US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - First Upgrade Opportunity on US

I am flying MCO-PIT-PHX ON Friday and returning PHX-CLT-MCO on Monday 3/14. I am newly minted gold, due to match from AA. I understand that I can upgrade within 72 hour window. I called last night and "spoke" with ALAN, who was able to confirm upgrade on my outgoing MCO-PIT, but not PIT-PHX -- said that there were "no upgardes available at this time, but I would be placed on the waiting list". I was also told that for the return flight, PHX-CLT there were no available upgrades at this time, but I would be placed on the waiting list, and for CLT-MCO, it was too early to upgrade.

So....my questions are as follows (and I apologize for asking what might seem like a repetetive question, but it seems as though search is still not a viable option):

* My flight MCO-PIT is #430, departing at 6:45 am. I assume that I will get a breakfast, of some sort, no? In reading the other threads about food on US, I am inclined to think that (a) it will not be hot; (b) it will be in somewhat small size; and (c) be served on disposable plates/tableware (???). Is this correct? Can anyone provide a little more detail, or should I just wait to see for myself? ;)

* Flight 155 PIT-PHX says that I am on the waitlist for an upgrade. When does one usually find out about this? At the airport? Via email?

* If upgraded on #155, it should be during the lunch meal window. Would that include a hot meal, or is it just usually a sandwich or such? I don't really care, but I would likely try to pack something or buy something at PIT if it is not something I would care to eat.

* The return PHX-CLT (#152) is on an A321. I am showing what looks like plenty of availability in F. Should I worry that I was told that there are no upgrades available this early, or does something not seem quite right. I specifically chose this flight because of the A321, which seatguru.com says drastically increases ones chances for upgrades. This doesn't seem like it would be a high volume flight -- I was more worried about the flights in and out of Florida in March -- but, I guess there may be no room for upgrades.

I still have a few tickets to book for travel this spring and I really would like to consider US, as the routing seems a little more suitable that what AA offers, but I would like to experience some of what US has to offer in the front of the bus to sample. My opinion is that AA is, on the whole, a little bit better option (AAdvantage vs D; not bankrupt (yet!); better, more functional website), but I like having US as a second option.

Any thoughts/ideas from more seasoned US fliers would surely be welcomed.

Regards,
Stevekoe

Your return upgrade has not cleared because you have not reached the 3 day window. Once you do, you should have no problem making the u/g. Yes the 321 really is very easy to u/g on.

For the PIT-PHX, make sure you check-in online just after midnight day before flight. This will place you in front of all other Golds, if not place you up front right away.

The food may not be hot or plentyful, but you will enjoy how easy it is to upgrade as a Gold on US. No coupons or miles to count, no fare class restrictions.

Look for the XOXO chocolate things in the snack baskets.

Which number and option is Alen? Sometimes I rather just go through him than waiting on the phone.

Your return upgrade has not cleared because you have not reached the 3 day window. Once you do, you should have no problem making the u/g. Yes the 321 really is very easy to u/g on.

I guess what made me think that this sounded weird was that it gave me the same answer as it did for PIT-PHX ("an upgrade is not available, but you have been placed on the waitlist"), rather than the same answer I got for CLT-MCO ("you are not inside the 72 hour window, but your request is being processed....check back with us" -- probably shouldn't use quotes as I am paraphrasing). I would have thought the message for both should have been that I am still outside the 72-hour window.

For the PIT-PHX, make sure you check-in online just after midnight day before flight. This will place you in front of all other Golds, if not place you up front right away.

The food may not be hot or plentyful, but you will enjoy how easy it is to upgrade as a Gold on US. No coupons or miles to count, no fare class restrictions.

Look for the XOXO chocolate things in the snack baskets.

Thanks for the tips. This is exactly the kind of info for which I was looking! Each airline has their own little idiosyncracies.

Stevekoe

Which number and option is Alen? Sometimes I rather just go through him than waiting on the phone.

I would have to reconstruct how I got there, as I am not sure off the top of my head. I can tell you that it was not hard. I called the regular number on the back of my blue card (haven't received my gold kit yet -- four weeks or so and counting!), and followed the prompts to "request upgrades." I will try to reconstruct this later when I get a few minutes and will post the key sequence.

Stevekoe

Actually do not check in midnight before your flight, but 24 hours prior to your flight. This is the earliest anyone can check in and puts you at the top of the queue for golds.

Stevekoe,
Definitely do OLCI at 23:59 before the flight. For some reason the PHX flights are difficult to upgrade. In January as a CP I was the only one upgraded at the gate on the outbound and had to sit in Y on the return!

Speaking of idiosyncracies, should we enlighten the OP to the "seatback art contest" and green lime sightings? :D