Originally Posted by FCYTravis
I'm currently booked on an IAD-SFO 757 later this month, and it's so full up that E+ isn't even available! However, two flights after the 757 departure is a 747-400 with that temptingly large 73-seat Biz cabin.
My question is, is there a way I can standby for a flight and simultaneously list myself for a gate upgrade on that same flight?
I think you can get yourself put on the upgrade list at the same time as you make the standby request, but no matter what, you'll have to clear the standby list first, and then the upgrade list. In other words, you won't be eligble for any of the any upgrade seats that are cleared before (or if) you clear the standby list.
If the later flight is <4 hours after your scheduled one, you might be able to take advantage of the $25 confirmed standby option to get a seat on the later flight at an ealier time (and thus be elligble for an upgrade).
Also, I wouldn't count a very full seat map as much of a signal of anything. Seat maps are notoriously unreliable, partly because the airlines reserve some seats for airport control anyways. I think your bigger problem is that it's a hub-to-hub flight. At least it's a 757 though; 24 F seats compared to 158 Y isn't a bad ratio, so you certainly have better odds than on any other narrowbody.