Upgrade Waitlist Priority Question
 

I was wondering how passengers waitlisted for business class upgrades are processed by United. Specifically, is it better to get on the list early, or is it better to have high status? I’m a brand new 1P. Can I assume that even last minute 1K’s who request upgrades will get them ahead of me? Also, will I clear before any 1P’s who got on the list after me?

Thanks.
Bill

Status>fare paid>time added on the DM list

Not sure whether the system is perfect. I was on an UA flight few weeks ago. Was on the DM list for an upgrade. Only 1 F seat left. My AC*SE (*G) status beat out several 1K & 1P and got me the last seat.

I didn't expect to get that last F so I just went ahead and boarded with my Y BP, it bounced at the gate and the GA told me my upgrade cleared and I got the last F seat.

(I was using a SWU and got on the DM list at least 15 hours before departure time when I checked in at HKG)

Empress, were you on a north american connection after your int'l flight (whereby your SWU was collected in HKG)? If so, you had already 'paid' for your upgrade.

I'll be surprised if UA really operated that way and upgraded Empress because he used a SWU upline.

Most likely the UG for Empress cleared prior to airport control of the DM ie 4 hours out.

Yes. I was using SWU which was collected at HKG. The domestic segment was the only thing that didn't clear.
Nope. I asked when I got to the SFO RCC and they said I am still on the list with 1 F seat remaining which is why I didn't bother checking at the gate thinking I'll never clear.

I believe that in that case you get ahead of everyone on the DM list with a " FFPP" code (or some such thing) as you have already paid for the upgrade.

I am sure one of our UA staff can help here, as I would like to be sure of the exact answer myself.

FFCC means you already paid, but you are not in C/F. In addition, if you have an XC/XF award and are in Y/C you are FFCC on the DM, and therefore you are (in most cases) ahead of pax who are trying to upgrade. Therefore, it is possible for a 2P on an award to beat out a 1K using a 500miler.

LGA-UAL
That's what I thought! Thanks

I fly a lot on YCAL fares. Are these contract Y fares evaluated equal to other Y fares for upgrade priority?
Thanks.
Rich

[This message has been edited by rjh (edited 10-06-2002).]

Rich, the YCAL holds same upgrade priority as other Y fares. One of the few nice things about "State flying." Enjoy!

Thanks. That helps explain my luck this year in upgrades.
Rich