Travel booked my first flights on HP to SEA. How do I get in the upgrade queqe for the flights? I am CP. Thanks.

As long as your FF# is in the reservation, you're all set. However, if you booked with US or a travel agent, I suggest calling HP directly to confirm your FF# actually appears on their system.

I called US. They said I will do the same thing as I currently do with US. Once the trip is ticketed I am to call back.

I called US. They said I will do the same thing as I currently do with US. Once the trip is ticketed I am to call back.

Not true. HP processes upgrades automatically so long as the FF# is in the reservation.

http://www.usairwaysinfo.com/usair/content/frequent-flyer/elite-upgrades.aspx

I read both websites and called. So I will call again after it is ticketed and see what they say.

Not true. HP processes upgrades automatically so long as the FF# is in the reservation.

This is true, however, if you are booking within your upgrade window (i.e. 7 days for CP) you can call immediately after booking and they will upgrade you, if seats are available. You don't have to wait.

Related to this, are US-East CP's finding that they're getting auto upgrades on HP flights?

How about HP (US-West) CP/Plats? Are they getting auto upgrades on US-East flights or are they having to call?

Won't it be nice when they get this mess sorted out? :(

How about HP (US-West) CP/Plats? Are they getting auto upgrades on US-East flights or are they having to call?

I've had to call each time.

I have had to call also.
Can't recall the last "auto" upgrade that went through. sometime last year.

How about HP (US-West) CP/Plats? Are they getting auto upgrades on US-East flights or are they having to call?(


So far the upgrades on HP (US-West) have still been going through automatically, just as always (though not very often at the 7-day window lately). On US-East flights, always still have to call -- every day or so until they finally clear.

[QUOTE=jrmesq]Not true. HP processes upgrades automatically so long as the FF# is in the reservation.

Sometimes the system goes completely wacko. I flew clt/phx/san on 3/18/06 cleared clt/phx 7 day. Cleared phx/san by GA in phx. The way back no clearance for anything, no upgrades although "virtually there" showed waitlisted. When boarding passes printed out for return in San Diego the san/phx showed me as plat. and the b/p for the phx/clt showed NO status, No FF# and group three boarding. So coach all the way and this was a 321 from phx. Go figure. I called to verify several times and re-checked everything. All I got from t/a was "wow".

Definitely call HP. I was pretty busy and didn't call the last time and not only was I not in the upgrade system at all, my BP didn't have my DM # or my status on it. My BP even had me boarding in zone 7 :eek:

By the time I realized all of this I was rushing to catch the flt (LAS-PIT), and just let it go, but there was one empty in F that I think I would've gotten had I been more pro-active. (the FA eventually gave that seat to, I think, a coach passenger/op upgrade, though it also could've been a preffered flier who was next in line).

I'm a US CP and I have always had to call HP about the upgrade as none of them cleared automatically at the 7-day window, even on flights with plenty of availability. It's not a big deal, but I caution those of you who think the system works uniformly - it doesn't.

As a Gold...
I have had to call HP. Speak to the Flight Fund people directly; they will apologize, say this will soon be ironed out, and upgrade you if avail within your window.

This has worked for me twice - including a very pleasant PHX-JFK.

Is the advice for CPs here to call before the 7-day window hits to confirm the info is all there for the automatic process to work, or do I need to call at the 7-day window itself? Or both?

I hope that the merger gets ironed out enough for the CP desk folks to be able to handle HP issues before my anomalous year as a CP ends and I return to silver-dom... but till then, a couple of extra phone calls never hurt.

Option B is to pray, because I have found that there is literally no rhyme or reason for their upgrades. Sometimes i get it sometimes i dont..

It seems most of the "issues" raised here are with East Preferreds, which is no surprise given the merger and the kinks that have come with it. Once everything is moved over to HP's systems, the days of calling to get on antiquated upgrade queues will be over.

Once everything is moved over to HP's systems, the days of calling to get on antiquated upgrade queues will be over.

I'll believe it when I see it.

I'll believe it when I see it.


Me too.. I am still annoyed by the "holes" in the HP system. They add seats to the upgrade inventory, but DO NOT run the upgrades automatically at that time, so while your request is waiting (as a Chairman) a gold or silver can call in and get your seat :::SOB::::

I know this only applies if you do not get ur seat at the 7 day window, then you need to call and play "get there first". They really need to fix this.

