Y/B/M Premier Instant Upgrade - How does it work? {Archive}
Sep 14, 2015, 9:21 pm
#331
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 253
While you can choose economy | business | first individually by leg, I believe if you specify a specific fare class then that preference applies to all legs.
Sep 14, 2015, 9:54 pm
#332
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA 1.6MM EXP; UA GS; SPG LTG,Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,477
First, of all, thanks everyone...FWIW I booked M both ways; return cleared as complimentary (IBPS? 
) Threw an RPU at the outbound as well just in case...
(btw, apologies for the noob questions. Yes, I managed 1k last year, but it was almost entirely compliments of my employer covering TATL J for a few trips, so I'm relatively new to the domestic upgrade games)
So does this mean that if PN opens up, I need to call to get it manually cleared? That seems a bit silly, if entirely in character for UA
Done and fingers crossed...the problem with SFO-EWR is that half the flight is probably GS (ok, maybe just 40% if it's a light day 
)
Cleared on the return, so mostly likely not PS yet. Although I thought PS flights were the 28J configuration birds? This one's 16J/153Y, which I thought was the pmCO TATL configuration...
Fingers crossed
Aaaaaaaaaaaand, there's the downer. Probably true though
) Threw an RPU at the outbound as well just in case...(btw, apologies for the noob questions. Yes, I managed 1k last year, but it was almost entirely compliments of my employer covering TATL J for a few trips, so I'm relatively new to the domestic upgrade games)
You need to use an RPU or a GPU for p.s. configured flights (including when they change to EWR in October from JFK). There are no Y/B/M fare upgrades on p.s. flights. Instrument only or pay for it.
So if you're on an M fare and you apply an instrument you have a very high chance of clearing. A "G" fare not as much.
-RM
So if you're on an M fare and you apply an instrument you have a very high chance of clearing. A "G" fare not as much.
-RM
)The PS switch to EWR does not start until Oct 25th, so the OP's flight will be prior to the designation of flights from EWR as PS. So there is a reasonable likelihood the flight on 20th Oct is CPU eligible and therefore Instant Upgrade eligible. The regular EWR<>LAX lie flat aircraft has been CU eligible (but little chance of CPU).
The best wait to tell is for the OP to check once booked and see if the CPU flag is showing. Then OP can use the free 24 hour cancel if it is not.
The best wait to tell is for the OP to check once booked and see if the CPU flag is showing. Then OP can use the free 24 hour cancel if it is not.
Aaaaaaaaaaaand, there's the downer. Probably true though
Sep 14, 2015, 9:58 pm
#333
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I would pull that back. PN will open before or at same time as R. The RPU adds nothing.
Yes.
Okay, I was exaggerating for comic effect. The 752 is probably about 90% likely to stick.
Okay, I was exaggerating for comic effect. The 752 is probably about 90% likely to stick.
Sep 14, 2015, 10:02 pm
#334
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA 1.6MM EXP; UA GS; SPG LTG,Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,477
And speaking of which, is there a pattern to PN inventory being made available - or is it a case of YMMV?
Sep 14, 2015, 10:07 pm
#335
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For more see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...25-2015-a.html
The 16J configs have been used up to 2x for EWR<>LAX and occasional EWR<>SFO.
Sep 14, 2015, 10:09 pm
#336
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Edited to add: Just to be clear, the RPU will not get you into PN. It clears into R.
Sep 14, 2015, 10:14 pm
#337
Join Date: Aug 2010
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PS out of JFK was 28 J configs but the EWR PS will be both 16J & 28J. All EWR<>SFO/LAX will be convert to PS and with up to 17 flight to SFO and up to 15 to LAX it will take more aircraft than what JFK used -- henced the need to the 16J configs which have been pulled from many of the TATL routes.
For more see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...25-2015-a.html
The 16J configs have been used up to 2x for EWR<>LAX and occasional EWR<>SFO.
For more see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...25-2015-a.html
The 16J configs have been used up to 2x for EWR<>LAX and occasional EWR<>SFO.
Nothing. When R opens, they will take your RPU and clear you into R. You have to call to get the M upgrade into PN. So pulling the RPU would require a commitment to check for PN availability daily.
Edited to add: Just to be clear, the RPU will not get you into PN. It clears into R.
There are some indicators, but at the end of the day YMMV. As a general guide, they're not likely to open PN until they've opened P. The usual progression would be P=>PN=>R=>IN, with no guaranty either of the last two ever happen.
Edited to add: Just to be clear, the RPU will not get you into PN. It clears into R.
There are some indicators, but at the end of the day YMMV. As a general guide, they're not likely to open PN until they've opened P. The usual progression would be P=>PN=>R=>IN, with no guaranty either of the last two ever happen.
Again, thanks everyone. Really appreciate the pointers
Oct 8, 2015, 6:54 pm
#338
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, Global Entry, Citi Prestige, Chase MileagePlus Club
Posts: 85
New United.com Flight Search Not Showing CPU Eligibility Correctly?
