Since joining the MP in 1986, I have never been waitlisted for anything at AS. Lucky me! Until today. My question is whether there is any rhyme or reason as to when AS releases U seats when there are still F seats? (In the instant case its F2 U0 3 days before departure). I just thought some pattern had maybe developed since the program changes took effect.

Posted in Error to Wrong Topic. Sorry.

[This message has been edited by BIL_Flyer (edited 08-29-2002).]

Yes, there is.

While -U- inventory is capacity controlled (as well as -A- inventory for First Class Saver Awards), those capacity controls are lifted within 24 hours of that flight's departure time.

So if there are six -F- inventory seats available for a flight with 24 hours from now, you won't see a lesser number available in the subsets like -U- or -A- inventory. You would be able to get those six seats in -U- class (upgrades) or -A- class (First Class Saver Awards).

Just as an update, the 2 remaining F seats were released into F/U/A inventory over 48 hours before the flight and one given to me ... Interestingly, I must have been the only gold on the UG list because its now F1 U1 A1.

I am amazed what they can do....

I was on the U waitlist bos-sea, I changed my mileage number to another plan, lost my place in the upgrade cue. Called and put myself back on and low and behold, made it due to no shows.

lala

Just bringing this thread forward for an update if any that may be required.

I gave my friend (who's an MVP) two of my MVP Gold upgrade certs and there hasn't been U availability for 2 weeks on his flights. His SEA-MIA has 5 F left and MCO-SEA has 7 F left. Will these release at 48 hrs, 24 hrs, etc and would he be able to waitlist for U?

IIRC, I believe the MVP Gold Guest Certificates do not permit wailisting.

I am Flying SEA to BHM on a blended itin of AS and AA.

I was told by AS that i cannot waitlist for UG's on the Alaska flight's because it will mess up the AA itin....?


That doesnt make complete sense to me


Anyone have experience with this type of thing

It seems to me that it's just Alaska's way of saying politely "we dont want to give you our valuable FC seat Mr AS MVP, since you bought your ticket from AA and were not getting much revenue for your travels with us this time"

Actually, that's the truth. When you upgrade, the computer system cancels your existing coach seat and replaces it with a First Class one in -U- inventory. The problem, however, is that when the itinerary is sold as an AA-marketed (but operated by AS) codeshare flight, on AA's side of the computer system all they see is the cancellation - they never "see" the replacement -U- seat.

End result? Their system interprets the cancellation of that one flight as "the customer isn't traveling, period" and cancels your ENTIRE itinerary.

That's correct. The only thing you're "waitlisting" for is the complimentary status-based upgrade, and even then it's a request, not really a waitlist.

After an upgrade is requested, the system will attempt to upgrade you once you are eligible for the upgrade (dependent on your FF tier status and what class of service your ticket is booked in), and if no -U- class is available at that time THEN it will "sell" a waitlisted -U- segment.

That waitlist then clears when -U- becomes available, but the system stops clearing waitlisted segments once we're within 36 hours of departure.

Wow - old post! Let me amend it slightly since things have changed a bit.

Typically the capacity controls on the First Class cabin are lifted within 48 hours of a flight's departure time. There are exceptions to this though - primarily on flights to/from the East Coast, ORD, and I believe CUN as well.

On those flights - as unpopular as this will be to say - AS realizes that there's a much greater likelihood of selling an -F- seat instead of allowing it to be booked as a comp upgrade. Consequently, the time before departure where capacity controls on the F/C cabin are lifted varies. Sometimes it's 24 hours. Sometimes they don't lift it until the day of the flight. It just depends on the market and how the flight has sold in the past.

How do i secure an UG without cancelling my AA Itin....Even on the day of flight?

Thanks

You don't, unfortunately.

In some cases, gate agents have been able to upgrade MVPs or Golds - but only AT THE GATE on the day of the flight, literally right before departure time. They simply check you in for First (if it's available) rather than changing the itinerary to reflect the upgrade.

But to my knowledge they're not even supposed to be doing that, which is why it only occurs in some cases.