Hello all!
About a month ago I booked a mileage run for Friday 12/7 MCO-ATL-SEA-ATL-MCO. It's a T fare (paid on my Amex Reserve) that I could complete in one (long) day for ~$250. The bonus was on the ATL-SEA-ATL leg it has the 767 with lie flats and Business was virtually empty. I haven't flown in Business with the lie flats yet so I figured this may be a good opportunity to try.
Since making Gold last year I've received the complimentary upgrade about 80% of the time. Each time I received it on the 3rd day before each flight. Never had to wait at the gate and magically I was upgraded. On the flights I didn't get the upgrade I received an email 3 days prior saying you are on the list, good luck.
So for this upcoming run I can see there are plenty of seats available but I haven't received any email informing me of upgrade status. Do they do something different for the lie flats or is this because its a T fare? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, American AAdvantage, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 742
From what I have read on here, ATL-SEA is a tough upgrade on a very elite heavy route. And the fact that it's a Friday will make it even more difficult, especially on a T-fare.
For your other question about why there are seats available but the upgrades haven't cleared - that's becoming the new norm: holding back upgrades until just before boarding - BFUG: Battlefield Upgrade.
Not saying you won't get upgraded, but don't hold your breath either.
On ExpertFlyer, it looks like all of the flights through ATL are zeroed out for complimentary upgrade inventory (V class) this coming Friday; you could post your flight numbers or departure times to confirm if you want to be sure. This is understandable for a long distance flight on a Friday. Looks like you're going to the battlefield. Good luck!
P.S. Looks like you're fairly new here (welcome!) - if you plan on MRing frequently, ExpertFlyer is well worth the $9.99/month. I am only an FO, and I can directly attribute at least 2 upgrades (due to SDC, which is reimbursable with my credit card) to being able to see V and Y inventory prior to SDCing.
Agreed with what was said before, battlefield upgrades are becoming much more normal. Get the ExpertFlyer membership and watch the farebuckets to see whats still open. Check the upgrade list at checkin and cross your fingers!
Thanks for the info guys. Most of my flights are on the east coast so I wasn't aware it was an elite heavy route. I probably wouldn't have picked that had I known.
Eturowski my flights are 1418-2368-1420-917
My business travel is way down so I was planning to do at lease 1 MR per month for 2013 so I will check it out.
Yeah I've been around for a while. I "lurk" in the background running searches for my questions. But thank you for the welcome all the same!
Thanks for the info guys. Most of my flights are on the east coast so I wasn't aware it was an elite heavy route. I probably wouldn't have picked that had I known.
Yeah I've been around for a while. I "lurk" in the background running searches for my questions. But thank you for the welcome all the same!
Glad you are posting!
That said, ATL - anywhere is a more difficult upgrade.
If you can, try routing through "smaller" hubs (particularly MEM) and you'll have a better chance at an upgrade.
My own observations are the flights that are labeled 'business' rather than 'first' the V inventory seems to be held back, and those are the ones I don't clear at the window
Location: Huntsville, AL, formerly Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Programs: DL DM/SC, UA Premier Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Choice Platinum
Posts: 1,125
Quote:
Originally Posted by mccoigk
On the flights I didn't get the upgrade I received an email 3 days prior saying you are on the list, good luck.
I was kind of curious about this. I always receive EMails when I get upgraded, but I've never received one like this when I wasn't upgraded, telling me that I'm on the list. I have every possible EMail notification selection checked in my profile. Not that I really need Delta to tell me I didn't get upgraded, but how does one receive such EMails?
Programs: Feels like FO (DL DM, CO-G, United PE) - by choice!
Posts: 1,433
Quote:
Originally Posted by Singleflyer
My own observations are the flights that are labeled 'business' rather than 'first' the V inventory seems to be held back, and those are the ones I don't clear at the window
That might have been so a while ago with the international birdies and/or BE cabin. Lately, heck almost all of 2012, plain simple F seems to be held back on even the most ridiculous routes. FCM at its very best.
That might have been so a while ago with the international birdies and/or BE cabin. Lately, heck almost all of 2012, plain simple F seems to be held back on even the most ridiculous routes. FCM at its very best.
I was on DTW-ATL (which I never expect to get an upgrade on) last week but it was Saturday. The first class cabin was almost entirely empty on a 757 and I was #1 on the list as a GM. I was a little shocked that it took until right before boarding for myself and a bunch of other lowly medallions to get bumped. Judging by the number of people called to come get boarding passes after upgrades had been cleared I don't think anyone was pre-upgraded.
Thanks for the info guys. Most of my flights are on the east coast so I wasn't aware it was an elite heavy route. I probably wouldn't have picked that had I known.
Upgrades are tougher every year. I make sure to pick flights where I can get a decent coach seat just in case I have to ride in it.
David
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If Pavlov were still around, he could dispense with the dog and just collect data from FT.
I hope nobody minds me sort of asking a follow on question regarding medallion upgrades.
Is DTW a "smaller" hub? I've flown through ATL once or twice and it clearly requires GM or better to have any real chance at upgrades, but what about DTW? I routed through LGA since I felt I'd have a good shot on at least 2 of my 4 flights, but I'm now kicking around SDC through DTW but don't know if it'll hurt my chances vs LGA.
