With the end of the year drawing closer, and my schedule become quite busy, it's been difficult for me to find enough time to take an extra couple of trips on AA to requalify for my Executive Platinum (EXP) status. I was able to take advantage of the Double Elite Qualifying Mile (DEQM) promotion in January, earned a nice amount of miles on the oneworld MegaDO, and then took two trips to Beijing. However, my spreadsheet told me that I was going to be about 14,000 miles short of requalifying ...

Yesterday, I posited three theories seeking to explain why United removed the display of upgrade inventory from united.com. I have a fourth one--and my experience today demonstrates why it is most likely the correct one. The reason is not a discrepancy in space displayed versus space available. Nor is it to sell more upgrades or to crack down on screen-scrapers. No, the primary reason is rather simple--the system is broken in a different way and shielding this problem is a much easier fix ...

Count me as one of the angered ones over United Airlines’ recent decision to no longer display upgrade fare buckets online. The move was shortsighted and will quickly prove itself counterproductive.

Shannon Kelly, UA Insider on Flyertalk and MilePoint, posted this message on Friday (bolding mine)—

Hi Everyone,

Later this evening we’ll be making a change on united.com that will remove the ability to see the specific allocation of seat inventory made ...

Tonight, I am flying home from the Philippines (sad face) to return to the “western” and “developed” world. Since I did not qualify for Platinum Elite status while under my 90 days status match with United, first class was 100% out of the question.  I am somewhat glad I did not qualify because year to date my flights on United have been far from pleasant
Anyway, despite not qualifying, thankfully I have a good friend who has Platinum status with United and ...

After posting about the intrigue surrounding United Airline's complimentary upgrade process yesterday, reader Dan left this insightful comment:

It's very simple -- there is someone ahead of you in the CPU queue who has a ticket 'out of sync' issue. This prevents the entire CPU process from running at the pre-determined times. You are correct that R>0 does not automatically equal a CPU being awarded, but R>=2 is just about a guarantee of it. R=9 and no CPUs means there is a ...

It Pays to be Loyal – Delta last my upgrade?! Part I

It Pays to be Loyal – Delta lost my upgrade?! Part II

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After a system glitch with the Fly Delta smartphone application unchecked me in minutes before my flights I lost my upgrade and found myself sitting in the back of the plane instead of 1st class last week. A number of communications ...