Feb 27, 2019, 11:55 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is "Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays"
Archive thread "Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays" {Archive}
Archive thread "Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays" {Archive}
"Upgrade certificates (GPUs & RPUs) are useless nowadays" {Archive}
Feb 8, 2016, 2:38 pm
#91
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 15
The truth on why upgrades are tough
At the gate look at all the people going to the gate keepers and Paying for the upgrade at a very reduced price before freebies are given. On international flights they hold back last minute as many are willing to buy the upgrade a few hours or minutes before takeoff. I fly to India out of Newark and 15+ seats always available just before takeoff and this is because they want to get many to buy the upgrades for $1,100 one way. Before merger this did not happen and now inventory knows many buy so why release.
Feb 8, 2016, 2:48 pm
#92
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Avis First, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
If an airline prefers to maximize revenue, they can price to sell all of the seats, no upgrades except off-peak. The key question is what does this do to loyalty programs. I get the feeling that UA would prefer to "fire" their lowest-price Y fliers and keep those that buy premium, so perhaps they do not care that much. Changing the PQM multiplier to 2x+ for premium cabins is definitely a step in that direction.
Feb 8, 2016, 4:19 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,344
GPU's are useless from the West Coast of the USA to europe.
Just throw them away. There is no point spending $2800 on a W fare, when you will not get the upgrade instead of $1400 in Economy plus. Just throw the GPUs away and chalk it up to a loss.
This is United, and we all have to get used to it.
I throw them away almost every year--all 6 of them--because I never can use them.
When it's time to buy business class tickets, spend your money on a non-UA airline.
Just throw them away. There is no point spending $2800 on a W fare, when you will not get the upgrade instead of $1400 in Economy plus. Just throw the GPUs away and chalk it up to a loss.
This is United, and we all have to get used to it.
I throw them away almost every year--all 6 of them--because I never can use them.
When it's time to buy business class tickets, spend your money on a non-UA airline.
Feb 8, 2016, 4:53 pm
#94
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, Global Entry, Citi Prestige, Chase MileagePlus Club
Posts: 85
That is patently untrue. My very last longhaul ug on UA was after push back when the purser told me that they did not have time to clear my GPU at the gate and she'd bring my to my new seat. I declined quite rudely as I hate that commotion on board and I already mentally settled for a coach ride.
Feb 8, 2016, 5:06 pm
#95
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Hopefully both the GA and crew both learned their lesson. Stick to the policy. Once the pax boards, the UG is gone.
Last edited by Often1; Feb 8, 2016 at 7:15 pm
Feb 8, 2016, 7:34 pm
#96
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
But then we are talking UA here, with the whole family values thing coming back to UA, inflight upgrades for screaming babies are less than two weeks away.
Feb 8, 2016, 10:41 pm
#97
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
And where is that policy stated??
I have been told more than once, as #1 on the list, to board and they will come and get me if the upgrade opens up -- which it has a few times. Have never heard of any policy that forfeits upgrade if you board.
I have been told more than once, as #1 on the list, to board and they will come and get me if the upgrade opens up -- which it has a few times. Have never heard of any policy that forfeits upgrade if you board.
Feb 9, 2016, 8:11 am
#98
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
K fare - $1100
W fare - $1600
P fare - $3800
I buy a W fare for $1600 and have a 33% chance of clearing a GPU.
Actual cost (assuming I need to burn the GPU anyway). Normally the TOD + W is less than buying P outright, so I'll assume the TOD is just a buyup to a discount P fare.
(0.33 * 1600) + (0.66 * 3800) = $3036 expected cost for J.
W fare - $1600
P fare - $3800
I buy a W fare for $1600 and have a 33% chance of clearing a GPU.
Actual cost (assuming I need to burn the GPU anyway). Normally the TOD + W is less than buying P outright, so I'll assume the TOD is just a buyup to a discount P fare.
(0.33 * 1600) + (0.66 * 3800) = $3036 expected cost for J.
If you buy P, your expected cost is E[$3800]=$3800.
If you buy W just to get the upgrade and your chances are .33, then the cost introduced by the upgrade is K+(W-K)/.33=2615 USD.
Unless you turn down the ride every time the ug doesn't clear in which case the ug cost would be W/.33=4848 USD.
I was also very irate at that particular moment. And the purser phrasing it as if they were doing me a favour was simply too much. I don't need their sympathy. I'd rather pay a company that earns its fares.
