Originally Posted by
aztimm
Answer: Fly GRK-DFW for your onward connections. While the upgrade list for AUS-DFW is normally 30+ (even 60 isn't unheard of, since all elites are automatically added), I often see empty seats in F when I fly GRK-DFW. From where I live, the drive is very similar, except no tolls driving up to Killeen
It is mostly the E170-variants on GRK-DFW (occasionally E140 variants, that don't have F); with 12 seats in F.
The fares are usually about the same. GRK is far smaller than AUS, so you don't need to plan as much time for parking, getting to the terminal, and through security.
I had no idea until I was pricing flights last year on Google flights, and received a message, "fares are less from GRK," and I looked further and tried it out.
The fare discrepancy seems to have disappeared but a few years ago it was sometimes cheaper to originate trips out of Waco than DFW. Sometimes in paid F (though at the time ACT-DFW was all ERJ so only F on the connection out of DFW). It's about an hour and a half to drive to ACT and parking is (or was) free when you get there.
I pretty much always buy F on flights that matter (> 950 miles is where it matters to me) but looking at my travel this year out of DFW where I've bought coach and rolled the dice on upgrades I have these successful upgrades as a Plat:
DFW-ATL
DFW-GRR
DFW-JAX
DFW-MCI
I've also missed upgrades as a Plat in three of those same markets (ATL/JAX/MCI).
Directionality matters as much as day/time: Flying DFW>ATL on a Monday morning on AA you will probably see a 50+ pax upgrade list. Fly ATL>DFW at the exact same time and you might clear as a Gold. Reverse that for Thursday afternoon. DFW POO pax will favor AA while ATL POO pax will favor DL.