Hi all,

I have never posted on the US forum, nor have I ever flown on US. That being said, I am likely going to travel from LAX to AMS on Sept. 11 or 12.

There is an online fare of ~$520 right now. Do I have any chance of getting upgraded on this flight, in light of the challenges being offered...or will my status not "exist" until I return from my travels?

Any suggestions you can offer will be greatly appreciated. I sure would like ride up front, but since it is on my own dime, I'm not keen on spending too much $$$. :-)

Thanks,
Tim in Hollywood

Given that you hold no status on US, have no SWU or miles to use for an upgrade, I think it is highly unlikely that you will be seated in the front of the cabin--on any coach fare. What you are looking for is an 'operational upgrade', where coach is oversold and the airline 'upgrades' passengers at the gate to Envoy. But the odds of that happening to a non elite are pretty slim.
Sorry--

First off, welcome to the US Airways forum. You'll find that that it's a nice place to visit, and the signal to noise ratio is quite good here.

Second, it sounds lke you do not have status right now. Clearly, with the routing you've suggested, you'll get Silver at some point during the trip (assuming that a challenge is in operation when you're travelling - if not, you'll make good inroads to status with about 6k+ miles each way). But for upgrading transatlantic flights you can only upgrade 2 ways: 1. Use a Systemwide upgrade (which unless you're already a SP, GP, or CP you do not have); or 2. Use 20k miles each way to upgrade (since you're paying what is likely a discounted coach fare, and not a Y, B, or maybe an M fare) Of course, you'll have miles only if you have 'em from a Club Rewards or Membership Rewards transfer or even using the Bank of America Dividend Miles Visa card (since you have no miles from flying US).

BUT if this fare you're talking about is a V class fare - you cannot upgrade the transatlantic portion of the flight - just won't work as V class fares (which the e-savers usually are) are not upgradable by rule. You can upgrade the domestic portion of your flight day of if you are a Preferred, but you'll be in coach on the transatlantic portion with a V fare.

As for having status, it will matter if you are trying to upgrade with an SWU or miles (again assuming you are not on a V class ticket) in the event that the upgrade is not available and you're on the waitlist (since waitlist is by status and then check-in time).

Following up on what mauld said - if you're looking for an operational upgrade - I think you'll have a tough time getting near one with no status. Don't count on it at all.



[This message has been edited by CLTFlyer (edited 08-16-2002).]

Tim - I'm traveling to Amsterdam on August 31st, I'm Dividend Miles Gold and have surrendered 40K miles trying to upgraded from coach to Envoy and it could go either way for me. Since you're not a DM member and buying an e-savers ticket (that is a KILLER R/T price though isn't it) you won't get upgraded on this trip. But you know my Dad was flying coach on Air Lingus back to the USA a year ago and he and his wife were upgraded to business without even having to ask. So, you never can tell. I think that US has the best frequent flyer awards program in the business. Amsterdam's a blast! Enjoy yourself.

Tim, you'll be riding in coach ... but make sure to sign up for a challenge and all the codes in the bonus code thread to make the most of your trip ... an LAX-PHL-AMS and back trip should be very rewarding if you sign up for all the bonuses and the challenge ... you will have a new appreciation for the term mileage run.