Ok, before everyone tells me upgrades are not mandatory and are a privlidge, I've heard this before. One reason people stay at airways is because of the upgrades, not the missing bottles of water, missing meals, sub sat first class. We stay for a little larger seat, not bitter flight attendants et. all.....ok. now..


What is the 7 day period for upgrades for chairmans prefered? Its one day before departure and the cp line is telling me that there are six avail. seats and there not upgrading me. What is the point of the 7 day period than? There telling me they are holding them for revenue!!! Six 1st class seats day before departure????? Then my flight on Monday is the same situation!!! I've never been denied an upgrade like this...whats happening....please tell me before I go back to sky miles. Sometimes I'm curious why I ever switched.

bitter.

There telling me they are holding them for revenue!!! They seem to think they're in the business of increasing revenue and growing shareholder value. Go figure


I've never been denied an upgrade like this.. You haven't been denied an upgrade, you haven't been confirmed in advance. If you show up for the flight and seats remain that are not sold and travellers with lower status/later check-ins than you have been upgraded and you are not, then you've been denied an upgrade.

Let us know. I'm betting you get the upgrade you are entitled to. And I won't begrudge them if they actually sell the seats.

They seem to think they're in the business of increasing revenue and growing shareholder value. Go figure


You haven't been denied an upgrade, you haven't been confirmed in advance. If you show up for the flight and seats remain that are not sold and travellers with lower status/later check-ins than you have been upgraded and you are not, then you've been denied an upgrade.

Let us know. I'm betting you get the upgrade you are entitled to. And I won't begrudge them if they actually sell the seats.

Holding seats for revenue... yea, have six first class seats EVER been sold the night before a flight???

What does the 7 day period mean if theres a hold on half the 1st class seats, thats my question. Why don't they just tell us theres a 14 day upgrade and hold them all until the night before. ....what if I prefer a window instead of an aisle on the upgrade list and they put me in the asile (as they are normally prefered) and put a silver in a window......I think CP has become looked at as just a prefered member instead of something special.

As a CP, please allow me to point out that being CP just means that you get treated badly, while non-CPs get treated terribly.

You should get the upgrade, but US is being over-protective in keeping that many seats for sale. They will not be sold and this is another example of hassle that US would be wise not to impose on you or other CPs.

Well, I've always looked at Upgrades as a game...win some, lose some....it's just that as a CP my odds of winning are greatly increased :) . Most of my upgrades have come at the 7-day window, and for that I'm thankful, but I've had to wait for some at the gate too.

On certain routes, Inventory Management is particulary stingy with upgrade availability. Especially LAS and other popular spots. This past weekend, I flew CLT-LAS in the F8 757 with F5 showing the night before and still had to do the gate dance. Returning LAS-RDU on the A319 (12 FC seats), F8 was showing and it was still impossible to upgrade in advance.

Hey, if they can sell those FC seats, that's fine with me. It's also a simple pleasure every time to hear my name called to the gate podium....kind of like winning the office lottery!

Well, I've always looked at Upgrades as a game...win some, lose some....it's just that as a CP my odds of winning are greatly increased :) . Most of my upgrades have come at the 7-day window, and for that I'm thankful, but I've had to wait for some at the gate too.



NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! This is not right, there is a 7 day window for a reason, fine hold two 1st class seats, but put that in the 7 day window great news prefered cp page as an astrik. NOT over half the 1st class seats the night before. They should just call it a 14 day window if this is going to occur and as a side note this is not a popular route and I have flown it weekly without this problem. This is a new way to take adavantage of loyalty.

Why should I fly these guys just for this reason and not have it come true. I must agree this is just being treated no special. JBlue at least has tv, what now does US have if they take away upgrades?

PS don't get me started on the airways club.

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! This is not right, there is a 7 day window for a reason, fine hold two 1st class seats, but put that in the 7 day window great news prefered cp page as an astrik. NOT over half the 1st class seats the night before. They should just call it a 14 day window if this is going to occur and as a side note this is not a popular route and I have flown it weekly without this problem. This is a new way to take adavantage of loyalty.

Why should I fly these guys just for this reason and not have it come true. I must agree this is just being treated no special. JBlue at least has tv, what now does US have if they take away upgrades?



YES, YES, YES, YES. This is exactly how it works. From the US website on the preferred program:


The number of seats allocated for upgrades are capacity controlled.


http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/dividendmiles/preferred/upgrades.aspx#auto

I know this has been discussed frequently on this forum, if only search was working... But as the old FT adage goes, if you really want to sit in F...well, you know.

[QUOTE=CPRich]They seem to think they're in the business of increasing revenue and growing shareholder value. Go figure


Obviously not earthbound!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holding seats for revenue... yea, have six first class seats EVER been sold the night before a flight???

