Well, lengthy discussion with the Elite helpdesk this morning, resulting in what I expected, only worse (
)
Routing via LAX is not a valid routing for a BNA-AMS upgrade. I could have got BNA-DTW-AMS, but not BNA...-LAX-AMS. Ditto for ORD-AMS: ORD-DTW-AMS valid, but ORD-DTW-LAX-AMS not valid (fair enough so far).
So, I thought: can I get a two-way upgrade for 40000 for AMS-ORD-DTW-LAX (outbound) and LAX-AMS inbound? AMS-ORD-DTW-LAX is a valid routing for LAX and you are entitled to one free stop-over on a return award.
Answer is no (this is where it gets worse) because
1) my ticket includes additional segments between arrival in ORD and departure to DTW-LAX from ORD (namely the ORD-DTW-BNA-DTW-ORD);
AND
2) I have two locators for this trip: a KL one and a NW one. The KL locator contains only the DUB-AMS-ORD and LAX-AMS-DUB segment. The NW locator contains all segments except the very first one (DUB-AMS). Could not book the award under the KL locator since it does not include the internal US segments. Cannot book a return award with a free stopover under the NW locator because departure city (AMS) and return city (DUB) are not the same in the NW locator.
Answer 2) is pure Kafka.
Answer 1) is interesting. As far as the fare rules are concerned, what I have booked and purchased is a DUB-LAX return with a stop-over in ORD and a distinct ORD-BNA fare nested in. Indeed, I could have bought these as separate tickets for roughly the same price (a little more in tax) or even cheaper by booking the ORD-BNA fare under CO code (20GBP cheaper than NWA). So why on earth can it not be regarded in the same way for an upgrade award, ignoring the ORD-BNA sections (on which I am would not be looking for an award upgrade)?
By the way, Threy, what the helpdesk told you is WRONG: upgrades are NOT segment-based but region-based. However, they are only available for official routings. Thus, FRA-AMS-DTW-SFO is 20000, not 30000. Call again, and speak to a better informed agent.
[This message has been edited by NickB (edited 01-22-2003).]