I mean, obviously every GS is going to dislike this idea, and presumably every 1K is going to like it. However, I can’t see UA actually implementing it unless GS instrument sales (eBay, etc.) become a notable fraction of inventory. The fact is, I suspect many GS members think of PlusPoints as a valuable gift for others, and not something they use on their own travel very often (except for D->F upgrades on LH, I guess. :) UA has been chipping away at the GS program, but this feels like it would be more than just a chip.

My personal feeling isn’t that GS members shouldn’t be able to book into PN; rather, I would like for 1K members to be able to access PN, perhaps only when traveling (or even only when traveling on a W+ fare). I would rather gain a benefit for myself than take away a benefit from someone else. :)

Interesting. Thanks for posting the link. I've seen PA/PB referenced occasionally over the years and was always curious. Anyone know if agents can still manually manipulate whether an instrument upgrade (miles/PP) is listed in PA or PB, or is it entirely automated now?

-FlyerBeek

As a GS, I would understand and support GS PPs mapping to PN only when the GS or companions are flying. Easily applied on-line if all are on the same reservation and, if not, you call in to reservations.

Years ago I sat through a presentation on GS where UA explained they wanted to make the travel experience smoother for GS and companions flying with them. The intention was not that the (at the time) upgrade certificates issued to GS would be some type of fungible uber upgrade currency usable by all although that is what they have become.

Another alternative would be each GS member sets up a nominee group of some limited number, say 6-8 people, to whom they could extend their PPs mapping to PN even if the GS member is not on the reservation. The nominee group could be updated once every quarter.

While I use PPs for others and it is beneficial to me, in UA's shoes I am not sure I would have them as broadly used as they are today. In these two scenarios and assuming no change to current upgrade inventory management, the actual status holders should find it easier to use them for themselves, travel companions and/or nominees to get upgrades.

Both of these methods would also make it harder to misuse (sell) upgrades.

And now I need to seek cover before the incoming arrows arrive. :)

And I wonder if UA IT is, in fact, not doing this already. I've not gone back to look to see if these UG snafus are being put into PN *when the GS is not on the reservation*. One of those "bugs" which GS may or may not notice. Especially given that PN/PZ aren't really documented anywhere in the copious amounts of GS benefit documentation.

Edit: Posts 1,2,3 and 5 seem to at least support that the "glitch" only happens when the GS is not on the reservation... makes you wonder

I have much sympathy for the IT folks at UA since it seems there are a number of different systems that need to talk to each other through bolt ons, and not how you would presumably design a system from scratch, methinks.

With that said if they can make GS PlusPoints feed into PZ when the GS member is not on the reservation then surely they could fix the system where if PlusPoints are applied you can still still see an upfare option. I am forever removing the PlusPoints and reapplying them to see if the upfare is a price I like. Just super annoying and lost revenue opportunity for United. I am in the WFBF crowd but I fly on my own dime so somewhat price sensitive.

I am okay with UA changing PN to GS on reservation approach, as speaking as a 1K I see GS folks giving away their PlusPoints to members of a FB group I am in and it annoys me that they receive upgrades that makes it less likely for the 1K members to get a PZ upgrade. I never avail myself of making a request as i disagree with the premise, albeit others see it differently, and so would I if the donations were limited to family and relatives and close friends of the GS member. It is a very much a first world problem and if the reports are correct that UA IT has changed the mapping I support this change.

if the aim is for UA to maximize revenue, then I don’t see the benefit to UA of this change. My understanding is most GS pay for J and give to UA 2x or more of the revenue I give UA as 1K. On that basis, 1K are somewhat more captive than GS because I depend on PP upgrades and GS does not.

Seems plausible The change you propose would lose more GS than 1Ks it would keep and given the revenue split, that would be a money losing decision.

PP would be worthless to me if I could not use them to upgrade team members who are travelling in Y. All my tickets are in J but it's a big thing for team engagement for my being able to use them for others.

And this is precisely why I don’t see UA making this move. I think a substantial percentage of GSes are in this exact same boat — where 100% of their PlusPoints go to being the Upgrade Fairy. I already suggested a way that UA could treat 1K flyers better if they wanted to do so: allow 1Ks access to long-haul PN space in certain circumstances.

Although we’d never see an announcement if UA changed the rules, I think these glitches are exactly that — glitches — and they do not portend a policy change.

I agree with you the glitches are simply glitches, which I also have experienced with my own upgrading activity but it is very rare.

