I am new to traveling and I am currently a Silver, but should be Gold in about 4 weeks. I hear some people talking about never flying coach after getting Gold, but I am not quite clear on this.

Sometimes when I check in I get upgrade to 1st Class for FREE and sometimes they act like I am nobody.

Can you explain to me the best way to get upgraded all the time? Do I have to ask? Does asking make them mad? Do I just pay for the upgrade or what. Please explain to me how this upgrade stuff works.

Thanks,
chad

yes, you have to ask and no, upgrade requests are routine.

Secret is to use the upgrade vouchers (good for 800 miles each but you only need 3 for your entire OW itinerary above 2,400 miles) they send you (or you can buy 3 for $100(?) and they give you 1 free) - you earn 4 per 10k flown as Silver and essentially 9 per 10k flown as Gold, unlimited as Chairman's. You can call "24 hrs" ahead of your flight as a Silver Preferred to request/confirm (e.g. if it is for 7am on Tuesday, you can call to request midnight Eastern time on Sunday. The window expands to 72 hrs ahead as Gold.

Of course, if you pay full economy fare, you can request/confirm upgrades when you book.

The "buy three get one upgrade free" pack is actually $120.

If you're getting the upgrade for free - lucky you - you've got the coveted operational upgrade.

Otherwise, you'll have to use upgrade certs. As terenz noted, you can (and should) use the North American Upgrades (NAUs) they'll send you after every 10k miles flown. The windows are pretty firm - and note that it's midnight Eastern time, not local time. If for some reason you are not upgraded when you call, make sure they place you on the upgrade waitlist. And if your upgrade somehow doesn't clear before check-in - remember to ask about the upgrade at check-in and then to make sure you're on the waitlist as check-in time breaks all status ties for upgrades. But if a GP or CP is ahead of you as a Silver, they'll usually win out.

But as my mother said, ask nicely, don't beg, and be the most reasonable person around and good things will happen (especially if the person in front of you is being a jerk to the counter agent or gate agent).

And remember, there are only a few ways to confirm an upgrade at time of booking: 1.(as terenz said) fly on a full coach fare (still need your certs); 2. Fly on an "A" fare (transcontinental from the East Coast, and some routes in the Southwest, including DFW, IIRC) - you get that upgrade without needing certs (if a First Class seat is available); 3. Use a mileage-based upgrade; and 4. Use a Systemwide Upgrade (SWUs) - but these are like Gold, and is better used on transatlantic flights.

Welcome to Preferred and good luck on the upgrades.

[This message has been edited by CLTFlyer (edited 11-20-2000).]

I know Chad personally and he's always a jerk dealing the counter agents, constantly fussing and yelling. I'm surprised he gets upgraded at all, with or without certs.

JUST KIDDING! Chad is one of the nicest people I know and never fusses...always nice! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Welcome to FlyerTalk Chad! Great bunch of people who have helped me out a lot.

P.S. Chad gets hitched in 2 weeks. Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock. hehe http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by JetTroop (edited 11-20-2000).]

Where do you go to get this "buy three get one upgrade free" deal?

chad

US service desk or ticket counter should be able to see that to you (as an elite member). Buy 3 coupons and the 4th comes free make sure they give you 4. these things looks like the carbon ticket slips.

Adding to what terenz said, you can buy 'em at US's City Ticket Offices and US Airways Clubs.

[This message has been edited by CLTFlyer (edited 11-20-2000).]