phlwookie

I've gotten bumped up to BA F occasionally over the years, including a few weeks ago on PHL-LHR, when on a full fare refundable business class fare and either biz or coach was full and they needed to roll the cabins. Don't expect it though, and I don't know why I was selected over BA frequent flyers other than just guessing the CP+full fare biz helped. Happened at airport check in.

Not sure what you mean by T-24 system upgrades though. Such is not part of the US program, but perhaps could be accomplished with an AA EXP SWU.

racefaith

OK, I'll try another poll.

Have any Chairman (or others) received a courtesy upgrade to First (Envoy) at the departing gate upon requesting one?

I have a US booked CLT-LHR flight coming up in a few days. I have no CP certs left but expert flyer shows half the cabin empty and 4 upgrades available.

Should I secure the seat via 30K miles and $300 or gamble and see if I catch the fancy of a CLT gate agent who bumps me at boarding?

Biggie Fries

Look, everyone's experience varies, but my understanding is that these days it is infinitely harder to get this "courtesy" than it was 3-4 years ago. I think the only way it would/could happen is if the back is overbooked and they have to move someone up. Then a polite, charming CP might have a shot. Otherwise, trust me -- they'll go out with F seats empty and CPs in back.

apeortdz

I agree. I flew RT PHL-LHR-PHL last week and used my CP certs to upgrade both ways. Coach was clearly 50% full so I wonder if I should have saved them for a future trip and "spread out" in back. Check the seat map before you go and see how coach looks.

gruss

I asked anyone who would listen when flying PHL-LHR a few weeks ago and without deviation was told that there are no complementary upgrades on international flights regardless of status (which I knew to be the official policy but figured I'd try my luck as I was planning to use my certs on another set of flights this past week).

That said, after boarding was complete on the 25% loaded plane, one of the FAs from up front came back and grabbed three Chairmen and told them they could move up front. So while the policy on the ground seems to be hard and fast, there is still some small chance of getting an unexpected upgrade.

My flight back from LHR a few weeks ago as well as yesterday both went out with empty seats up front.

PHL

As far as US/AA goes, it's neither First nor Envoy anymore. The branding is consistent across AA and US now. Just plain old "business class" for the international flights.

And yes, secure the upgrade with points + cash if they are available and if it's worth it to you more than sweating out the very slim chance they will complimentary upgrade you at the gate.

As a lowly Silver, BA was nice enough to roll me from World Traveller Plus (Premium economy) to Club World (Business) back in August on a MIA-LHR flight. There was an equipment swap from a 777 to a 747, so I suppose they were jockeying seats around a lot and I got lucky. I don't think they (or US) would have done it if I simply asked nicely and smiled, though.

StuckinITH

I have been flying with USAirways (or whatever other name they used) since 1991. I have been nothing, Silver, Gold and Dougie's Preferred. I have never been granted a complimentary upgrade to Envoy (I know it's now Business but I always thought the name Envoy represented High Class). I used the certificates, cash and points, and cash methods with 95% success in the past 6 years. And all the seats in Envoy were occupied in my flights. So, I don't think I would ever have the courage to wait for the chance of a complimentary upgrade especially since they are still trying to sell the upgrade at the gate. I would like to know what days of what months, there's only a 25% load. Because, even though I usually managed to upgrade, sometimes the upgrade would clear only 4 hours before the flight. My wife did experience once a plane with 25% load but it was two weeks after September 11.

Three times we took our annual trip to Europe with BA. We are BA Blue, so nothing. Every time we got upgraded in one direction: twice from Economy to Premium Economy and once from Premium Economy to Business.

PhoenixCMC

I'm former AmericaWest, and my wife and I have both been CP with US since the merger. We have gone to Europe in Envoy (mostly with CP certs but sometimes with mileage upgrades) at least once and often twice a year every year since the merger. My experience with regard to Envoy flying full is exactly the same as Stuckin's. YMMV, but I wouldn't count on a "battlefield upgrade" either.

ppotter

Hi,

Having been a long-term DL/NW flyer and having GM status for a decade or so, I have switched to AA/US. This has been due to the demise of the DL service from Memphis. This is my first US airways flight in a while and have a question about upgrades.

I have flight from MEM-PHL-MAN this weekend and I received an Email asking if I wanted to upgrade to business for ~$750 a ticket (traveling with my son). It looks as though this is only valid for the PHL-MAN segment, but has anyone here taken up these sorts of offers? I doubt I am going to use it, but would like to hear if the system works OK, how it is coordinated at the gate or check-in desk, and does this give extra FFM?

Thanks in advance.

iztok

No extra FQMs or bonus miles. You can purchase it anytime when available. Usually this is only available within 24 hours of flight so I am surprised you are offered ahead of time.

However it is simple, you pay and get upgraded and get to seat in business class and enjoy meal and lay flat seats and get some rest.

moki1

It is probably US air and 757 so seats do not lay flat, they are angled I believe.

moki1

My bad, looks like they do fly A330 product that has lie-flat seats to Man.

Biggie Fries

I agree with you -- based on long-time past experience -- but, yeah, something may be changing lately since a week or so ahead of flight I was offered cash buy-up during call into CP desk; and, indeed, at OLCI the number quoted was the price available ....

PlanePorn21

I am an AA EXP and I am already out of SWU's for this year. I am looking at a flight coming back to the US from Europe on US Airways and currently the flight is showing 9 J seats and 0 C seats. Can I upgrade to business on the flight? If I can I upgrade with miles and the co-pay? If so how?

Air Rarotonga

If seats were availabe for upgrades, you can do it...

See informations here: http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/re...rade-chart.jsp