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 9, 2015, 6:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.1MM
Posts: 300
CPU Clearance Experiences - Archive
As a Gold, I know that my chances for an upgrade are slim to none.
However, last friday, I got upgrade OKC - IAH - AUS! The IAH - AUS flight got upgrade the night before while the OKC - IAH flight was upgraded at the gate.
Ok... I know these are short haul flights, and I was flying a friday morning (not elite heavy). But still... I was really surprised.
Just a data point, thought I might share.
However, last friday, I got upgrade OKC - IAH - AUS! The IAH - AUS flight got upgrade the night before while the OKC - IAH flight was upgraded at the gate.
Ok... I know these are short haul flights, and I was flying a friday morning (not elite heavy). But still... I was really surprised.
Just a data point, thought I might share.
Feb 9, 2015, 6:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
I got a fair number of upgrades when I was a Gold. It's really not as insanely rare as the kvetching FTers would have you believe.
Feb 9, 2015, 6:23 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.1MM
Posts: 300
I remember getting upgraded as Silver and Gold during the Continental days. Then after the merger, I rarely got upgraded. Last year I was Platinum, and upgrades were rare too.
Just my experience.
Just my experience.
Feb 9, 2015, 6:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
Used to get upgrades much more often as a PMCO Silver than as a UA 1K today.
Less capacity, more elites, more ToD upgrades, etc.
Less capacity, more elites, more ToD upgrades, etc.
Feb 9, 2015, 6:27 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
I live in Chicago.. It's rare here as a gold 
My best luck route was Miami.. I have a flight coming up there that is looking pretty good!
My best luck route was Miami.. I have a flight coming up there that is looking pretty good!
Feb 9, 2015, 6:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K,CX GOLD,SPG GOLD, Club Carlson GOLD, Accor PLAT, Amex PLAT
Posts: 219
Got upgrade as a Gold!!!
I cleared IAD to SFO at T-48 as a gold last year on a K fare. It was a 10pm departure, but still upgrades happen at all levels.
Feb 9, 2015, 6:30 pm
#7
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: 67,146
I used to upgrade a lot as a UA 1P (Gold), too. Unfortunately, then the merger came along, and as a 1K my percentage is lower than it was as a Gold. I now buy F when it's offered at a good discount. Last CPU I got was ... well, it sure wasn't on a transcon. I think it was something like a 40 minute flight on United Express.
Feb 9, 2015, 6:37 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
I'm the same, pre-merger I was upgraded as Silver, Gold and Platinum. Year 1 post merger as 1k I was still about 90%. The the last year plus I have been down to around 10% as a 1k
Feb 9, 2015, 6:39 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SRQ, PDX
Programs: UA 1 MM, AA, DL
Posts: 930
As a Gold, I know that my chances for an upgrade are slim to none.
However, last friday, I got upgrade OKC - IAH - AUS! The IAH - AUS flight got upgrade the night before while the OKC - IAH flight was upgraded at the gate.
Ok... I know these are short haul flights, and I was flying a friday morning (not elite heavy). But still... I was really surprised.
Just a data point, thought I might share.
However, last friday, I got upgrade OKC - IAH - AUS! The IAH - AUS flight got upgrade the night before while the OKC - IAH flight was upgraded at the gate.
Ok... I know these are short haul flights, and I was flying a friday morning (not elite heavy). But still... I was really surprised.
Just a data point, thought I might share.
Feb 9, 2015, 6:44 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.1MM
Posts: 300
Feb 9, 2015, 6:53 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,322
That's how I feel when my luggage actually makes it home with me! I am 3 for 3 this burst with UA losing my luggage on the way home - thank goodness never on the way out! Each time they have had several hours (5 hours last time) to make the connection - and I have physically carried the bag through customs lol - but it just doesn't make it???!!
Feb 9, 2015, 6:57 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: TX
Programs: UA 1K, 1.1MM
Posts: 300
That's how I feel when my luggage actually makes it home with me! I am 3 for 3 this burst with UA losing my luggage on the way home - thank goodness never on the way out! Each time they have had several hours (5 hours last time) to make the connection - and I have physically carried the bag through customs lol - but it just doesn't make it???!!
I learned my lesson a long time ago: never check bags. And I swear, every time I have checked in a bag, it never arrives on time.
Feb 9, 2015, 6:59 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,648
As a pmUA 1P my upgrade rate was over 60% on cheap fares, transcon and short hops
As a post merger 1K it was under 40% on similar and more expensive fares, mostly on under 1000mi flights
As a post merger 1K it was under 40% on similar and more expensive fares, mostly on under 1000mi flights
Feb 9, 2015, 7:17 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA 1k, US Airways Silver, SPG PLT, Marriot Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 536
Upgrade rate 24% as gold last year (see sig)
Though to be fair some of that was during smaller one day holidays when nobody else was flying.
Though to be fair some of that was during smaller one day holidays when nobody else was flying.
Feb 9, 2015, 7:18 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,392
I got one upgrade as a silver, on the long haul IAD-CMH leg
0 for 0 so far as a Platinum on 8 segments in 2015, but none were eligible (all either UAX with no F or intl itinerary.)
I'll have a shot next week on a couple flights, we'll see how I make out.
0 for 0 so far as a Platinum on 8 segments in 2015, but none were eligible (all either UAX with no F or intl itinerary.)
I'll have a shot next week on a couple flights, we'll see how I make out.