What are my odds: Waitlisted for a mileage upgrade DTW-PVG in 7 weeks
Apr 29, 2016, 8:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,303
What are my odds: Waitlisted for a mileage upgrade DTW-PVG in 7 weeks
I'm headed to China in June and I have some miles to burn, so I tried for an upgrade with miles. No availability; no big surprise.
But I am curious what my odds are of a successful upgrade, and when it may come. Anyone with experience?
But I am curious what my odds are of a successful upgrade, and when it may come. Anyone with experience?
Apr 29, 2016, 9:06 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DTW
Programs: AMEX, Ritz LT-Plat Prem, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Delta Plat, United Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 866
I'm Gold like you and I get no upgrade to any Asian port. We have a lot of Diamonds that fly out of DTW. DTW is also a major Asia HUB. Personally I wouldn't bank on it, trying for E+ is about all I would expect.
Apr 29, 2016, 9:11 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,303
I'm waitlisted for the mileage upgrade, and only five seats taken (I know, I know...) so I feel like there has to be a chance. But I don't know how often space opens up?
Apr 29, 2016, 9:25 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2013
Location: DTW
Programs: AMEX, Ritz LT-Plat Prem, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Delta Plat, United Gold, Sixt Plat
Posts: 866
Apr 29, 2016, 9:45 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 1,089
Complete crapshoot at this point. What's your fare class? (Anecdotally, I've seen OP inventory magically open up prior to departure on higher fare classes, but almost always at the gate for lower ones...)
Seats could stay empty; then you're golden... Or they could fill up.
Regardless, make sure they properly transfer your UG request to the gate (I think they can for miles? Doesn't always happen automatically), and wait to board... All it takes is one person to not show up and you're golden! (Have gotten at least two otherwise impossible BF UGs this way).
Seats could stay empty; then you're golden... Or they could fill up.
Regardless, make sure they properly transfer your UG request to the gate (I think they can for miles? Doesn't always happen automatically), and wait to board... All it takes is one person to not show up and you're golden! (Have gotten at least two otherwise impossible BF UGs this way).
Apr 29, 2016, 9:47 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,303
Complete crapshoot at this point. What's your fare class? (Anecdotally, I've seen OP inventory magically open up prior to departure on higher fare classes, but almost always at the gate for lower ones...)
Seats could stay empty; then you're golden... Or they could fill up.
Regardless, make sure they properly transfer your UG request to the gate (I think they can for miles? Doesn't always happen automatically), and wait to board... All it takes is one person to not show up and you're golden! (Have gotten at least two otherwise impossible BF UGs this way).
Seats could stay empty; then you're golden... Or they could fill up.
Regardless, make sure they properly transfer your UG request to the gate (I think they can for miles? Doesn't always happen automatically), and wait to board... All it takes is one person to not show up and you're golden! (Have gotten at least two otherwise impossible BF UGs this way).
Apr 30, 2016, 9:05 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,373
Complete crapshoot at this point. What's your fare class? (Anecdotally, I've seen OP inventory magically open up prior to departure on higher fare classes, but almost always at the gate for lower ones...)
Seats could stay empty; then you're golden... Or they could fill up.
Regardless, make sure they properly transfer your UG request to the gate (I think they can for miles? Doesn't always happen automatically), and wait to board... All it takes is one person to not show up and you're golden! (Have gotten at least two otherwise impossible BF UGs this way).
Seats could stay empty; then you're golden... Or they could fill up.
Regardless, make sure they properly transfer your UG request to the gate (I think they can for miles? Doesn't always happen automatically), and wait to board... All it takes is one person to not show up and you're golden! (Have gotten at least two otherwise impossible BF UGs this way).
Remember that many international business class tickets are purchased fairly close to the time of departure, although I suspect that there's a bit less of this to destinations that require visas.
Apr 30, 2016, 12:17 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,303
NO, the rules say that mileage upgrades will not be processed at the gate, but some GAs will do it if there's time and they ahve empty seats.
Remember that many international business class tickets are purchased fairly close to the time of departure, although I suspect that there's a bit less of this to destinations that require visas.
Remember that many international business class tickets are purchased fairly close to the time of departure, although I suspect that there's a bit less of this to destinations that require visas.
Either way, I'll get my 747.
Apr 30, 2016, 4:35 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
The phone agents have always said that mileage upgrades can clear at the gate and gate agents almost always say no. If you have not cleared by the day of departure and there are still open seats, I do think it is worth going a little bit early and asking at SP check in, the SC, or perhaps a red coat. You need someone with more authority and more time than the GA.