US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - CLT - CDG Upgrade Options

I have two paid tickets in coach and had them pull miles for upgrading both my wife and I. To date, those upgrades have not cleared.

I'm now 16 days out from departure; I'm a CP, wife is a GP.

If I get to the 7 day window, should I have them put me on the upgrade list for SWU's and re-deposit the miles? Do I lose any priority by doing so?

oops...wrong info

I would re-deposit the miles and use the SWU if the upgrade has not cleared by the 7 day window. Then if not cleared by the 3 day window call the International desk and see if they will clear inventory for your upgrade. Alot of CP's have been saying that the upgrade has not been clearing on the 7 day window.

When I use miles, I try to find inventory available at time of booking to avoid the waitlisting problem. {My international flights are usually flexible}

I know it isn't precise, but there are 8 seats available for sale on the outbound and 7 available on the return. Doesn't seem like all that many since it is a 767.

btw, I dont think miles clear before the upgrade certificates, or vice versa.

Only differences I think are the space positive/etc upgrades.

btw, I dont think miles clear before the upgrade certificates, or vice versa. Only differences I think are the space positive/etc upgrades.


I think you are correct. Don't the certificate and mileage upgrades come out of the same fare-bucket? I think so. So if you're a CP trying to use miles and they have seats open prior to the seven day window, you will get them. Once you get to the seven day window, I think both miles and certs have the same "pull" as far as gaining an upgrade seat.

I stand corrected-I was confusing SWU with the unlimited preferred upgrades.

So it sounds like I'd be best off waiting until the seven day window, calling to see if it cleared, if not have them put the miles back in my account and get on the standby list with my SWU for me and companion cert for the Mrs.

Well the seven day window is tomorrow (Friday). I am going to:

1. Call to see if I've cleared.
2a. If so, thank them and say bye bye.
2b. If not, tell them to redeposit my miles and put me and Mrs. Dingo on the list using my system wide upgrades.
3. Do the online checkin 24 hours in advance of my flight.

Any holes in the above?

3. Web checkin is not yet available for international flights but when a passport is used as travel documentation, customers traveling on international itineraries may use Self-Service Kiosks for check-in.

But otherwise, you have a good gameplan. ^

Cool. So I can get down there early in the morning, do the self check in and leave. Sounds like a good gameplan.

I had the miles re-deposited and got on the wait list for the upgrade. Our flight from CLT is at 4:00. Does getting down there to check in via the kiosk at like 8:00 a.m. improve my chances of getting the upgrade? I've got mixed signals on this.

Also, what is the best place to look at flight 26 on 5/21 to see how many possible seats are available for upgrade?

Cheers.

I had the miles re-deposited and got on the wait list for the upgrade. Our flight from CLT is at 4:00. Does getting down there to check in via the kiosk at like 8:00 a.m. improve my chances of getting the upgrade? I've got mixed signals on this.

Also, what is the best place to look at flight 26 on 5/21 to see how many possible seats are available for upgrade?

Cheers.

Dingo,
I don't know about upgrade availability, but it looks as though there are only 2 seats left in total. Sorry.

M

That was what I saw as well just looking at availability if I were to purchase tickets today. That kind of sucks. This flight was originally on an A330 when I booked and they backed it down to a 767. Kind of got screwgied there in terms of upgrade chances I guess.

"Does getting down there to check in via the kiosk at like 8:00 a.m. improve my chances of getting the upgrade? I've got mixed signals on this."

Any input folks? Thanks.

Day of flight? I'd use the Preferred line check-in and confirm it is done correctly.

I trust the kiosks when everything is already confirmed but not if I am still waitlisted... YMMV.

Day of flight? I'd use the Preferred line check-in and confirm it is done correctly.

I trust the kiosks when everything is already confirmed but not if I am still waitlisted... YMMV.

How many hours in advance of flight can I check in? I had been told 6 hours about a year back.

Sorry, dingo, can't help you there. On the day of departure will the kiosk give you a check-in advantage timewise over a ticket agent? I don't know. If you CAN use the kiosk to check-in before a ticket agent will allow you then I'd use the kiosk and then be there at the counter at the six hour mark if my schedule allowed it.

Anyone have any insight here???

How many hours in advance of flight can I check in? I had been told 6 hours about a year back.

Two phone calls today have given me two different answers: 2 hours and 3 hours.

We're carrying on, and there are only two seats left in Envoy...I'm screwgied I know but am still going down swinging. If I get there four hours prior, anyone think I would really get denied from checking in?

It is by checkin time then status. However, I am a paranoid type when it comes to upgrades and it is worse when it is a transaltlantic flight. I would have them add you to the airport upgrade list as soon as you check in. You don't want another CP checking in, in-person, and some agent seeing no CPs on the waiting list and giving the seats (or even worse 1 of the seats) to him.

Technically, they shouldn't clear the list until 1 hr or so before the flight, but I don't chance it. I have seen too many seats disappear.

Thanks Mileshound. Think I could get there at like 8:00 a.m. for a 4:00 p.m. flight and check in?

Well I'm back and thought I'd share some of my experience as I see others are looking to go to CDG soon.

I did get both myself and my wife upgraded both ways on the 767. Both times we had to wait until they were in general boarding and I really don't understand why. They ended up upgrading six people on the way out and eight on the way back.

The arrivals lounge in CDG? Was not even mentioned by the flight crew. I'd heard crappy enough things about it that I wasn't real interested in going anyway. CDG overall is about the dumpiest, most outdated, most poorly designed airport I have ever seen in my life. End of story. The lounge must be pathetic if it wasn't even mentioned.

The 767 in use by US is so very tired and outdated. Don't get me wrong, it is much nicer than coach, but if I had the choice of paying $800 for coach or $1,200 for Envoy I'd be in coach any day of the week.

That's about it for me...got upgraded and am happy.

Well I'm back and thought I'd share some of my experience as I see others are looking to go to CDG soon.

So how did you end up checking in? Did you go uber early? Did it help? Glad you made it both directions.

We got there at 10:00 for our 4:15 flight from CLT to PHL, then went out for lunch. At PHL, I stood in line until the counter opened at the gate exactly one hour before the flight and was the first one there making sure that I was still #1 on the list. My belief is that there is no science and no procedure here. It is persistance, luck and trying to cover all bases. That said, I will continue to get there bright and early in the future...though it will be with miles since my transatlantics are all gone!

From Europe back to the USA (and particularly at CDG) I have found that you can be a CP with a wad of certs and an Envoy cabin booked with only one passenger and you STILL will not get an Envoy boarding pass until a few minutes before the flight! ;)

Just be glad the cracked out CDG terminal didn't collapse on you.

I had the same thing happen to me on a return flight from CDG -- the upgrade cleared while I was still waiting to get through security, so I waved at them from the line outside so they didn't give away my seat. :) (For those that don't know, the security at CDG is right next to the gate, very similar to MCI.)

And there is literally nothing by the gate. Small food stand, but all the shops are a considerable distance from the gates.

We got there at 10:00 for our 4:15 flight from CLT to PHL...

Thanks for the info.