Originally Posted by RNE
Yes, I did search for all this first.
^
Originally Posted by RNE
Didn't find explanations, just a lot of complaining.
Wow. It's like you summed up all of FT into one sentence!
Assumptions: (my apologies for not listing these initially)
- While CO does offer many successful upgrade opportunities, sometimes on popular flights there is just simply not enough inventory to meet demand
- In the particular examples I've listed below, I have assumed there to be no inventory open - for if there were available inventory, the 72-hour rule would be a moot point.
1. What is the 72-hour rule?
The 72-hour rule comes into people who wish to upgrade to a flight with BF service. Think international and HA flights. The 72-hour rule was brought into existence to combat a phenomenon management noticed called "phantom reservations". It states simply that if your upgrade to BF has not cleared by the 72-hour mark, it’s not going to.
2. How does it help Continental?
It protects the revenue of their BF cabin.
3. What implications does it have for me?
Should you want to move up to BF and be willing to pay cash and miles and OnePass be unable to confirm your upgrade you'll be placed on a waitlist. The waitlist will remain open until 72-hours before the flight at which time it will be shutdown (with you on it) even if there are open seats. When the waitlist shuts down, the upgrade aint gonna happen - even if it means BF flies with empty seats.
4. What is a "phantom booking"?
Essentially when someone wanted to upgrade but was placed on the waitlist due to lack of upgradeable seats (note that revenue seats would still be open) he'd go ahead and book another reservation under a different name on his flights in full J. Well, if he does not clear the waitlist before the flight, he can still standby at the airport for BF. But, the phantom in BF will effectively guarantee him a seat for when he calls CO to have the phantom canceled a few hours before the flight a BF seat becomes available and the upgrade goes through.
5. What else should I know?
(edited to include Assumptions)