I do ATL-sfbay-ATL about once a month, and i'll be GM for next year. Since I made FO, I've been 0/6 which is expected but still disappointing.
For next year, I'm going to see if I can try creative connections (as long as the prices are reasonable) to increase probability of ug.
I'm based in ATL and usually fly to CA on a friday and return on sunday/monday morning.
The SJC nonstop is always packed, and going through MSP puts me on an MD90, so it seems like SJC is no good.
ATL-SLC-OAK seems a little more promising (although a 0/1 data point there). I haven't tried going through LAX, but I'd imagine that route would be very elite heavy? How about two stops with OAK-LAX-DTW-ATL?
I also haven't tried Saturday night redeyes from SFO/SJC, are those any better?
As a GM, you are going to have a very low percentage going from ATL to any hub. So even if you are able to score u/g MSP/SLC-BAY, you are still more than likely going to spend half the trip in the back.
Somehow (with EF), a valid routing for ATL-OAK is ATL-NYC-ATL-OAK. If you wanted to maximize routing. Another "good" valid routing is ATL-BOS-SLC-OAK. So maybe try SDC to get these routings if they are too expensive when booking.
Somehow (with EF), a valid routing for ATL-OAK is ATL-NYC-ATL-OAK. If you wanted to maximize routing. Another "good" valid routing is ATL-BOS-SLC-OAK. So maybe try SDC to get these routings if they are too expensive when booking.
I think you must have missed OP's main objective -- getting upgraded.
I do ATL-sfbay-ATL about once a month, and i'll be GM for next year. Since I made FO, I've been 0/6 which is expected but still disappointing.
For next year, I'm going to see if I can try creative connections (as long as the prices are reasonable) to increase probability of ug.
I'm based in ATL and usually fly to CA on a friday and return on sunday/monday morning.
The SJC nonstop is always packed, and going through MSP puts me on an MD90, so it seems like SJC is no good.
ATL-SLC-OAK seems a little more promising (although a 0/1 data point there). I haven't tried going through LAX, but I'd imagine that route would be very elite heavy? How about two stops with OAK-LAX-DTW-ATL?
I also haven't tried Saturday night redeyes from SFO/SJC, are those any better?
any help is appreciated
Even DMs sit in the back on ATL-SF/LAX flights. I've only cleared LAX-ATL ONCE in 5 years as PM (and that was the last seat on a 777), so your plan to go with connections is sound. SFO is definitely worse than LAX due to only having a few flights per day.
I doubt LAX-DTW is much better.
I guess I glossed over it when I first read your post, but the Sunday flights *should help your odds, especially on the connecting flights...can't confirm that through experience though.
Programs: DL girl's best friend, SC Lifetime(DL's not mine), ST E+, AARP, CARP, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 4,055
Two issues working against your UG odds:
You are flying out of ATL, anywhere is going to be tough.
You are flying Friday and Sunday/Monday am.
ATL-LAX? I am getting very used to row 31. (bulkhead EC)
Sunday night flights eastbound are all redeyes. Multiple connections are not recommended. I would just get EC and try to sleep for 4 hours straight rather than 1-2 hours segments in F.
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As a Plat in the Bay Area, I'd recommend Oakland. Probably the best upgrade possibility although still tough. I do all three airports depending on where I am flying and how many people I have with me and don't have the luxury to seek out off-peak flights. However, most of my flights are not during regular business travel times and I am still at less than 50% upgrades this year.
It's gonna be tough whatever you try, but ATL-CVG-SFO might be your best opportunity for the u/g.
Disagree. I have never been able to be upgraded in either direction on the CVG-SFO route in 3 years, 2 of which I was a Diamond. Given it is F12 on the Airbus A320 its a very tough route for an upgrade. Usually it gets to the gate with 1-2 seats open, if any.
As a Plat in the Bay Area, I'd recommend Oakland. Probably the best upgrade possibility although still tough. I do all three airports depending on where I am flying and how many people I have with me and don't have the luxury to seek out off-peak flights. However, most of my flights are not during regular business travel times and I am still at less than 50% upgrades this year.
My experience is that airport doesn't have a big impact in the Bay Area on upgrades on DL. What matters more is the length of the flight. I've done pretty well on upgrades between SFO/SJC/OAK and SLC/LAX. Conversely I've never seen an SFO-DTW/ATL or an SJC/ATL flight that has an upgrade list with less than 50 on it. ATL-SLC/LAX-Bay area is the way to go IMO.
There's a wildcard option here too. ATL-SEA-Bay Area with AS.
Edit: you'd want to switch to AS's frequent flier program for that, of course. DL elites are at the bottom of their upgrade lists.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Builderman
My experience is that airport doesn't have a big impact in the Bay Area on upgrades on DL. What matters more is the length of the flight. I've done pretty well on upgrades between SFO/SJC/OAK and SLC/LAX. Conversely I've never seen an SFO-DTW/ATL or an SJC/ATL flight that has an upgrade list with less than 50 on it. ATL-SLC/LAX-Bay area is the way to go IMO.
Agreed, as an FO based near SFO, I got upgraded over 50% on SFO-LAX-SFO and probably about 35-40% on SFO-SLC-SFO.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Builderman
Conversely I've never seen an SFO-DTW/ATL or an SJC/ATL flight that has an upgrade list with less than 50 on it. ATL-SLC/LAX-Bay area is the way to go IMO.
Personally I have never missed an SJC-ATL upgrade at my PM window so this seems like a YMMV. I often do the Fri redeye from SJC and DL seems to load tons of 'V' space on that route. For a GM might be a different story though since I clear at 5 days out.
I would choose SJC over SFO every time if either airport it is equally convenient for the OP.
OAK is a poor option since there are no n/s ATL flights anymore. With all these options sure you can route through SLC or LAX but that won't help your upgrade %. HUB-HUB flights will be even worse of a chance than SFO-ATL.
If OP can do SMF that's another option for an ok shot at an upgrade IME (much better than SFO).
There's a wildcard option here too. ATL-SEA-Bay Area with AS.
Edit: you'd want to switch to AS's frequent flier program for that, of course. DL elites are at the bottom of their upgrade lists.
SJC-SEA and (especially) OAK-SEA don't seem to have many AS elites and I've often seen them selling F upgrades after all elites have been upgraded, so you should be able get an upgrade on those routes on AS. However, SEA-ATL is probably just as bad as SFO/LAX-ATL for upgrades.
I'd look at going through SLC. That seems to work pretty well for upgrades if the timing is good for you. Agree that SJC is packed, although the airport and especially rental return is easier than SFO.
