Originally Posted by
platbrownguy
Advice above is good re: picking/choosing which segments are "worth it," but of course PHL-LAX is more "worth it" and less "likely to clear" where as LAX-PDX may be less worth it but more likely to clear.
^ This is an important point worth highlighting. Which is why some of us request all segments and take what we can get. And yes, when it's important, just buy F or request a mileage upgrade (although those have become more difficult to confirm at booking with the switch from A to C inventory).