Here's yet another "How to upgrade on HP" question! Apologies in advance...

Yesterday, I booked a trip to ANC on usairways.com--all 4 flights are on HP. The return flight, ANC-PHX-BWI was booked as a B fare in US's system. As I understand, this is upgradable anytime, even on HP. The flight is not for long time (7/10 with a return on 7/15).

I called HP to check on UG availability for the return B fare. The agent said that since it was booked on US's website, I'd have to call US. I called the Chairman's line and they said there was no UG availability for either flight. Checking seatmaps, the ANC-PHX leg looks pretty full, but the PHX-BWI appears wide open (granted, I know that maps are meaningless!).

Any suggestions from HP folks on how best to score the UG? Are there any reliable class availability tools for HP? Thanks in advance!

My company booked a B fare for me to PHX (HP metal) as well and HP said "no dice." F is now full on both legs. This is extremely frustrating. US and HP keep telling me to call the other.

I had to call HP as well for the CP upgrade. Just so happened that I called at the 7 day mark. The Flight Fund agent was really nice and talkative.

Only problem now is...I had 6 HP segments about 2 months ago, and have yet to see them or the miles post. I figure at the 90 day mark I'll start making phone calls.

I'm CP and have never had a problem with the automatic upgrade on US flights, but have never been automatically upgraded by HP, even with my number in both records. I just booked a BWI-LAS flight at the end of April on HP and complained to the FlightFund agent that I have yet to get an upgrade on HP and she upgraded me both ways "as a courtesy." I was surprised! Unfortunately, the flights both ways are redeyes so I'll probably be asleep before they start the cabin service. Nevertheless, this may be my only opportunity to experience the First Class product on HP until they get this whole merger mess straightened out. I have no faith in HP's system, even with the CP number in the record. Either it doesn't work or they are holding seats for revenue passengers.

I'm CP and have never had a problem with the automatic upgrade on US flights, but have never been automatically upgraded by HP, even with my number in both records. I just booked a BWI-LAS flight at the end of April on HP and complained to the FlightFund agent that I have yet to get an upgrade on HP and she upgraded me both ways "as a courtesy." I was surprised! Unfortunately, the flights both ways are redeyes so I'll probably be asleep before they start the cabin service. Nevertheless, this may be my only opportunity to experience the First Class product on HP until they get this whole merger mess straightened out. I have no faith in HP's system, even with the CP number in the record. Either it doesn't work or they are holding seats for revenue passengers.

In my experience, you're not missing much. The FAs are friendly and the drinks/service are okay, but in my five or six flights in F on HP this year, the seats have all been REALLY uncomfortable. The pitch is incredibly tight, the seats are hard as brickbats, and if you move at all, they squeak like pained mice. Hopefully, I have just been unlucky...! :D

In my experience, you're not missing much. The FAs are friendly and the drinks/service are okay, but in my five or six flights in F on HP this year, the seats have all been REALLY uncomfortable. The pitch is incredibly tight, the seats are hard as brickbats, and if you move at all, they squeak like pained mice. Hopefully, I have just been unlucky...! :D
Nope...I wouldn't say unlucky! Your experience has pretty much been along the lines of mine. You're right about the seats though. Plus, HP and US will get along in one area...cleanliness. The F cabin could use a good scrubbin, and all the plastic moulding on the seats was filthy. But good FA's, no slackers. The best was the guy on my 8am flight out of LAS who said, "since this is an early morning flight, we will keep announcements to a minimum". A Turbofan engine will put me to sleep faster than a decent bed...so there is nothing I hate worse than an FA that loves the sound of their own voice on the PA. Some of the ones on US can turn a 10 second message into a 2 minute ramble.

I concur. The HP birds aren't plush at all and their F seats are among the most uncomfortable of all domestic F products. The F cabins have that worn-in feel, and the seats are rickety and void of sufficient cushioning (even for my big butt). I'm about as thrilled to fly in one of them as I am to connect in PHL.

noROCclub to gold@usairways.com:

I have had a very frustrating experience trying to get an upgrade on an upcoming flight operated by America West. The confirmation code is xxxxxx. For US 8016 (operated by AWA), I requested an upgrade at the time of booking. When I did not receive notification at the 3 day upgrade window, I called America West. They told me to call US to be put on the upgrade list. The US agent told me I was not on the list and said that US did not have access to AWA seat maps, but that she would put me on the wait list. I have now spent 30 minutes on the phone with an agent at AWA who has had to call US twice and still can't figure out how to do this. There are seats available, but I am being told I might not get an upgrade because "there aren't many seats left". As a Gold Preferred member, I thought I was eligible to upgrade 3 days before the flight if there were ANY seats available and not "if we have enough seats left".

