Today's upgrade didn't clear, so I'll do the gate dance. Trying to get a companion upgrade as well, so I figure my chances are limited. However, on ITN on the outbound there are only two empty seats, one next to us at the front of Y. Does US block seats next to elites like UA? If so, is this an indication that there are few elites on this flight, so we might have a shot at the UG? Just curious. F is full, but it's a Friday afternoon flight with lots of people likely to stand-by on earlier flights, so maybe we have a shot...

You're not very clear in what city pair you're flying on, what kind of aircraft, or what your status is. If it's a busy, business route, F will likely remain full.

Dont expect a gate upgrade. Last night, SECOND TIME in two months, F flew with 3/12 open seats out of ORD. I would think that US would want to keep their elites from going to UA who has MORE flights, BETTER coach etc. It is so sad when the flight is late, the ga has 1:30 to prepare the flight and they dont do the upgrades! Oh well, move over E+ here I come!

Do you have a link to these seat maps?

Dont expect a gate upgrade. Last night, SECOND TIME in two months, F flew with 3/12 open seats out of ORD. I would think that US would want to keep their elites from going to UA who has MORE flights, BETTER coach etc. It is so sad when the flight is late, the ga has 1:30 to prepare the flight and they dont do the upgrades! Oh well, move over E+ here I come!

If you don't clear at the window, ask at the ticket counter to be placed on the upgrade list, check on the upgrade again at the club, and when you get to the gate, tell the agent that the club suggested you check-in with him or her about the available seat upfront. If you see available seats in F prior to the push, ask the FA to speak with the GA in your behalf. I've never sat in the back when there's an empty seat up front.

So, I guess I wasn't clear. Was flying BWI-CLT Friday afternoon and RJ's from there. Knew it was a long shot...

Interesting story though. So I get to the gate, and show the agent my boarding pass and tell her I'd called to get on the list ( I had not done this electronically since I was trying to get an UG with a companion, and was afraid I'd get the UG and leave her in Y. That would not be good. The person I talked to at US said no problem using my status to get us both UG and she would put me on the list. )

So, I ask the agent where I am on the list, and she says 7 of 12 F have checked in (maybe 45 minutes before the flight) and puts me on the list. This is where it gets odd - I say great, that's for the companion UG too, and she says, no just you - looks at the computer for a minute, and says your companion does not have enough miles to UG. I say oh, and she says, so that'll be $50. I tell her, no, I wanted to use my status to UG us both and says, no you can't do that - do you think we just give those seats away?.

I explain that the web-site says SP can still UG a companion and says really? I'll ask the other agent about this when she gets back and if you are ight we'll put you on the list. I thank her, and figuring it's a lost cause don't pursue it any further. We have a nice flight in Y.

My three questions -

1) am I wrong about SP's being able to UG with a companion?

2) what's with the $50? Since when can you pay a discount at the gate to UG on US? I know this is common on UA, but I've never heard of this on US?

3) Does US block seats next to elite's like UA?

And just to clarify the seat maps I referred to were at OLCI.

-it has been, and continues to be, policy (http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/preferredlevels/preferred06.htm) that US elites get complimentary upgrades for themselves an a companion, when available.
-the list that is active up till your upgrade window (48h for SP) is entirely different from the list at the gate
-when travelling with a companion, you have option to choose "willing to separate" if only 1 F seat is avail
-more and more carriers are willing to accept $ from Y passengers who want to pay to move up to F at the gate
-if your credentials, ticket, and plane were all US, and if you saw your flight take off with at least 2 open F seats, then you were indeed screwed, by a combination of you not standing your ground and the agent being ignorant for whatever reason. depending on your tolerance for hassle, in 45mins you could have found another GA, the special services desk, or called the SP number for assistance.

So, I guess I wasn't clear. Was flying BWI-CLT Friday afternoon and RJ's from there. Knew it was a long shot...

Interesting story though. So I get to the gate, and show the agent my boarding pass and tell her I'd called to get on the list ( I had not done this electronically since I was trying to get an UG with a companion, and was afraid I'd get the UG and leave her in Y. That would not be good. The person I talked to at US said no problem using my status to get us both UG and she would put me on the list. )

So, I ask the agent where I am on the list, and she says 7 of 12 F have checked in (maybe 45 minutes before the flight) and puts me on the list. This is where it gets odd - I say great, that's for the companion UG too, and she says, no just you - looks at the computer for a minute, and says your companion does not have enough miles to UG. I say oh, and she says, so that'll be $50. I tell her, no, I wanted to use my status to UG us both and says, no you can't do that - do you think we just give those seats away?.

I explain that the web-site says SP can still UG a companion and says really? I'll ask the other agent about this when she gets back and if you are ight we'll put you on the list. I thank her, and figuring it's a lost cause don't pursue it any further. We have a nice flight in Y.

My three questions -

1) am I wrong about SP's being able to UG with a companion?

2) what's with the $50? Since when can you pay a discount at the gate to UG on US? I know this is common on UA, but I've never heard of this on US?

3) Does US block seats next to elite's like UA?

And just to clarify the seat maps I referred to were at OLCI.


One thing I noticed about US with upgrades and DM policy is that if you ask 5 people, you'll get 5 different answers. Don't be surprised that you don't know about the $50 upgrades (per 500 miles of travel). Many agents don't know about it, and many that do don't know how to process them. It's worst at non-hub operations. The UA codeshare has been in place for several years, and there are still agents who don't know how to upgrade or prioritize UA elites - and some will even tell you it's not possible. US has traditionally done a crappy job of providing its agents with clear, concise direction on upgrades beyond US1's, 2's, and 3's. Questions like companions are perfect examples. I heard the SP companion rule was changing, but don't know if it went through.

I heard the SP companion rule was changing, but don't know if it went through.It's supposed to change when the new DM program goes into effect in late spring - from what I hear/read too.

Dont expect a gate upgrade. Last night, SECOND TIME in two months, F flew with 3/12 open seats out of ORD. I would think that US would want to keep their elites from going to UA who has MORE flights, BETTER coach etc. It is so sad when the flight is late, the ga has 1:30 to prepare the flight and they dont do the upgrades! Oh well, move over E+ here I come!
This is one of the worst stops in the US system. I see what you described happen all the time at ORD...especially more so recently. The Gate Agents are amongst the worst...even crews know it from some of the remarks I've heard made. There is one gate agent that looks like Sammy Davis Jr....this guy has more lies and animosity towards passengers than anyone I've ever seen. Even seen him get into it with flight crews. If I don't clear, I will often ask politely for my position on the list. I have been told F checked in full, and will see 4/12 seats open. Don't know what it is with that place...

I think US followed UA's lead and in early 2005 began selling upgrades at the gate for $50, $100 and $150, depending on distance of flight. Agents are supposed to clear elites on the standby list first, then offer F seats to pax willing to pay for upgrades.