GM upgrade on SEA-HK?
Oct 26, 2014, 2:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: TLV, JFK, ORD and everywhere in between (no longer SEA)
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 233
GM upgrade on SEA-HK?
Hi,
about to book a multi-city fare with a RT of SEA-HKG as part of it.
Was wondering if others here experienced this route for a comp upgrade. I am a GM and many times get upgraded on other intl flights which are often oversold. That said, I am unsure how full these flights get. West coasters have other choices other than SEA (LAX, SF for starters) so I assume it's not a big choice for connecting travelers. But, I dont know much. What are the chances for the flight to be fulll/oversold and business class seats given to medallions?
Any help on when to book in the week for this to happen will be appreciated as well. (I am pretty flexible with the dates)
thanks!
about to book a multi-city fare with a RT of SEA-HKG as part of it.
Was wondering if others here experienced this route for a comp upgrade. I am a GM and many times get upgraded on other intl flights which are often oversold. That said, I am unsure how full these flights get. West coasters have other choices other than SEA (LAX, SF for starters) so I assume it's not a big choice for connecting travelers. But, I dont know much. What are the chances for the flight to be fulll/oversold and business class seats given to medallions?
Any help on when to book in the week for this to happen will be appreciated as well. (I am pretty flexible with the dates)
thanks!
Last edited by SeattleiteTelavivian; Oct 26, 2014 at 5:34 am
Oct 26, 2014, 8:56 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
Hi,
about to book a multi-city fare with a RT of SEA-HKG as part of it.
Was wondering if others here experienced this route for a comp upgrade. I am a GM and many times get upgraded on other intl flights which are often oversold. That said, I am unsure how full these flights get. West coasters have other choices other than SEA (LAX, SF for starters) so I assume it's not a big choice for connecting travelers. But, I dont know much. What are the chances for the flight to be fulll/oversold and business class seats given to medallions?
Any help on when to book in the week for this to happen will be appreciated as well. (I am pretty flexible with the dates)
thanks!
about to book a multi-city fare with a RT of SEA-HKG as part of it.
Was wondering if others here experienced this route for a comp upgrade. I am a GM and many times get upgraded on other intl flights which are often oversold. That said, I am unsure how full these flights get. West coasters have other choices other than SEA (LAX, SF for starters) so I assume it's not a big choice for connecting travelers. But, I dont know much. What are the chances for the flight to be fulll/oversold and business class seats given to medallions?
Any help on when to book in the week for this to happen will be appreciated as well. (I am pretty flexible with the dates)
thanks!
Don't count on an upgrade on this route or any other international route. As you noted they only happen when oversold, and then the priority is by medallion level and then fare class. A GM has very little shot at a UG on this route. But to give yourself a better chance ("better" meaning better than zero, but not much better), find a full flight on days that aren't common for business travelers.
Oct 26, 2014, 9:11 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: TLV, JFK, ORD and everywhere in between (no longer SEA)
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 233
If they are flying DL it is now the only choice. DL's only flight to HKG now comes from SEA.
Don't count on an upgrade on this route or any other international route. As you noted they only happen when oversold, and then the priority is by medallion level and then fare class. A GM has very little shot at a UG on this route. But to give yourself a better chance ("better" meaning better than zero, but not much better), find a full flight on days that aren't common for business travelers.
Don't count on an upgrade on this route or any other international route. As you noted they only happen when oversold, and then the priority is by medallion level and then fare class. A GM has very little shot at a UG on this route. But to give yourself a better chance ("better" meaning better than zero, but not much better), find a full flight on days that aren't common for business travelers.
Oct 26, 2014, 9:11 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
If they are flying DL it is now the only choice. DL's only flight to HKG now comes from SEA.
Don't count on an upgrade on this route or any other international route. As you noted they only happen when oversold, and then the priority is by medallion level and then fare class. A GM has very little shot at a UG on this route. But to give yourself a better chance ("better" meaning better than zero, but not much better), find a full flight on days that aren't common for business travelers.
