Originally Posted by
mattya9
Newly minted DM here. I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts when it comes to using their GUC's. I just recently, and successfully, used my 4 for my wife and I to fly KLM from LAX to CPT via AMS. But to get to my point/question, is that about as good as it gets when it comes to using them? I'm hoping I will continue to make DM status in the years to come and was wondering what other options I could use future GUC's on where I can get the most value out of them. I've heard horror stories about using them to SYD and even and other transpac itineraries. Europe even seems to be tough. I know I know it usually comes down to YMMV for each person. Anyway, just looking for some feedback and conversation.
OPS
In 2015, I made diamond on 12/23/2015, I was able to upgrade for my SYD-LAX flight on 12/27/2015. I don't know about the horror stories of others. Last year, I had two GUCs which expired on 12/20/206. They cleared for me on LAX-SYD on 12/17/2016. I admit I was a bit nervous.
On my LAX-MNL trips, i was able to get my upgrades. Though on one trip MNL-NRT-LAX, I was not able to get the upgrade on NRT-LAX until I got to NRT, which mean that I sat in steerage from MNL to NRT.