Yes, many times. This is not uncommon especially for the larger carriers with a large international presence.

Yes, many times. This is not uncommon especially for the larger carriers with a large international presence.

This happens quite often out of LAX.. you would be surprised what Hollywood would do on a days notice.. and want First.

They are not just holding the seats for new FC sales. They are holding them for people with paid F to have the ability to change flights and for paid Y/B passengers to upgrade and change flights and upgrade.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the gate dance and they should allocate more seats ahead of time. However, I can't balme them for doing it. i actully like it when I buy the expensive Y/B ticket 3 days out and there are seats left in FC.

I guess it is either pay or pray.

However, I can't balme them for doing it. i actully like it when I buy the expensive Y/B ticket 3 days out and there are seats left in FC.

I guess it is either pay or pray.

I agree with this.

As long as they're indeed holding them for full F, or Y/B fares and not 30-hour window GoFirst fares. On several recent leisure flights, I've noticed good availability at my husband's silver window and he didn't clear. Yet the seats fill approximately 9 hours before the flight. Now, it could be that 4 full fare folks grabbed first class seats at the 11th hour to the destinations in question, but I doubt it. We're not talking movie-star routes by any means.

Who knows? I have no appetite for quizzing everyone in the cabin about their status or for spying on a manifest to see who-got-what. I rather suspect a faulty upgrade system than actual policy for the trend.

I've told my husband he needs to fly more if he expects to be upgraded. Having him as my companion upgrade on a gold pnr hasn't been successful this year. I've been taking turns with him by giving him my upgrade every other flight this happens to us, but it's getting old...

I do have a question, though. How does the "P" bucket relate to the "O" bucket? Does anyone know?

I've had alot of success getting both of us upgraded on the same PNR.... even on the old East 757's which I find suprising. I'm taking 25% of the seats for this venture.. That said when my SP fiance tried to get my cousin upgraded on two 320 flights, a West 737 and a East 757.. they got zilch which I kind of expected. I got two for each of these.

The market for the above was BOS-PHX-PDX-PHL-BOS

Last month I travelled to Cabo with family and purchased five first class tix. We travelled PHL-PHX-SJD. Our first flight out of Cabo was delayed two hours (thats another horror story but nonetheless the fault of US) but we were told by gate attendent that we would be rebooked on next available flight. Arriving in PHX I am told we have been rebooked on redeye flight in coach with seats spread across plane (we were travelling with my twin two years olds so this was not an option). The flight is scheduled to depart in four hours. Wife is CP and I am Gold, wife calls CP desk and they state that there are only two seats left on this redeye flight in first (it was a US east 320). Now I would be surprised to hear that they sold 14 first class tix on this flight. I really wanted to say to the CP desk to downgrade all those who had been upgraded and make room for paying first passengers. As the redeye wasnt really an option for us anyway, we just rebooked for a flight the next day in first. Nonetheless, this clearly seems like a situation that would necessitate holding upgrades until the gate.

I must admit, I suspicious of their motives too. Either selling GoFirst before upgrading primier customers or getting people use the idea of not getting upgraded prior to take-off - with an eye towards selling upgrades in the future. After all, PHX has proven that revenue trumps loyality every time.

The problem is that they've cut the gate staff and this upgrade gate dance is just one more thing they have to do. Not to mention the problems in the back that it causes. People asking to sit together or for an isle seat - none available. Then you bump 9 people up to first, and suddenly seats are available. Meaning the gate agent has to try to track down and honor the requests for seats together or isle seats, or they just let them go empty. Which upsets the people who asks for the seats and told they weren't available.

Dumb.

They will not be sold and this is another example of hassle that US would be wise not to impose on you or other CPs.

I have bought up to 4 F seats on day of departure many times. Often the last minute F seat is only 10 - 20% more than a full fare Y. As a CP, I love to get confirmed upgrades at the 7 day window when trveling on a cheap coach ticket. However, I get really pissed off when there are no F seats available when I am paying 5X the discounted fare for a last minute Full Fare Coach ticket or try to buy an F ticket and none are available.


The sense of entitlement by many on these boards is staggering.

This happens quite often out of LAX.. you would be surprised what Hollywood would do on a days notice.. and want First.

Not just "want" First: Be "entitled" to First. The Guilds have contracts which stipulate first class travel. And the studios have VERY generous international travel policies for their employees.

Ok, before everyone tells me upgrades are not mandatory and are a privlidge, I've heard this before. One reason people stay at airways is because of the upgrades, not the missing bottles of water, missing meals, sub sat first class. We stay for a little larger seat, not bitter flight attendants et. all.....ok. now..