Feb 9, 2016, 8:22 am
#99
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA GS & Million Miler, AA Lifetime Gold (MM)
Posts: 206
I did this one better a couple of weeks ago, IAH-SFO. Was #1 on the list, with 2 seats open in FC. Boarded in economy, watched the app. 3 minutes before departure, I cleared in the app, and just moved up to 1F. The GA came on board, looked at me, and just smiled.
Feb 9, 2016, 8:29 am
#100
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Yeah this is not a United policy but certainly applies to other airlines - for sure AA and maybe DL too
Feb 9, 2016, 9:39 am
#101
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
I've been moved up from coach after boarding on AA, and on DL. A recent AA flight in fact, I asked (I'm a newbie there) the GA, I'm #1 on upgrade, but want to have a place for my bags, he said, yeah, no problem if we get a no show in FC, we'll come get you. Where does this stuff come from?
Feb 9, 2016, 9:42 am
#102
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
That is patently untrue. My very last longhaul ug on UA was after push back when the purser told me that they did not have time to clear my GPU at the gate and she'd bring my to my new seat. I declined quite rudely as I hate that commotion on board and I already mentally settled for a coach ride.
Feb 9, 2016, 10:15 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Not at all. I have been a lot happier with PremiumEconomy product of BA and LH than the uncertain upgrade rodeo chez UA ever since.
I much rather have low fares and early boarding than perhaps-upgrades. So UA couldn't hawk off the last seat for $150 to a K fare holder ... and then the 1K MM on a full fare is good enough to clear? Seriously no thanks!
I much rather have low fares and early boarding than perhaps-upgrades. So UA couldn't hawk off the last seat for $150 to a K fare holder ... and then the 1K MM on a full fare is good enough to clear? Seriously no thanks!
Feb 9, 2016, 12:24 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,886
I am quite jealous that you lasted nearly 2.5 years longer than I did.
After several B segments in a row did not clear for me even though I booked more than a month out, I completely stopped buying upgradable fares on UA.
Your chances of getting an ug or an el-cheapo ug from a lowball fare are very much higher than being an overentitled elite who already paid for the worthless full fare.
Only thing better is a GM or alliance member on a lowball fare.
Why? If he's a big enough idiot to pay for F on UA, he may not be savvy in anything flying related.
That is patently untrue. My very last longhaul ug on UA was after push back when the purser told me that they did not have time to clear my GPU at the gate and she'd bring my to my new seat. I declined quite rudely as I hate that commotion on board and I already mentally settled for a coach ride.
After several B segments in a row did not clear for me even though I booked more than a month out, I completely stopped buying upgradable fares on UA.
Your chances of getting an ug or an el-cheapo ug from a lowball fare are very much higher than being an overentitled elite who already paid for the worthless full fare.
Only thing better is a GM or alliance member on a lowball fare.
Why? If he's a big enough idiot to pay for F on UA, he may not be savvy in anything flying related.
That is patently untrue. My very last longhaul ug on UA was after push back when the purser told me that they did not have time to clear my GPU at the gate and she'd bring my to my new seat. I declined quite rudely as I hate that commotion on board and I already mentally settled for a coach ride.
Not at all. I have been a lot happier with PremiumEconomy product of BA and LH than the uncertain upgrade rodeo chez UA ever since.
I much rather have low fares and early boarding than perhaps-upgrades. So UA couldn't hawk off the last seat for $150 to a K fare holder ... and then the 1K MM on a full fare is good enough to clear? Seriously no thanks!
I much rather have low fares and early boarding than perhaps-upgrades. So UA couldn't hawk off the last seat for $150 to a K fare holder ... and then the 1K MM on a full fare is good enough to clear? Seriously no thanks!
The part about once you board the upgrade is gone, I don't know where that is from. Last year on a TPE-SFO flight I was settled in business and an agent came aboard and said that they had several passengers joining the flight who had missed their BR connection. Business was now oversold and would I mind moving up to first.
Feb 9, 2016, 12:50 pm
#105
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,662
At the gate look at all the people going to the gate keepers and Paying for the upgrade at a very reduced price before freebies are given. On international flights they hold back last minute as many are willing to buy the upgrade a few hours or minutes before takeoff. I fly to India out of Newark and 15+ seats always available just before takeoff and this is because they want to get many to buy the upgrades for $1,100 one way. Before merger this did not happen and now inventory knows many buy so why release.
Me too and I'll take it if offered.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 9, 2016 at 3:55 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member -- please use multi-quote