How Does Gate Upgrades Work?
Mar 6, 2011, 10:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YVR
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How Does Gate Upgrades Work?
Usually I've been upgraded 3-4 days out or see no seats in J so assume it won't clear closer to the date: no in between.
But I have a situation where it'll likely be 3-4 J available on a A333. Does it matter if I'm at the gate early? If they call my name and I'm not there will they give it away or when I go to board will they switch out my boarding pass and process the upgrade?
But I have a situation where it'll likely be 3-4 J available on a A333. Does it matter if I'm at the gate early? If they call my name and I'm not there will they give it away or when I go to board will they switch out my boarding pass and process the upgrade?
Mar 6, 2011, 10:59 pm
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,803
Usually I've been upgraded 3-4 days out or see no seats in J so assume it won't clear closer to the date: no in between.
But I have a situation where it'll likely be 3-4 J available on a A333. Does it matter if I'm at the gate early? If they call my name and I'm not there will they give it away or when I go to board will they switch out my boarding pass and process the upgrade?
But I have a situation where it'll likely be 3-4 J available on a A333. Does it matter if I'm at the gate early? If they call my name and I'm not there will they give it away or when I go to board will they switch out my boarding pass and process the upgrade?
First, it's more and more the case that in the last few days beofre departure, upgrades do clear up.
Second, it now seems to be the case that the wait list gets transferred to the gate. So, it still may be the case that your upgrade will clear by the time you get there.
You need to be at the gate by the required time window. Otherwise, being there early/bothering the agent/gate lice behavior won't make a difference at all.
Mar 6, 2011, 11:11 pm
#3
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Join Date: Oct 2009
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Thanks for the quick response but that doesn't answer my question at all.
Scenario... boarding time for a 8:15pm flight is 7:40pm and I'm there. If for whatever reason I don't hear my name will I still be ok at 7:50pm when I go to board? Will they scan my boarding pass then a message pops up for them to know to upgrade me? Or have I missed it already?e.g. they called me but I never identified myself so 2mins later they upgrade the next person on the list?
Scenario... boarding time for a 8:15pm flight is 7:40pm and I'm there. If for whatever reason I don't hear my name will I still be ok at 7:50pm when I go to board? Will they scan my boarding pass then a message pops up for them to know to upgrade me? Or have I missed it already?e.g. they called me but I never identified myself so 2mins later they upgrade the next person on the list?
Mar 6, 2011, 11:58 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YQR
Posts: 2,741
Thanks for the quick response but that doesn't answer my question at all.
Scenario... boarding time for a 8:15pm flight is 7:40pm and I'm there. If for whatever reason I don't hear my name will I still be ok at 7:50pm when I go to board? Will they scan my boarding pass then a message pops up for them to know to upgrade me? Or have I missed it already?e.g. they called me but I never identified myself so 2mins later they upgrade the next person on the list?
Scenario... boarding time for a 8:15pm flight is 7:40pm and I'm there. If for whatever reason I don't hear my name will I still be ok at 7:50pm when I go to board? Will they scan my boarding pass then a message pops up for them to know to upgrade me? Or have I missed it already?e.g. they called me but I never identified myself so 2mins later they upgrade the next person on the list?
Mar 7, 2011, 1:12 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: lost all status during pandemic...
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Thanks for the quick response but that doesn't answer my question at all.
Scenario... boarding time for a 8:15pm flight is 7:40pm and I'm there. If for whatever reason I don't hear my name will I still be ok at 7:50pm when I go to board? Will they scan my boarding pass then a message pops up for them to know to upgrade me? Or have I missed it already?e.g. they called me but I never identified myself so 2mins later they upgrade the next person on the list?
Scenario... boarding time for a 8:15pm flight is 7:40pm and I'm there. If for whatever reason I don't hear my name will I still be ok at 7:50pm when I go to board? Will they scan my boarding pass then a message pops up for them to know to upgrade me? Or have I missed it already?e.g. they called me but I never identified myself so 2mins later they upgrade the next person on the list?
So, at least in my case, I didn't miss out on the upgrade when I didn't approach the counter. Granted though - I have no idea if there where other eligable people waiting after me or what would have happened if I no-showed that flight...
j.
Mar 7, 2011, 2:33 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
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I think with eUpgrades they should definitely not require you to be at the gate to complete your upgrade. In the past I have seen them pass people by for not being at the gate. With paper certs being on the list did not guarantee that you actually had the correct cert with you. The GA may want to validate the cert before actually completing the upgrade and if you are not there, they could not do that.
However, with op ups, I have had them clear without me being at the gate as there is nothing for them to validate.
However, with op ups, I have had them clear without me being at the gate as there is nothing for them to validate.
Mar 7, 2011, 6:06 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Ottawa
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Posts: 1,113
If you are waiting for an upgrade to clear at the gate, the GA will usually asks you to wait until he/she has cleared all availavle seats and requests. In other words close the flight. Sometimes this is done before boarding commences, other times not.
I like to stay within eye shot of the GA working to clear upgrades. That way I know when it is done.
I like to stay within eye shot of the GA working to clear upgrades. That way I know when it is done.
Mar 7, 2011, 7:06 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: YHZ
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Posts: 298
On two occassions last year I loitered out by the gate just in case....and in both of those cases a checked-into-J pax did not show, and I got the seat.
For what it is worth, I think that is worth doing too.
For what it is worth, I think that is worth doing too.
Mar 7, 2011, 8:03 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
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it makes no difference
Andrew had said a while back you do not lose your upgrade if you don't hear your name. As long as you get on board before you are offloaded as a no-show you are fine.
Annoying the GA will do just that.
Andrew had said a while back you do not lose your upgrade if you don't hear your name. As long as you get on board before you are offloaded as a no-show you are fine.
Annoying the GA will do just that.
Last edited by lcohen999; Mar 7, 2011 at 8:20 am
Mar 7, 2011, 1:40 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 92
Does all of this apply to Aeroplan Reward Seats?
I have a YYT-SYD & HKG-YYT itinereay booked for 2 Business tickets but a couple of the shorter legs are economy as no Business was available.
Would I have a chance of being upgraded at the gate if nothing shows up before then?
All the economy legs are either UA or AC.
I have a YYT-SYD & HKG-YYT itinereay booked for 2 Business tickets but a couple of the shorter legs are economy as no Business was available.
Would I have a chance of being upgraded at the gate if nothing shows up before then?
All the economy legs are either UA or AC.
Mar 7, 2011, 2:26 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: YXU, ON Canada
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Posts: 4,665
Does all of this apply to Aeroplan Reward Seats?
I have a YYT-SYD & HKG-YYT itinereay booked for 2 Business tickets but a couple of the shorter legs are economy as no Business was available.
Would I have a chance of being upgraded at the gate if nothing shows up before then?
All the economy legs are either UA or AC.
I have a YYT-SYD & HKG-YYT itinereay booked for 2 Business tickets but a couple of the shorter legs are economy as no Business was available.
Would I have a chance of being upgraded at the gate if nothing shows up before then?
All the economy legs are either UA or AC.
Mar 7, 2011, 6:36 pm
#12
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Not sure how the new system is working but for the past couple of years if one is awaiting an upgrade to clear ex-YYZ on an international flight, the lounge receptionists will hold onto your boarding pass and call you to the desk when it clears. They will get the list from the gate agents and do the actual process in the MLL.