Chances of an International Upgrade for LM Diamonds
Apr 12, 2017, 12:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Chances of an International Upgrade for LM Diamonds
Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I am looking to fly LAX-BOG rt in a few weeks on short notice and would like to fly in business. Since I recently received Lifemiles Diamond status, I was curious if my chances of an upgrade on a paid economy fare are high?
Thanks
Thanks
Apr 14, 2017, 4:17 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Thanks for the reply. I understand upgrades are based on availability as with almost all airlines, but I was curious if anyone has any experience with this specific route, especially LM Diamonds who should be the top of the upgrade list.
Apr 15, 2017, 11:28 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,048
Everywhere else, you need to have an overbooked Economy cabin before operational upgrades will take place. In theory, status counts quite a bit, but there is no guarantee.
Expect to fly in Y and be thrilled if there is an overbooking scenario that works out for you. It's very difficult to generalise as to whether this route is commonly overbooked, but I somehow doubt it as I've found it quite easy to find award seats on it.
Apr 15, 2017, 12:59 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Only U.S. airlines have anything resembling a policy of "if there's a free seat up front we'll upgrade an elite to it".
Everywhere else, you need to have an overbooked Economy cabin before operational upgrades will take place. In theory, status counts quite a bit, but there is no guarantee.
Expect to fly in Y and be thrilled if there is an overbooking scenario that works out for you. It's very difficult to generalise as to whether this route is commonly overbooked, but I somehow doubt it as I've found it quite easy to find award seats on it.
Everywhere else, you need to have an overbooked Economy cabin before operational upgrades will take place. In theory, status counts quite a bit, but there is no guarantee.
Expect to fly in Y and be thrilled if there is an overbooking scenario that works out for you. It's very difficult to generalise as to whether this route is commonly overbooked, but I somehow doubt it as I've found it quite easy to find award seats on it.
According to the lifemiles elite status page
"Complimentary space available upgrades (excluding codeshare flights, routes to and from Europe, Super Promo and Promo fares in domestic routes in Colombia, Promo fares in domestic routes in Peru and Super Promo in domestic routes in Central America) administrated via an automated process that begins assigning upgrades according to the times listed above. Applies 48 hours before the flight and is awarded according to the member’s Elite status."
Being that I'm a lifemiles diamond member, I don't anything that would exclude me from a space available upgrade from North America to Colombia.
Apr 21, 2017, 1:58 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Ill probably end up flying in Y later this year, will report back my experience with trying to get an upgrade. Lifemiles seems to be one quarky Elite program
Apr 22, 2017, 7:29 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: up in the air!
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AA Lifetime Plat, AV Diamond
Posts: 173
recent upgrade experience
Did LAX-SAL-BOG and was upgraded on LAX-SAL as LM Gold... SAL-BOG had two seats empty but wasn't upgraded. I think someone may have missed the connection as they claimed booked at the gate.
Will continue to report on upcoming flights - have a BOG-LAX in May.
Will continue to report on upcoming flights - have a BOG-LAX in May.
Apr 25, 2017, 12:49 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
Look forward to hearing back on your experience with the direct BOG-LAX flight
May 3, 2017, 6:29 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: up in the air!
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AA Lifetime Plat, AV Diamond
Posts: 173
I have flown the BOG-LAX route in Biz a few times - not comp upgrade but on their seat sale they had going. Service greater than or on-par-> with NA Long Haul International... Avianca has now become my primary airline - mainly because AA dropped the ball last year one too many times and Avianca filled that void.
Am looking forward to some international upgrades in the coming months.
Am looking forward to some international upgrades in the coming months.
May 5, 2017, 8:43 am
#12
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
Only U.S. airlines have anything resembling a policy of "if there's a free seat up front we'll upgrade an elite to it".
Everywhere else, you need to have an overbooked Economy cabin before operational upgrades will take place. In theory, status counts quite a bit, but there is no guarantee.
Expect to fly in Y and be thrilled if there is an overbooking scenario that works out for you. It's very difficult to generalise as to whether this route is commonly overbooked, but I somehow doubt it as I've found it quite easy to find award seats on it.
Everywhere else, you need to have an overbooked Economy cabin before operational upgrades will take place. In theory, status counts quite a bit, but there is no guarantee.
Expect to fly in Y and be thrilled if there is an overbooking scenario that works out for you. It's very difficult to generalise as to whether this route is commonly overbooked, but I somehow doubt it as I've found it quite easy to find award seats on it.
And yes, AV does complimentary upgrades for their elites. Just flew MEX-BOG as non-AV *G. The AV elites got upgraded and I did not.
Nothing to do with overbooking or operational upgrades. Elites get free upgrades.
May 6, 2017, 3:25 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Cali
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,022
So I finally flew avianca, service exceeded my expectations. I did LAX-BOG connecting in SAL and FAs were all very attentive and food was quite good. Even their region jets had better service than US carriers. Will get to do the 787 direct on my return. Really decent airline option, especially for those looking for a rewarding Star Alliance program.
Last edited by FlyingFrZ; May 6, 2017 at 3:32 pm
May 6, 2017, 3:53 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
So I finally flew avianca, service exceeded my expectations. I did LAX-BOG connecting in SAL and FAs were all very attentive and food was quite good. Even their region jets had better service than US carriers. Will get to do the 787 direct on my return. Really decent airline option, especially for those looking for a rewarding Star Alliance program.