What is the 7 day period for upgrades for chairmans prefered? Its one day before departure and the cp line is telling me that there are six avail. seats and there not upgrading me. What is the point of the 7 day period than? There telling me they are holding them for revenue!!! Six 1st class seats day before departure????? Then my flight on Monday is the same situation!!! I've never been denied an upgrade like this...whats happening....please tell me before I go back to sky miles. Sometimes I'm curious why I ever switched.

bitter.

While it can be frustrating, I cannot say this enough: upgrades do happen at US Airways, especially for CPs! If it makes you feel better, on other airlines, e.g. Continental, the top-tier flyers barely get upgraded... now that's bad. Give it some time, I highly doubt you will be flying Coach.

...I do have a question, though. How does the "P" bucket relate to the "O" bucket?...

The old US East had "P" for domestic upgrades from Y/B, and "E" for upgrades from all domestic discount economy. "O" has now replaced the old "E". Apparently "P" remains the same.

The sense of entitlement by many on these boards is staggering.

The change in attitude on this board over the last year/18 months is amazing. People were never happy to do the dance, but now many people are ticked if there are 2 seats left at their window and they don't get the immediate upgrade.

With all that has happened, there is little patience left.

I also think the trust factor is long gone. Taking away the ability to see all of the upgrade buckets definatly leads to speculation and lack of trust.

I also think the trust factor is long gone. Taking away the ability to see all of the upgrade buckets definatly leads to speculation and lack of trust.


Back at the old US EAST, remember when the bucket visibilty issue first arose and we didn't have full visibility to all of them? A few weeks later is when the USFoccus group met with a number of top management from CCC and the issue was raised. According to those in attendance, the US management appeared to know nothing about the change and indicated that they would make an immediate investigation to determine what had happened. I don't recall what, if any, further resolution or comment was made.

Can someone advise/update? Just wondering if it was wholly their decision or if some other system issue was at play that simply never was reversed....

Last month I travelled to Cabo with family and purchased five first class tix. We travelled PHL-PHX-SJD. Our first flight out of Cabo was delayed two hours (thats another horror story but nonetheless the fault of US) but we were told by gate attendent that we would be rebooked on next available flight. Arriving in PHX I am told we have been rebooked on redeye flight in coach with seats spread across plane (we were travelling with my twin two years olds so this was not an option). The flight is scheduled to depart in four hours. Wife is CP and I am Gold, wife calls CP desk and they state that there are only two seats left on this redeye flight in first (it was a US east 320). Now I would be surprised to hear that they sold 14 first class tix on this flight. I really wanted to say to the CP desk to downgrade all those who had been upgraded and make room for paying first passengers. As the redeye wasnt really an option for us anyway, we just rebooked for a flight the next day in first. Nonetheless, this clearly seems like a situation that would necessitate holding upgrades until the gate.

Why was the red-eye not an option?

I'm surprised that there are so many people paying full fare FC. With other airlines FC so much better, and free upgrades from almost full fare tickets, it really doesn't make much sense.

More power to you guys.

This happens quite often out of LAX.. you would be surprised what Hollywood would do on a days notice.. and want First.

I dont believe they fly US. I think the various actors contracts/unions require a 3 class product, and the person in first.

Not just "want" First: Be "entitled" to First. The Guilds have contracts which stipulate first class travel. And the studios have VERY generous international travel policies for their employees.

Right, but US doesnt have an international first class product. It was my understanding that even on domestic they require first in a 3 class plane if that is available. And that is why UA and AA still fly all or nearly all of their LAX-JFK and some other sites on the east coast as 3 class flights.

While it can be frustrating, I cannot say this enough: upgrades do happen at US Airways, especially for CPs! If it makes you feel better, on other airlines, e.g. Continental, the top-tier flyers barely get upgraded... now that's bad. Give it some time, I highly doubt you will be flying Coach.

Dont know about Continental. Ive not been upgraded once in the last roughly 8 years on an international or transcon route as a 1K. Flying mostly from JFK probably helped that a lot. But still, I got upgraded about as much or more as a 1K compared to a CP. Im a second tier on AA now but I get upgraded only slightly less than on UA or than I did on US. Things like ORD-LGA are tough, but I usually get them. At least as frequently, probably in fact more so than I used to get LGA-CLT for instance on US.

While it can be frustrating, I cannot say this enough: upgrades do happen at US Airways, especially for CPs! If it makes you feel better, on other airlines, e.g. Continental, the top-tier flyers barely get upgraded... now that's bad. Give it some time, I highly doubt you will be flying Coach.

Last time I flew Continental (May) I was given a free headset for inflight entertainment (coupon for checking in online) and a meal in coach on a two hour flight.
I think I would prefer that than a first class seat without a pre board drink, without a "bottle" of water, without inflight entertaiment (yes cranium is not entertainment), and without any customer service what so ever.

Please tell me what I'm missing. AGAIN, why not call it a three day window for cp's it obviously doesn't matter.

