AirTran Airways A+ Rewards - BC seat availablity after checkin

I have been flying a couple different routes with airtran over the past month and notice that about 2 hours after check-opens business class seats get marked as SOLD OUT, but if I go to airtran.com and try and book a seat lots of BC seats are available.

Any reason they would block it out as no upgrades available for purchase....

Generally the spread between Y and J is greater than the UG fee. If all that's left to purchase is J, FL has an interest in holding those seats for sale at the J fare and then offering them at the gate if they can't sell them.

I have been flying a couple different routes with airtran over the past month and notice that about 2 hours after check-opens business class seats get marked as SOLD OUT, but if I go to airtran.com and try and book a seat lots of BC seats are available.

Any reason they would block it out as no upgrades available for purchase....

You mean two hours after the T-24 check-in window, the BC availability disappears? How is it marked SOLD OUT and still available on the website?

I've had reasonable luck with upgrades at that window, but usually only after a GA confirms the order of elite check-ins 40 minutes before flight. Never scored an upgrade automatically without asking, but I'm sure it happens.

No reason I can think of for the PAID inventory not to be showing available if they have seats for sale.

You mean two hours after the T-24 check-in window, the BC availability disappears? How is it marked SOLD OUT and still available on the website?

I've had reasonable luck with upgrades at that window, but usually only after a GA confirms the order of elite check-ins 40 minutes before flight. Never scored an upgrade automatically without asking, but I'm sure it happens.

No reason I can think of for the PAID inventory not to be showing available if they have seats for sale.

He means the BC UPGRADE ($49-129) is marked SOLD OUT, but you can still purchase full fare BC tickets on that flight ($300+).

I have gotten upgraded as an elite only a few times, mostly shot down, but did get called up to get upgraded without asking one of those times.

I have been flying a couple different routes with airtran over the past month and notice that about 2 hours after check-opens business class seats get marked as SOLD OUT, but if I go to airtran.com and try and book a seat lots of BC seats are available.

Any reason they would block it out as no upgrades available for purchase....

I think your wording might be a bit confusing. (i.e. I don't understand it) If there are no BC fares or upgrades not offered BC is indeed sold out. If you're comparing to the seat map you could see open BC seats where the BC purchaser or TA didn't assign seats. Yes, that happens quite frequently. Occasionally on airtran.com bookings and far more often on TA bookings.

That's the only time I can picture what you're attempting to describe.

I think your wording might be a bit confusing. (i.e. I don't understand it) If there are no BC fares or upgrades not offered BC is indeed sold out. If you're comparing to the seat map you could see open BC seats where the BC purchaser or TA didn't assign seats. Yes, that happens quite frequently. Occasionally on airtran.com bookings and far more often on TA bookings.

That's the only time I can picture what you're attempting to describe.

I'm pretty sure that is not what he is describing. I have seen the issue he is describing.

If you already HAVE a coach class ticket, when you check in, you can purchase premium seats (exit rows), and business class upgrades. On this screen, he saw that business class UPGRADES were sold out. But then, he went to the part of the website where you book a NEW flight, and searched for that same flight (within 24 hours) and there were full fare business class tickets available for purchase there.

Makes sense - they don't sell out BC for $50 upgrades when there is a possibility somebody may buy a last minute $400+ fare, and if they don't sell the fare, they'll be able to sell the upgrade at the gate anyways (as most anyone who would have bought it in advance will buy it at the gate).

If you already HAVE a coach class ticket, when you check in, you can purchase premium seats (exit rows), and business class upgrades. On this screen, he saw that business class UPGRADES were sold out. But then, he went to the part of the website where you book a NEW flight, and searched for that same flight (within 24 hours) and there were full fare business class tickets available for purchase there.


That is physically not possible. It is first come first serve at <T-24hrs.

The only way this could happen is if someone switches or refunds a biz class fare from the time you are at the kiosk to the time you check the website.

Makes sense - they don't sell out BC for $50 upgrades when there is a possibility somebody may buy a last minute $400+ fare, and if they don't sell the fare, they'll be able to sell the upgrade at the gate anyways (as most anyone who would have bought it in advance will buy it at the gate).

No such thing at FL.

That is physically not possible. It is first come first serve at <T-24hrs.

The only way this could happen is if someone switches or refunds a biz class fare from the time you are at the kiosk to the time you check the website.



No such thing at FL.

Really? Physics prevents this? Or per your understanding of the policy (which is subject to change), this should not happen?

Really? Physics prevents this? Or per your understanding of the policy (which is subject to change), this should not happen?

Hehe :D

Its the way biz class is sold on FL, the scenario presented is impossible with the way the RM system is set up to sell BC.