Hey!
I believe your chances are much higher than my fellow flyertalkers believe, particularly because (as a 2P) I was upgraded from a non-ug fare for FREE just 3 weeks ago on that very same route!

SO, here's my plan:

1. Ask at checkin. Unless the flight is heavily oversold this will result in an agent frowning at your temerity and telling you to head over to the sales desk and buy an upgrade. Tell her no thanks, but don't fight!

2. Proceed to the Red Carpet Club (C councourse works best for me), and talk to the friendly agent named Karen (if you can, of course). She is good about adding you to the ug list IF the flight is oversold about 30 minutes before boarding. If it isnt, then you're out of luck at the RCR. Don't despair, however!

3. After preparing for all eventualities (i.e. stocking up on RCR snacks and cocktail nuts for an economy flight) head to the gate (which I think is pretty far away in the D concourse). Be there BEFORE boarding stars and approach the gate agent with your premier card and boarding pass in hand and humbly ask for an upgraded seat. WIth a probability of .5 you will be denied (if the flight is empty this will increase to .75), otherwise you will be added to the DM list or, cleared into business right away. To maximize your chances, dress well and be very very polite.

Good Luck!!!!!


Some Stats:
Tried to get u/ged on a non upgradeable ticket: 13 times
Sucess at checkin: 1 time(op ug)
Sucess at RCR: 2 times(1 was op ug)
Sucess at gate: 5 times(1 was op ug)

[This message has been edited by 767 (edited 09-10-2001).]