Wow - selling the upgrades at the gate so explicitly.
#271
Join Date: Jul 2015
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#272
Join Date: Jul 2013
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CO policy? Ok, so that's not relevant - not in the slightest. What is the policy today from the current UA? I'm a regular DEN flier and I thought this was absolutely the norm; in fact, my understanding was upgrades at the gate cleared when they had no more buyers.
Has anyone actually gotten a response and a policy statement from 1kvoice other than platitudes and a few RDMs?
I have been #1 at DEN many many times with an open seat, and ended up staying in 21C with my Classic box.
#273
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Alternative link for those have trouble with the original link
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#274
Join Date: Apr 2015
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Seems like the more important question than whether they are offering these cash upgrades at the gate is for how much. If it's for an amount that is much less than the imputed value of a CPU or RPU, then it's a slap in the face to the elite on the upgrade list.
#275
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
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.
#276
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UA Insider provided this statement, 5 years ago (-6 days), which even in practice was not implemented as stated but did clearly state cash offers will be made even if there are waitlisted elites.
I recall from one of these discussions with COInsider, that segment fee upgrades - meaning an upgrade cost calculated by some arbitrary hocus pocus recipe hidden in Shares - should not be offered when Elites>F Seats.
Of course the difference between the two is hard to tell as that $50 number could be either a fare difference or a segment fee, but it's hard to tell given how fares can be "suddenly" changed for a flight around check-in time.
What is obvious to me, is a GA doing a carnival barker routine for upgrades is using a segment fee and not a fare difference, thus if Elites>F seats, it should not be done. For years we had discussions that paralleled the far more transparent approach taken by Delta where people could put a deposit down on an upgrade, but it would only clear at the gate if enough F seats remained open after the Medallion list was cleared.
If the policy has changed, I think this is a good opportunity for the OP to confirm it via a discussion with 1KVoice.
#277
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Washington DC and Denver CO
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I'm not sure if it needs much more confirmation than real life - I fly DEN and IAD weekly; both offer TODs (well, usually $129/$159 P fare buy ups at T-24 and less - regardless of the fare purchased) consistently - even when half the plane is elites. The only difference is the GA is usually not involved.
My CPU and RPU clearance rate this year is roughly 1:10 what it was last year (I'd consistently clear on the red eyes eastbound - this year it's happened ONCE) - but I can almost always reliably buy up for $129 and get my useless instrument back.
My CPU and RPU clearance rate this year is roughly 1:10 what it was last year (I'd consistently clear on the red eyes eastbound - this year it's happened ONCE) - but I can almost always reliably buy up for $129 and get my useless instrument back.
#278
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I remember that discussion, but my take-away from the discussion as a whole, and not from that specific post, was fare difference offers would be made regardless of Elite vs seats, and everyone should see an offer based on the difference between their ticketed fare and the lowest F-eligible fare available at the time of the offer (this process is still broken, so many years later).
I recall from one of these discussions with COInsider, that segment fee upgrades - meaning an upgrade cost calculated by some arbitrary hocus pocus recipe hidden in Shares - should not be offered when Elites>F Seats
I recall from one of these discussions with COInsider, that segment fee upgrades - meaning an upgrade cost calculated by some arbitrary hocus pocus recipe hidden in Shares - should not be offered when Elites>F Seats
#279
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I'm not sure if it needs much more confirmation than real life - I fly DEN and IAD weekly; both offer TODs (well, usually $129/$159 P fare buy ups at T-24 and less - regardless of the fare purchased) consistently - even when half the plane is elites. The only difference is the GA is usually not involved.
My CPU and RPU clearance rate this year is roughly 1:10 what it was last year (I'd consistently clear on the red eyes eastbound - this year it's happened ONCE) - but I can almost always reliably buy up for $129 and get my useless instrument back.
My CPU and RPU clearance rate this year is roughly 1:10 what it was last year (I'd consistently clear on the red eyes eastbound - this year it's happened ONCE) - but I can almost always reliably buy up for $129 and get my useless instrument back.
-Is F worth $159 extra to you?
-Were you unable to purchase F upfront or otherwise change your ticket at purchase?
-If not, it seems a little disingenuous to get angry about "kettles" buying "cheap" $159 TODs
Because you can purchase F outright for $159 more than Y on IAD/DEN. (An argument can be had whether $129 ~= $159 and whether the PQD/RDM difference matters).