I was search for round-trips to SJO (San Jose, Costa Rica). Based on the upgrade rules, this should be CPU-eligible. However, when searching for the flights on the update united.com, I see both a W fare and an M fare. The M fare has a note next to it saying that is is "Eligible for Upgrade - Upgrades are available for Premier 1K members". The same is not shown next to the W fare, but that should be upgradeable as well, right? Is this just some display strangeness with the new site?
Oct 8, 2015, 6:57 pm
#339
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
The M fare is eligible for an instant upgrade into PN inventory. That is different from the regular CPU upgrade processing at the window.
It is displaying correctly based on what you have described.
It is displaying correctly based on what you have described.
Oct 12, 2015, 5:10 pm
#340
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA 1.6MM EXP; UA GS; SPG LTG,Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,477
You need to use an RPU or a GPU for p.s. configured flights (including when they change to EWR in October from JFK). There are no Y/B/M fare upgrades on p.s. flights. Instrument only or pay for it.
So if you're on an M fare and you apply an instrument you have a very high chance of clearing. A "G" fare not as much.
-RM
So if you're on an M fare and you apply an instrument you have a very high chance of clearing. A "G" fare not as much.
-RM
Oct 12, 2015, 5:20 pm
#341
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Some routes are selling F.
Dec 9, 2015, 8:10 am
#342
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Change to YBM instant upgrades {if waitlisted?} - Only 1K after Feb. 2016
Notice something new when checking something on United.com. I don't recall it being mentioned on FT yet.
Appears for flights departing after Feb. 1, 2016, the only 1K members will be eligible for instant upgrades on Y, B, or M fares.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...e/default.aspx
I imagine this will be a bummer for those that have utilized these prior....
***On further checking, higher in the page it indicates that all premiere members have access to the YB upgrades.
Seems to contradict themselves. Not sure what is the actual intent here. Maybe only 1K can waitlist within 5 days?
Appears for flights departing after Feb. 1, 2016, the only 1K members will be eligible for instant upgrades on Y, B, or M fares.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...e/default.aspx
For flights departing on or after February 1, 2016, the following is the order of priority for upgrades, within five days of departure, on flights that are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades:
Premier 1K members on eligible Y-, B- and M-class fares: Premier 1K Instant upgrades that weren't confirmed in advance are prioritized by fare class
All travelers on waitlisted Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Prioritized by Premier status of the traveler, then fare class and then time of request2
All remaining Premier members: Prioritized by Premier status of the traveler, then fare class and then award travel3
Premier 1K members on eligible Y-, B- and M-class fares: Premier 1K Instant upgrades that weren't confirmed in advance are prioritized by fare class
All travelers on waitlisted Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Prioritized by Premier status of the traveler, then fare class and then time of request2
All remaining Premier members: Prioritized by Premier status of the traveler, then fare class and then award travel3
***On further checking, higher in the page it indicates that all premiere members have access to the YB upgrades.
Seems to contradict themselves. Not sure what is the actual intent here. Maybe only 1K can waitlist within 5 days?
Last edited by goodeats21; Dec 9, 2015 at 8:26 am Reason: ***additional
Dec 9, 2015, 8:12 am
#343
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
Only 1K and GS were ever eligible for YBM instant PN domestic upgrades. That's nothing new.
Are you saying normie elites no longer are eligible for YB instant domestic upgrades?
Are you saying normie elites no longer are eligible for YB instant domestic upgrades?
Dec 9, 2015, 8:23 am
#344
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To be clear - 1Ks were eligible for YBM upgrades at booking. Other elites are eligible for immediate upgrades on YB fares.
The difference was 1K got immediate upgrade on "M" fares and that looks to be staying in place. Question now is whether other elites will continue to get immediate upgrades on YB fares?
-RM
The difference was 1K got immediate upgrade on "M" fares and that looks to be staying in place. Question now is whether other elites will continue to get immediate upgrades on YB fares?
-RM
Dec 9, 2015, 8:25 am
#345
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I am not really sure now.
The page in the above link shows a change effective Feb. 1, 2016 for order of priority of upgrades clearing within 5 days of travel.
The only wording difference is instead of "Premier members on eligible Y- and B-class fares, as well as Premier 1K members on M-class fares" it will now be "Premier 1K members on eligible Y-, B- and M-class fares".
I originally inferred that only 1Ks will have access to YBM upgrades, but the page still lists
The page in the above link shows a change effective Feb. 1, 2016 for order of priority of upgrades clearing within 5 days of travel.
The only wording difference is instead of "Premier members on eligible Y- and B-class fares, as well as Premier 1K members on M-class fares" it will now be "Premier 1K members on eligible Y-, B- and M-class fares".
I originally inferred that only 1Ks will have access to YBM upgrades, but the page still lists
Instant upgrades at time of ticketing
Premier members traveling on full-fare economy Y and discount full-fare economy B fares are eligible for an instant upgrade at time of ticketing on select flights. Premier 1K members traveling on M fares are also eligible. Instant upgrades are subject to capacity controls.
Premier members traveling on full-fare economy Y and discount full-fare economy B fares are eligible for an instant upgrade at time of ticketing on select flights. Premier 1K members traveling on M fares are also eligible. Instant upgrades are subject to capacity controls.