I screwed up an upgrade by not cashing in a PMU immediately when I booked a ticket on DL last night (8/12/09).

I was looking for flights from the DC area to northern California, and I found a Q fare BWI-SLC-SMF (return in L). On expertflyer.com, the upgrade inventory for BWI-SLC was V9 and for SLC-SMF V7. Both legs are on 16 seat F section 737 aircraft. There are 11 seats unassigned in F on BWI-SLC. There was also G availability on both legs. Stupidly, I didn't call DL and cash a PMU.

Guess what? Tonight, before midnight of the 5th day before departure, BWI-SLC was showing V0 G0, even though apparently no F seats were sold or otherwise given out as upgrades. I did get upgraded SLC-SMF.

I won't scream bait and switch; I do blame myself for not immediately grabbing the upgrade. Next time, on an upgradeable fare, don't do what I did; immediately grab the upgrade seat with a coupon.