Originally Posted by
COpltASgldPHX
Logically, if you are redeeming miles in essence you are "paying" for the upgrade. Since Continental always likes to see a reduction in un-redeemed miles, and since you are essentially "paying" for the upgrade by taking miles off their books, logically you should be awarded the upgrade ahead of any comp upgrades, even Platinum. However, logic is not always the norm in the airline world so there may actually be some "fuzzy-logic" going on behind the scenes. Perhaps COInsider will chime in on this thread and set the record straight on priority when it comes to mileage redemption upgrades.
That being said, I know from experience that even as a Plainum I have sometimes been relegated to coach in the Seattle market. The good folks at the SEA PC (the BEST PC employees in the system IMHO) have informed me that many FC seats are actually purchased or are Easy-pass awards. This is due in some part to the connecting PAX to/from Anchorage and points beyond in Alaska. They seem to have lots of cash and lots of miles to burn. Recently I was on a K fare which I held since June from SEA to EWR and even 6 months out I rode in my original booked seat 14D. Hope this makes you feel a bit better about not getting those upgrades.
Thanks, it does. Usually I just pay the discounted F/C, but when I'm travelling with the kids I tend not to, especially since my daughter prefers coach (!) She feels more comfortable in a center seat with a family member on either side! Maybe I'll see you in the SEA PC some time soon. Btw, when I was there on 12/21, some poor guy who was stranded trying to get to the east on United via Denver (one of the days when the airport was closed) tried to get in using his Amex Platinum, but since he wasn't travelling on COA, the woman at the counter didn't have much sympathy. I took pity and let him in as my guest, but unfortunately for him my flight was boarding about 45 minutes later and the woman actually sought him out to tell him he had to leave. I realized later that he should have just paid the $26 or whatever...I keep forgetting that's an option these days...