Value of 1K when GPUs don't clear despite 20+ open seats?
#31
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 209
Confused -- how does W factor into this? I thought W was just one of the generic discount coach fare classes?
#32
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,342
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PVG, FRA, SEA, HEL
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 4,783
I have little sympathy for the OP. Airlines are there to make money. As part of revenue protection it might be wiser for the airline to leave J-seats empty to entice passenger to purchase J-tickets next time. If it too easy to upgrade, then why would passenger buy J-fares anymore?
US to AKL roundtrip can be purchased for EUR 3-4k if bought in advance.
Which other airline is offering a better upgrade programme for status passengers?
US to AKL roundtrip can be purchased for EUR 3-4k if bought in advance.
but then it becomes reasonable for frequent flyers to investigate other airlines where that loyalty may be rewarded with better perks (such as upgrades that are more likely to clear).
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC-area
Programs: UA-1K
Posts: 16
Lots of interesting points and counter points here. Thank you for engaging. All major airlines have GPU (or equivalent) policies for a reason: those loyal flyers account for a large share of the airlines' business. So the key question is whether not letting GPUs clear within T-24 even when 20+ seats are open is a profit-maximizing strategy for united.
Let's think about the extremes just to make this point clearly:
At one extreme, selling all open Polaris seats to the highest bidders until the last minute, before allowing any GPUs to be redeemed, is not optimal because then GPUs become virtually worthless, and the loyalty unravels.
At the other extreme, I admit that clearing GPUs when there are only, say, 3 open seats is not optimal for united because they'd like to wait and see if someone buys a ticket last minute.
So the optimal strategy is somewhere in between these extremes. I'm only arguing that choosing to not allow GPU redemption when there are 20+open seats and trying to sell them, is not optimal strategy because it does not engender loyalty. It sounds like others feel differently
Let's think about the extremes just to make this point clearly:
At one extreme, selling all open Polaris seats to the highest bidders until the last minute, before allowing any GPUs to be redeemed, is not optimal because then GPUs become virtually worthless, and the loyalty unravels.
At the other extreme, I admit that clearing GPUs when there are only, say, 3 open seats is not optimal for united because they'd like to wait and see if someone buys a ticket last minute.
So the optimal strategy is somewhere in between these extremes. I'm only arguing that choosing to not allow GPU redemption when there are 20+open seats and trying to sell them, is not optimal strategy because it does not engender loyalty. It sounds like others feel differently
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 3, 2019 at 1:56 pm Reason: discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
#35
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Silicon wasteland
Programs: UA 1KMM
Posts: 1,379
ok that's more accurate. But freshly applied GPUs will jump the waitlist if the waitlist is not being cleared.
Also, I thought one couldn't remove an instrument within 24hrs, so one is effectively stuck on the waitlist?
I 've removed my upgrades shortly before check-in at T-24:10, and reapplied 15 minutes later for immediate clearance.
Also, I thought one couldn't remove an instrument within 24hrs, so one is effectively stuck on the waitlist?
I 've removed my upgrades shortly before check-in at T-24:10, and reapplied 15 minutes later for immediate clearance.
Every time I try to call it in in the past couple of months, the PZ space magically disappears before they can apply it.
It happens if I'm trying to add a new one inside T-24, or if I'm trying to SDC onto a flight with PZ space. Each and every time I call at some otherworldly hour (2am or so), the space is gone before I can get upgraded and others magically appear on the "post check in UG list". I can only conclude that they are actually running the UG list dynamically (as they should) before applying anything new. Bad for me, but good for fairnness overall.
#36
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
There is a thread labeled GPU and RPU are worthless, but as yours actually worked, you can't post in that thread for this particular instance, AA and DL forums have the same thread as well.
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,165
The nail in the coffin for me was not clearing on a GUM-HNL flight after being number one on the waitlist with 4 seats left. They slowly got sold one by one from 3 hour til departure until 45 mins when the flight showed fully booked. I never was even offered a buy up.
That was in December 2017. I didnt even try to use my 6 GPUs in 2018 and just bought the cheapest biz class for my routings. I enjoyed a mix of CX, DL, UA, MU and BA last year. Ill continue the same this year. They have every right to take away the benefits of 1K, just as I have every right to spread my money around.
That was in December 2017. I didnt even try to use my 6 GPUs in 2018 and just bought the cheapest biz class for my routings. I enjoyed a mix of CX, DL, UA, MU and BA last year. Ill continue the same this year. They have every right to take away the benefits of 1K, just as I have every right to spread my money around.
#40
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,623
#41
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,684
The nail in the coffin for me was not clearing on a GUM-HNL flight after being number one on the waitlist with 4 seats left. They slowly got sold one by one from 3 hour til departure until 45 mins when the flight showed fully booked. I never was even offered a buy up.
That was in December 2017. I didnt even try to use my 6 GPUs in 2018 and just bought the cheapest biz class for my routings. I enjoyed a mix of CX, DL, UA, MU and BA last year. Ill continue the same this year. They have every right to take away the benefits of 1K, just as I have every right to spread my money around.
That was in December 2017. I didnt even try to use my 6 GPUs in 2018 and just bought the cheapest biz class for my routings. I enjoyed a mix of CX, DL, UA, MU and BA last year. Ill continue the same this year. They have every right to take away the benefits of 1K, just as I have every right to spread my money around.
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,165
one doesnt need to be marketed an offer to buy up in order to buy up. Many customers inquire about buying up without an offer being made to them. And many do. Next time, if youre contemplating and havent been solicited, you can ask if there is availability, and what is the price. Guessing, bring #1 on the list, you were not looking for a buy up chance, but its possible
#43
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
AA EXP here. This is true, but C space is tough to find in advance and we only get 4 SWU for 100k EQM. I managed to use all of mine with diligent EF searching, including both ways on NYC-CDG-NYC this summer, but it's a lot of work to find space in advance if you're not willing to let it ride and hope for the best.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 3, 2019 at 7:38 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
#44
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,010
Can I just say that with 34 years as 1K or GS, I'm surprised you are only 1.5MM? I would have figured at least 2MM even accounting for the majority of that travel being in paid front cabin with fare bonuses. I despair that my 10 years as 1K and 8 as 1P before that has only scored me 1.2MM miles, and that I typically get only 60-70k BIS each year despite reaching 1K and thus am decades away from 3MM and lifetime 1K, but 34 and only lifetime Gold... ouch.
#45
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
one doesnt need to be marketed an offer to buy up in order to buy up. Many customers inquire about buying up without an offer being made to them. And many do. Next time, if youre contemplating and havent been solicited, you can ask if there is availability, and what is the price. Guessing, bring #1 on the list, you were not looking for a buy up chance, but its possible