I Flew Every Day for a Week: Will My $60K Status Get Me Upgraded
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Date: 2026-01-23
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Comments and reviews: 20
andrewwetton007
There’s only 1 issue I can see with getting United 1K = you have to fly a lot with United to earn it
I don’t really like nor choose any US airline if I have other options.
I would always choose in order of priority
1) any Asian airline SQ, CX, TG, NH, JL & any of the 3 Taiwan airlines
2) any Middle East airline Emirates, Gulf Air, Qatar, Etihad, Oman
3) any European airline Finnair, Lufthansa, BA, Air France, KLM
4) lastly any US carrier- the service is universally poor, food is poor, all sorts of complicated rules like buying a domestic First Class (sic) ticket but not having lounge access etc etc
Of course if you live in Houston the above criteria is difficult and you are going to have to use US carriers a lot. Best of these is probably Delta or Alaska but still awful.
In this video there not much of a welcome when boarding. The cabin crew seem totally distracted and disinterested. You would get fired for that behaviour in Singapore Airlines.
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There’s only 1 issue I can see with getting United 1K = you have to fly a lot with United to earn it
I don’t really like nor choose any US airline if I have other options.
I would always choose in order of priority
1) any Asian airline SQ, CX, TG, NH, JL & any of the 3 Taiwan airlines
2) any Middle East airline Emirates, Gulf Air, Qatar, Etihad, Oman
3) any European airline Finnair, Lufthansa, BA, Air France, KLM
4) lastly any US carrier- the service is universally poor, food is poor, all sorts of complicated rules like buying a domestic First Class (sic) ticket but not having lounge access etc etc
Of course if you live in Houston the above criteria is difficult and you are going to have to use US carriers a lot. Best of these is probably Delta or Alaska but still awful.
In this video there not much of a welcome when boarding. The cabin crew seem totally distracted and disinterested. You would get fired for that behaviour in Singapore Airlines.
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hpfend
do you think courtesy upgrades are fair i don't think so. i think you should be prioritised to get a free upgrade if economy is overbooked. or if there are free seats in preium cabins, that you maybe get a discounted upgrade with cash or miles at the airport, and you should get those offered proactively. ancillary services, and upgrades count as such, are a massive cash cow for airlines. but to give them out completely free of charge when there is no overbooking definitely not.
also if you have the highest tiered frequent flier status, that should grant you access into any United lounge there is, regardless of domestic or international flights. i think in the US there is too much importance on what type of credit card you have in regards to lounge access.
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do you think courtesy upgrades are fair i don't think so. i think you should be prioritised to get a free upgrade if economy is overbooked. or if there are free seats in preium cabins, that you maybe get a discounted upgrade with cash or miles at the airport, and you should get those offered proactively. ancillary services, and upgrades count as such, are a massive cash cow for airlines. but to give them out completely free of charge when there is no overbooking definitely not.
also if you have the highest tiered frequent flier status, that should grant you access into any United lounge there is, regardless of domestic or international flights. i think in the US there is too much importance on what type of credit card you have in regards to lounge access.
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RaspingPompano2
I was flying regional and this very wealthy businessman man was flying for work but work would only pay for economy but when our flight got delayed he told me to come with him and complain so they would upgrade us to first class. It was my first time flying so I didn’t. And we all boarded the plane, he was seated directly in front of me and people from the airline boarded the plane came up to him and he looks at me and said, SEE WE WOULD BE SITTING IN FIRST CLASS TOGETHER IF YOU would’ve went with me. I should’ve listened.
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I was flying regional and this very wealthy businessman man was flying for work but work would only pay for economy but when our flight got delayed he told me to come with him and complain so they would upgrade us to first class. It was my first time flying so I didn’t. And we all boarded the plane, he was seated directly in front of me and people from the airline boarded the plane came up to him and he looks at me and said, SEE WE WOULD BE SITTING IN FIRST CLASS TOGETHER IF YOU would’ve went with me. I should’ve listened.
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noel_philips
Been Titanium at the Marriott chains for 9 years. with one year getting into AmbassadorI am 1 year and 97 nights away from Life time Platinum. and I upgraded appropriately 20% of the time. I usually have to ask for iteven though it’s supposed to automatically upgrade you if available. pro tip, always ask.
I try to avoid flying for work at all costswhenever possible will opt to drive up to 10hrs. Usually we use Air Canada and they sux, Uber expensive, planes are falling apart, service is horrible.
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Been Titanium at the Marriott chains for 9 years. with one year getting into AmbassadorI am 1 year and 97 nights away from Life time Platinum. and I upgraded appropriately 20% of the time. I usually have to ask for iteven though it’s supposed to automatically upgrade you if available. pro tip, always ask.
