US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - EEK! Upgrade chance to LAS?

Looks like a trip to LAS may be in the near future. While I may dread the smaller FC cabins, does anyone know if certain flights historically are easier to catch upgrades on? I noticed the redeye on the return has a few more F seats open then anything on the outbound. I'd be flying out on a Thursday (evening?) and returning either on the last afternoon flight or the redeye. Any suggestions to have the best chance at sitting in F?

Looks like a trip to LAS may be in the near future. While I may dread the smaller FC cabins, does anyone know if certain flights historically are easier to catch upgrades on? I noticed the redeye on the return has a few more F seats open then anything on the outbound. I'd be flying out on a Thursday (evening?) and returning either on the last afternoon flight or the redeye. Any suggestions to have the best chance at sitting in F?

YES, Get your family friend who is a lifetime CO platinum to upgrade you using miles on a CO flight LOL

You may want to consider a connection in LAX (or even SFO). All US flights into LAX and SFO are Airbus aircraft, so there is much better availability of F seats. You then can connect to a short UA (Ted) flight to LAS.

In May I was able to get upgraded one way on the PHL-LAS route as a Silver... Other way was full with CPs, no Gold/Silver made it. Friday evening outbound, Sunday afternoon inbound.

I had a Sunday early morning outbound and just barely made it -- there were 3 left and I and a couple got them, all as CP. I saw at least four other people ask if there were any seats for upgrade after they were all assigned.

I returned through LAX on a Thursday night red-eye and even as CP, didn't get processed until the last minute right at the gate, so that's not a guarantee either.

Interestingly, if one asked the question about the chance of upgrade to LAS on the UAL board, the answer would be 0. UAL only offers TED into LAS and therefore offers no first class service to LAS. While not popular among some MP members, from the standpoint of $ into the coffers, this was a very smart move.

I think there is a small market for paid and reward F tickets into LAS, especially when they went on sale for $499. I had a flight during that sale and probably should have gone ahead and bought that ticket instead of the one I ended up with and had to change.

I'd like to see the sales like that come back -- I'd bet the F could be sold decently well with reasonable sale prices, rather than $2K.

Interestingly, if one asked the question about the chance of upgrade to LAS on the UAL board, the answer would be 0. UAL only offers TED into LAS and therefore offers no first class service to LAS. While not popular among some MP members, from the standpoint of $ into the coffers, this was a very smart move.

For US, however, GoFirst Fares have been a great success. I've had difficulty getting a PAID F seat to LAS. Furthermore, without even the chance at one of the few F seats, any DM member getting to LAS by way of a CLT or PHL connection might as well enjoy E+ and fly UA through DEN or LAX instead. If you're connecting anyways, you might as well connect in E+ comfort if it is to be only Y into LAS.

Just got back from LAS on the Tuesday night redeye, LAS-PHL. To my shock and amazement I had my upgrade confirmed 7 days out as a CP by the computer system :D Going out on Friday took a voluntary bump, and was op-upgraded to first for 8:05 phl-las on Saturday.

Was upgrade both going and returning. Wednesday #615 out and Saturday #632 return. Gold DM. All at the gate.

So they've stopped selling the reasonable F seats and now people can get upgrades? Gee, that makes all sorts of sense. Why didn't I think of it?

cp's stand a reasonable chance at being cleared on day of travel, as only 2 (of 8) fc seats to las are reserved in advance for us20 &/or unlimited e-upgrades (this information courtesy of the chairman's desk, as of about a week ago). apparently, closer to the travel date (outside the preferred upgrade window but at a time not explicitly specified to me during our conversation), additional seats will be released to only people who have already upgraded the rest of their itinerary with a us20 (but had left their las leg in y)...this apparently is subject to whatever date/time/mood algorithms apply at inventory. the remainder of seats are held until day of travel.

this would seem to make upgrading at the 7 day window a rare event.

on the bright side, a good friend of mine (who is us2) traveled to las the week before last with his wife. both of them were upgraded using e-upgrades on day of travel in both directions. if you web check-in early, wear your lucky underwear, and keep your fingers crossed, there is hope.

just don't drink so much that you puke all over the first class cabin, as this same friend of mine did 2 years ago when he and i traveled together to las.

good luck in vegas.

-- he who slacks

Flew CLT-LAS #615 Wednesday, 8/23 upgraded at the gate myself (GP) and companion (no status). FYI the meal service was upgrade for some reason (?) to hot meal service ^ not the normal First Class sanwich. :td: