Missed My First Upgrade in Two Years on United!

After going 8/8 with United’s new UDU program and not missing a requested upgrade in over two years (going back to my days a Premier Executive) I failed to clear on a SFO-PHL flight this afternoon. The transcon was operated by an A320 with 12 seats in First Class and I was on a L-fare, so it was not big shocker. In fact, I was rather surprised that I was #2 on the waitlist.

Still, it’s a humbling experience to be denied an upgrade, especially on a route that likely would have cleared with e500s under the old system. Row six was okay, though.

My return is on Monday and I’m again expecting a trip home in the back. I’ll need to take another trip in a few weeks and am leaning toward going with Continental for a change. My UDU record is 4/5 on CO (and my last IAH-SNA flight did not clear because I foolishly did not separate the no-status traveler from my itinerary) and there is something about DirecTV that makes a flight much more enjoyable—and quicker. Of course I could also fly UA through DEN or ORD so I could be on 757s or 767s with more First Class seats.

UDU has spoiled me. For years, I was content upgrading only the flights I wanted and riding in the back on the others—primarily redeyes. Now that UDU is in place, I feel like I am not getting my “money’s worth” if I ever wind up in back. Fun times.