US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - London Upgrade Question

I am scheduled to fly from BOS to LGW on 8/29 on flight numbers 1127/126, returning 9/2 on flight numbers 127/254. Here is the thing - reservations told me that all Envoy upgrade seats are full. They did, however take out the 40,000 miles for the upgrade and put me on a waitlist. First of all, is this common practice and secondly, what are my chances of clearing the waitlist? I'm currently Gold. Thanks!

Yes, it's common practice. You'll get the points back if you don't get the upgrade.

Those PHL-LGW flights on your dates still have at least 7 seats to sell. The seating chart shows 17/35 unassigned seats on the A330 outbound and 15/23 seats on the 767 returning. I'd say your chances are good, assuming most of those unassigned seats represent non-purchased tickets (there could be tickets purchased without a seat assignment yet).

I'm kind of surprised they're holding back on giving you an upgrade.

If you still don't clear the waitlist by the day of departure, just be sure the agent in BOS puts you on the standby list, and ask her how many other Golds or CP's are ahead of you.

On a side note, I'm a CP and I'll be going to London on those same dates. Fortunately for your upgrade pursuit, I'll be flying BA First Class. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by PHL (edited 08-09-2002).]

USAirways is doning me the same way. I'm flying 8/30 GSO - AMS through PHL and returning 9/4. I'm booked coach and had 40M miles deducted from my frequent flier account for an upgrade to Envoy class both going and coming back. I know there are seats available in Envoy class, but USAir won't release me a seat assignment yet in Envoy class. Everytime I call regarding my upgrade request, I get a different answer as to when I might get confirmation of my upgrades. VERY frustrating!! I am also a gold frequent flier. What else can I do to help expedite my upgrade confirmation??

Thanks - Dave.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dwsnc:
USAirways is doning me the same way. I'm flying 8/30 GSO - AMS through PHL and returning 9/4. I'm booked coach and had 40M miles deducted from my frequent flier account for an upgrade to Envoy class both going and coming back. I know there are seats available in Envoy class, but USAir won't release me a seat assignment yet in Envoy class. Everytime I call regarding my upgrade request, I get a different answer as to when I might get confirmation of my upgrades. VERY frustrating!! I am also a gold frequent flier. What else can I do to help expedite my upgrade confirmation??

Thanks - Dave.</font>

Well, nothing really. I've been in your situation before (well, it was using SWU's, pre-miles transatlantic upgrades), and would be surprised that they would not release seats until day of departure. But day of departure seems to be the rule for the release of seats, and so what I'd recommend is that you just check in early, and you'll probably be confirmed for the upgrade at GSO. But make sure you get on the waitlist.

As for the return from AMS, you may have to cool your heels waiting. I checked in about 2 1/2 hours before departure, and was surprised to see that I had to wait until reaching the gate to get my upgrade (had the new Boarding Pass at the gate counter). Which of course, prevented me from using the JAL Sakura Lounge, which I was looking forward to. So be it - I did use the Diners Club lounge which was o.k.

You may be able to get that upgrade at the Preferred/Envoy check-in line they have at AMS - or you may want to check at their ticketing counter (located nearby).

Enjoy your trip.

I'm still in the dark on this upgrade black magic. I have a PWM-CDG trip in mid Sept. I decided to use miles, figuring I'll bypass the suspense of waiting (with my DMUPSYS). To my surprise, there's already a wait list (I'm #4)!
As a CP, there is a benefit: they will "evaluate" availability 3 days before. Somehow, this helps me, but I'm not sure if as CP I jump up on the wait list or what.
I vow that this trip, I will wait patiently and not call every day.
Just every *other* day.

Producer, you're in like flynn.