Economy Plus quite full but very few CPU: who are these people?
Jul 15, 2018, 1:42 am
#1
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Economy Plus quite full but very few CPU: who are these people?
I noticed that recently on some of the Hawaiian to west coast flights, the Economy Plus seats are quite full (before check-in starts, so these seats are not taken by Premier Silver members). In contrast, the first class section is very empty. In particular, I noticed that the number of confirmed First Class seats (let's say 8/20 F seats occupied before any of the CPU windows) does not increase even the flight is well within the CPU windows (Let's say it is between T-24 and T-48). So am I right to assume that in this case the Economy Plus seats are mostly taken by people who actually pay for them?
Jul 15, 2018, 7:22 am
#4
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Lots of reasons those in E+ might not be CPU eligible. Gone over many times in various threads. For example, those on awards (no eligible UA CC). Anyone buying up in advance (including silvers, by the way - some do that). Anyone traveling with multiple pax in the PNR (more than 2), so aren’t eligible - that would be basically any family - which I suspect is probably a big reason on this kind of flight. While many on here use the E+ seat map as a guide for CPU chances - there’s just too many factors that change on flight to flight for it to be a reliable in how many people there might be potentially eligible - at least that’s my opinion.
Dont forget at merger time, UAs CEO at the time, when deciding which features to keep in the new UA, had basically as a foregone conclusion that E+ would be gone. But when looking at the numbers - he changed his mind - potentially due to elite considerations, but almost certainly because revenue from buy ups meant it made sense to keep. I’d suspect this is also a key reason on this route - families on vacation splurging for an E+ seat.
Dont forget at merger time, UAs CEO at the time, when deciding which features to keep in the new UA, had basically as a foregone conclusion that E+ would be gone. But when looking at the numbers - he changed his mind - potentially due to elite considerations, but almost certainly because revenue from buy ups meant it made sense to keep. I’d suspect this is also a key reason on this route - families on vacation splurging for an E+ seat.
Jul 15, 2018, 7:31 am
#5
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Revenue management may not be releasing inventory for CPUs to auto clear into (waiting for buy ups or just ticket purchases), but it's also possible that non-elites have purchased or been comped into E+ for mystical reasons.
For example, last year my dad (retired, no UA status, maybe flies UA twice a year) and stepmom flew LAX-SYD and around a month prior to departure they were contacted by UA (can't remember if it was a phone call or an email) informing them that they had been "upgraded" to E+. Not sure what the parameters were for that (guessing perhaps a high Y load / low E+ load and trying to sort out seat assignments in advance?) but in any event it was good for them as my dad is 6'7" -- I'm honestly surprised they didn't buy E+ earlier or even go for J on a flight that long.
For example, last year my dad (retired, no UA status, maybe flies UA twice a year) and stepmom flew LAX-SYD and around a month prior to departure they were contacted by UA (can't remember if it was a phone call or an email) informing them that they had been "upgraded" to E+. Not sure what the parameters were for that (guessing perhaps a high Y load / low E+ load and trying to sort out seat assignments in advance?) but in any event it was good for them as my dad is 6'7" -- I'm honestly surprised they didn't buy E+ earlier or even go for J on a flight that long.
Jul 15, 2018, 9:09 am
#6
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As discussed in other threads (and already mentioned here), UA has recently cut way back on CPU sweeps. So there are plenty of CPU eligible passengers, UA's just not clearing any of them in advance. They're instead hoping to sell those empty seats at a discount price.
Jul 15, 2018, 9:32 am
#7
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Thank you all for the helpful inputs. Very informative for me. I was just impressed by the number of people paying for E+ seats! But I agree that award tickets and family on a same reservation are also very likely reasons.
In fact, for the flight I am on, I suspect that it is not because UA did not run the CPU sweeps --- I am only a lowly Gold member, and I got my upgrade shortly after my T-48 window. The interesting thing is, the number of booked F seats only increases by one (1)! Moreover, between the earliest CPU window T-96 and when my CPU was cleared, the number of booked F seats did not change. This means that there are no eligible GS/1K/Platinum members on the CPU standby list at all!
In fact, for the flight I am on, I suspect that it is not because UA did not run the CPU sweeps --- I am only a lowly Gold member, and I got my upgrade shortly after my T-48 window. The interesting thing is, the number of booked F seats only increases by one (1)! Moreover, between the earliest CPU window T-96 and when my CPU was cleared, the number of booked F seats did not change. This means that there are no eligible GS/1K/Platinum members on the CPU standby list at all!
Jul 15, 2018, 9:55 am
#8
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Thank you all for the helpful inputs. Very informative for me. I was just impressed by the number of people paying for E+ seats! But I agree that award tickets and family on a same reservation are also very likely reasons.
In fact, for the flight I am on, I suspect that it is not because UA did not run the CPU sweeps --- I am only a lowly Gold member, and I got my upgrade shortly after my T-48 window. The interesting thing is, the number of booked F seats only increases by one (1)! Moreover, between the earliest CPU window T-96 and when my CPU was cleared, the number of booked F seats did not change. This means that there are no eligible GS/1K/Platinum members on the CPU standby list at all!
In fact, for the flight I am on, I suspect that it is not because UA did not run the CPU sweeps --- I am only a lowly Gold member, and I got my upgrade shortly after my T-48 window. The interesting thing is, the number of booked F seats only increases by one (1)! Moreover, between the earliest CPU window T-96 and when my CPU was cleared, the number of booked F seats did not change. This means that there are no eligible GS/1K/Platinum members on the CPU standby list at all!
Jul 15, 2018, 10:06 am
#9
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A combination of family travel (can get all in E+ but preferring not to split for CPU) and award travel (not eligible) are main factors for HI flts.
A a results you ll have either upsell takes or a cabin full of non revs...
A a results you ll have either upsell takes or a cabin full of non revs...
Jul 15, 2018, 11:25 am
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David
Jul 15, 2018, 11:39 am
#13
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But I suppose BG5 in E+ is the most 'inequitable' if the word could be applied to such a circumstance.
Jul 15, 2018, 12:44 pm
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Jul 15, 2018, 12:52 pm
#15
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What I don't understand is the people who pay for E+ (MCE, Comfort+, etc) on 500-mile E175 flights (and yes, they exist).