Regional Premier Upgrades--Is it time for a mass DOT complaint?
Dec 16, 2018, 5:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Former 1KMM now free as UA Gold MM, former HH D, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,121
Regional Premier Upgrades--Is it time for a mass DOT complaint?
I was 1K last year and Platinum (MM) this year. I had RPUs expire at the end of last year after being unable to use them. This year, I've had my two RPUs applied to upcoming flights for most of the year (sometimes close-in, sometimes a few months out) in hopes of securing an upgrade, any upgrade. While I think one was hub-to-hub, the others have all been hub-to-spoke or vice-versa. Even during Thanksgiving week. Mornings, afternoons, evenings. Doesn't matter. No dice, no clearance, not even close. I'm flying again this week--just before Xmas and not likely a peak business travel week--and am presently #6 on the upgrade list, implying five other folks are Plats/1K/GS also applying the useless instruments in desperate hope for the one remaining seat in F.
I'm intimately familiar with the Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays thread. I'm hoping the distinction here is sufficient.
I'm thinking it's time for action. It is clear from my experiences of the past year plus that this is no longer actually a benefit of MileagePlus, despite it being advertised as such. Since it is my understanding that the Department of Transportation is the regulating body for airlines due to anti-trust legislation, I'd like to file a formal complaint that this so-called benefit is false advertising/misleading/plain old deceptive. And I'd like many others here to consider the same to get United to either:
I'm intimately familiar with the Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays thread. I'm hoping the distinction here is sufficient.
I'm thinking it's time for action. It is clear from my experiences of the past year plus that this is no longer actually a benefit of MileagePlus, despite it being advertised as such. Since it is my understanding that the Department of Transportation is the regulating body for airlines due to anti-trust legislation, I'd like to file a formal complaint that this so-called benefit is false advertising/misleading/plain old deceptive. And I'd like many others here to consider the same to get United to either:
- Stop advertising this alleged benefit to it's most frequent fliers, or
- Actually return to the days where some space was made available for at least certificate-sponsored upgrades.
Dec 16, 2018, 5:53 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,395
I regularly use RPUs to clear others of lesser status when not flying with me, and that thread will find many other successful uses of RPU. The real challenge for RPUs as a 1K is there is a very narrow "slot" where you need to RPU the flight because a CPU won't clear, but the RPU is still likely to work. (PZ space on HNL and p.s. flights is of course the Holy Grail here.)
The DOT is not going to take a complaint like this seriously; while there is a lot of commiserating about the lack of upgrades in the modern era in the linked thread, I doubt this will be much different.
But don't worry -- UA has heard the complaint and they are limiting the number of RPU you get in future years to cut down on the clutter
The DOT is not going to take a complaint like this seriously; while there is a lot of commiserating about the lack of upgrades in the modern era in the linked thread, I doubt this will be much different.
But don't worry -- UA has heard the complaint and they are limiting the number of RPU you get in future years to cut down on the clutter
Dec 16, 2018, 6:04 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 693
With how much they've already cut, It's gonna make me reconsider status if they cut anymore. While I appreciate trying to make CPUs clear more often by reducing RPU, I highly doubt it will make any difference as TODs are the most effective ancillary revenue generation technique they've implemented.
Dec 16, 2018, 6:07 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,944
Routing specific problem
I will give you a counter example. The problem is routing specific and related to day of travel. I recently cleared CPUs for all three segments of SLC-DEN-SAN-IAD as 1K on Saturday. The ticket was changed due to cancellation of a segment of previous SLC-LAX-IAD booking in G class. The rebooking was on G Class, too. Actually, SAN-IAD had four empty FC seats (red eye). If I applied a RPU immediately after rebooking, I would receive upgrades for all three segments right away (PZ>0). My CPU gamble was paid off.
Dec 16, 2018, 6:19 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,471
I feel OP's pain. As a frequent hub-to-hub traveler (EWR <-> SFO), I have not had any success applying RPUs. There are several reasons for this:
1) routes: hubs on both end
2) higher number of elites fighting for finite number of seats
3) discounted premium cabin fares
4) TODs
My course of actions - redirect my $$$ elsewhere. While EWR is the easier airport for me, JFK is just as acceptable, as is LGA for short-to-medium haul. With less than $1K PQD to go back in October for Plat renewal, I chose to fly on other carriers. I will continue to spread my spend among multiple carriers, as I am already a free agent anyway.
