Upgrade questions - two people on one pnr
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 352
Upgrade questions - two people on one pnr
I have an upcoming trip with the mrs. I am a 1k and he is prm ex. Right now the flight about 3 weeks out still has not cleared. Looks like plenty of space but as I have read on FT UA is holding back processing upgrades later than before.
If we are on one pnr will they upgrade us both or could one of us clear before the other?
I understand that up until day of it is first on the upgrade list first off. However day of goes to status. If this is the case if it goes to the day of could last minute 1k's upgrading with miles go ahead of my wife who I upgraded with a SWU months in advance?
One of the biggest benefits of the SWU is advance clearing. If it does not clear ahead of time but would clear on day of can I switch to upgrading with miles? I know they don't like you to get advance clearing and then try to switch to an upgrade instrument that does not provide for advanced clearing. Any thoughts or recommendations?
If we are on one pnr will they upgrade us both or could one of us clear before the other?
I understand that up until day of it is first on the upgrade list first off. However day of goes to status. If this is the case if it goes to the day of could last minute 1k's upgrading with miles go ahead of my wife who I upgraded with a SWU months in advance?
One of the biggest benefits of the SWU is advance clearing. If it does not clear ahead of time but would clear on day of can I switch to upgrading with miles? I know they don't like you to get advance clearing and then try to switch to an upgrade instrument that does not provide for advanced clearing. Any thoughts or recommendations?
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K, SPG
Posts: 1,577
You should call immediately and split the PNR. Read this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=773732
or my reply in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=826961
To answer your later questions, you can read this thread on upgrade waitlist order:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forums/show....php?p=7421065
but the bottom line is that, yes, once the flight goes to gate control around four hours before the flight, a 1K will trump a 1P on the upgrade waitlist no matter what the instrument.
I'm not sure why you'd want to switch to miles at this point. First, you may not be able to, because only Y/B/M/H fares are upgradeable with miles. Second, if you were on this fare basis, you could have used miles to begin with, and there would be no difference between using an SWU or miles when it comes to clearing the waitlist if you're using a 1K's miles. Mileage upgrades are just as confirmable as SWUs, and for a 1K's miles the clearance priority is the same.
Good luck! And next time, if you're going to be waitlisted, don't link your PNRs!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=773732
or my reply in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=826961
To answer your later questions, you can read this thread on upgrade waitlist order:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forums/show....php?p=7421065
but the bottom line is that, yes, once the flight goes to gate control around four hours before the flight, a 1K will trump a 1P on the upgrade waitlist no matter what the instrument.
I'm not sure why you'd want to switch to miles at this point. First, you may not be able to, because only Y/B/M/H fares are upgradeable with miles. Second, if you were on this fare basis, you could have used miles to begin with, and there would be no difference between using an SWU or miles when it comes to clearing the waitlist if you're using a 1K's miles. Mileage upgrades are just as confirmable as SWUs, and for a 1K's miles the clearance priority is the same.
Good luck! And next time, if you're going to be waitlisted, don't link your PNRs!
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 352
So called UA and they cannot split it
I have a short LH leg each direction and UA says cannot split PNR and not cancel the LH legs. So I guess I am screwed. I hope someone in inventory management opens up a 2 seats at a time. I would hate to think that booking two tickets on one PNR will mean that we miss the upgrades.
Any other ways to increase my chances?
Any other ways to increase my chances?
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
I have a short LH leg each direction and UA says cannot split PNR and not cancel the LH legs. So I guess I am screwed. I hope someone in inventory management opens up a 2 seats at a time. I would hate to think that booking two tickets on one PNR will mean that we miss the upgrades.
Any other ways to increase my chances?
Any other ways to increase my chances?
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 352
the call back worked
I called again and this agent could do it in 30 seconds. Of course this was after him warning me that it would reduce my wife's chance of an upgrade as she would go on her own status now. I am going with the FT wisdom here and hoping we both clear.
