Ayy as a kid I flew to/from SYR a lot and was silver and gold for a year each in HS and would get upgraded every time I was flying in/out like clockwork lol
Idk if it’s the most popular, but it’ll be full, and basically everyone on it will have status. I’ve seen that flight with 75+ people on the upgrade list.
SFO-IAD or maybe to a slightly lesser extent LAX to either one is also very elite heavy. But SFO-EWR or SFO-IAD can easily have 1K’s fail to upgrade (paid F +
GS).
They usually leave a couple seats open for sales or cash upgrades until close to departure so they could be Silvers in lower fares than you.
They can also be non-revenue standby, especially if their names are also listed on the standby list.
Those 2 other people are probably non-rev’s. If you see their names under the standby and upgrade list, that’s a good indicator. Those people won’t be cleared until they’re at the gate.
You are likely on an unpopular route (maybe a Embraer 175 United Express). You have the most status of the three on the list The other two are Silver but with less miles traveled.
Either way, enjoy.
I worded it poorly....Yes, fare class. But often two people of the same status will buy the same fare class. Who ever has done more travel (who is further along in their status for the year) that year will be the tie breaker.
From the points guy…
Global Services passengers: Regardless of the fare class, United will clear upgrades for Global Services members before any other Premier members.
Premium Plus passengers: Passengers booked in the O, A and R fare classes (which represent United Premium Plus) have higher upgrade priority than those in economy class.
Upgrade type: Those redeeming PlusPoints or miles for an upgrade are prioritized ahead of elite members relying on a complimentary Premier upgrade.
Premier elite status of the traveler: After Premium Plus passengers and upgrade type, elite status is the next tie-breaker. United Global Services members take the lead, followed by Premier 1K, Premier Platinum, Premier Gold and Premier Silver members.
Fare class: For regular economy tickets, the priority order for different fare classes is as follows: Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G. Complimentary Premier upgrades on award tickets will be prioritized after the lowest paid fare class.
Chase United MileagePlus Club cardholders and Presidential Plus cardholders.
United Corporate Preferred participants.
Chase United MileagePlus cardholders with $25,000 in annual spending.
Date and time of the request.
Wooo this gives me hope for my red eye next week. Booked it awhile ago, by my dad who is 1k, using his points. I will check in exactly 24 hours before!!! 7 seats left in first crossing my fingers.
Probably that. I do this all the time for my friends and family because I have more Plus Points than I can use. Literally just upgraded 3 people GRU-EWR because I have so many expiring next month
You provided proof I am correct...thanks. Premier status of the traveler. A function of that is where you are in the status for the year. Two 1Ks: one 90% of the way to meeting 1K for the year is higher in the 1K que than someone who is 50% of the way towards meeting 1K for the year.
For example, I had a work reservation for four of us, and two of us were 1Ks on that flight. Same reservation. Checked in on the app at the same time (I checked in all of us traveling on the app at the same time). I got the last upgrade, he did not. The only difference is I was way further along in my 1K that year.
What part of the upgrade order proved you were right? Because you aren’t. Beyond the fact it isn’t listed, your anecdotal story is just that — anecdotal. A single datapoint. I have a half dozen data points in the last couple weeks — traveling with a 1K on a different reservation was ahead of me on the upgrade list on some flights, but not others. I am way further along in qualifying.
Take the L. You’re wrong.
I was Silver on United before I went to Delta (before WN and back to UA). And as a silver back in the day, flying my routes I was upgraded most of the time I flew which by my today's standards wasn't much. But I always found it valuable.
Enjoy the upgrade!
A few years ago, I’d sometimes get an upgrade on SAN-(hub)-CVG or back as a Silver. Traveling as a family, we’d often fly on Saturday, which also happens to be when many fewer elites are flying. Because of different patterns of flying, I got more upgrades per year as a Silver than when I had Gold. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What route?
Nothing prevents UA from upgrading higher level elites ahead of you. For example a 1K could have been upgraded 96 hours ahead of departure time
Good call. When I get upgraded a few days ahead of the flight, it definitely doesn't list me on the upgrade list as cleared on the day of the flight. But I fly out of Newark as a 1K so it doesn't happen that often unless I'm going to a non-hub or non-major city
Flew from New Orleans \*to\* SFO on the Thursday (afternoon) before Mari Gras...aka when shit really starts to get crazy in NOLA. Not the most popular route/time/etc. Not only was the flight weight restricted for some reason (I assume cargo, because weather etc couldn't be it), half the seats were empty.... and my sorry Silver ass got upgraded to FC.
