Position on the Upgrade Waitlist
 

Just talked to an agent and she told me that the postion on the upgrade list is based on first by Status then by how many miles flown as of the flight. Is this correct? I always thought that it is Status, then SWU,... -- am I wrong?

Thanks

I am not 100% sure of this but I think it's
as follows:
1. status
2. fare basis
3. miles flown YTD
4. time on waitlist

YTD miles are not officially one of the criteria used to determine position on the waitlist but some gate agents might use it.

The official criteria are, in order:
1. Status
2. Fare Paid
3. Time Added to DM List

#1 and #2 are not unique and it is possible for multiple passengers to have these items, making it difficult to choose which one to select and which one to discard.

#3 I've not heard of, but either it or #4 make a passenger unique (actually not quite, but for two passengers to have identical YTD mileage is low). So it is unnecessary to have them both. I believe that #4 is not time added to DM list, but the ordering in the DM list. The computers won't allow multiple people to have the same position in the list even though it might be perceived that they're added at the same time (even down to the second).

[This message has been edited by corwinsl (edited 06-02-2003).]

Correct. YTD Miles are not a factor on the DM.

The list looks correct to me, but I believe there is another tie breaker in here too. Supposidely the method of payment for the upgrade also affects who gets the upgrade. If you are paying with "miles" you trump the 500 mile certs. I believe Miles also trumps SWU, which trump the 500 mile certs. In other words, a 1K on a M fare using miles should trump a 1K on a M fare using a SWU, or 500 mile certs. Now this may already show up in the placement on the DM list. However, numerous UA folks have told me that the best way to ensure the upgrade chances is to use miles. Now of course I could be totally wrong.

I agree with that. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Yep. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

"I believe Miles also trumps SWU"

Is this true - I always thought SWU has the highest priority.

I know all you 'status' members won't care as you are in favour here, but here is my 2c's from a NON status flyer.

This 'pecking' order is ****. I never earn enought flight miles to get status, but have enough point for upgrades (miles/partner programs). I ask for upgrades MONTHS in advace, AND use HARDEARNED points. Yet get upgrades once every blue moon. Some elite freq flyer always gets in before us because of this **** preferential order.

When I dont get the upgrade, i'm always told 'oh important to us 100K members get first choice'. Whats the point of the points if I cant use them because some 100K member gets his free upgrade when he asked hours before the flight. I have points to use dam it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Nick

Chill. That is the status on the DM. If you are listed months before the flight the waitlist does goes by fare paid not by status.

Biship

Even as a non-status member using miles to upgrade. If you ask at time of booking and space is available you get it, no if ands or buts. If space is not available at time of request then it has to go by pecking order. This the what you will face on about any airline. Sorry but that is the way it is.

No, but thats wrong. The purpose of requesting upgrades months ahead are to try to get them confirmed early. They NEVER confirm them until the day of the flight, even if there is space available. I have done this ~10 times. Upgraded twice. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I just do not understand why status members should get free upgrades when us using points can't get upgrades. I agree, all airlines do this. AIRNZ is the worst. Non status members get told not to board, yet wait during boarding - if your name is called, you get an upgrade.

Nick

[This message has been edited by biship (edited 06-02-2003).]

Gate agents don't have the time to go into individual MP accts. and compare YTD miles.

The list above is correct. Obviously, time added to the DM list is the official tie-breaker.