The obvious: CR-1's practically useless
 

Really, CR-1's are becoming more and more useless as aircraft downsizing wears on.

Right now, 3 left in my account w/really, nowhere to use them. I've burned the rest practically pointlessly. W/so many regional jets any longer and the slug-like slowness of deTedification, there are just so many routes that are serviced by aircrafts w/out first class.

Let me give you an example. I travel to SBA probably 5-6 times/year. Usually, I connect through DEN. Yes, more oft than not, I can snag a mainline flight and upgrade. But, more oft than not (at least when I want to fly the route), DEN-SBA is a regional jet w/out ExPlus. I'm not gonna burn a CR-1 for one leg of the trip, albeit a longer one. I guess in the future I could do either PIT-ORD-LAX-SBA or PIT-DEN-LAX-SBA. Then, the bulk of the trip would be upgradeable. But, really, I don't want to add another connection into my itin JUST to use a CR-1. Secondly, PIT-DEN-SBA gets me into SBA at about 1:45PM, just enough time to fit in an afternoon round of golf at one of my favorite courses in the whole wide world.

Another example- In a couple weeks, I head to Key West. Flying into MIA thru ORD. Yes, I can upgrade PIT-ORD (1 E-500). But ORD-MIA is Ted. So there you go... another itin where CR-1's are useless.

I've only found them to be useful on my PIT-PDX runs, which is only once/year. Can't remember another time I've used them (I think I did have to do a PIT-ORD-LAX-SBA itin once).

I would argue that smaller F cabins increase the value of CR1s, an instrument that, after all, places the bearer in the best possible position for grabbing a scarce premium seat.

Do I hear Coupon connection?

Yeah, but I definitely feel OP's concern about aircraft downsizing...

it is affecting me more through scheduling concern though.

I like the CR1 becuase I can grab the upgrade before the window.

dont agree

I just used 4 CR1s for relatives flying SFO-BOS next August and Oct.

Each flight showed NF1 (you know, this becomes norm at 330 day mark) so I grabbed the upgrades quickly.

At least I appreciate that I could use CR1s for relatives and friends because otherwise they would never get upgraded. They are only 2P and BOS-SFO is one of the most difficult routes to get an upgrade.

And one of the best given the length of the flight (2704 mi).

I feel the OP pain. I usually only use CR1 on long distance flights (to me a 1000 miles or greater), but now that I end up on so many Ted Flights that I end up upgrading on shorter legs to use them up or give them away to other guys in the office.

True, but useless for me if my itin doesn't have 1st class... something that happens all too frequently for me.

I agree! great use of 'em! However, that was just one data point, if you will. I don't fly SFO-BOS. If I did, the CR-1's wold be quite useful!

I guess it all comes down to one's particular travel patterns and how they affect the useability of CR-1's. I happen to be in a position where I just don't fly many mainline AC's... for whatever reason.

I presume lehms does travels on many mainlines. I couldn't hack my way through the clutter of his/her's detailed, nicely-outlined response ;)

CR1's work flawlessly for me but then again, I've been flying mostly IAD-LAX on the 777 this year. BUt even when I grab an A320 or 757, I've had no problems.

i am just responding to the OP claim they are "useless", i think most would find through their travels and coupon connection and gifting, and finding routes that are likely to yield an upgrade, most wouldnt find them "useless"

Just (last week) successfully used 6 CR-1s to upgrade 3 of us on a p.s. return trip in February - to me it's the e500's that are useless since mine no longer auto-convert and I fly relatively little domestic. I wouldn't have wanted to chance a 1K and 2 1Ps using e-500s for the SFO-JFK-SFO run, so from my perspective, keep 'em coming!

Agree that value of CR1s is decreasing
 

In my last three non-stop trans-continental trips, albeit on A320s, I have gotten exactly one upgrade, and for tickets booked weeks in advance. The real bummer was that the one upgrade I got was on a flight out of PHL that was significantly delayed, so rather than be stuck in PHL overnight, I traded to a USAirways flight and gave up the upgrade...

[Off topic discussion deleted by Moderator.] if I were you, I would connect in ORD (or DEN) and LAX (or SFO/SJC) and use the CR-1's. Much more comfort, and if you can secure 9BC on the Brasilia, that is just about as good as F, without the service. Then head on over to Sandpiper for an early morning round.

If the above doesn't work, I'll take a CR-1 or two ;)

I'll tell you what's useless: ridiculous exaggeration of thread titles.

If you want to leave 3 CR1s in your account instead of upgrading the longest leg of a 2 leg itinerary, that's your choice.

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.

have to agree with the OP
 

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 :eek: ???

As one who lives at a coast hub (SFO), I'd be happy to put your unusable CR1s to use. :D
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? :confused:

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! :D

So then youre thread title is totally misleading, and should read: "CR-1s Are Useless to Me". :rolleyes:

I would have to agree. If you fly routes with no First Class service, then CR-1's - indeed, allupgrade instruments - are worthless.

As for me, I tend to fly routes (transcon) with lots of F service and have used my CR-1's with great success.

YMMV.

Agreed! And including the "The Obvious" implies it should be generally obvious to all [that CR1s are useless] is a complete exaggeration.

I guess if you live somewhere where UA only provides Y service the obvious question would be is there another carrier that provides F to where you fly, if F is important to you@:-)

When a 1P, I wished for CR1s. These instruments are incredibly valuable to me.

YMMV