1) routes: hubs on both end
2) higher number of elites fighting for finite number of seats
3) discounted premium cabin fares
4) TODs
My course of actions - redirect my $$$ elsewhere. While EWR is the easier airport for me, JFK is just as acceptable, as is LGA for short-to-medium haul. With less than $1K PQD to go back in October for Plat renewal, I chose to fly on other carriers. I will continue to spread my spend among multiple carriers, as I am already a free agent anyway.
Dec 16, 2018, 6:32 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,335
I only took one domestic flight in 2018 in Y, and I forgot to apply a RPU to the flight.
Received a CPU instead.
I don't even bother checking how many RPUs I have, as they all expire unused, every year.
Checked just now; I have 26 RPUs of which 8 will expire end of January.
Still, not interested in a complaint over this.
It's no skin off my back...
.....as long as I keep 100% success rate with my GPUs!
Received a CPU instead.
I don't even bother checking how many RPUs I have, as they all expire unused, every year.
Checked just now; I have 26 RPUs of which 8 will expire end of January.
Still, not interested in a complaint over this.
It's no skin off my back...
.....as long as I keep 100% success rate with my GPUs!
Dec 16, 2018, 6:40 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,004
1) Firstly, the DOT would not be the agency one would complain to.
2) United would be able to plainly demonstrate that thousands of customers are able to use their RPUs.
3) Extending one’e experience using RPUs as being reflective of everyone’s is saying they know probably more than they actually do.
4) RPU success is a function of routes/timing/etc. - if you say “Gee, I never can use my RPUs on EWR-SFO on Fridays, so I’ll sue” is a bit oblivious. I’ll take your RPUs and use them - unfortunately, that would be just another nail in a sure-lose complaint.
5) UA has never promised everyone can use alll their Instruments.
I know OP is just ranting, but complaining to to the U.S. government is a waste of time in light of reality.
2) United would be able to plainly demonstrate that thousands of customers are able to use their RPUs.
3) Extending one’e experience using RPUs as being reflective of everyone’s is saying they know probably more than they actually do.
4) RPU success is a function of routes/timing/etc. - if you say “Gee, I never can use my RPUs on EWR-SFO on Fridays, so I’ll sue” is a bit oblivious. I’ll take your RPUs and use them - unfortunately, that would be just another nail in a sure-lose complaint.
5) UA has never promised everyone can use alll their Instruments.
I know OP is just ranting, but complaining to to the U.S. government is a waste of time in light of reality.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Dec 16, 2018 at 8:07 pm
Dec 16, 2018, 7:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Complain about what? I used all my RPUs for this year, then used my wife's RPUs for this year, then started using my RPUs that expire in 2020, then started using my wife's RPUs that expire in 2020.
Dec 16, 2018, 7:19 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, MR Titanium
Posts: 457
I manage to use all or most of my RPUs each year. Most recently, I did a SDC from HNL-DEN-XXX to HNL-ORD-XXX when it was evident the first segment would not clear, had the applied RPU moved to the new flight, and it cleared at the gate. I find using RPUs to be challenging sometimes, but I manage to use them and consider them a good benefit as a1K.
Dec 16, 2018, 7:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: SFO
Posts: 487
I feel OP's pain. As a frequent hub-to-hub traveler (EWR <-> SFO), I have not had any success applying RPUs. There are several reasons for this:
1) routes: hubs on both end
2) higher number of elites fighting for finite number of seats
3) discounted premium cabin fares
4) TODs
My course of actions - redirect my $$$ elsewhere. While EWR is the easier airport for me, JFK is just as acceptable, as is LGA for short-to-medium haul. With less than $1K PQD to go back in October for Plat renewal, I chose to fly on other carriers. I will continue to spread my spend among multiple carriers, as I am already a free agent anyway.
1) routes: hubs on both end
2) higher number of elites fighting for finite number of seats
3) discounted premium cabin fares
4) TODs
My course of actions - redirect my $$$ elsewhere. While EWR is the easier airport for me, JFK is just as acceptable, as is LGA for short-to-medium haul. With less than $1K PQD to go back in October for Plat renewal, I chose to fly on other carriers. I will continue to spread my spend among multiple carriers, as I am already a free agent anyway.
Dec 16, 2018, 8:26 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Former 1KMM now free as UA Gold MM, former HH D, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,121
I don’t know. I freely admit I’m not an attorney. It’s my lay understanding that the airlines are not subject to regulation by the FTC, so are the airlines free to advertise anything they want that isn’t explicitly covered in the above?
Dec 16, 2018, 8:30 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,471