Last edit by: WineCountryUA
The way of the Dodo? - 1K upgrades, PP or CPU
#301
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,698
#302
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 350
I had a Thursday flight to STT cancel in February due to weather... the next available flight option on United was on the following Sunday. No other options offered, refused to look for other airline routing. I'm MM, and to be honest, Platinum over Gold lifetime is not enough incentive for me to continue to book 100% of my travel on United as I was doing up until last year. They're cutting the GS (and other level) benefits so much that at least for me they're losing (some of) my business. I now book on routing, schedule, and price. And as I said above, when on international business the experience on other carriers is simply better, despite the UA status. I'd put up with the dismal food service in flying exclusively United international business if the additional benefits were (IMO) commensurate, but when I literally can't give away PP and need to pay for (domestic) first to get it, then what's the point?
#303
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,096
It is also my experience that paid J or F on other carriers means treatment substantially the same in IRROPs as being a 1K on UA. In fact, that has largely been true even on saver award business class, though they won't change you to a non-alliance flight. The 1K phone wait can be a lot shorter than other airlines, but they have not always given me my preferred option, particularly when traveling with family members. I can usually make my own changes online. And when I really need it is usually only a once or twice a year thing. Only once this year so far. So while I appreciate the dedicated line, it only moves the needle a little.
Upgrades would, but there are few upgrades when F is going out full with buyups. My PPs just get me waitlisted and mostly return to may account, when I use them. I have 240 in my account right now. I won't risk waitlisting on international flights.
So no real reason to be loyal. For domestic, I just buy, usually F, based on route and times. And for international, flying cheaper business class or using miles from credit cards to upgrade at booking on other airlines. Works great.. I'll probably still make Plat based on domestic F, but not because I tried to. Certainly not worth it to make 1K buying an inferior and more expensive Polaris product.
Upgrades would, but there are few upgrades when F is going out full with buyups. My PPs just get me waitlisted and mostly return to may account, when I use them. I have 240 in my account right now. I won't risk waitlisting on international flights.
So no real reason to be loyal. For domestic, I just buy, usually F, based on route and times. And for international, flying cheaper business class or using miles from credit cards to upgrade at booking on other airlines. Works great.. I'll probably still make Plat based on domestic F, but not because I tried to. Certainly not worth it to make 1K buying an inferior and more expensive Polaris product.
#304
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,489
Yeah, I no longer do SDCs because I am always paying for F. I just want to get to my destination on the same day, and I believe that the 1K agents have lost the ability to put you on another carrier when staying with UA flights requires an overnight. And I never ask for anything unreasonable, I just want to get on the nonstop DL flight that will get me home when UA says that my flight through ORD is cancelled until the next day due to a ground stop.
From some comments it seems like it may be getting worse at a time when my UA flying has naturally declined since I now live in a DL hub.
#305
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,023
Interesting.. I haven't needed to be OALed in a while, but Nov 2019 they had no issue pushing me to DL on the Sunday after Thanksgiving when the UA flight canceled.
From some comments it seems like it may be getting worse at a time when my UA flying has naturally declined since I now live in a DL hub.
From some comments it seems like it may be getting worse at a time when my UA flying has naturally declined since I now live in a DL hub.
#306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,925
my experiences over the last month or so, is that plus points are kind of pointless. I’ve died at #1 on 3/5 flights and have had last second drop-INS of GS (or disconnects) drop me to 5 or 6 at check in. UA is selling the F cabin with little regard or consideration of status.
My wife who is also a 1K says she doesn’t think being a 1K is worth what I go through to get it. I’m already 1MM and requalified 1K and am seriously considering trying to qualify on AA or DL just to see how they’re handling elite status. My boss who is a Diamond on DL says he’s always getting upgraded. Who knows.
I do know this. If this trend doesn’t abate by Fall, I won’t continue to pursue 2MM status. UA wants incremental revenue, and I want an ROI from my BIS time. Something has to give.
My wife who is also a 1K says she doesn’t think being a 1K is worth what I go through to get it. I’m already 1MM and requalified 1K and am seriously considering trying to qualify on AA or DL just to see how they’re handling elite status. My boss who is a Diamond on DL says he’s always getting upgraded. Who knows.
I do know this. If this trend doesn’t abate by Fall, I won’t continue to pursue 2MM status. UA wants incremental revenue, and I want an ROI from my BIS time. Something has to give.
#307
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,118
#308
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Amex Cent, DE Plat, UA1K, Globalist, etc.
Posts: 31
Can’t use PlusPoints?
Hello everyone,
I am 1K with United and fly a lot. At this point I have 900 PlusPoints. Because I often fly paid business, I really have not had the opportunity to try to use them. So in trying to plan a vacation with my wife for winter break or next summer I thought I would try to find some routes where I could use the points for “Skip the Waitlist” immediate confirmation of an upgrade. Basically no PN or PZ inventory even exist on Europe. Asia flights. Well after two days of searching I can tell you that that option does not exist. I really don’t want to wait to the day of travel and then end up in economy or economy plus. I haven’t any idea of how to use the PlusPoints up. Does anyone have ideas or are these points virtually useless?
