25 July, 2011 - United SWUs now available for use on Continental Flights
Jul 25, 2011, 1:38 pm
#1
Company Representative, United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago, Houston, or somewhere in between
Posts: 2,176
25 July, 2011 - United SWUs now available for use on Continental Flights
Hi Everyone, as has been mentioned, earlier today we soft-launched the ability for customers who Systemwide Upgrades the ability to use for travel on both United and Continental-operated flights. The option to redeem these upgrades between carriers is only available by contacting us over the phone. Here are some helpful tips:
Thanks for your patience and feedback as we work through the next week or so of our soft-launch phase.
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights and Metrics
United Airlines
- If you want to use your Systemwide Upgrade to travel on:
- United – Please contact United Reservations
- Continental – Please contact Continental Reservations
- Both carriers – You may contact either United or Continental Reservations
Worth noting: As always, if you’ll be using your upgrade to travel on the same airline whose frequent flier program issued the upgrade, you can usually do this directly on the carrier’s website.
- During our soft-launch, hours will be limited. Currently you can contact us over the phone to redeem your Systemwide Upgrade between carriers from 10:00am to 6:30pm. In early August, we’ll expand this to have 24 hour coverage.
- Regional Upgrades are coming soon. We’re not quite yet ready to handle Regional Upgrades between carriers, but, you can bet that this will be a fast follower. Update: As of August 8, 2011, Regional Upgrades may now be redeemed between carriers too.
Shannon Kelly
Director, Customer Insights and Metrics
United Airlines
Last edited by UA Insider; Aug 20, 2011 at 10:27 pm Reason: Moving "official" post to top of thread, updated Regional Upgrade info
Jul 25, 2011, 5:25 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS,Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 37
25 July, 2011 - United SWUs now available for use on Continental Flights
All,
I just called up continental and upgraded myself on a CO metal flight using United SWU
The agent had to call a UA office, transfer the UA SWU to CO system, and apply it on my upgrade.
Took 20 min, easy peasy, and I am now upgraded.... Agent said i'm the first ever to do it (maybe just for them).
Per Agent, new Process should go Live 8/1, but can be done from today.
SOOOOO HAPPPY!!!
If this is old news, sorry
RotemBen
I just called up continental and upgraded myself on a CO metal flight using United SWU
The agent had to call a UA office, transfer the UA SWU to CO system, and apply it on my upgrade.
Took 20 min, easy peasy, and I am now upgraded.... Agent said i'm the first ever to do it (maybe just for them).
Per Agent, new Process should go Live 8/1, but can be done from today.
SOOOOO HAPPPY!!!
If this is old news, sorry
RotemBen
Jul 25, 2011, 5:26 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA .75K, AA Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 179
Is this working on any fare, or just higher (W or better) fares?
This is good news
This is good news
Jul 25, 2011, 5:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
CR1s? When can we use CR1s on CO ticketed flights?
Jul 25, 2011, 5:36 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
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Posts: 12,752
Nice! Thanks for posting!
Jul 25, 2011, 5:38 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,914
I'm sure many people are happy of this! ^ Only wish I had SWUs 
Jul 25, 2011, 5:48 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: UA/CO-GS/PPlat,AA-Gold,SPG-Plat,Hilton-Diamond,Marriott-Plat,Hertz-Pres_Circe
Posts: 824
Considering most CO fliers havent gotten thier 2011 SWU's yet (other than the few on the preview site) I hope that they dont publicize this ability for UA prior to CO fliers getting thiers for CO metal.
Jul 25, 2011, 5:59 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
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Posts: 21,603
Just called the 1K Desk, and the agent said W and higher, and it has to be a true CO flight, not a UA codeshare.
Jul 25, 2011, 6:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 700
any news about whether this is limited to SWUs? I assume that if the systems are synced up now, it should also apply for CR-1s?
Jul 25, 2011, 6:12 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
Not very efficient as a stop-gap, but still - progress.
Jul 25, 2011, 6:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 230
What about using 2010 CO SWUs on UA flights?
Jul 25, 2011, 6:44 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: UA/CO-GS/PPlat,AA-Gold,SPG-Plat,Hilton-Diamond,Marriott-Plat,Hertz-Pres_Circe
Posts: 824
I just spoke with a very helpful 1K agent who actually read me the "Soft Launch" announcement for Cross Carrier SWU. The soft launch (and notice to the agents) started today.
I could transfer a 2011 CO SWU to UA over the phone.
It is currently only for SWU - the announcement did not mention regional upgrades.
Unfortunately I could only waitlist for a flight 3 months out (it was to Hawaii, and CR1 eligable, but I couldn't transfer those). 1st was 1/4 full (6 of 24) but not made available.
I could transfer a 2011 CO SWU to UA over the phone.
It is currently only for SWU - the announcement did not mention regional upgrades.
Unfortunately I could only waitlist for a flight 3 months out (it was to Hawaii, and CR1 eligable, but I couldn't transfer those). 1st was 1/4 full (6 of 24) but not made available.
Jul 25, 2011, 7:21 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
The agents are just learning about this. I just reached a 1K agent who just started his shift, and read the memo for the first time while I was on the phone.
Unfortunately, for the next few days, the "integration team" is only operating between 8:30 am and 5 or 5:30 pm Central Time.
So, I'll call tomorrow morning and try to get my SWU's applied.
Unfortunately, for the next few days, the "integration team" is only operating between 8:30 am and 5 or 5:30 pm Central Time.
So, I'll call tomorrow morning and try to get my SWU's applied.
Last edited by clublounger; Jul 25, 2011 at 7:22 pm Reason: added Central Time
Jul 25, 2011, 7:47 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA1k; Bonvoy Titanium; Hilton Gold; IHG Gold; AA Plat Pro
Posts: 1,794
Great news! Now I hope they start the CR-1 match ....
Jul 25, 2011, 7:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS,Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 37
Lol
This is what i call true customer service.
The CO Agent remembered I asked the question 2 weeks ago, and emailed me this morning to remind me it's now official.
If i ever needed a reason to keep my loyalty, a service like this is exactly the reason.
I seem to remember there is someone on these forum that work for CO and can help with getting positive feedback to the right place. Am i recalling correctly?
thanks!
RotemBen
The CO Agent remembered I asked the question 2 weeks ago, and emailed me this morning to remind me it's now official.
If i ever needed a reason to keep my loyalty, a service like this is exactly the reason.
I seem to remember there is someone on these forum that work for CO and can help with getting positive feedback to the right place. Am i recalling correctly?
thanks!
RotemBen