Just venting. This is the ~10th flight in a row now where I have not been able to get an upgrade. Oversold flight. 1 spot in 1st available, 2exps waiting for it, 4 plats ahead of me, 10+ plat/gold behind me.
Absurd.
Is anyone matching AA status to switch? I would love to go to Delta or pretty much anyone at this point. AA really sucks now. I think we are ripe to be snatched up.
Its also a function of flights being cut, which is occuring at most airlines. I fly DL occassionally out of NYC and the board is rolling away with upgrade requests no different than AA. Its a sign of the times.
I fly usually non prime times (Saturday night, T/W and Sunday AMs) and its a rare for me to have an empty seat next to me.
Just venting. This is the ~10th flight in a row now where I have not been able to get an upgrade. Oversold flight. 1 spot in 1st available, 2exps waiting for it, 4 plats ahead of me, 10+ plat/gold behind me.
Absurd.
Is anyone matching AA status to switch? I would love to go to Delta or pretty much anyone at this point. AA really sucks now. I think we are ripe to be snatched up.
Also, a lot more people are paying for F now that AA has started selling instant upgrade fares for not that much more than the coach fare + the cost of the 500 mi upgrade certs. I believe DL has been doing this for some time now... I believe the posters over on the DL board refer to it as "FCM" (first class monetization)?
Programs: AA EXP, US Silver, SPG Gold, National Emerald Club Executive Selection
Posts: 6,249
Quote:
Originally Posted by gnode
Just venting. This is the ~10th flight in a row now where I have not been able to get an upgrade. Oversold flight. 1 spot in 1st available, 2exps waiting for it, 4 plats ahead of me, 10+ plat/gold behind me.
Absurd.
Is anyone matching AA status to switch? I would love to go to Delta or pretty much anyone at this point. AA really sucks now. I think we are ripe to be snatched up.
Where/when are you flying? Generally speaking, EXP upgrades clear. There are routes and times where they are difficult. While it is incrementally more difficult now, that has always been the case.
The idea though that it is better - on average - at DL or UA is simply wrong though.
OK, so I know that "it depends on many factors" but I am going to say that in three years as an EXP I probably had 2-3 flights that I didn't get upgraded on per year. I just re-qualified as EXP and I have had a total of 4 mainline flights since I got my lovely status back after 10 months in the back of the bus, and only one of them cleared (MIA-ORD), the rest (PHX-MIA, MIA-PTY, PTY-MIA) did not clear - these bookings were done 1+ month in advance.
Let's hope for better luck on my last 8 flights this year
Where/when are you flying? Generally speaking, EXP upgrades clear. There are routes and times where they are difficult. While it is incrementally more difficult now, that has always been the case.
The idea though that it is better - on average - at DL or UA is simply wrong though.
sts, I generally agree with you but my actual recent experience shows otherwise and the trend is getting worse.
Out of last 10 flights on both AA (as EXP), and DL (as Plat):
AA: 6 of 10 upgrades cleared
Notables missed: STL/ORD ????
DL: 8 of 10 upgrades cleared (would have been 9/10 if agent followed official DL policy - neither here nor there)
Just last night was #1 on the list 1 avail at check in (according to agent). Arrived at gate, #2 on list, 0 available.
OP, I hear and share your frustration. The two things I value, reliability and upgrades are both way down this year.
Called delta and they will match me for 3 months while i earn there.
After done with my current booked flights, I am jumping ship. Called the platinum desk to let them know and they did not care at all. Pathetic customer service. Didnt even ask why.
Cant do virgin. I need more coverage. I fly to tons of random places domestic us.
Programs: AA EXP, US Silver, SPG Gold, National Emerald Club Executive Selection
Posts: 6,249
Quote:
Originally Posted by gnode
. Called the platinum desk to let them know and they did not care at all. Pathetic customer service. Didnt even ask why.
Really? What do you expect a reservation agent to say? You flew on flights where they sold F or they gave it to people higher on the upgrade list. This is not a customer service issue. The system works exactly as it should. Have upgrades gotten harder on every carrier over the last several years due to consolidation and capacity cutting? Yes. But its not an AA customer service issue.
Called delta and they will match me for 3 months while i earn there.
After done with my current booked flights, I am jumping ship. Called the platinum desk to let them know and they did not care at all. Pathetic customer service. Didnt even ask why.
Cant do virgin. I need more coverage. I fly to tons of random places domestic us.
Good for you. But honestly, did you expect a reservation agent would care or be in a position to do anything for you?
One thing that helps on DL is more domestic widebody flights, 757 with 24-26 FC seats on the routes I need to fly. That might help you too. Good luck.
Programs: AA EXP, US Silver, SPG Gold, National Emerald Club Executive Selection
Posts: 6,249
Quote:
Originally Posted by moman
sts, I generally agree with you but my actual recent experience shows otherwise and the trend is getting worse.
Out of last 10 flights on both AA (as EXP), and DL (as Plat):
AA: 6 of 10 upgrades cleared
Notables missed: STL/ORD ????
DL: 8 of 10 upgrades cleared (would have been 9/10 if agent followed official DL policy - neither here nor there)
Hardly a scientific sample but I don't deny that some people may based on their travel patterns be better off on another carrier. STL-ORD isn't surprising. De-hubbed cities to hubs are notoriously difficult on many carriers because there is still a large loyal elite base but spread over fewer flights to fewer cities. Try PIT-CLT for example on US. Same with LAS-PHX. Or try SJC-DFW on AA or even RDU-DFW.
And I will point out that you noted missing a DL upgrade to the agent - something that happens FAR less on AA.
