were
upgrades. Immediately after reaching cruising altitude, I moved back
to an empty coach row. The rows in front and behind me were also empty.
While the coach seats were obviously narrower and less comfortable, the
luxury of having lots of empty personal space was worth more to me.
Jan 13, 2016, 9:00 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,525
Jan 13, 2016, 10:10 pm
#33
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,136
Jan 14, 2016, 1:26 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: EWR
Posts: 2,112
Just take the final SFO-SEA on sunday nights-usually at most 1 or 2 paid F on a 739 (used to be a 752), with silvers on N fares clearing at T-24 and nonrevs clearing left in right (and E+ usually wide open). Of course, arriving in seattle at 1am isn't exactly the most desirable time to arrive...the flight this weekend is showing 9 for all fare classes, including R, I, and XN
Jan 14, 2016, 3:13 am
#35
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tri Valley Area Northern CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 579
Not at all. Gate agents can do it for operational reasons only (oversell), but not on a whim to be nice to frequent fliers. The Club really has no authority to do it.
The purser who upgraded the OP really does not have the authority to upgrade on a whim to be nice either. United is very strict on this.
You want it; you pay for it.
The purser who upgraded the OP really does not have the authority to upgrade on a whim to be nice either. United is very strict on this.
You want it; you pay for it.
After landing in FRA, I looked at the seat map for the flight, which showed 8D and 8G being unoccupied.
When the couple were seated, the flight attendant seemed to know the couple. I got the impression that they were "friends of the family" and were moved up to BF as a favor. The couple was not familiar with the operations of BF (how seat operated, Video on Demand, etc.).
I, of course, could be wrong. Perhaps they were seated in BF (row 9 or 10) and there seats were broken. It wasn't an Op Up as Economy Plus was about 25% occupied.
Jan 14, 2016, 3:35 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,683
Jan 14, 2016, 6:58 am
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 370
UA might as well convert domestic first class to the European business class.
Standard coach seats but with the center seats blocked, which provides at
least a foot and half of space between the two passengers. At least that will
guarantee no rubbing of arms or elbows in first class.
Jan 14, 2016, 8:54 pm
#38
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat4Life, Hertz Pres Circle, reformed WN AP & CP
Posts: 127
Interesting topic. I don't think I've seen 100%, but I've seen 75%+ out of IAH. I'll start keeping track.
Last edited by Kevin Adams; Jan 14, 2016 at 8:56 pm Reason: Remove off topic comments
Jan 16, 2016, 2:28 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum Plus
Posts: 166
Last week, I was on an ORD-FRA flight in Business First Seat 8H (777). Prior to boarding, I looked at the seat map, saw 8C was occupied and that the 2 middle seats (8D, 8G) were unoccupied. Just prior to taking off, the flight attendant moved up an elderly couple from the back to occupy 8D and 8G.
After landing in FRA, I looked at the seat map for the flight, which showed 8D and 8G being unoccupied.
When the couple were seated, the flight attendant seemed to know the couple. I got the impression that they were "friends of the family" and were moved up to BF as a favor. The couple was not familiar with the operations of BF (how seat operated, Video on Demand, etc.).
I, of course, could be wrong. Perhaps they were seated in BF (row 9 or 10) and there seats were broken. It wasn't an Op Up as Economy Plus was about 25% occupied.
After landing in FRA, I looked at the seat map for the flight, which showed 8D and 8G being unoccupied.
When the couple were seated, the flight attendant seemed to know the couple. I got the impression that they were "friends of the family" and were moved up to BF as a favor. The couple was not familiar with the operations of BF (how seat operated, Video on Demand, etc.).
I, of course, could be wrong. Perhaps they were seated in BF (row 9 or 10) and there seats were broken. It wasn't an Op Up as Economy Plus was about 25% occupied.
Jan 16, 2016, 2:30 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum Plus
Posts: 166
If Delta stops doing unlimited domestic upgrades United will probably follow suit... I read an article early last week saying this was in works at DAL corporate. I like receiving the upgrades but think the pendulum is going to swing again soon.... Does AA give free domestic upgrades?
Jan 16, 2016, 3:35 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
At AA - EXPs (Executive Platinums- the top tier, 1K equivalent) get free domestic upgrades.
Platinums (UA Gold equivalent) and Golds (UA Silver equivalent) have to use 500 mile "sticker" certificates. These are earned from flying (4 per 12500 EQM) or can be be purchased for $.
(Edit to add: all AA elites are eligible for free (no sticker) upgrades on flights that are shorter than 500 miles.)
Speaking as an AA EXP (and former UA 1K) it's a great system.
Platinums (UA Gold equivalent) and Golds (UA Silver equivalent) have to use 500 mile "sticker" certificates. These are earned from flying (4 per 12500 EQM) or can be be purchased for $.
(Edit to add: all AA elites are eligible for free (no sticker) upgrades on flights that are shorter than 500 miles.)
Speaking as an AA EXP (and former UA 1K) it's a great system.
Jan 16, 2016, 3:44 pm
#42
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: AS MVP 100K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite, UA 1MM,
Posts: 1,709
I would invite any of those folks in to the DYKWIA thread too.
The "real F class flyers" have their own planes. 
Jan 17, 2016, 7:12 pm
#43
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Platinum Plus
Posts: 166
At AA - EXPs (Executive Platinums- the top tier, 1K equivalent) get free domestic upgrades.
Platinums (UA Gold equivalent) and Golds (UA Silver equivalent) have to use 500 mile "sticker" certificates. These are earned from flying (4 per 12500 EQM) or can be be purchased for $.
(Edit to add: all AA elites are eligible for free (no sticker) upgrades on flights that are shorter than 500 miles.)
Speaking as an AA EXP (and former UA 1K) it's a great system.
Platinums (UA Gold equivalent) and Golds (UA Silver equivalent) have to use 500 mile "sticker" certificates. These are earned from flying (4 per 12500 EQM) or can be be purchased for $.
(Edit to add: all AA elites are eligible for free (no sticker) upgrades on flights that are shorter than 500 miles.)
Speaking as an AA EXP (and former UA 1K) it's a great system.
Jan 18, 2016, 8:15 pm
#45
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Just outside Big D, or many other places in big metal tubes
Programs: WN Rpd.Rwrds, AA, was longtime CO very top Elite tier, Overentitled UA Lifetime 1K (since 2012)
Posts: 1,334
It seems to me that I recall reading somewhere in this Forum that a survey was done and at the top of the list for things desired by Premier members was upgrades. I do not think they will end this benefit.