I learned my lesson. Once I gambled on SFO-BOS, didn't use CR1, but my UG didn't clear under e500s.

From now on, I book tix on this route based on NF availability, unless I am on a higher fare e.g. M/B fares then I would waitlist.

No, not Sandpiper. No offense, but can't stand that course. Overpriced. Below average course, ridiculous layout (few holes aside), and average to poor conditions. My favorite course is La Purisima.

Eeeeeeasy there, trigger. I can't use CR-1's as some others perhaps can. Simple, really. Sheeesh.

CR1s seem to be clearing like e500s these days. united is being ultra-stingy with both upgrades as well as upper class award travel. i had been plat on CO and sadly now that is going the way of star alliance. am gold on DL and will be moving that way in the near future. on recent NW and DL legs, have gotten upgrades in advance in 75% of flights. that is better than UA with the certs....

and don't even try to start with me in intl flights....

I dare not to extrapolate: if CR1s are diminishing in value thanks to cabins shrinking how would one phrase what is happening to SWUs ???

As one who lives at a coast hub (SFO), I'd be happy to put your unusable CR1s to use.
I managed to use 2 of them on a RT to SJU (via STT), and it was worth the wait.

I think its crazy how stingy UA is being on their upgrades granted. they awarded the upgrades to us for our loyalty. if they will not allow us to use them, then maybe i shouldn't be so loyal....

I really don't know what you are talking about. My last 6 upgrades cleared before check-in (2 of them the infamous SFO-ORD), and I am only 1P.

[off-topic discussion deleted by Moderator]

Again, my take on the inability to use CR-1's has nothing to do with missing the upgrade (I think I'm nearly 100% when I attempt to) but rather with me flying so many ac's w/out first class.

Isn't that more a function of where you live and where you choose to travel than the relative worth of a CR-1?

Have to disagree with the original premise. Sure, it's getting more difficult to upgrade my BOS-SFO trips (see below), but CR-1's are what keep me from jumping ship to AA. I get 8 CR-1's and 6 SWU as a 1K. AA would only give me 8 SWU-equivalents as a 1K equivalent. That's a huge difference.

Still, UA are nuts to put A319's on BOS-SFO/LAX. They are constantly weight restricted, never mind having less chance to use my CR-1s. Oh yes, sorry, that's the plan!

Quick topic check: the utility of CR1s. Let's please stay on-topic. Thanks! Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, United Mileage+.

I am currently EXP and not long ago was 1K, based in BOS. I think you're better off on AA unless you can consistently plan far enough ahead to get confirmed upgrades with your CR-1s (I was never able to do this). AA does not limit the upgrades, and while BOS-SFO is a tough upgrade on both airlines, my experience has been that shorter flights are much, much easier on AA as EXP than they were on UA as 1K (mostly due, I think, to the larger number of F seats on most planes).

I would also argue that 8 VIPs (AA equivalent of SWUs) are more valuable than 6 SWUs, if you travel enough internationally to make use of all 8 (given that there is no need for a CR-1 equivalent on AA unless you are able to confirm CR-1s in advance).

Suddenly, the problem comes into focus. F cabins just aren't profitable on some short segments, and if you insist that you will only use CR-1s if every segment is upgradeablle, while you also predominantly fly to/from regional airports like SBA, then some of your CR-1s are just going to go unused.

So PSUhorty, I think you are saying that CR-1s are the new e500s?

I like it!