Does upgrade instrument (miles or certs) make a diff?
Aug 15, 2009 | 10:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 692
Does upgrade instrument (miles or certs) make a diff?
Searched for this but couldn't find the answer. Simple question: I can use 500 mi certs and get waitlisted for an upgrade... or I can pay 15k miles and get waitlisted for the same upgrade... does it matter? Will one or the other help my chances?
Aug 15, 2009 | 10:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA MM | BA Gold
Posts: 7,299
Yes it matters, unless you are within the e5 window...
15k can clear anytime, e500s only within the window.
Aug 15, 2009 | 10:29 pm
#3
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 692
Ahaaaaa. Thanks.
So maybe I need some advice. I have enough certs to use for only one side of my upcoming travel (LAX-ORD-EWR outbound, then JFK-LAX returning home); I'm using 15k miles for the other. How can I tell which leg is better to apply miles towards, vs certs?
So maybe I need some advice. I have enough certs to use for only one side of my upcoming travel (LAX-ORD-EWR outbound, then JFK-LAX returning home); I'm using 15k miles for the other. How can I tell which leg is better to apply miles towards, vs certs?
Aug 16, 2009 | 9:05 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, DL
Posts: 284
I'd probably use miles on JFK-LAX because its a more highly sought after upgrade -- unless your lax-ewr leg is during peak travel time and your jfk-lax flight is early morning etc. but I'd also suggest checking the avail business seats.
Aug 16, 2009 | 9:26 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: FA
Posts: 6,483
LAX
Aug 16, 2009 | 9:31 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,449
Look at the aircraft too
Agree with LAX's comment. Look at the aircraft. If it is an A319, or even an A320, upgrading will be hard with an e500. However, if it is a 757, 777, or 767, it should be okay if you were a 1k. But if you're premier, even the e500 may be hard.
If you don't want to chance it, use miles. That puts you ahead of all the e500's who are waiting (even those with higher status than you). But if you wouldn't mind sitting in economy and want to save those miles, then go for the e500.
If you don't want to chance it, use miles. That puts you ahead of all the e500's who are waiting (even those with higher status than you). But if you wouldn't mind sitting in economy and want to save those miles, then go for the e500.
Aug 16, 2009 | 10:41 am
#7
Original Poster
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 692
Thanks all-- since I'm just a PremExec, I'll follow the advice to use miles for that p.s. flight, and 500 certs for LAX-ORD and ORD-EWR. And of course, fingers crossed for all three legs ;-)
I was lucky enough to get some okay E+ seats, and I'll be calling at 100 hours out to see what kind of other E+ seats become available as the higher-status fliers move up...
I was lucky enough to get some okay E+ seats, and I'll be calling at 100 hours out to see what kind of other E+ seats become available as the higher-status fliers move up...
Aug 16, 2009 | 3:44 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA MM | BA Gold
Posts: 7,299
Thanks all-- since I'm just a PremExec, I'll follow the advice to use miles for that p.s. flight, and 500 certs for LAX-ORD and ORD-EWR. And of course, fingers crossed for all three legs ;-)
I was lucky enough to get some okay E+ seats, and I'll be calling at 100 hours out to see what kind of other E+ seats become available as the higher-status fliers move up...
I was lucky enough to get some okay E+ seats, and I'll be calling at 100 hours out to see what kind of other E+ seats become available as the higher-status fliers move up...
If your P.S. flight is a red eye, I would waitlist with e5's.
Aug 16, 2009 | 7:17 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Based in Michigan, but I could be anywhere!
Programs: Hilton, American, Club Carlson, United, Marriott, Starwood
Posts: 409
Is this a change? While I know miles upgrades can clear "at any time", if they don't clear right away, I've always seen cert upgrades go through first.
Aug 16, 2009 | 7:37 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-SLV, QF-GLD, DL-PM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,353
No change Despite what you may have seen, e500s will never trump miles upgrades. Miles/certs are the only option before the window, and have equal or better priority to e500s within the window (depending on what list you get placed on).
Aug 16, 2009 | 8:56 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,055
Sure, but if you are a 1P or 2P, it may be better to use e500s within your window than miles outside your window, because mileage upgrades get placed on PB, while e500 upgrades get placed on PA... AFAIK.
Aug 16, 2009 | 9:27 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA 1K MM, AGR SE, SPG Platinum, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 509
Do e500s get on PA at the window? I thought it's based on status. 1Ks get on PA and the rest get on PB.
Aug 16, 2009 | 11:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 41,216
[edit]What cepheid said.
Another aspect to consider - for anyone less than a 1K - is that miles always bring you onto the Priority B Waitlist (PB) for the upgrade whereas certs are rumoured to queue for the upgrade in the PA.
So when you apply within your window, your chances might be better with certs.
Also if there is no upgrade inventory a day or so out from the window.
Another aspect to consider - for anyone less than a 1K - is that miles always bring you onto the Priority B Waitlist (PB) for the upgrade whereas certs are rumoured to queue for the upgrade in the PA.
So when you apply within your window, your chances might be better with certs.
Also if there is no upgrade inventory a day or so out from the window.
Aug 16, 2009 | 11:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boulder, CO
Programs: UA, AA, WN; HH, MR, IHG
Posts: 7,055
Nobody knows for sure, but it is widely believed here that e500s go on PA, regardless of status. AFAIK, the PB list is only for mileage upgrades from 1P or lower; all cert upgrades go on PA.
Aug 17, 2009 | 12:04 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 24
I have SFO-JFK and return leg waitlisted for November using miles (as part of an international itinerary).
Had a call to United today about an un-related matter and followed up at the end asking about this itinerary. Was told I was on the PA list, even though I didn't ask directly about PA or PB. Did ask to confirm and was told it was definitely PA on miles as 1P (will be 1K for return leg), so I'm confused.
Had a call to United today about an un-related matter and followed up at the end asking about this itinerary. Was told I was on the PA list, even though I didn't ask directly about PA or PB. Did ask to confirm and was told it was definitely PA on miles as 1P (will be 1K for return leg), so I'm confused.