mduell

After the checkin cutoff, at the convenience of the gate agent.

Kacee

I'd expect between T-30 minutes and when they close the door. Less than 50 percent chance it clears.

big V

Hey all,

Around T minus 1'45, Gate agent said the system would automatically process the u/g and to refresh my boarding pass.

Got a text notification that I cleared 1'05 before wheels up, about 15 min before boarding.

This battlefield u/g is especially sweet, given my initial flight was cancelled and was rerouted. Total bonus.

May the upgrade odds be ever in your favor!

lewinr

Hi All, first time using plus points (I let most of mine expire because there never seemed to be a good chance of using them.)

Flying UA 860 GRU-IAD on Dec 21
Boeing 767-400ER, 33 business class seats, 18 still open.
My status is Platinum, I'm flying on a Premium Economy Q class fare.
Expert mode fare classes show: J9 JN9 C9 D9 Z9 ZN9 P9 PN0 PZ0 IN0 I0 O9 ON9 A9 R0 RN0 Y9 YN9 B9 M9 E9 U9 H9 HN9 Q9 V9 W8 S3 T0 L0 K0 G0 N9 XN0 X0

Would appreciate your expert opinion of my chances... I have other options for a better flight in economy class, so if my chances are really low I might cancel this ticket and buy a different one.

Thank you

Travelo

FYI this isn’t considered a battlefield upgrade since it didn’t occur inside the aircraft.

fumje

It occurred just prior to boarding. Have you seen UA's boarding areas? That counts as battlefield!

Travelo

Been watching my flight like a hawk. Currently on a two-person PNR #1 and #2 on the list with GS instrument. 2x PN opened the day before my flight yesterday and suddenly today...drum role...x1 PN opened. Now I'm wondering if I should split the PNR or wait to get skipped by #3, a single flyer also on GS instrument.

1k650

On UA 853 Dec 10, showing 14 open seats, currently P8PN0PZ0. I am number 5 on the waitlist.

Would appreciate opinions !

Thanks.

Kmxu

Any upgrade cleared within T-36 h is a battle; for example, against buy-ups, new instrument-supported requests, misconnected J pax.

Kmxu

50/50, depending upon the balance of number of cancellation, new purchase, and cheap buy ups. Good luck!

Travelo

I was going off the online definitions.

Repooc17

Very much so! The state of UA boarding area, especially at hub airports, is an uphill battle. Never mind upgrading, even getting to the scanner requires focus and tenacity.

Kmxu

FT is a strange world and has a different definition of battleground upgrade.🤪

PanAmWT

You are in an exceptional situation with only six people on the J waitlist for the 14 seats. I guess that could be a good sign but I am not sure.

Normally, I would be less optimistic than 50/50. Travel agencies in Chinatown are actively advertising the following (my translation of the content, not word-to-word):

$1000 upgrade from economy to Polaris on UA flight to Taipei! (picture of Polaris seat)
After you purchase the economy ticket, you will be upgraded once the option is open.

Obviously the ad is targeting flyers without PPts or lots of miles. Most of them are not that knowledgeable, so the rumor that "for extra $1000 you can fly UA Polaris" is spreading.

If I were you, I would seriously consider premium economy to move to spot 1 or 2, and to prepare to sit in PE if J does not clear.

Mike Jacoubowsky

The chances of not clearing approach zero, I get that... UA 869 SFO-HKG 12/7. 50 Polaris seats, only 23 booked, and I've seen nothing change in the waitlist in the past 30 hours. Sitting at #4 & 5. Only reason it matters is that there are 3 sets left of center seats parallel, best for couple traveling together. Just seems odd they don't allocate upgrades for Plat yet.

There are two flights daily SFO-HKG, both lightly loaded. The later flight does have one allocated upgrade (maybe the only GS between the two flights?). Similar situation on day earlier flight. One Polaris upgrade allocated, 50 total seats, 37 booked.

Nothing to see here, move along...