I am 1K with United and fly a lot. At this point I have 900 PlusPoints. Because I often fly paid business, I really have not had the opportunity to try to use them. So in trying to plan a vacation with my wife for winter break or next summer I thought I would try to find some routes where I could use the points for “Skip the Waitlist” immediate confirmation of an upgrade. Basically no PN or PZ inventory even exist on Europe. Asia flights. Well after two days of searching I can tell you that that option does not exist. I really don’t want to wait to the day of travel and then end up in economy or economy plus. I haven’t any idea of how to use the PlusPoints up. Does anyone have ideas or are these points virtually useless?
#309
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,990
Try to use PPs on LH flight. They seem to have better availability.
LH Electronic PlusPts Upgrades -How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,..
Also, check some successful routes.
PlusPoints Polaris flight upgrade SUCCESS 2022
Good luck!
LH Electronic PlusPts Upgrades -How to use, will it clear?, issues w/flight credit,..
Also, check some successful routes.
PlusPoints Polaris flight upgrade SUCCESS 2022
Good luck!
#310
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,016
Hello everyone,
I am 1K with United and fly a lot. At this point I have 900 PlusPoints. Because I often fly paid business, I really have not had the opportunity to try to use them. So in trying to plan a vacation with my wife for winter break or next summer I thought I would try to find some routes where I could use the points for “Skip the Waitlist” immediate confirmation of an upgrade. Basically no PN or PZ inventory even exist on Europe. Asia flights. Well after two days of searching I can tell you that that option does not exist. I really don’t want to wait to the day of travel and then end up in economy or economy plus. I haven’t any idea of how to use the PlusPoints up. Does anyone have ideas or are these points virtually useless?
I am 1K with United and fly a lot. At this point I have 900 PlusPoints. Because I often fly paid business, I really have not had the opportunity to try to use them. So in trying to plan a vacation with my wife for winter break or next summer I thought I would try to find some routes where I could use the points for “Skip the Waitlist” immediate confirmation of an upgrade. Basically no PN or PZ inventory even exist on Europe. Asia flights. Well after two days of searching I can tell you that that option does not exist. I really don’t want to wait to the day of travel and then end up in economy or economy plus. I haven’t any idea of how to use the PlusPoints up. Does anyone have ideas or are these points virtually useless?
more in Skip the waitlist (STW) questions.
As for Europe this summer, UA is trying to sell every seat and may be succeeding for some market, at top dollar. Few upgrades are available but folks are reporting some available in late fall and winter (not thru LHR or FRA -- but other airports. Asia has so many restrictions on flights and capacity, UA is filling those premium seats mostly paid customers.[/url]
#311
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,096
I was looking regularly for TATL business class for August, September and December up until a few weeks ago. I saw PZ appear briefly only on found a few westbound flights (ex-BRU and GVA), but the price to purchase the other leg in business was so high it made no sense. And I have never seen a STW offer. Ever. I am unwilling to waitlist, and reports are that there is a substantial risk they would not go through. Here is what I did instead: Saver awards through UA.com (70K miles each way) on OS and SN, upgrade with miles on BA and AF (I find they offer a reasonable amount of upgrade space in advance you can find on their websites or using expertflyer), and saver awards (55K or 81.5K miles each way) on AF/KLM. I had a lot of miles stranded on various airlines from pandemic cancellations, plus a lot from credit cards, so just burned through those.
I'd be surprised if I use more than a few of my PPs, and those on domestic flights.
I'd be surprised if I use more than a few of my PPs, and those on domestic flights.
#313
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: 6,399
I have to unexpectedly fly this week to LHR and they wanted over $10k for a EWR-LHR J ticket -- but unbelievably the EWR day flights have PN/PZ space so I used some PP and paid for Economy -- best use of PP in years!
#314
Moderator, Trip Reports
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA GS-2MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,719
Agree it's frustrating. I've visited London twice in the past 4 weeks and have cleared the upgrade list 3 out of 4 times (my 4th flight is this Wed and I'm currently 1st on the list). I'm confident it will clear.
I haven't missed an upgrade in a long time, but I am buying Premium Plus. This trip I'm on right now I only decided on a week ago. UA wanted drug money to fly DEN to LHR in Polaris so I decided to route DEN-ORD-BRU and then catch the train from Brussels to London (which was so much better, very relaxing and I got to avoid the Heathrow Horror story. I cleared the ORD-BRU upgrade at T-24 and was 2 on the list.
Took the kids home to Australia late March this year and ticketed in Premium Plus - all upgrades to Polaris cleared both ways.
I haven't missed an upgrade in a long time, but I am buying Premium Plus. This trip I'm on right now I only decided on a week ago. UA wanted drug money to fly DEN to LHR in Polaris so I decided to route DEN-ORD-BRU and then catch the train from Brussels to London (which was so much better, very relaxing and I got to avoid the Heathrow Horror story. I cleared the ORD-BRU upgrade at T-24 and was 2 on the list.
Took the kids home to Australia late March this year and ticketed in Premium Plus - all upgrades to Polaris cleared both ways.
#315
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Healdsburg CA and Provincetown MA
Programs: UA 1K and MM.
Posts: 142
We've had success in getting Summer Polaris upgrades on the BOS - LHR / LHR - BOS flights in advance. Four so far.
Also successful in getting two SFO - LHR Fall upgrades confirmed to Premium Plus (waitlisted for Polaris).
Also successful in getting two SFO - LHR Fall upgrades confirmed to Premium Plus (waitlisted for Polaris).