Jan 27, 2024, 4:51 pm
The way of the Dodo? - 1K upgrades, PP or CPU
Apr 28, 2022 | 1:55 pm
#61
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Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 22,613
Yes.
Companions do not get them, however (unless they earn them on their own).
Companions do not get them, however (unless they earn them on their own).
Apr 28, 2022 | 2:20 pm
#62
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Yea it is crazy out there. I just checked the status of the PHL-ORD flight departing at today at 5:07PM and first class is booked full and there are 63 people on the upgrade list! Back at the beginning of the year during the surge of Omicron, these flights were going out mostly empty.
Apr 28, 2022 | 3:30 pm
#63
Moderator: United Airlines
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Location: SFO
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Posts: 68,421
If you don't otherwise earn them
You only get the LT PlusPoints if you don't qualify
correct
correct
Apr 28, 2022 | 6:51 pm
#64
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,257
I think the marketing adage is what have you done for me lately? Usual marketing would be fare class but that would offend GS pax, so current status is #1 and then fare class. I say this as a 1K 1MM....
Apr 28, 2022 | 7:37 pm
#65
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The peace of mind of being confirmed in J versus sweating out an upgrade at the gate (because for reasons that escape me, even as a 1K, I always seem to end up at #1 or #2 as flight time approaches) is increasingly worth more. Today was such a productive day because I was not constantly checking the United app to see if I was still #1 and if there were still two seats open. As long as the P fare is cheap enough, I'm just going to buy it directly. I hate flying behind the curtain, even on very short flights...
Apr 28, 2022 | 8:28 pm
#66
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Apr 28, 2022 | 10:27 pm
#67
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,182
The peace of mind of being confirmed in J versus sweating out an upgrade at the gate (because for reasons that escape me, even as a 1K, I always seem to end up at #1 or #2 as flight time approaches) is increasingly worth more. Today was such a productive day because I was not constantly checking the United app to see if I was still #1 and if there were still two seats open. As long as the P fare is cheap enough, I'm just going to buy it directly. I hate flying behind the curtain, even on very short flights...
Last edited by zombietooth; Apr 29, 2022 at 7:36 am
Apr 28, 2022 | 10:47 pm
#68
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Apr 29, 2022 | 12:42 am
#69
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Apr 29, 2022 | 8:30 am
#70
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Posts: 15,807
Sure, there are many extended 1K & GS. But I think what are affecting upgrades most are cheap FCM offers. Dont forget that UA has started to hold out more than usual giving up too many seats at upgrade window.
Last month, waiting for UA to open PN space for an Instant Upgrade fare one time on SLC-ORD, I caved and bought the bloody upfare when such was close to their TOD upgrade offer.
Last month, waiting for UA to open PN space for an Instant Upgrade fare one time on SLC-ORD, I caved and bought the bloody upfare when such was close to their TOD upgrade offer.
FCM = First class monetization
The first time one uses an abbreviation in a thread, it is helpful to define it parenthetically.
Apr 29, 2022 | 7:46 pm
#71
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Here's a perfect example.
PHX-SFO next Monday. Upgrade list just became visible. 1K, W fare, PlusPoints applied, and I'm 5/33, with 3 F seats available. UA wants $140 for the upgrade (on top of a $202 fare).
So I bought a Y ticket for $138 on an AA flight departing 90 minutes later. EXP complimentary upgrade cleared about 15 minutes post-purchase.
PHX-SFO next Monday. Upgrade list just became visible. 1K, W fare, PlusPoints applied, and I'm 5/33, with 3 F seats available. UA wants $140 for the upgrade (on top of a $202 fare).
So I bought a Y ticket for $138 on an AA flight departing 90 minutes later. EXP complimentary upgrade cleared about 15 minutes post-purchase.
Apr 29, 2022 | 8:07 pm
#72
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Tomorrow EWR-SFO. Since my original flight was showing J2 and a long waitlist, I did SDC to an earlier flight with J7 P0.
About 30 min later, upgrade cleared. This saves me a call to force the upgrade. I was No.1 anyway.
About 30 min later, upgrade cleared. This saves me a call to force the upgrade. I was No.1 anyway.
Apr 30, 2022 | 6:02 am
#73
Join Date: Nov 2020
Programs: United
Posts: 181
I'm sorry to inform you that this is, very likely, the new post-COVID reality. Domestic F is going out full on most days with paid F flyers. My casual observation, as someone that pays for F on every flight now, is that there are a lot of non-elite customers paying for F these days. Since I get to board early, I see the majority of the GSs and 1Ks walking back to coach on nearly every flight. PPs are worthless domestically and have value internationally only if you have flexibility in travel dates and routes.
Corporate travel departments should be made aware that UGs just don't happen anymore and perhaps give you the option of discount F domestically, which is cheap on UA these days (my average cost for a transcon in F is around $1,500-). For example, my next flight, EWR-LAX in PS is $1,845- where Y is $3,058-. And, even though a Z-fare isn't refundable, it is changeable for no charge, and a $1,200- savings seems like a good motivation to change the corporate travel policy.
Corporate travel departments should be made aware that UGs just don't happen anymore and perhaps give you the option of discount F domestically, which is cheap on UA these days (my average cost for a transcon in F is around $1,500-). For example, my next flight, EWR-LAX in PS is $1,845- where Y is $3,058-. And, even though a Z-fare isn't refundable, it is changeable for no charge, and a $1,200- savings seems like a good motivation to change the corporate travel policy.
Apr 30, 2022 | 6:20 am
#74
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Posts: 5,182
Affordability is relative. If you can generate several hundred thousand dollars in revenue on a trip with 5-10K in expenses, you are doing very well.
If you're addressing leisure flyers, well then ask yourself, what percentage of the population can afford a Tesla? Evidently, it's quite a large percentage based on the success of the company. Or a thousand dollar iPhone?
Apr 30, 2022 | 6:39 am
#75
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I’ve been very lucky, I haven’t missed a single upgrade in 2021 (though I did have some paid J) including TATL PP upgrades. I scored ORD-LHR and ZRH-ORD at booking for some flights next week. Although I do think I’ll miss my first upgrades ORD-PIT alas.