I am amazed that you can call UA three times and probably get 4 different answers to any question.
I am amazed that you can call UA three times and probably get 4 different answers to any question.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indiana
Programs: United GS 1.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 533
i would make sure that the records are cross referenced and appropriately documented that u are travelling together so that she can ride on ur status until the flight goes into DM. Then she is on her own.
#7
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K, SPG
Posts: 1,577
Feel free to cross-reference, but it won't make a difference on the upgrade waitlist.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: VA Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 3,644
I find this issue very confusing. I have been told by someone who travels extensively with UA (and who was told by UA management) that IM will not pass 2 people on 1 pnr on the w/list if there is only 1 NC seat, until DM day of flight, where the clearing is then based on status, fare paid and time on w/list.
What supposedly happens is that NC1 will sit there and not be given out to single pnr pax on w/list below until the 2 people (in one pnr) are cleared (prior to DM).
I am in this exact situation, we are first on the w/list 2 pax (myself 2P and Mini DG 3P) on one pnr for 2 trancons. There is NC=1. So far I have not split pnr - staying put to see what happens . I have been on the list since early May for an Oct flight. There is still NC=1, so no one has skipped over us as yet.
Last year, similar situation, I chose to split pnrs based on advice here on FT. It worked out fine but we were of the same status last year, this year Mini DG took a dive in status . This is the main reason I have not split, I think she may need my status help if it goes to DM. Sitting in separate cabins is not an option due to her age.
It seems this issue is one that there is confusion and disagreement on the boards. It would be great to get some clarification (if that is at all possible ).
NB: Only one of the two waitlisted transcons actually has NC1, the other has NC=0. If they both had NC1, I would split ASAP, put Mini DG in the avail NC and let me wait it out with higher status. But that wont solve the sep cabin issue if I dont clear .
What supposedly happens is that NC1 will sit there and not be given out to single pnr pax on w/list below until the 2 people (in one pnr) are cleared (prior to DM).
I am in this exact situation, we are first on the w/list 2 pax (myself 2P and Mini DG 3P) on one pnr for 2 trancons. There is NC=1. So far I have not split pnr - staying put to see what happens . I have been on the list since early May for an Oct flight. There is still NC=1, so no one has skipped over us as yet.
Last year, similar situation, I chose to split pnrs based on advice here on FT. It worked out fine but we were of the same status last year, this year Mini DG took a dive in status . This is the main reason I have not split, I think she may need my status help if it goes to DM. Sitting in separate cabins is not an option due to her age.
It seems this issue is one that there is confusion and disagreement on the boards. It would be great to get some clarification (if that is at all possible ).
NB: Only one of the two waitlisted transcons actually has NC1, the other has NC=0. If they both had NC1, I would split ASAP, put Mini DG in the avail NC and let me wait it out with higher status. But that wont solve the sep cabin issue if I dont clear .
Last edited by Downunder girl; Jul 14, 2008 at 4:20 am Reason: Clarification
#9
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,253
Never works - cross references are only to comfort the mind of the traveler - the agents have no time to read "the little silly bits in there".
#10
Suspended
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
We always split our records to speed up the upgrade process. Often, one of us will clear immediately once the recordis split. For some strange reason, I always seem to clear before Hunki, but he always clears before the flight. We are both 1ks.
#11
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K, SPG
Posts: 1,577
I find this issue very confusing. I have been told by someone who travels extensively with UA (and who was told by UA management) that IM will not pass 2 people on 1 pnr on the w/list if there is only 1 NC seat, until DM day of flight, where the clearing is then based on status, fare paid and time on w/list.
What supposedly happens is that NC1 will sit there and not be given out to single pnr pax on w/list below until the 2 people (in one pnr) are cleared (prior to DM).
What supposedly happens is that NC1 will sit there and not be given out to single pnr pax on w/list below until the 2 people (in one pnr) are cleared (prior to DM).
