Feb 26, 2024, 1:05 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the master thread is CPU Clearance Experiences
CPU Clearance Experiences - Archive
Feb 10, 2015, 7:59 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: 1K
Posts: 784
IRROPS handling....ha, you're joking right?
UA is horrible at that. They had to rebook me last week, and they rebooked for 2 days after my original flight, taking me basically around the U.S....SEA>IAH>SFO>MCO>ORD when my original flight was SEA>ORD. After fighting them on the phone forever (since customer service at the airport couldn't help worth a darn), I was finally rebooked into a different airline.
If I had enough time to make the new suggested route, I would have done it....would have made for a darn good mileage run on a P/Y fare.
The sad part though is that this "value" or IRROPs handling for a 1K (and other elites) is actually better (much better) than for the typical UA passenger. I really feel sorry for them when things go in the crapper - I remember once seeing passengers from my flight at IAH when our flight got cancel get in line at the customer service desk that night, and I went to a hotel (wasn't going to mess with anything and just figure out the next day) to return to the airport 6 hours later and all the same customers were still in line, many sleeping next to their bags with one agent working.
UA is horrible at that. They had to rebook me last week, and they rebooked for 2 days after my original flight, taking me basically around the U.S....SEA>IAH>SFO>MCO>ORD when my original flight was SEA>ORD. After fighting them on the phone forever (since customer service at the airport couldn't help worth a darn), I was finally rebooked into a different airline.
If I had enough time to make the new suggested route, I would have done it....would have made for a darn good mileage run on a P/Y fare.
The sad part though is that this "value" or IRROPs handling for a 1K (and other elites) is actually better (much better) than for the typical UA passenger. I really feel sorry for them when things go in the crapper - I remember once seeing passengers from my flight at IAH when our flight got cancel get in line at the customer service desk that night, and I went to a hotel (wasn't going to mess with anything and just figure out the next day) to return to the airport 6 hours later and all the same customers were still in line, many sleeping next to their bags with one agent working.
Feb 10, 2015, 8:30 pm
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.1MM
Posts: 300
Interesting to hear another perspective. I have had the complete opposite experience. Most of my IRROPS have been preemptively protected with good alternative routings. Have had calls from UA to discuss. Even during that darn "polar vortex" in Chicago a year or two back.
I agree. IRROPS have been great. Once, I was flying SEA-IAH-AUS. I was suppose to arrive around 10pm. SEA-IAH was delayed. UA was extremely proactive and booked me AS's direct SEA-AUS. Was at home by 5pm. I didn't even have to call. They just sent me an email.
I feel bad for GM
Feb 11, 2015, 5:05 am
#48
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I think IRROPS handling has been OK. However, I dont know how much better it is as a 1K versus a regular person. I do know that calling the 1K line and getting an answer in a minute is much better than a non-elite.
As for upgrades, if there's only 8 F seats, the diff between Silver, Gold, Plat, and maybe even 1K makes little difference. Does it really matter if you're number 52 on the UG list vs if you are #1? You are still sitting in the back. So when it comes to upgrades, I wouldn't even consider it a benefit unless you're at least Plat or 1K. It reminds me of those Black Friday ads where they offer a super cheap TV or something, to get people in but only stock 5 of them. UA advertises CPUs, GPUs, RPUs, but the inventory is much less than the demand.
As for upgrades, if there's only 8 F seats, the diff between Silver, Gold, Plat, and maybe even 1K makes little difference. Does it really matter if you're number 52 on the UG list vs if you are #1? You are still sitting in the back. So when it comes to upgrades, I wouldn't even consider it a benefit unless you're at least Plat or 1K. It reminds me of those Black Friday ads where they offer a super cheap TV or something, to get people in but only stock 5 of them. UA advertises CPUs, GPUs, RPUs, but the inventory is much less than the demand.
Feb 11, 2015, 9:19 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
Well, next week will be my first 2 flights of the year that are actually CPU eligible. Guess we'll see how this goes.......
Feb 11, 2015, 9:31 am
#50
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP 75K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 241
With regard to upgrades, as a silver, gold, and plat last year, they were virtually nonexistent, even on E/U/H fares at times. I don't know what happened, but I qualified for 1K on 12/26 and BOOM, the floodgates opened. I've been 80%+ ex-SFO. Granted, it's been all intra-west coast, but my only miss has been the Monday 6am SFO-LAX.
With regard to IRROPS, I've also noticed a difference as well. Caveat: we're dealing with two instances, small sample. Agents take a different tone/demeanor with me these days, and in one instance of a lengthy Mx delay, I requested rebooking OAL and it was granted. I don't feel like that would be the case as anything other than a 1K/GS.
With regard to IRROPS, I've also noticed a difference as well. Caveat: we're dealing with two instances, small sample. Agents take a different tone/demeanor with me these days, and in one instance of a lengthy Mx delay, I requested rebooking OAL and it was granted. I don't feel like that would be the case as anything other than a 1K/GS.
Feb 12, 2015, 4:37 pm
#51
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I don't blame you for getting excited. I was Gold in 2012 and I got upgraded ORD-RDU when flying on July 4th and a Sunday morning DEN-PHX. It ain't easy out there for the lower tiered elites anymore 
Feb 13, 2015, 7:52 pm
#52
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
Holy crap, I'm officially 1/1 this year as a Plat, and it actually cleared at T-72.
Feb 13, 2015, 8:14 pm
#53
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: LAX,SNA,SAN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott LP, Hertz Gold
Posts: 861
Some guys start the season 1/1 in MLB too. They end with a .269 avg by September. Good luck.
Feb 13, 2015, 8:20 pm
#54
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD, TXL, SZZ
Programs: UA 1K, AA, DL, NK, WN
Posts: 96
I got upgraded once as a Silver.
Feb 13, 2015, 8:31 pm
#55
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
Feb 13, 2015, 11:47 pm
#56
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: UAL 1KMM,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 758
As a 1K my upgrade percentage is in the toilet. Got upgrade both directions this week. CAE-IAD-ORF. The IAD-ORF_IAD was a UX. Airtime about 40 minutes.
Feb 14, 2015, 1:44 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
You can declare 'moral victory' for getting upgrades on IAD-ORF. Sometimes, UA puts a Q200 or ERJ on this route. Happy travel.
Feb 14, 2015, 2:39 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: UA Premier Gold
Posts: 503
Once got upgraded at T24 SFO-IAD on a G fare as a Silver (Friday AM), but that was truly absurd. Was once also 75 on the upgrade list on a 753 for IAD-SFO.
Overall as Silver, I was 4/37 on CPUable flights and am 1/8 as Gold (only upgrade was ORD-SFO on Weds before Thanksgiving)
Overall as Silver, I was 4/37 on CPUable flights and am 1/8 as Gold (only upgrade was ORD-SFO on Weds before Thanksgiving)