Thanks for pointing this out, but I've read his post many times. It's a good fundamental post, but i agree with mahasamantam, that the sublties and nuances are simply not explained in that post.


+1

So, at that point (goes from IM to DM), status is trump over fare, and fare is trump over check-in time? A 1K who had been on the waitlist a shorter time but was traveling on a more expensive fare would lose out to another 1K who had joined the queue at an earlier time if IM let a seat go for upgrade; but if the seat wasn't there before it went from IM to DM, then the 1K traveling on the higher fare would step ahead of the 1K traveling on a lower fare, though they had joined the queue first and been closer on the PA list?

(This wasn't what I had in mind when I started this thread with my question about my e-upgrade summary, but I am happy to be enlightened about the arcana of upgrades.)

Thanks for the info, but what about miles? Say if NC=0, I am a 1k, and I want to upgrade segment using miles. When I put that request in, will I be on the PA list? I assume that if I try to sponsor a 2p with miles, that 2p will also be on the PA list, correct?

Anybody know the answer to this? Or a link to where this is answered? Thanks.

Believe there is no difference between using SWU, CR1 or miles, an 1K using any of these goes onto the PA list and an 1P or lower goes on PB. The list is determined by the status of the upgrade instrument provider, not the status of the flyer. The DM list is by the status of the passenger.

To the best of my knowledge, the full details of the system are not published by UA.

Incorrect as far as we know. Anyone with a SWU or CR-1 goes on PA (yes, it it possible for non-1Ks to get these). PB is only for mileage upgrades from a non-1K account.

For mileage upgrades, that is correct.

Ok, thanks for the clarification. Most 1P or lower are likely just using miles or e500 unless they are being sponsored.

So, if I understand correctly, a 1p who sponsors himself with miles goes on the PB list. And if I, a 1K, put an upgrade request with miles, I am on the PA, list, correct?

But what happens if I try to use my miles on a 1p? Does that 1p go on the PA or PB list? Thanks.

Based on my recent conversation with a gate agent, I would guess PA if you are traveling with that person.

I used my brother's miles (2P) to upgrade him and me last weekend on LAX-IAD-MEX. The LAX-IAD did not clear immediately, but the phone agent stated that she would put us on the PA list.

I would think that if we were put on the PA list using 2P miles, you and your 1P would also go on the PA list using your 1K miles.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5G77 Safari/525.20)

Exception: A 1K/GS is always on PA, even if upgraded with a GM's miles.

I feel like we rehash this every other day. We do need a gold standard upgrade post representing FT CW.

agreed. maybe you can create a sticky in the United FAQ section. ^

Try to summarize the recent postings in this thread
===========
Upgrade Waitlist Priority (working summary of FT common wisdom)
- All whose upgrades are sponsored by SWU or CR1s will be placed on the PA list in order of submission.
- GS/1Ks when using miles will be placed on the PA list based on submission time regardless of the source of the miles (some uncertainty on this)
- All those that are sponsored by GS/1K miles will be place on PA in order of submission
- All others will be placed on the PB based on submission time. This is essentially 1P or less status passenger using non-GS/1K miles.
- At e500s window clearance time for their status, e500 requesters (and PNR companions) are added to the end of the PA -- again based on submission time (the later of clearance time or request) (passenger on different PNR can receive their sponsors e500 clearance window also - may require agent intervention) (have the PA and PB merged at e500 clearance window??)
- At DM time (typically 4 hours before scheduled flight time), all upgrades requests will be ranked by status, fare class and time on the DM list.

** On a single PNR, all passengers must use the same type of upgrade instrument for a segment but they may come from different accounts
** It is believed the elite status priority order is GS, 1K, 1P, *G, 2P, 3P, *S, GM.
============
Is this correct?? better wording??
I will update this post as new consensus forms

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Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 19, 09 at 7:40 pm. Reason: Changed e500 case -- to all go on PA
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 26, 09 at 10:01 pm. Reason: comment on need for common upgrade instrument

As far as FT consensus goes, all e500 upgrade requests go on PA regardless of status. Only mileage requests from 1P or lower go on PB, AFAIK. I don't know that this was ever definitively established, but that's the FT consensus as far as I understand it.

That's the first time I've heard that.

I keep considering doing an animation of the process (it does lend itself well to that type of presentation), but haven't found the time.

If my upgrade got cleared already with CR-1, can I switch it to 500miles before checkin by calling CSR? How about the other way around?