#280
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Neither in the referenced post or other UA Insider post is such a caveat provided while acknowledgement of the "hocus pocus" approach is found -- and much contemporary evidence supported that and still does... the only difference nowadays there appears to be less of a negative elite differential. Given we are 5+ years in this action, it is hard to see an relevance or reliance in a predecessor organization's statement. If there every was any intent to follow such a policy, the time is long gone.
#281
Join Date: Jul 2013
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In situations like this, I always have to wonder:
-Is F worth $159 extra to you?
-Were you unable to purchase F upfront or otherwise change your ticket at purchase?
-If not, it seems a little disingenuous to get angry about "kettles" buying "cheap" $159 TODs
Because you can purchase F outright for $159 more than Y on IAD/DEN. (An argument can be had whether $129 ~= $159 and whether the PQD/RDM difference matters).
-Is F worth $159 extra to you?
-Were you unable to purchase F upfront or otherwise change your ticket at purchase?
-If not, it seems a little disingenuous to get angry about "kettles" buying "cheap" $159 TODs
Because you can purchase F outright for $159 more than Y on IAD/DEN. (An argument can be had whether $129 ~= $159 and whether the PQD/RDM difference matters).
Is P often available for $129/$159 at purchase date? Yes. Always? No. And sorry, when I book about 6 weeks out and attach an RPU to a flight with a completely empty front cabin, yeah, I'm a bit chuffed when it doesn't clear - but doesn't mean I won't upgrade for $129 when it looks like yet another instrument is going to end up useless.
We all know that the direct P/A/Z buy up often doesn't show up until the last minute. Heck, I had two 8-week RPU waitlisted flights last week showing $1700 buy ups until T-48 that dropped to $129 at T-24, after which F space dries up before T-22 at IAD/DEN.
#282
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,904
Happened the other evening at DEN flying to SEA. Numerous elites on upgrade list and 30 minutes prior to departure with boarding starting, gate agent is trying is announcing two seats for sale. I tweeted UA my complaint but no reply.
#283
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In situations like this, I always have to wonder:
-Is F worth $159 extra to you?
-Were you unable to purchase F upfront or otherwise change your ticket at purchase?
-If not, it seems a little disingenuous to get angry about "kettles" buying "cheap" $159 TODs
Because you can purchase F outright for $159 more than Y on IAD/DEN. (An argument can be had whether $129 ~= $159 and whether the PQD/RDM difference matters).
-Is F worth $159 extra to you?
-Were you unable to purchase F upfront or otherwise change your ticket at purchase?
-If not, it seems a little disingenuous to get angry about "kettles" buying "cheap" $159 TODs
Because you can purchase F outright for $159 more than Y on IAD/DEN. (An argument can be had whether $129 ~= $159 and whether the PQD/RDM difference matters).
What I'd like is a 'voucher' for the value of my status towards the F seat to level the playing field on TODs.
#284
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The thing is that the kettle goes from a E- seat to the front. For $129-159, that is pretty sweet, considering that E+ at time of booking might have cost them more. Bags, seat and meal and a s few drinks, you are getting pretty close to break even for a kettle.
What I'd like is a 'voucher' for the value of my status towards the F seat to level the playing field on TODs.
What I'd like is a 'voucher' for the value of my status towards the F seat to level the playing field on TODs.
#285
Update: I've gotten a response from United. This is insulting. They clearly didn't read my email. I have no idea where they get "checkin experience" from, since this is not what I asked about.
I've responded, once again re-stating my question.
The specific fare types such as: travel agency bulk fares, budget economy fare are not eligible for upsell.
I'm sorry your checkin experience didn't reflect the service you deserved.
Your constructive comments help us to improve our products and to gear them towards your needs. We'll review them, as we want to meet and exceed your travel expectations and provide you with a positive travel experience each time you fly with us. It's important that we listen to our passengers now more than ever as we are working hard to be your airline of choice.
Thank you for your business and loyalty. We look forward to serving you on your next United flight.
I'm sorry your checkin experience didn't reflect the service you deserved.
Your constructive comments help us to improve our products and to gear them towards your needs. We'll review them, as we want to meet and exceed your travel expectations and provide you with a positive travel experience each time you fly with us. It's important that we listen to our passengers now more than ever as we are working hard to be your airline of choice.
Thank you for your business and loyalty. We look forward to serving you on your next United flight.