I try to avoid flying for work at all costswhenever possible will opt to drive up to 10hrs. Usually we use Air Canada and they sux, Uber expensive, planes are falling apart, service is horrible.
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JediTev
The wife and I are going to Orlando for vacation, yes, WDW! I get a discount on United for being a Veteran, but we're going to try and fly First Class. We'll be on from SFO to MCO direct flight. We're trying to collect miles for our 10th Wedding anniversary in September 2028 to go Paris Disneyland! We're also going to tour Europe, as well. I've United's debit card and we're paying for the Disney trip on that. I'm shooting for premium economy. But we'll see! Wish us luck!
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The wife and I are going to Orlando for vacation, yes, WDW! I get a discount on United for being a Veteran, but we're going to try and fly First Class. We'll be on from SFO to MCO direct flight. We're trying to collect miles for our 10th Wedding anniversary in September 2028 to go Paris Disneyland! We're also going to tour Europe, as well. I've United's debit card and we're paying for the Disney trip on that. I'm shooting for premium economy. But we'll see! Wish us luck!
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wizardmix
I say this a lot: If you want to win the travel game, work part-time for an airline. If you're passionate about flying and commercial aircraft, work part-time for an airline. If you want all those perks that you have to spend all this time and money flying to get, work part-time for an airline. If you know, you know. We are the advanced, elite travel hackers. If there's an empty, non-weight-restricted seat on your flight, we are on it.
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I say this a lot: If you want to win the travel game, work part-time for an airline. If you're passionate about flying and commercial aircraft, work part-time for an airline. If you want all those perks that you have to spend all this time and money flying to get, work part-time for an airline. If you know, you know. We are the advanced, elite travel hackers. If there's an empty, non-weight-restricted seat on your flight, we are on it.
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PapaVanTwee5
I visited Houston in April last year, and yeah, the roads for the most part are okay, but around the airport they could be better. I did try the Metro bus's park and ride to downtown, and for $3 a day, it was much better then driving down and parking. Even the walk to the convention center was shorter then most of the people I was with who did brave downtown and parked.
I'm hoping to visit again at the end of April.
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I visited Houston in April last year, and yeah, the roads for the most part are okay, but around the airport they could be better. I did try the Metro bus's park and ride to downtown, and for $3 a day, it was much better then driving down and parking. Even the walk to the convention center was shorter then most of the people I was with who did brave downtown and parked.
I'm hoping to visit again at the end of April.
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noel_philips
I have done a fair deal of Business Class travel, so upgrades to First weren't vital.
That said, I did get upgraded once because I speak German and was flying with Lufthansa from South Africa.
My business colleague didn't get upgraded so was quite peeved.
The same happened to my daughter (whose German is perfect) flying Lufthansa to China - and again no upgrade for her very angry boyfriend.
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I have done a fair deal of Business Class travel, so upgrades to First weren't vital.
That said, I did get upgraded once because I speak German and was flying with Lufthansa from South Africa.
My business colleague didn't get upgraded so was quite peeved.
The same happened to my daughter (whose German is perfect) flying Lufthansa to China - and again no upgrade for her very angry boyfriend.
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dawnpowers7626
Noticed a sign in the background of Traverse City and did some googling.
Traverse City, Michigan, is widely known as the Cherry Capital of the World, famous for its vast tart cherry production, ideal growing conditions, and the large annual National Cherry Festival, which celebrates the region's significant role in the U. S. cherry industry.
Learned something new today!
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Noticed a sign in the background of Traverse City and did some googling.
Traverse City, Michigan, is widely known as the Cherry Capital of the World, famous for its vast tart cherry production, ideal growing conditions, and the large annual National Cherry Festival, which celebrates the region's significant role in the U. S. cherry industry.
Learned something new today!
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Allyg77
Sorry but good video yes u travel a lot but don't expect a upgrade all the time and has for meeting Rachel who was already booked on 1st class wht did u expect also where was the assistant to help her on the plane ur either disabled or not I think now u have took the piss out of disabled people with ur videos before with Rachel needing assistance when clearly she can walk to planes
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Sorry but good video yes u travel a lot but don't expect a upgrade all the time and has for meeting Rachel who was already booked on 1st class wht did u expect also where was the assistant to help her on the plane ur either disabled or not I think now u have took the piss out of disabled people with ur videos before with Rachel needing assistance when clearly she can walk to planes
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MandoMonge
You should definitely try it with Qatar airways, everyday my cabin is 85% filled with complimentary upgrades and economy often with 100 available spots.
Seeing a light load trip and then 1 hour before departure it gets full with I’m getting my money’s worth peeps who eat 5 times on a 7 hour trip really drains your love for thy neighbor
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You should definitely try it with Qatar airways, everyday my cabin is 85% filled with complimentary upgrades and economy often with 100 available spots.
