Silver here. Upgraded 2/9 this year. LAX-PHX (T Class) and the ORD-DCA (W Class).

For people with GS status, does it matter what kind of fare they are on?

Within the priority of other GSs, yes. But all GSs (regardless of fare class) will be prioritize above other elites.

RPUing peak SFO/ORD is a fool's errand, let alone CPU. Especially on the 77G which regularly produces 100+ long lists.

Silver =
Free bag
E+
Early boarding (relatively)
occasional upgrades
higher mileage earning

It's definitely worthwhile to me.

I didn't realize that. All I can say is....

https://img.memesuper.com/6c13f01a60...d_625-770.jpeg

Does that count even for GS on economy awards?

On IAD-SFO on the 77G, as a gold who used miles for me and wife, we were #8/9 in the end. I forget the exact total, but list was 90 or so (give or take 1 or 2). This was a Friday evening flight, around 5:30, I think. Only 1 cleared at the gate, I believe.

On the positive side, had enough time to check out the TK lounge in B, which isn't the same as IST, but was pretty good. Also, miles were back in the account within 2 days, no action needed on my part.

Yes. Both supported (ie miles or certs) and unsupported (CPU, on CPU eligible flights).

I am in a state of disbelief. As a Gold, I apparently cleared a CPU DEN-SFO in advance of check in. Off to buy myself a lotto ticket.

hHck, I can't even clear when applying RPUs in advance. On flights like ORD-PHX, ORD-TPA and ORD-SAN, i used to always clear with either CPU or RPU - now it's rare that these clear as they are selling them for like $120. Agree with many - it's not a true benefit so they need to rethink the process. Over time, people will catch on and drop their loyalty to UA.

My wife never missed a CPU on ORF-ORD-ORF as 1K even though I used same-day-change (SDC) multiple times for some of her flights. E175 and 739 aircraft with big FC cabins helped! She was upgraded three times due to SDCs for one trip. I used SDCs three times. She did not get it only for one of intermediate SDCed flight.

Cleared DCA-EWR on an award ticket at T-2 days. I forgot what the CPU email look like. Last one I got was for ORD-MSN (all 20 minutes of it) in 2014! All other upgrades, which are few and far between, have been battlefield.

Looks like this:

United Airlines, Inc. <[email protected]>

You've been upgraded from [CITY AND AIRPORT CODE] to [CITY AND AIRPORT CODE] on [DAY OF WEEK], [DATE]. Your new seat is [ ]. Below is a recap of your flight information:
[PAX NAME]
MileagePlus/Partner Frequent Flyer:
United Confirmation Number:

[DAY OF WEEK], [DATE]
[UA FLIGHT #]
Depart [FLIGHT TIME] from [CITY AND AIRPORT CODE]
Arrives [ARRIVAL TIME] into [CITY AND AIRPORT CODE]

I live on that flight and couldn't agree more. I don't even attempt to throw an RPU at it as it is indeed a wasted effort. I just book E+, find the best seat, and hope for the best. Having said that I think a few years ago I actually did get a CPU but nothing in probably two years. The same can be said for SFO/SEA. I use to fly that route every week for two years and I don't think I ever got one. It is all GS and even they are fighting for a CPU.

I'm only silver and have never been upgraded ever and don't think I will as I'm flying out of ORD. Typically I'm 24th out of 29 people on the upgrade list. Hopefully, those 1K, Platinum, and Gold will all boycott the same flight as me on my next trip. It's good to hope.