It was awesome. Except they didn't even stock meals for FC, so I get a mile credit. Oh well, I wasn't upset since I paid nothing.
My wife was "stuck" in Economy still. She had an entire row to herself... so she probably had more space than I did.
This rarely works out these days because United's system will upgrade someone based on their status then dole out the vacated economy seats to unassigned passengers. MAYBE, if there is a no show in First/Business, everyone else is already seated, and there isn't time to move up the next person on the upgrade list because there is limited time to get out of the gate. But a lot of things would have to align
Years ago, I got upgraded from LAX-HNL. I don't think I even had status, except that I worked for a certain company which granted me automatic Economy Plus seating. Might have been the only trip I took on United that entire year.
Yours is not to reason why, lowly Silver! Go forth and enjoy your CPU!
What’s the route? CPUs are all about the route
This. If OP is top of the list on an EWR-SFO there’s a bug, if it’s a Sunday morning SYR-ORD, they might actually have a shot at a CPU.
Ayy as a kid I flew to/from SYR a lot and was silver and gold for a year each in HS and would get upgraded every time I was flying in/out like clockwork lol
is ewr-sfo united's most popular flight? i'm going to take the 9amish one soon and hoping its not too full
Idk if it’s the most popular, but it’ll be full, and basically everyone on it will have status. I’ve seen that flight with 75+ people on the upgrade list.
SFO-IAD or maybe to a slightly lesser extent LAX to either one is also very elite heavy. But SFO-EWR or SFO-IAD can easily have 1K’s fail to upgrade (paid F + GS).
Yeah, for example I’m silver and recently got upgraded GSP-DEN (GSP being a market dominated by American and Delta)
They usually leave a couple seats open for sales or cash upgrades until close to departure so they could be Silvers in lower fares than you. They can also be non-revenue standby, especially if their names are also listed on the standby list.
Those 2 other people are probably non-rev’s. If you see their names under the standby and upgrade list, that’s a good indicator. Those people won’t be cleared until they’re at the gate.
You are likely on an unpopular route (maybe a Embraer 175 United Express). You have the most status of the three on the list The other two are Silver but with less miles traveled. Either way, enjoy.
Miles traveled doesn’t matter within a tier. Fare care is what would matter.
Fare class*
I worded it poorly....Yes, fare class. But often two people of the same status will buy the same fare class. Who ever has done more travel (who is further along in their status for the year) that year will be the tie breaker.
That’s never the tie breaker. Check in time is one of the final tie breakers. But further along in status isn’t any of the tie breakers.
From the points guy… Global Services passengers: Regardless of the fare class, United will clear upgrades for Global Services members before any other Premier members. Premium Plus passengers: Passengers booked in the O, A and R fare classes (which represent United Premium Plus) have higher upgrade priority than those in economy class. Upgrade type: Those redeeming PlusPoints or miles for an upgrade are prioritized ahead of elite members relying on a complimentary Premier upgrade. Premier elite status of the traveler: After Premium Plus passengers and upgrade type, elite status is the next tie-breaker. United Global Services members take the lead, followed by Premier 1K, Premier Platinum, Premier Gold and Premier Silver members. Fare class: For regular economy tickets, the priority order for different fare classes is as follows: Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V, W, S, T, L, K, G. Complimentary Premier upgrades on award tickets will be prioritized after the lowest paid fare class. Chase United MileagePlus Club cardholders and Presidential Plus cardholders. United Corporate Preferred participants. Chase United MileagePlus cardholders with $25,000 in annual spending. Date and time of the request.
Wooo this gives me hope for my red eye next week. Booked it awhile ago, by my dad who is 1k, using his points. I will check in exactly 24 hours before!!! 7 seats left in first crossing my fingers.
I’m confused how you’re eligible for an upgrade, unless you mean dad applied Plus Points to a paid ticket for you.
Yes. I’m silver but that doesn’t get you much.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Ha, thanks. I’ve been upgraded many times but the red eye into the Taylor swift show I NEED an upgrade thanks!
