Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I interpret the quoted phrase as meaning that upgrades aren't available when the flight sells out in FC or doesn't have a FC cabin, for example. This is different from saying that one might not be eligible for upgrades on all domestic flights.
That's a reasonable interpretation. There is absolutely no basis for the interpretation, in absence of a clear and concise exclusion, that an elite, Silve, Gold, Platinum or Diamond would be inelegible for an upgrade when there is a FC cabin on the aircraft and is not sold out. Yet we have a member here, who insists otherwise.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I'm not sure that even DMs can reasonably be expected to know that trick. I once asked an elite phone agent to book me as MSP-NRT-SIN rather than MSP-SIN (when it was the same flight number) and she said that it could not be done (except if I were willing to connect in PDX, SEA, etc. rather than taking the nonstop MSP-NRT and vv).
Exactly. That has been my experience too. I doubt it's even true that you cannot book, say, MSP-NRT-SIN, instead of MSP-SIN. In such a circumstancve Delta is deliberately forcing you into a situation, which it KNOWS would DENY you an upgrade. Yet we have a member here who, for inexplicable reason insists otherwise. Why should we have to play tricks!
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
This also has been my experience in general. Phone agents don't tell you about stops on direct flights. (In fact, sometimes it feels like pulling teeth when you inconveneince them by insisting on being told which are the connecting airports and the arrival and departure times for each connection.) It shouldn't be necessary to play twenty questions to ensure that one is eligible for upgrades; the agents should be aware of this rule (they're the DL employee, the customer shouldn't have to do this research to spend money) and point it out to the elite, offering to book it as separate segments if the passenger is willing to pay the small additional charges.
Heck one agenty even booked me on an itinerary through JFK with an overnight at JFK, without discolosing that. I had to jump through a few hoops to correct that. Yet, we have a member who sees nothing wrong here.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Similarly, delta.dumb doesn't always make it obvious that the flight has a stop or even a change of aircraft, although gauge changes now seem to appear since last week's changes to the website.
Agreed
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I don't consider it a matter of the customer slipping up but of the carrier failing to disclose relevant information when the ticket is being purchased.
No doubt.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
In addition, I don't know why DL (and other carriers) insist that the passenger have the same seat assignment on all segments, especially when all passengers will be forced to deplane during the stop (before international, for customs, in certain airports like NRT, etc.). If one must deplane with all belongs anyway, why can't one pick different (better) seats for the separate segments on the same aircraft configuration?
I don't know either. The only explanation I can think of is that it enab,es the airline to pretend that it's one segment. This practice is absolutely anti-consumer and is less than honest.