Domestic US GoUpgrades and other upgrades [Master Thread]
Jan 12, 2015, 3:03 pm
#196
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
In my experience, Shuttle flights and most other flights are priced on distance AND how many seats are left for purchase. If there aren't very many seats left, expect them to jack the price up. For example, PHL-BOS is usually $50 since there are many flights and the elites are spread out, so half or more of the F cabin is up for sale. But, there have been flights that I've been on where there were only 2 seats left, and they were charging $75, presumably because of the (perceived) higher demand of a product they have in shorter supply.
Jan 13, 2015, 1:11 am
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Waiting in the gate area for my A321, LAS-CLT. GA just announced that upgrades are available on tonight's flight for $315..
Jan 14, 2015, 12:46 am
#198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Jan 14, 2015, 6:56 am
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
Jan 16, 2015, 12:36 pm
#200
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: dca
Programs: Delta Plat, United Silver, Marriott LT Titanium, HHonors Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 337
In my experience, Shuttle flights and most other flights are priced on distance AND how many seats are left for purchase. If there aren't very many seats left, expect them to jack the price up. For example, PHL-BOS is usually $50 since there are many flights and the elites are spread out, so half or more of the F cabin is up for sale. But, there have been flights that I've been on where there were only 2 seats left, and they were charging $75, presumably because of the (perceived) higher demand of a product they have in shorter supply.
Feb 12, 2015, 1:51 pm
#201
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1
First Class newbie looking for advice on upgrading a PHL > SFO trip
Hi all. Brand new here, and new to flying anything other than Coach, so please bear with me!
I have a solo trip coming up in a few weeks from PHL to SFO. I already booked it as Coach, but the more I'm thinking about it, it would be real nice to be able to fly first class (for the first time!) since the flight is over 6 hours. But never having upgraded at all before, I'm not positive how it all works.
From what I've gathered, these are my options:
Any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
I have a solo trip coming up in a few weeks from PHL to SFO. I already booked it as Coach, but the more I'm thinking about it, it would be real nice to be able to fly first class (for the first time!) since the flight is over 6 hours. But never having upgraded at all before, I'm not positive how it all works.
From what I've gathered, these are my options:
- Upgrade using Dividend Miles: According to the site, I can upgrade at the cost of 10,000 miles plus $150. (The flight is ~2300 miles)
- Wait until check-in to see if an upgrade is available: But I have no idea what that $$ fee would be at the time of purchase. (Any ideas?)
- A third option that I'm unaware of?
Any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
Feb 12, 2015, 2:10 pm
#202
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 866
Hi all. Brand new here, and new to flying anything other than Coach, so please bear with me!
I have a solo trip coming up in a few weeks from PHL to SFO. I already booked it as Coach, but the more I'm thinking about it, it would be real nice to be able to fly first class (for the first time!) since the flight is over 6 hours. But never having upgraded at all before, I'm not positive how it all works.
From what I've gathered, these are my options:
Any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
I have a solo trip coming up in a few weeks from PHL to SFO. I already booked it as Coach, but the more I'm thinking about it, it would be real nice to be able to fly first class (for the first time!) since the flight is over 6 hours. But never having upgraded at all before, I'm not positive how it all works.
From what I've gathered, these are my options:
- Upgrade using Dividend Miles: According to the site, I can upgrade at the cost of 10,000 miles plus $150. (The flight is ~2300 miles)
- Wait until check-in to see if an upgrade is available: But I have no idea what that $$ fee would be at the time of purchase. (Any ideas?)
- A third option that I'm unaware of?
Any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
Your best option would be to upgrade with miles + copay if you have enough in your account, given there are seats available for upgrade. What's your status on US? If you're CP you may have a chance at a complimentary upgrade, although based on our post I assume you don't have high-level status with US.
PHL-SFO will almost certainly be filled with preferred upgrades before you'd even have a chance at purchasing a last-minute upgrade on that route. Many folks (myself included) also flat-out pay for F on that leg, as it is long and rolling the dice on an upgrade is risky. F fares are often not a whole lot more than Y depending on when you book.
Feb 13, 2015, 10:25 am
#203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Hi all. Brand new here, and new to flying anything other than Coach, so please bear with me!
I have a solo trip coming up in a few weeks from PHL to SFO. I already booked it as Coach, but the more I'm thinking about it, it would be real nice to be able to fly first class (for the first time!) since the flight is over 6 hours. But never having upgraded at all before, I'm not positive how it all works.
From what I've gathered, these are my options:
Any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
I have a solo trip coming up in a few weeks from PHL to SFO. I already booked it as Coach, but the more I'm thinking about it, it would be real nice to be able to fly first class (for the first time!) since the flight is over 6 hours. But never having upgraded at all before, I'm not positive how it all works.
From what I've gathered, these are my options:
- Upgrade using Dividend Miles: According to the site, I can upgrade at the cost of 10,000 miles plus $150. (The flight is ~2300 miles)
- Wait until check-in to see if an upgrade is available: But I have no idea what that $$ fee would be at the time of purchase. (Any ideas?)
- A third option that I'm unaware of?
Any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated!
Feb 27, 2015, 1:48 pm
#204
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: WS Gold, AC 75K, Hertz PC, National EE, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Bills Mafia
Posts: 346
Help with upgrading with miles
I am no longer silver with US but have a bunch of miles I would like to use.
Don't want to have to call and check availability everyday.
I want to upgrade using miles
1)what code am I looking for
2)how do I find it/ or do it online?
Thanks and sorry for the newb question
Brandon
Don't want to have to call and check availability everyday.
I want to upgrade using miles
1)what code am I looking for
2)how do I find it/ or do it online?
Thanks and sorry for the newb question
Brandon
Feb 27, 2015, 2:21 pm
#205
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 239
Your best bet for upgrade inventory (which won't necessarily match open seats on the seat map) is expert flyer. A $4.99/month subscription will give you 200ish searches per month. For $9.99/month you'll get unlimited searches and can set automatic availability alerts that will email you when something opens up. In either case, you'll click on upgrade availability and look for fare class A for domestic upgrades to first and fare class C for int'l upgrades from economy to business. There are several blogs out there that give more instruction on expert flyer, too. Good luck!
Feb 27, 2015, 2:55 pm
#206
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
The way you can do it for free is do a search by booking with miles for whatever leg you want upgraded, and if there is Low first class inventory that shows up then you can upgrade with miles.
Feb 27, 2015, 2:55 pm
#207
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: WS Gold, AC 75K, Hertz PC, National EE, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Bills Mafia
Posts: 346
Is there a way to purchase the upgrade with miles online?
And to use miles, I need A avaliblity to upgrade from economy to first using miles on a domestic flight? I called and they said there was no avalibilty but when I look on expert flyer it shows both flights as A9?
And to use miles, I need A avaliblity to upgrade from economy to first using miles on a domestic flight? I called and they said there was no avalibilty but when I look on expert flyer it shows both flights as A9?
Feb 27, 2015, 3:04 pm
#208
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
You can't do it online, but you can see online using the way I posted and it always works for me that there is availability. If you search for your flight and select that you are using miles, is there any low first class availability?
Last edited by heyeaglefn; Feb 27, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Feb 27, 2015, 3:10 pm
#209
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: WS Gold, AC 75K, Hertz PC, National EE, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Bills Mafia
Posts: 346
Your way also shows me none, hopefully some will open up before the 7th
Thank you
Thank you
Feb 27, 2015, 3:18 pm
#210
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: WS Gold, AC 75K, Hertz PC, National EE, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Bills Mafia
Posts: 346
Does anyone have any idea when/if they would open upgrade space up?