On the other hand, I know a lot of other GSs and having the ability to be the Upgrade Fairy (good one by the way!) is not the reason they fly UA and make GS. I don't believe this would have any impact on the travel choices of the vast majority of GSs, many of whom who would not even understand what the change is about. And for those who do understand what this change would mean, I cannot imagine it changing their flying behavior. Let's keep in mind that most times these upgrades are not confirmable and never even clear.

I also don't think it is fair to 1Ks that GS can gift upgrades to absolutely anyone who can then vault up to the priority list PN ahead of 1Ks. Just my personal opinion. But we don't know the numbers, so maybe the good folks at UA have looked at this and it is not worth the effort of implementing the change.

My thoughts:

1) Most GS almost never use PP themselves. GS PP clears to PN is one of the most important benefits for GS. If GS PP clears to PZ, then their non-status family members couldn't clear the upgrade because they got dumped to the PZ list along with everyone else including those once-a-year flyers using miles to upgrade. They would rank below a silver. How would that be fair?

2) Whether GS PP clears to PN or PZ merely changes the upgrade list order. It doesn't matter to United. Why would United make such a change?

3) I was 1K for nearly 2 decades, and it seems that 1K benefits have been cut significantly. I would support that for international Polaris upgrades, 1K should clear to PN on expensive fares like Y/B/M (and O/A/R). It is bad that 1Ks on Y/B/M fares are behind any non-status pax on R fare.

United should enhance 1K experience by adding benefits, instead of cutting GS benefits which have been reduced already.

I think a lot of GS find the occasion to use their PP for themselves.​​​​​ Remember that PN was created explicitly to give priority to GS. If they don't use the upgrades for themselves at least sometimes, it would mean the purpose of creating PN was so that GS could play the Upgrade Fairy. I don't think that is the case.

Regardless, what about the idea of creating a limited list of nominees for upgrading to PN? SQ's Kris Flyer does this even for award tickets. GS would not lose the benefit of upgrading family members but would lose the benefit of playing Upgrade Fairy.

To increase the number of 1Ks getting upgrades. United stands to gain from an engaged and loyal GS and 1K community, which method would give UA the most utility? I don't know, I am just throwing out the idea.

That's also an idea to consider, but it would come at the expense of GS since more people would be able to clear into PN.

The current system suits me fine, I am just thinking what the program objectives are and if they are meeting those objectives.

I won't characterize GS PP as some Upgrade Fairy. Most GS don't upgrade themselves often or they won't make GS. Many of them upgrade their family members on vacations. Eliminating PN priority would mean that their non-status family members would not be upgraded. This is a huge hit on GS benefits.

The impact of GS PP on 1K upgrade odds is exaggerated. There aren't many GS PP around and there are a lot more 1K PPs. Also there are huge numbers of MP members who can upgrade using miles and co-pay.

Please, it's already hard enough for GS to use the benefit they earned, advocating further taking away of GS benefits is beyond me.

Join the FB groups and you will see many GS Fairy Upgrades. YMMV i do not ask but it does annoy me as a 1K to see the behavior.

I certainly agree with GS having the ability to upgrade family, colleagues on trips, close friends but the Upgrade Fairy is annoying. I think the suggestion of a list (like SQ) is a good one.

As a 1K i do not think my upgrades should be from the PN pool. If i want to be near the top of the upgrade list I will purchase OAR fares for TAPC and TATL. Surely a revenue driver for United

Not if your family is traveling with you, either on your PNR or on the same flight, it won't. Similar to that of getting folks into E+.
I disagree. I was a 1K on a A->B fare (so even waitlisted PN!) and I was 14th on the UG list SFO-PDX the other day. I've never seen that before. 13 people were getting PN/GS upgrades applied on a 319, and yes there was herd of GS preboarding. And I'm seeing that all through December and January. I think you'll find that there are a *ton* of GS PP around, especially since GS earn more by definition and will typically use them for other folks travelling with. In this case, the potential change would not have helped me. But given PN opens so much earlier and often than PZ, there are times the "upgrade fairy" waves a wand and gives us lowly 1K's no chance....

But, of course, I am on track to being a lowly Plat, so I've got no skin in the game anymore....

There are immediate family and then there are 3rd cousins or next door neighbors or ..... Perhaps an approach for immediate family members on same PNR or same itin as GS or a registered list (like MM companion -- same household)

Hardly --- GS are absolutely first and there is limited inventory (varies by route)-- 100 1Ks could be waitlisted while the 1 GS gets the spot