DullesJason

This is the 2nd time in this thread I've heard of UGS getting double-upped. I can only specualate certain "local LHR policies" are in play here. It could be explained by any number of things, but I have no clue. One thing is for certain though, UA will condone fare more rule exceptions in favor of UGS than any other passengers.

My pleasure. I only scratched the surface of what issues GAs deal with. It can get messy. Thanks for your comments.

zrs70

DullesJason, we are in homage to you as the God of Information! Thank you for your contributions.

I'll admit it, I ask, but am always upfront. I usually simply say, "Is the flight full? Any chance of an op-up?"

DullesJason

That would be cool. Glad the thread is being viewed as helpful.

Yes gate agents can view who uses OLCI but while I was not in favor if it for this reason--hard to determine who's not going to show if they are already checked in! These days, it's not viewed with much prejudice if you're there on time. That's the important thing!

Javan69

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Sounds a bit like my upcoming T-giving night SFO - LHR, except in addition to hardly any elites, there are hardly any pax at all. Don't mind no op/up if 5 across on a 777 are open.

unitedscot

Thank you for your informative post

I also have a question for you (sorry). I tend to fly to the USA every six months, always on United Airlines. (I live in Scotland).

I have a lot of airmiles and have managed to get free flights to Europe and have enough now for a free flight to America. Anyway, I politely asked about an upgrade at Dullas Airport (at the gate), handed over my Mileage Plus Card and was refused ........ (the agent didnt even look at my card or how many miles I had - it was a straight "no").

Behind me were a young American couple (no more than 17 years old on their first vacation together - Washington DC to London) who asked the same question ...... they were asked to hand over their boarding passes and got an upgrade each ....... dont know if it was Business or First.

Can you explain why I was passed over (and I am loyal to United) and they got the upgrade and this was their first flight on United ....... am not being cheeky here, but do US citizens come first on upgrades than international passengers??

DullesJason

Sorry, I'm tired and confused. Who is Mr. Pillow/iluv?

1. Since the non-elites won't be considered for op-ups, we'd take the miles/certs, etc from eligible non-elites (in their priority order) then start with freebies for the top-tiers.

2. None at all. Non elites are followed by general members, who are of course followed by non-members. Within each status level, fare is the next criteria. Miles v. certs is irrelevant.

Only a few hours. I'm about to take a nap though.

LOL. That's cute zrs70!

I never had a problem with a customer asking me that in a strightforward way, being totally cool with the answer either way . . . and having the status and proven loyalty to back up what would otherwise be an audacious request.

pinniped

Great post, Jason. I didn't read all three pages, but I did get to the part about whether 2P's should expect much. Having been low-tier on all U.S. legacy carriers except CO, I truly believe that UA does the best job of the six at recognizing this level with some meaningful benefits. Had you asked me 5 years ago, I would have said AA, but the fact that nearly all of my segments are in E+ completely separates UA from the other five.

As for op-UG's, I've gotten 3 this year as a 2P. SEA-DEN on a 777 and DEN-MCI on a 757. I usually travel on a Q fare. For me, it is always totally unexpected and most appreciated. ^

While all airlines have their pros and cons, I truly believe UA is headed in the right direction in most areas. I had completely sworn them off long ago but am now glad to be flying them regularly to the West Coast. I'm two more Seattle runs away from 1P.

goalie

translation: i've seen gate agents work magic to get a flight out on time which was oversold and had bumps (737 oversold by 30 with me last weekend) see here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=603289. thanks again for a great post and a wealth of information. ^

DullesJason

Absolutely not!!!

They got seats they got because of their eligibility to hold them. You were passed over probably because you were not on a fare that was eligible for an upgrade. A United agent doesn't have to look at your card or mileage balance--they can tell with a 1/2 second glance at your boarding pass or paper ticket if you're eligible. They do this every day, so they're kinda fast at it.

I completely agree that Y+ is the clear difference maker! It's what makes UA stand out from the pack for all elites who usually or always buy economy tickets.

unitedscot

Thank you for your quick reply Jason - now go and get some sleep!!

She didnt even ASK to see my Boarding Pass .... it wasnt in view as I had that in my hand, along with my passport etc.

Am beginning to think its a conspiracy (!!) - I had problems in June too from Heathrow to LAX and back but alls well there cos I complained to United and got a Travel Certificate so am busy planning my next trip now!!

Keep up the good work Jason!!

flyerboi17

What's the GA's reaction when you have 18 year old elites (like myself) doing the same op-up dance as the other elite flyers do? I can say that i usually will try to get to the boarding area and wait in line with the rest of the 2p, 1p and 1k. Its a game but it works some of the time; thats all that matters! Trust me being an air traffic controller ive dealt with some people that just blow my mind in terms of working schedules, i know how you feel!!

snic

Excellent post, Jason! Thanks!

OK, so United is probably not the airline to implement this suggestion, given its rotten IT department, but the constant clock-checking ("47 minutes to departure, time to upgrade another two pax!") seems like it could be handled by a computer, perhaps more efficiently and consistently than by GAs. Statistical models of the distribution of passenger arrival times could be built for each daily flight, and these could be used to decide when to op-up which passengers based on time to departure, number of people checked in and expected to check in (including those from late-arriving connections), status, fare classs, etc. Then all the GA has to do is issue the boarding passes when the computer tells him/her to do so. This would free the GAs to handle other requests/problems, and might even give them enough time to try to coordinate seat changes among people who would like them (such as that family of 4 with seats all over the plane).

DullesJason

It's not a conspiracy. Do you know off hand how much you paid for each ticket and/or what the booking code was?

andyh64000

"No, Star Gold is after 1P, but before 2P. That's how United's computer ranks Star Alliance in the elite. Again, that's not to say some agents don't skip *G to get to 2Ps before making their way back up the list for *G. Should be rare though."

That is disappointing...I would have thought UA status would come first.

unitedscot

Cant remember Jason - it was a few years ago but was just wondering!!

Sorry to have bothered you - thank you again for you help!!