No luck with GUC..(sigh)
#31
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
i'm supposed to be returning via AF, bubba--i'm wondering how that will end up working out...
And to safigan--its the "way in advance" problem that we have with our work trips--they just can't be done that way due to too many factors that have lead it to difficult to predict when we are actually going to go..i imagine that was some of it too.
And to safigan--its the "way in advance" problem that we have with our work trips--they just can't be done that way due to too many factors that have lead it to difficult to predict when we are actually going to go..i imagine that was some of it too.
I think the "way in advance" thing is by design. Get as much company travel to buy paid J. Just a thought.
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,845
if it shows 3 seats then there are 3 seats. Delta may not sell them because coach is oversold and they know they need them. Looks good IMO for an upgrade.
#33
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, BonVoy Titanium, (soon former) Caesars7*, (former) Wynn Black, HR "Icon"
Posts: 8,170
I "think" if you limit the usage of a GUC to one specific trip, you will just create unneeded stress. You have look at it like you have the opportunity for 4 upgrades international (from lowest fare) within 12 months.
But, as has been mentioned, the Air France strike has created an incredible strain on the system. I was hoping to upgrade last night AMS-JFK, but knew there would be no shot earlier in the week when I checked ExpertFlyer. Flight went out last night with 4 or 6 (I lost track) people being denied boarding during to an oversell of a 747. Luckily, I'm on a Z fare, already in BusinessElite for my return DTW-AMS on Tuesday.
FWIW, I think Delta is relatively fair with regard to upgrade instruments; and I've had very good success. Perhaps, it's just AMS-BOS and BOS-AMS. I also have to give Delta a lot of credit, they recently "royally screwed up" a reservation for October and a supervisor contacted revenue management and requested they release 2 seats in "O" inventory; to clear our upgrades for the return BOS-AMS. So, it's not all evil Delta. I've been very impressed by them taking accountability for their mishaps over the past week.
I still am a firm believer that the 4 GUCs provide a very good value, in the big picture.
#34
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
The way I see it, there are 2 ways to try'n use these. Check ahead of booking to see what's available - then book what IS available, or book whatever flights work best for you and hope for the best with the certs.
So, how do you feel that you used "careful planning"- your words? I'm not really sure there's any way to plan ahead for these if the seats aren't available at time of booking?
As I posted in my GUC success thread, I'm currently 2 down with 2 left good til Mar 1.
1 used CDG/ATL - just happened to have this booked & used on 1st day of program
1 used SLC/CDG - checked before booking
Both on V fares
Not bad, I'd say.
#35
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: Fallen DL DM (PM) 2MM
Posts: 4,783
I normally give She Who Must Be Obeyed GM status with a DM choice. But I needed the GUCs (ok, "wanted") and couldn't wait until Her status expires in March. I hope I get good use of them because the cost to me may be very expensive when She looses Her GM status
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: No longer in MSP; now in Portland, OR USA :)
Programs: Diamond Medallion, Kryptonium Medallion, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 543
Nope and nope. No one was upped. There were three of us using them. Flight filled up at least minute. Dave I'm not sure how else to say that I am not usually date flexible. And that when I booked, 0 seats in the forward cabin had even sold. . To me this says they don't actually have inventory at all on certain flights. As far as I'm concerned that makes the GUC useless to me as I'd only use it for a work trip.
Again I'm not surprised.
Again I'm not surprised.
#37
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, BonVoy Titanium, (soon former) Caesars7*, (former) Wynn Black, HR "Icon"
Posts: 8,170
Nope and nope. No one was upped. There were three of us using them. Flight filled up at least minute. Dave I'm not sure how else to say that I am not usually date flexible. And that when I booked, 0 seats in the forward cabin had even sold. . To me this says they don't actually have inventory at all on certain flights. As far as I'm concerned that makes the GUC useless to me as I'd only use it for a work trip.
Do you not enjoy BusinessElite for longhaul leisure? Also great, since you can upgrade a companion.
Work should be buying BusinessElite anyway, then you wouldn't have these "pesky" work upgrade issues. (joke)
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: No longer in MSP; now in Portland, OR USA :)
Programs: Diamond Medallion, Kryptonium Medallion, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 543
I dont go int'l for leisure (at least, yet)..maybe some day when I dont travel every single week, i'll actually feel like traveling when I'm off .. As it is now, I have something ridiculous like nearly a million miles. (RDMs) that I can't decide if I will finally use when I move into a new position that has me chained to a desk (fat-chance) or when I retire.
#39
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC, MD, LA
Programs: Delta-DM, United, Hilton-DM, SPG-PLTM
Posts: 462
I feel your pain, I'm on a flight Friday, JFK-NRT-HKG, back via SEA.
I booked the flight about 2 months ago and upon booking was able to secure the GUC on the return flight, which is most important to me as this is my last MR for---probably ever.
This gave me 3/3 on scoring the GUC upgrade, I have one left
I decided about a month ago to use it for this MR and was told I had to go on the wait list for JFK - NRT, but I could cash it in for NRT -HKG. I don't want to use a GUC for a 4.5 hour flight so I wait listed the longest leg and if that goes through so does the final leg. There were 20 seats open in first.
As of today there are 17 seats open and the DM desk says it will be day of clearance, due to revenue managment holding the seats for sale, they show lots of last minute purchases for this route, historically, or that's what they say.
Funny on the ride back there is only 1 other open seat showing open, but for me that GUC is already confirmed, glad rev mgmt missed calculated that flight
I'm hoping to get the clearance, but if not I have until March to burn the last one.
All part of the GUC game, I hope you get to use yours before they expire!
I booked the flight about 2 months ago and upon booking was able to secure the GUC on the return flight, which is most important to me as this is my last MR for---probably ever.
This gave me 3/3 on scoring the GUC upgrade, I have one left
I decided about a month ago to use it for this MR and was told I had to go on the wait list for JFK - NRT, but I could cash it in for NRT -HKG. I don't want to use a GUC for a 4.5 hour flight so I wait listed the longest leg and if that goes through so does the final leg. There were 20 seats open in first.
As of today there are 17 seats open and the DM desk says it will be day of clearance, due to revenue managment holding the seats for sale, they show lots of last minute purchases for this route, historically, or that's what they say.
Funny on the ride back there is only 1 other open seat showing open, but for me that GUC is already confirmed, glad rev mgmt missed calculated that flight
I'm hoping to get the clearance, but if not I have until March to burn the last one.
All part of the GUC game, I hope you get to use yours before they expire!