Seeing a light load trip and then 1 hour before departure it gets full with I’m getting my money’s worth peeps who eat 5 times on a 7 hour trip really drains your love for thy neighbor
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1dkappe
Garret’s Popcorn is too busy, so people go to Nuts. Clark St. is a street in Chicago that runs from downtown to past Chicago’s north border. Wrigley Field, the MLB’s Chicago Cubs ballpark is at the intersection of Addison & Clark. Don’t be such a Yob, Noel. Explore the cities you visit beyond the strip malls that surround the airports.
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Garret’s Popcorn is too busy, so people go to Nuts. Clark St. is a street in Chicago that runs from downtown to past Chicago’s north border. Wrigley Field, the MLB’s Chicago Cubs ballpark is at the intersection of Addison & Clark. Don’t be such a Yob, Noel. Explore the cities you visit beyond the strip malls that surround the airports.
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Sh9168
I’m a road warrior and fly weekly with Delta. Even though I am a Diamond Medallion member I don’t always get upgraded to first class. Like you Phillip, I feel the anxiety of waiting for that upgrade to come through. And when It doesn’t, I am as disappointed as you were. I’m glad I am not only one who has to suffer like this.
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I’m a road warrior and fly weekly with Delta. Even though I am a Diamond Medallion member I don’t always get upgraded to first class. Like you Phillip, I feel the anxiety of waiting for that upgrade to come through. And when It doesn’t, I am as disappointed as you were. I’m glad I am not only one who has to suffer like this.
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vanderaj
There's an invite only status above 1k called Global Services. I know this because I didn't have it. United need to invite you to it. You get your own special numbers, and they respond to you individually on social media if you have this status. I've heard rumors you can bump people off flights to sit in your favorite seat.
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There's an invite only status above 1k called Global Services. I know this because I didn't have it. United need to invite you to it. You get your own special numbers, and they respond to you individually on social media if you have this status. I've heard rumors you can bump people off flights to sit in your favorite seat.
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PracticallyGeek
Another great video, thank you Noel. Spotted a Delta 757 there, such a shame we are seeing less and less back over here in the UK but still many in USA. Great to see Rachael in a video and walking with no assistance which I can only imagine was absolutely incredible for her and made the journey that extra special.
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Another great video, thank you Noel. Spotted a Delta 757 there, such a shame we are seeing less and less back over here in the UK but still many in USA. Great to see Rachael in a video and walking with no assistance which I can only imagine was absolutely incredible for her and made the journey that extra special.
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sarah1683-x6k
The difference in flight services, when compared to Australia is amazing. The hostess here always greet you onboard like a millionaire and check your ticket (no slouching, phone, gossipping) window shades must be open on landing and takeoff and tray tables must also be put away.
So strange the differences.
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The difference in flight services, when compared to Australia is amazing. The hostess here always greet you onboard like a millionaire and check your ticket (no slouching, phone, gossipping) window shades must be open on landing and takeoff and tray tables must also be put away.
So strange the differences.
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thatguy834
You’re only making this video because you have to travel like everybody else and not an elite. The level of disrespect you’re giving everybody is insane. Just cause you don’t get upgraded you want united to take special care of you in the future, which is elitist to say the least.
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You’re only making this video because you have to travel like everybody else and not an elite. The level of disrespect you’re giving everybody is insane. Just cause you don’t get upgraded you want united to take special care of you in the future, which is elitist to say the least.
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bellatrix4943
30: 13 just shows how sad our world is now. none of those people could stop so excited to be able to text even before the wheels hit the ground, didn't even look up or out the windows or at anyone around them - that was just a perfect scene right there to showcase that, so sad.
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30: 13 just shows how sad our world is now. none of those people could stop so excited to be able to text even before the wheels hit the ground, didn't even look up or out the windows or at anyone around them - that was just a perfect scene right there to showcase that, so sad.
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n. ademak5842
I think one of the issues is your boarding early as a 1k so will they really move you if someone misses their flight once your already seated, seems like the better option is to be closer to last to board see if someone misses their flight. Even to just upgrade away from middle
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I think one of the issues is your boarding early as a 1k so will they really move you if someone misses their flight once your already seated, seems like the better option is to be closer to last to board see if someone misses their flight. Even to just upgrade away from middle
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emjones55343
You are also competing for the upgrades with friends of the gate agent and personnel who are relocating. There have been plenty of situations recorded in Delta Diamond groups where 2 seats are available in D1, yet no on the list gets the upgrade!
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You are also competing for the upgrades with friends of the gate agent and personnel who are relocating. There have been plenty of situations recorded in Delta Diamond groups where 2 seats are available in D1, yet no on the list gets the upgrade!
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