What's the longest first class upgrade standby list / waitlist that you've ever seen?
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,589
Even before the merger, it was not uncommon to see an IAD-SFO flight on a A320 with so many elites that the GA's boarded the flight by rows.
#21
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Very normal for a Thursday night. It may end up in the 70's before the flight leaves.
UA has a lot of elites. Everyone makes the list, even Silvers and Golds who have a very low chance of upgrades. Not sure why people continue to be surprised that the upgrade list may contain half or more of any given flight to major airports. It's only noteworthy, IMO, if you're a 1K and and number 40 on that list (as an example).
UA has a lot of elites. Everyone makes the list, even Silvers and Golds who have a very low chance of upgrades. Not sure why people continue to be surprised that the upgrade list may contain half or more of any given flight to major airports. It's only noteworthy, IMO, if you're a 1K and and number 40 on that list (as an example).
#23
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
That really depends on your expectation.
I'm a Platinum and I clear my upgrades 80% of the time and when I miss I barely miss...
But I also fly off-peak hours like late Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, mid-day Thursday/Fridays.
I have a couple employees who are gold/silver and they get upgraded fairly regularly on certain routes as well. (They both fly out of DL hubs which helps I think as the elite travelers there are not United.)
I'm a Platinum and I clear my upgrades 80% of the time and when I miss I barely miss...
But I also fly off-peak hours like late Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, mid-day Thursday/Fridays.
I have a couple employees who are gold/silver and they get upgraded fairly regularly on certain routes as well. (They both fly out of DL hubs which helps I think as the elite travelers there are not United.)
#25
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SLC
Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 768
As a Silver, I do occasionally get upgrades (I'm based in DEN), but never when traveling on business. My upgrades have always come when flying for personal travel, in off-peak times, and/or to non-business locations. When traveling on business, I'm usually somewhere around #45 on the upgrade list. When traveling for pleasure, the upgrade list is sometimes only 4-5 people.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
We talk about this at least once a year.....but not sure if the OP was asking where we all site on upgrade lists on average, what UG lists are on average etc.
Hence we are now talking about long lists (have a thread on it), no upgrade chances (have a thread per status on this).
Hence we are now talking about long lists (have a thread on it), no upgrade chances (have a thread per status on this).
#30
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
The most I've ever been aware of was around 15...solely based on the number I've seen board when GS was called. And that, of course, included a couple companions.