Consolidated "Upgrade Waitlist Clearance on UA" Thread
May 29, 2007, 11:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: PHX
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Posts: 190
Upgrade order after status and fare paid
I've done a few searches, but haven't yet found the order upgrades clear after status and class of fare paid. If I'm 1P and traveling with another 1P and both of us paid the same fare, assuming only one upgrade left, how will United determine who gets it?
May 29, 2007, 11:07 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Whoever checks in first 
May 29, 2007, 11:11 am
#3
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May 29, 2007, 11:14 am
#4
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May 29, 2007, 11:14 am
#5
Join Date: May 2006
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If there is only 1 upgrade left I would expect that the system will skip the group of two with same status, fare, and check in time and go down the list to the first single traveller.
But I'm not totally sure about that.
But I'm not totally sure about that.
May 29, 2007, 11:17 am
#6
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If that situation were to actually arise, the GA would most likely ask the 2-passenger party which traveler to upgrade or if s/he should go to the next passenger on the UGDG list.
If the flight is tight on time getting out, the GA may just skip right to the next name.
If the flight is tight on time getting out, the GA may just skip right to the next name.
May 29, 2007, 11:43 am
#7
Original Poster
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Location: PHX
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Posts: 190
The situation I described would be two 1Ps, both traveling on same fares, not necessarily traveling together (separate PNRs, will check in at different times)
Sounds like first one to check in gets it if it comes down to the airport, but wondering what order we'd clear within 72 hour window before flight.
Sounds like first one to check in gets it if it comes down to the airport, but wondering what order we'd clear within 72 hour window before flight.
Last edited by lsbuffs; May 29, 2007 at 11:45 am Reason: clarify post
Dec 21, 2009, 1:24 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 113
Consolidated "Upgrade Waitlist Clearance on UA" Thread
Today, when I called the 1K desk to split a PNR to improve upgrade chances, I was told two things:
(1) Upgrades on the PA list are processed by status, then by position on the waitlist. So all 1Ks will go first, then 1Ps, then 2Ps, then 3Ps, then general members. A person sponsored by a 1K will fall within his/her individual status level; i.e., it makes no difference that he/she was sponsored by a 1K. This seems questionable to me and, as earlier posts suggest, CSRs may be confusing the PA and PB waitlists (though the person with whom I spoke today adamantly denied that she was doing so).
(2) Splitting a single PNR does not affect your position on the waitlist, subject to #1. If two people on the same PNR are 1Ks, both will retain their original positions on the waitlist once the PNR is split. If one person is 1K and the other is 3P, the 1K will retain his/her original position and the 3P will fall behind all other 1Ks, 1Ps, and 2Ps. If #1 isn't true, then both people will retain their original positions.
(1) Upgrades on the PA list are processed by status, then by position on the waitlist. So all 1Ks will go first, then 1Ps, then 2Ps, then 3Ps, then general members. A person sponsored by a 1K will fall within his/her individual status level; i.e., it makes no difference that he/she was sponsored by a 1K. This seems questionable to me and, as earlier posts suggest, CSRs may be confusing the PA and PB waitlists (though the person with whom I spoke today adamantly denied that she was doing so).
(2) Splitting a single PNR does not affect your position on the waitlist, subject to #1. If two people on the same PNR are 1Ks, both will retain their original positions on the waitlist once the PNR is split. If one person is 1K and the other is 3P, the 1K will retain his/her original position and the 3P will fall behind all other 1Ks, 1Ps, and 2Ps. If #1 isn't true, then both people will retain their original positions.
Dec 23, 2009, 2:14 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
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Posts: 5,532
Upgrade clearing is now by status.
I recently used my SWUs for my friend, a general member, first then myself (1K). 5 of my 6 segments are confirmed. Only 2 of his 6 segments are confirmed so far.
I recently used my SWUs for my friend, a general member, first then myself (1K). 5 of my 6 segments are confirmed. Only 2 of his 6 segments are confirmed so far.
Jan 2, 2010, 1:33 pm
#10
In memoriam
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Today, when I called the 1K desk to split a PNR to improve upgrade chances, I was told two things:
(1) Upgrades on the PA list are processed by status, then by position on the waitlist. So all 1Ks will go first, then 1Ps, then 2Ps, then 3Ps, then general members. A person sponsored by a 1K will fall within his/her individual status level; i.e., it makes no difference that he/she was sponsored by a 1K. ....