Last year, similar situation, I chose to split pnrs based on advice here on FT. It worked out fine but we were of the same status last year, this year Mini DG took a dive in status . This is the main reason I have not split, I think she may need my status help if it goes to DM. Sitting in separate cabins is not an option due to her age.
Once it goes to the DM, you still have a danger of clearing without her, whether or not you split, though you could probably get a sympathetic gate agent who is willing to keep an eye on the pairing. If separate cabins are a no-go, it would depend how far out the flight is, how many seats are available, how many flights are spoken for, the day of the week, the time of day, and the usual factors for upgrade clearance estimation.
Good luck!
#12
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,253
Actually, I think the general FT wisdom from the threads above is that you will be passed over. You can conduct an experiment if you like and see if NC1 drops to NC0. Of course, if it does, it may just be because they're zeroing out inventory, if it doesn't, it may just be because no one else ever joins the waitlist, so it's nowhere near a confirmatory experiment.
Not once have I encountered a situation where the PA jumps. And until this July the agents gladly informed us that we three on an NC2 flight were at the top of the WL with another 8 pax waitlisted.
But some people made different experiences in that matter. And the united.com patchware is in constant motion. So one observation does not guarantee that it can be repeated, I concede.
Last, I would be reluctant for a split in any case - a 1K is not a really high status for UA. If you are on a GS infested route, then 1Ks get bounced easily. And then you have your companion in the front and you have no seat blocking while stuck there.
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K, SPG
Posts: 1,577
Which is in strong support that the UA PA WL system cannot jump pax, it is a simple FIFO mechanism that processes input linearly.
Not once have I encountered a situation where the PA jumps. And until this July the agents gladly informed us that we three on an NC2 flight were at the top of the WL with another 8 pax waitlisted.
Not once have I encountered a situation where the PA jumps. And until this July the agents gladly informed us that we three on an NC2 flight were at the top of the WL with another 8 pax waitlisted.
There are only two problems. The first is that those of us scouting award inventory might see false NC availability, e.g., NC1 but there are two people at the top of a long waitlist, so our upgrades wouldn't clear immediately.
Second, if there were some short-sighted IM decision rule that inhibits NC release if there is NC availability, e.g., NC2, so IM decides not to release seats, but in fact a party of 3 is blocking NC clearance.
I am confused about your reasoning here. They both have E+ access. There is no middle-seat blocking for elites. I'm not sure what advantage you're referring to when it comes to linked PNRs.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,253
Otherwise it would not be a waitlist case, I concede: NC1 is for grabs when you need one seat.
SIN and HKG mostly observe it ... so it's a gamble ... but with a strong nonzero average.
Once it goes to the DM, you still have a danger of clearing without her, whether or not you split, though you could probably get a sympathetic gate agent who is willing to keep an eye on the pairing.
But that's matter of taste.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Jul 14, 2008 at 2:10 pm Reason: consecutive posts merged
#15
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,823
I find this issue very confusing. I have been told by someone who travels extensively with UA (and who was told by UA management) that IM will not pass 2 people on 1 pnr on the w/list if there is only 1 NC seat, until DM day of flight, where the clearing is then based on status, fare paid and time on w/list.
<snip>
I have been on the list since early May for an Oct flight. There is still NC=1, so no one has skipped over us as yet.
<snip>
It seems this issue is one that there is confusion and disagreement on the boards. It would be great to get some clarification (if that is at all possible ).
<snip>
I have been on the list since early May for an Oct flight. There is still NC=1, so no one has skipped over us as yet.
<snip>
It seems this issue is one that there is confusion and disagreement on the boards. It would be great to get some clarification (if that is at all possible ).
... By booking your reservation together on 1 record, all members of the party have the privilege of having the highest priority waitlist status due to your 1K level, however if 1 upgrade seat becomes available, the system will "pass" your party of 2 reservation and clear a reservation that has 1 passenger.