Adam ATL ... If your friend is meeting you in ORD and has already been upgraded, and presumably is a 1K to have a SWU, I'd be going with said friend into ORD 1K room or RCC and explaining your situation very politely. If you are both on same flight ORD-EZE it is IMHO a 75% likely bet thay'll take your miles is my guess if C is not heavily booked.

But get there and ask as EARLY as poss, as they'll be more likely to do it if they can seat you together, and the chances of that happening diminish as the clock ticks on. I've had UA take miles to upgrade even super el-cheapo It'l V fares on the day if load not too heavy. And if RCC and 1K room say "NIET" do not argue the toss, smile sweetly and leave, and they will then probably not note your reloc that you were refused.

Make sure you get in a line with someone behind you at RCC, (not hard at ORD!) so that agent has another person to deal with as you walk off. Then ... go right to gate and try there. Be polite - be upfront that you hear W is not normally upgradeable, but you have all these miles, and your friend is a 1K and you want to sit together, etc ... and pick a moment when they are NOT busy to do all this. Last piece of advice is VERY important. Even if they say they would like to help but are showing pretty full, politely ask 'if you may be placed on the DM list'. Just knowing what that is will get you on it most times! And getting on it is nine tenths of the upgrade being processed.

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~ Glen ~



[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 03-10-2001).]