(1) Upgrades on the PA list are processed by status, then by position on the waitlist. So all 1Ks will go first, then 1Ps, then 2Ps, then 3Ps, then general members. A person sponsored by a 1K will fall within his/her individual status level; i.e., it makes no difference that he/she was sponsored by a 1K. ....
This seems to confirm other recent reports that the sponsor's status in not relevant.
Jan 2, 2010, 2:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
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I (a 1K MM) sponsored 2 friends with SWUs that have same routing and fare basis. One is a 1K and the other a 3P. I sponsored the 3P first thinking that that would clear before the 1K. I figured the 1K would clear later based on his own status. Yesterday the 1K cleared but the 3P did not. I spoke to the 1K desk and that person talked to MP. I was told that 1K cleared based on his status, not mine (the sponsor).
This seems to confirm other recent reports that the sponsor's status in not relevant.
This seems to confirm other recent reports that the sponsor's status in not relevant.
Jan 2, 2010, 2:28 pm
#12
Moderator: United Airlines
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While this may have been posted for awhile, I notice a few week ago the following which is posted in the united.com descriptions of each upgrade type
the above or its equivalent is in SWU, CR1, miles and e500s
Upgrade clearance times and waitlists
Upgrades are processed according to your Mileage Plus status.
Upgrades will be confirmed if seats are available at time of request, otherwise, you will be placed on a waitlist. You can check the status of your request in My Itineraries.
If upgrade space becomes available, requests will be prioritized by Mileage Plus status, original booking class purchased, and by time of request in a tiebreaker situation.
Upgrades are processed according to your Mileage Plus status.
Upgrades will be confirmed if seats are available at time of request, otherwise, you will be placed on a waitlist. You can check the status of your request in My Itineraries.
If upgrade space becomes available, requests will be prioritized by Mileage Plus status, original booking class purchased, and by time of request in a tiebreaker situation.
Jan 2, 2010, 7:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2007
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In a Nov flight, I experienced the following:
PAX #1
- 1P
- used sponsored SWU
- UG requested a month+ before flight
PAX #2
- 1K
- used own SWU
- UG requested 2 wks before flight
PAX #2 is NOT the sponsor for PAX #1.
PAX #2 cleared 24 hrs out, PAX #1 cleared at the gate.
Don't think it goes to DM a full 24 hrs out, so seems to support that PA list is prioritized by own status. If it's FIFO, PAX #1 should have cleared first.
PAX #1
- 1P
- used sponsored SWU
- UG requested a month+ before flight
PAX #2
- 1K
- used own SWU
- UG requested 2 wks before flight
PAX #2 is NOT the sponsor for PAX #1.
PAX #2 cleared 24 hrs out, PAX #1 cleared at the gate.
Don't think it goes to DM a full 24 hrs out, so seems to support that PA list is prioritized by own status. If it's FIFO, PAX #1 should have cleared first.
Jan 5, 2010, 2:22 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: MDT / BWI / IAD
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Posts: 477
I just talked to a 1K res agent about my position on the UG waitlist relative to Mrs. Modern 49er. We are both 1K, both using CR-1s, both same fare class, but different PNRs. She said that "sometimes" in addition to status, the number of miles flown (this year? last year?) impacts the waitlist sorting. I'm not sure if this refers to EQMs, BIS, or some other measure. She didn't have a lot of confidence in saying this.
Anyone ever heard of this as a factor?
Anyone ever heard of this as a factor?
Jan 5, 2010, 2:32 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Crystal City, VA
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I just talked to a 1K res agent about my position on the UG waitlist relative to Mrs. Modern 49er. We are both 1K, both using CR-1s, both same fare class, but different PNRs. She said that "sometimes" in addition to status, the number of miles flown (this year? last year?) impacts the waitlist sorting. I'm not sure if this refers to EQMs, BIS, or some other measure. She didn't have a lot of confidence in saying this.
Anyone ever heard of this as a factor?
Anyone ever heard of this as a factor?