Don't count on an upgrade on this route or any other international route. As you noted they only happen when oversold, and then the priority is by medallion level and then fare class. A GM has very little shot at a UG on this route. But to give yourself a better chance ("better" meaning better than zero, but not much better), find a full flight on days that aren't common for business travelers.
Oct 26, 2014, 9:18 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: TLV, JFK, ORD and everywhere in between (no longer SEA)
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 233
Oct 26, 2014, 10:16 am
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
Oct 26, 2014, 4:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL - Diamond. Marriott - Lifetime Platinum. Starwoods - Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 192
Oct 26, 2014, 4:38 pm
#8
Formerly known as jbalis
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Delta Diamond, Starwood Gold, National Executive, MGM Noir,
Posts: 342
ummm I would say your chances are just about 0 sorry.....
I fly TPAC all year, its the only thing I do. In the last 5 years as a DM I have had 1 upgrade do to oversold conditions from NRT-SEA out of 50 flights and 100 segments. Its like finding a leprechaun.
I fly TPAC all year, its the only thing I do. In the last 5 years as a DM I have had 1 upgrade do to oversold conditions from NRT-SEA out of 50 flights and 100 segments. Its like finding a leprechaun.
Oct 26, 2014, 4:51 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: AA EXP, United PS, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Amtrak
Posts: 1,254
How many times and to where?
On any major int'l route you are almost guaranteed to have at least several, if not more, PMs and DMs ahead of you.
Do share your experiences.
Oct 27, 2014, 5:04 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 425
I was curious about the complimentary upgrades on international flights as well. Since you specifically mentioned flights out of SEA, I'm flying SEA-NRT today and was thinking of asking the gate agent if there was any chance of getting one; there are 16 open seats as of right now up front. I'm GM so I'm not sure if that will get me anywhere or not. But, as my dad has always said, the answer is always "No" until you ask, right? Anyone think I have a shot or should I save my breath?
OPS
OPS
Oct 27, 2014, 5:21 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187
I was curious about the complimentary upgrades on international flights as well. Since you specifically mentioned flights out of SEA, I'm flying SEA-NRT today and was thinking of asking the gate agent if there was any chance of getting one; there are 16 open seats as of right now up front. I'm GM so I'm not sure if that will get me anywhere or not. But, as my dad has always said, the answer is always "No" until you ask, right? Anyone think I have a shot or should I save my breath?
OPS
OPS
If, on day of departure, DL is not selling seats for your flight, it could be a sign it might be oversold, but there are never any guarantees of an OpUp.
Oct 27, 2014, 5:24 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,195
There is nothing wrong with asking nicely, but don't expect anything... not to derail the discussion, but if there are empty seats up front and it isn't oversold in back, then non-rev standbys will get cleared into business so the cabin will most likely go out full.
Also for the OP... Delta hasn't flown any trans-pacific routes out of SFO for a while now, and LAX is only to NRT (or SYD).
Also for the OP... Delta hasn't flown any trans-pacific routes out of SFO for a while now, and LAX is only to NRT (or SYD).
Oct 27, 2014, 9:23 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Keep in mind that DL has been offering many promotions to travelers based in SEA to earn status more quickly, so on top of all the reasons others have mentioned as for why this upgrade is unlikely, if there are any op-ups, GMs are at a disadvantage here since there are also going to be a greater share of PMs and DMs on this route than might otherwise normally be the case since SEA travelers are racking up status faster than others (and travelers who fly to Asia regularly rack up status faster than anyone, other than those who are getting MQD-ed out).
Oct 27, 2014, 11:25 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: DL DM 1MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 225
I took the SEA-HKG at the end of August on the A332 and got the op-up at the last minute due to, according to the GA, "weight and balance issues" on that bird. GA said on hot days, they've had issues. The flight was nearly full but not oversold.
That was a first for me. A welcome one, at that.
That was a first for me. A welcome one, at that.
Oct 27, 2014, 1:33 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: DL Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 142
I've gotten an op-up twice this summer. Once as a GM and once as a PM. It was on the SEA-ICN route and the ICN-SEA route, both times economy was oversold and I was on a full Y fare.