I know it will be a while before the systems are fully integrated, but there must be an easier way?

US to noROCclub: Thank you for contacting US Airways.

Please click the following link to view information regarding your question:

Title: Impact of US Airways / America West Merger on Dividend Miles Preferred Benefits
URL: http://usairways.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/usairways.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=677&p_created=1127520180

We appreciate your continued patronage of US Airways.

noROCclub to US: Your response is of no help. The website makes it look like upgrades are automatic. The problem is that the upgrade was not automatic.

US to noROCclub: Thank you for contacting US Airways.

I apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced.

You are absolutely correct about being able to upgrade 3 days in advance. However that will depend on the availability. We are unable to guarantee that you will receive upgrade. When checking to see if you will be able to fly the upgrade you will have to confirm this with reservations.

We appreciate your continued patronage of US Airways.


Left hand and right hand not connected by a brain!

You have a misunderstanding of the system. You are not entitled to an upgrade at the window if there are "any" seats available. Free upgrade seats are capacity-controlled until departure.

You are entitled to an upgrade at the window if there are seats available in the appropriate hidden First Class upgrade fare bucket, which is "O" on HP, and, I think, "E" on US? If there are no seats available in that bucket, you must wait until either seats become available in that bucket, or the remaining unsold F-cabin seats are placed under gate control and released to standby upgraders.

This is nothing new, and is always the way that free upgrades have worked on both HP and US. The difference is that now, HP is apparently holding back more "free" seats to try and sell them at their lower First Class fares before departure time. I really can't argue with that practice.

$1300+ Y class ticket, Gold Preferred US. Upgrade requested daily. Followed all protocols. 5 plus hour flight Newark to Phoenix. Without boring you with the details of the 1 plus hour phone call I had being switched back and forth between operators at East and West, suffice it to say that the operators at US finally stonewalled me completely (the HP operator had leaked that she didn't understand why I hadn't received the upgrade on my full Y fare). When I asked what other flights I might take even from JFK she responded "everything is booked" without even checking her computer (I had been told earlier that I had two JFK options). Very politely I kept asking these "helpers" on the other end of the phone to come clean. They did not-- but thanks to Flyer Talk Wisdom I had a bit of insight into the behind the scenes situation... Sadly for me I wound up in coach and sadly for all those onboard the plane was overflowing (children on laps etc), even worse still the flight was of record length (and bumps), they ran out of food by row 11, and just when you thought it couldn't get any worse? The toddler directly in front of us "tossed her cookies"-- and then once on the ground we had no gate.

Having done my detective work I realized there was only one solution for my return trip. I would go to the ticket counter and ensure that my return upgrade was granted..... After getting splendidly lost, I FOUND the check in (must have been disoriented by the middle seat)area and NO I wouldn't be travelling that day but would be returning in two days time and could she PLEASE help me! Thankfully the delightful agent "worked a miracle on the computer" and landed me in 1A. So for those of you trying to sort out this wretched East/West upgrade issue, try the ticket purchase counter and remember to read them your rights!

It seems most of the "issues" raised here are with East Preferreds, which is no surprise given the merger and the kinks that have come with it. Once everything is moved over to HP's systems, the days of calling to get on antiquated upgrade queues will be over.

Ha!
:p

I'm CP and have never had a problem with the automatic upgrade on US flights, but have never been automatically upgraded by HP, even with my number in both records. I just booked a BWI-LAS flight at the end of April on HP and complained to the FlightFund agent that I have yet to get an upgrade on HP and she upgraded me both ways "as a courtesy." I was surprised! Unfortunately, the flights both ways are redeyes so I'll probably be asleep before they start the cabin service. Nevertheless, this may be my only opportunity to experience the First Class product on HP until they get this whole merger mess straightened out. I have no faith in HP's system, even with the CP number in the record. Either it doesn't work or they are holding seats for revenue passengers.

There's a westbound red-eye? When does it leave BWI?