Wow - selling the upgrades at the gate so explicitly.
#241
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,886
it does happen occasionally. I've been on probably a couple of flights in the last two years or so where I've seen this. In one case, on CVG-IAH, a segment on an award - I had this booked as Saver F the day before or so. F ended up going out full (or pretty close), but there were 3 or 4 I think who were op-ups - the list was cleared and they brought these folks up. This was 6am Sat. on aE75. Another time, same flight, also on an award but in Y, F cabin was half-empty.
#242
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Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
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it does happen occasionally. I've been on probably a couple of flights in the last two years or so where I've seen this. In one case, on CVG-IAH, a segment on an award - I had this booked as Saver F the day before or so. F ended up going out full (or pretty close), but there were 3 or 4 I think who were op-ups - the list was cleared and they brought these folks up. This was 6am Sat. on aE75. Another time, same flight, also on an award but in Y, F cabin was half-empty.
It's rare, but it happens and the common theme seems to be the E75
#243
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: EWR
Programs: UA MM GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 519
I am allowed by my travel policy to purchase Y-up fares, but not premium cabin fares on domestic travel.
As a 1K, this usually leads to me being #1 or #2 on the upgrade list. If I don't clear, I re-fare to the lowest available fare, usually saving ~$400-500 OW.
Each time they sell a TOD and I don't clear the upgrade list, UA is actually losing revenue. I'd say that's a reason not to do it.
As a 1K, this usually leads to me being #1 or #2 on the upgrade list. If I don't clear, I re-fare to the lowest available fare, usually saving ~$400-500 OW.
Each time they sell a TOD and I don't clear the upgrade list, UA is actually losing revenue. I'd say that's a reason not to do it.
#244
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But it does happen on mainline sometimes also, I've been on flights and upgraded with empty F seats.
#245
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,251
If they try this, everyone on the upgrade list should go up to the counter and ask that their upgrade be cleared immediately since the cabin obviously didn't fill. This will have the effect of embarrassing the agents, and also clog them up dealing with status holders so they are unable to sell their illicit upgrades.
#246
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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Dropped my bag off on Friday for RDU - LGA. All 12 F seats were empty and they were in an oversell. Asked about the upgrade and chances and the check-in agent said "well we try and sell the empty F seats now."
Thankfully my upgrade cleared (they ended up having to op-up 8/12 with no status after all 3 elites and a non-rev cleared) but was surprised how direct she was about it.
On a related note I wonder how op-ups are decided when they run out of elites on a decidedly non-elite heavy, non *A heavy route like RDU - LGA
Thankfully my upgrade cleared (they ended up having to op-up 8/12 with no status after all 3 elites and a non-rev cleared) but was surprised how direct she was about it.
On a related note I wonder how op-ups are decided when they run out of elites on a decidedly non-elite heavy, non *A heavy route like RDU - LGA
#247
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
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Posts: 14,886
Dropped my bag off on Friday for RDU - LGA. All 12 F seats were empty and they were in an oversell. Asked about the upgrade and chances and the check-in agent said "well we try and sell the empty F seats now."
Thankfully my upgrade cleared (they ended up having to op-up 8/12 with no status after all 3 elites and a non-rev cleared) but was surprised how direct she was about it.
On a related note I wonder how op-ups are decided when they run out of elites on a decidedly non-elite heavy, non *A heavy route like RDU - LGA
Thankfully my upgrade cleared (they ended up having to op-up 8/12 with no status after all 3 elites and a non-rev cleared) but was surprised how direct she was about it.
On a related note I wonder how op-ups are decided when they run out of elites on a decidedly non-elite heavy, non *A heavy route like RDU - LGA
I'd guess if there are no UA elites to upgrade, they'd go to *G, followed by *S, then go to non-elites by highest fare code.
#248
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
I was recently on an ORD-CLE mainline flight that went out with two open seats in F while there were 20+ on the upgrade standby list. Right before closing a guy in a pilot's uniform occupied one of the open seats (although this seat never showed occupied in the APP. Not in seatmap, not standby list, not in upgrade list). Very odd indeed.
#249
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: United
Posts: 2
I can also say that as a gold, I don't get many upgrades--but the last two trips to GDL in March I was upgraded (and nearly everyone else on the list) 3/4 times. And at the 24 hour mark, which has never happened to me.
Last edited by Dan Garcia; Apr 11, 2017 at 9:28 am
#250
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
I *think* (OK, I'm pretty sure I know) what happened. There were a couple flights out of IAH to GDL that elites jumped over to while there was still space in them. I saw her seating assignment at one point early on and business class was filling up...then it was nearly empty later on in the evening.
I can also say that as a gold, I don't get many upgrades--but the last two trips to GDL in March I was upgraded (and nearly everyone else on the list) 3/4 times. And at the 24 hour mark, which has never happened to me.
I can also say that as a gold, I don't get many upgrades--but the last two trips to GDL in March I was upgraded (and nearly everyone else on the list) 3/4 times. And at the 24 hour mark, which has never happened to me.
#251
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 514
I believe that UA has the right to get any money they can for their seats, however this is a really cheap way to do it. Give the seats away to your elites if you can't sell them for a decent amount. Selling them for pennies means you consider your elites worthless and don't value their business. They might lose some loyal customers this way. Not sure what idiot came up with this idea. Probably the same one who said to limit buyouts for VDB to $800 then get the police to beatup and drag screaming bloody passengers off planes.
#252
Gate agent selling first class seats 10 minutes prior to boarding - is this normal?
Flying DEN-SNA yesterday, plane is an A319. There is one F seat open, and I'm #1 on the upgrade list with an RPU.
About 10 minutes prior to boarding, I wander over to the gate agent to see if I can get the upgrade, rather than having switch seats after boarding. As I'm approaching the desk, she makes the following announcement:
"We still have one first class seat left, if any of you would like to purchase an upgrade, come see me at the podium".
I asked if this was a new policy, and was told that this was totally normal. I haven't experienced this at all before, and wanted to hear if you folks have seen this before?
As an aside, I hate this policy.
About 10 minutes prior to boarding, I wander over to the gate agent to see if I can get the upgrade, rather than having switch seats after boarding. As I'm approaching the desk, she makes the following announcement:
"We still have one first class seat left, if any of you would like to purchase an upgrade, come see me at the podium".
I asked if this was a new policy, and was told that this was totally normal. I haven't experienced this at all before, and wanted to hear if you folks have seen this before?
As an aside, I hate this policy.
#253
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 1MM / Hilton Diamond / Bonvoy Gold / Hertz PC
Posts: 396
Sounds like you ran into one of the rogue agents in DEN. Also seems like this is still a problem that continues with the agents there.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 10, 2017 at 11:43 am Reason: Cleanup after merge; thanks for the link
#254
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,846
#255
My next step will be to make my displeasure known to United and ask them what they plan on doing about this.
My third step will most likely be to receive some kind of BS email from United telling them how they feel sorry that they hurt my feelings, but that they won't change anything.
My fourth step will be to grumble and suck it up because I'm Star Alliance captive.
My fifth step will be to pray to the airline gods that more 5th freedom routes are opened up between the West Coast and Europe.
My final step will be to realize that none of this is going to change anything, make an effigy out of a copy of Rhapsody and stick those blue drinking straws into pain points on said effigy in a vain attempt to make myself feel better.
...does this answer your question?