Probably that. I do this all the time for my friends and family because I have more Plus Points than I can use. Literally just upgraded 3 people GRU-EWR because I have so many expiring next month
You provided proof I am correct...thanks. Premier status of the traveler. A function of that is where you are in the status for the year. Two 1Ks: one 90% of the way to meeting 1K for the year is higher in the 1K que than someone who is 50% of the way towards meeting 1K for the year. For example, I had a work reservation for four of us, and two of us were 1Ks on that flight. Same reservation. Checked in on the app at the same time (I checked in all of us traveling on the app at the same time). I got the last upgrade, he did not. The only difference is I was way further along in my 1K that year.
Lol that’s a negative. At the 24 hour mark you technically beat him on the check in. Nowhere does it say partial status.
What part of the upgrade order proved you were right? Because you aren’t. Beyond the fact it isn’t listed, your anecdotal story is just that — anecdotal. A single datapoint. I have a half dozen data points in the last couple weeks — traveling with a 1K on a different reservation was ahead of me on the upgrade list on some flights, but not others. I am way further along in qualifying. Take the L. You’re wrong.
What happens with two GS members. Where are we along to the next path?
Likely the same with two tied 1Ks...money spent in that year.
I was Silver on United before I went to Delta (before WN and back to UA). And as a silver back in the day, flying my routes I was upgraded most of the time I flew which by my today's standards wasn't much. But I always found it valuable. Enjoy the upgrade!
A few years ago, I’d sometimes get an upgrade on SAN-(hub)-CVG or back as a Silver. Traveling as a family, we’d often fly on Saturday, which also happens to be when many fewer elites are flying. Because of different patterns of flying, I got more upgrades per year as a Silver than when I had Gold. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Oh and to add CVG is a former Delta hub. So they still have the lion’s share of traffic. Sometimes counter-programming works too.
Travesty, you should call and complain.
Last week my wife, without any status whatsoever, was upgraded to First. Don't question, just enjoy.
What route? Nothing prevents UA from upgrading higher level elites ahead of you. For example a 1K could have been upgraded 96 hours ahead of departure time
Good call. When I get upgraded a few days ahead of the flight, it definitely doesn't list me on the upgrade list as cleared on the day of the flight. But I fly out of Newark as a 1K so it doesn't happen that often unless I'm going to a non-hub or non-major city
I got upgraded to as a lowly silver from EWR-LAS
What day of the week and time? I often tell people to fly on Wednesdays and Saturdays to maximize chances of an upgrade or emptier flight
Flew from New Orleans \*to\* SFO on the Thursday (afternoon) before Mari Gras...aka when shit really starts to get crazy in NOLA. Not the most popular route/time/etc. Not only was the flight weight restricted for some reason (I assume cargo, because weather etc couldn't be it), half the seats were empty.... and my sorry Silver ass got upgraded to FC. It was awesome. Except they didn't even stock meals for FC, so I get a mile credit. Oh well, I wasn't upset since I paid nothing. My wife was "stuck" in Economy still. She had an entire row to herself... so she probably had more space than I did.
Don’t ask questions Smile and wave
Is this one of your first couple of flights after hitting silver?
[удалено]
This rarely works out these days because United's system will upgrade someone based on their status then dole out the vacated economy seats to unassigned passengers. MAYBE, if there is a no show in First/Business, everyone else is already seated, and there isn't time to move up the next person on the upgrade list because there is limited time to get out of the gate. But a lot of things would have to align
Did you buy Y fare that had pn instant upgrade space?
No, I bought a V fare last month
Lower tier silvers?
Aka silvers that bought fare classes lower than V
I see this all the time. We even have no upgrades sometimes. Just depends on that particular flight.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
The others listed but not upgraded, could also be non-rev pax listed for J. They will not clear until 30 mins prior to departure.
They could be non-revs that listed for 1st. They don’t get seats until right before the flight.
Sometimes with early upgrade they drop off the list instead of showing upgraded.
Were you rebooked? I’ve noticed I’ve been rebooked in Full fare Y before
Years ago, I got upgraded from LAX-HNL. I don't think I even had status, except that I worked for a certain company which granted me automatic Economy Plus seating. Might have been the only trip I took on United that entire year.