I have to fly to San Diego in October (Tue 24-Sun 29) and have several options.

HVN-PHL-SAN or BDL-CLT-SAN, both on the A321 from PHL/CLT-SAN

Any advice on wich route and which departure times (early or later in the day) will give us the best chance for an upgrade? Mrs Pieper, also Gold, will accompany me.

Thanks a lot

I have to fly to San Diego in October (Tue 24-Sun 29) and have several options.

HVN-PHL-SAN or BDL-CLT-SAN, both on the A321 from PHL/CLT-SAN

Any advice on wich route and which departure times (early or later in the day) will give us the best chance for an upgrade? Mrs Pieper, also Gold, will accompany me.

Thanks a lot

I flew PHL-SAN last week on the 8:10pm flight. Upgrade cleared at booking (within 7 days). When I booked Expert Flyer showed 24 of 26 empty in F. I assume a few Plats and Golds, and Silvers cleared at their window. On the day of departure Expert Flyer showed 14 empty in F. The flight went out full in F. I can tell you that there were at least 4 non-revs in F. I don't know whether they upgraded elites on the waitlist or sold GoFirst upgrades at the gate as I didn't show up until boarding time.

This was a Wednesday in July, so YMMV. No meal service on the flight as it is after 8pm, but the cocktails and the snack basket were plentiful.

For the last few months I've flown CLT-SAN almost every week as a gold (will turn Plat after my flight back to CLT today, YAY!) My experience since June '06 has been 95%+ upgrade success. I don't always clear at the window, especially on the return back (which is always a Thursday...heavier loads). I typically do the CLT to SAN leg on Sunday night or Monday night on Flight 83. If you do everything right (check in at 24 hours, make sure you are on list, etc) I'd say you have a good chance. As a backup, you can book seats 9A, 9B or 9C. Not bad seats in case the upgrade falls through.

Jammer

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like I should consider an evening flight, so maybe even leave a day earlier. Still curious about morning flights though.