Not just "want" First: Be "entitled" to First. The Guilds have contracts which stipulate first class travel. And the studios have VERY generous international travel policies for their employees.

A. Loyalty goes two ways

B. Entitled....yes, flying cps status should give me perks. The first time an agent tells me they treat a common once a year pax they same as me will be the last time I EVERY fly Airways. (Mark my words) I don't fly this much to be treated the same.

C. Studios/Usairways....yea, right. How much service do we have in LAX and why would they fly us (an east coast carrier), and please don't mention AWA theres no way in hell anyone from a studio is flying AWA over AA or DAL

I have bought up to 4 F seats on day of departure many times. Often the last minute F seat is only 10 - 20% more than a full fare Y. As a CP, I love to get confirmed upgrades at the 7 day window when trveling on a cheap coach ticket. However, I get really pissed off when there are no F seats available when I am paying 5X the discounted fare for a last minute Full Fare Coach ticket or try to buy an F ticket and none are available.


The sense of entitlement by many on these boards is staggering.

Jes999, lets be a little realistic. 4f seats on day of departure for an 8:30 am flight? If you spend that much, Ill personally give up my "east coast Airways" seat for you.

You actually pay for AWA's or US's first class product? (theres some bad business)

Right, but US doesnt have an international first class product. It was my understanding that even on domestic they require first in a 3 class plane if that is available. And that is why UA and AA still fly all or nearly all of their LAX-JFK and some other sites on the east coast as 3 class flights.

If all that's available is 2 classes of service, they get F. I wonder if this is why HP discontinued their nonstops from LAX-JFK?? All of the Hollywood business was going to AA and UA - with good reason.

C. Studios/Usairways....yea, right. How much service do we have in LAX and why would they fly us (an east coast carrier), and please don't mention AWA theres no way in hell anyone from a studio is flying AWA over AA or DAL

I know people who do! (Not many, and not often.) True that most people flying US in/out of LAX are East Coast (or PHX/LAS)-based, but occasionally stars and executive types do fly US, and in those cases they will book last minute full F tickets on the company dime. Hollywood people are very good at spending other peoples' money!

If all that's available is 2 classes of service, they get F. I wonder if this is why HP discontinued their nonstops from LAX-JFK?? All of the Hollywood business was going to AA and UA - with good reason.

If thats all that is available. But both UA and AA have three class service on that route. I havent flown HP first but if it is anything like US first there is no way it compares to UA PS first or even AA first on their three class planes. It wouldnt even compare well to business on either of those.

Why was the red-eye not an option?

Twin two year olds would have made this experience not worth the trip. Was stuck with them once on a delayed flight after we had been travelling all day and one cried straight for ten minutes while we were on approach (I think her ears hurt). Nonetheless, I vowed never again to push them beyond the limits of what is reasonable. We had been travelling for about six hours at that point and another six would not have been pleasant. Just trying to avoid a bad situation.

Jes999, lets be a little realistic. 4f seats on day of departure for an 8:30 am flight? If you spend that much, Ill personally give up my "east coast Airways" seat for you.

You actually pay for AWA's or US's first class product? (theres some bad business)

I could only imagine the scene that some of you would create if your confirmed upgrade was taken away by a paying F passenger.

I have bought Full fare coach on America West a few times but mostly it has been on other airlines especially when I was based on the East Coast. For many destinartions, there is often only one or two choices for non-stop service so I would chose based on schedule more so than carrier.

The change in attitude on this board over the last year/18 months is amazing. People were never happy to do the dance, but now many people are ticked if there are 2 seats left at their window and they don't get the immediate upgrade.

With all that has happened, there is little patience left.

I also think the trust factor is long gone. Taking away the ability to see all of the upgrade buckets definatly leads to speculation and lack of trust.

Being ticked with no upgrade and just 2 seats left at the window is one thing but this Friday I have a trip coming up- 5 seats left and no upgrade, and the exit row I booked online last week was taken away from me somehow and now I am in a middle seat at the back of the plane. I don't believe I am entitled to anything, but what is the point of being CP with this result?

Being ticked with no upgrade and just 2 seats left at the window is one thing but this Friday I have a trip coming up- 5 seats left and no upgrade, and the exit row I booked online last week was taken away from me somehow and now I am in a middle seat at the back of the plane. I don't believe I am entitled to anything, but what is the point of being CP with this result?

Same here - I booked a trip 7 days in advance, 7 of 12 seats were open in FC, but none for upgrade. Day before the trip, I call, and the CP line sees 7 or 8 seats open, but inventory (US West) says all but 2 of the FC seats are full (the rest apparently given to Silver, Gold, and Platinum, from what they tell me). The computer "just screwed up," and I am in a middle seat in the back - and inventory can't give me one of the 2 remaining FC seats despite the screw-up.

This doesn't seem like it should be that difficult to get right!