How Complimentary Upgrades Work
Dec 18, 2017, 8:14 pm
#511
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Dec 18, 2017, 8:42 pm
#512
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Dec 18, 2017, 8:53 pm
#513
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Increase the number of seats up to 7? Other than that, or using something like EF or GDS access that shows buckets, I don't think there's a way on the website.
Dec 20, 2017, 10:45 am
#514
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 943
I'm pretty new (MVP) to this upgrade stuff but I have an upcoming flight where I'm "Waitlisted for First Class." There are plenty of FC seats available but I also have a second passenger on my reservation. I understand I'll be skipped over for solo travelers, which is understandable. In previous posts, I've seen folks reference the actual number of U seats that are available. How do you check that? Also, if I don't get FC, do I get thrown into a pool for a PC upgrade?
Dec 20, 2017, 10:50 am
#515
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: AS MVPG; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 145
I'm pretty new (MVP) to this upgrade stuff but I have an upcoming flight where I'm "Waitlisted for First Class." There are plenty of FC seats available but I also have a second passenger on my reservation. I understand I'll be skipped over for solo travelers, which is understandable. In previous posts, I've seen folks reference the actual number of U seats that are available. How do you check that? Also, if I don't get FC, do I get thrown into a pool for a PC upgrade?
Dec 20, 2017, 11:21 am
#516
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
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Its my understanding that you should be able to self-upgrade into PC once you're in the window. So my recommendation is to check just under the 48 hour mark, and then call res if you don't have luck.
You will not automatically be moved if you're in the exit row.
I tend to not drink much on planes, so I'd book the exit row and be happy to stay there, vs book a non exit in hopes to get into PC.
As for calling vs emailing mileage plan ... I'd take the opposite tack and call reservations first. Thats a pretty generic email address, so depending on the backlog, it could be a while before they get back to you.
You will not automatically be moved if you're in the exit row.
I tend to not drink much on planes, so I'd book the exit row and be happy to stay there, vs book a non exit in hopes to get into PC.
As for calling vs emailing mileage plan ... I'd take the opposite tack and call reservations first. Thats a pretty generic email address, so depending on the backlog, it could be a while before they get back to you.
Thanks for the reply and advice!
Called the MVP line and the agent was quickly able to get me on both the FC and PE waitlists.
Any idea why this doesn't happen automatically?
Dec 20, 2017, 11:33 am
#517
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 943
Thanks. I've seen that, but is there a way to check the actual number of U seats available? I've seen other posts where people reference X number of FC seats but only Y number of those seats are designated U.
Dec 20, 2017, 12:38 pm
#518
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option 2 - costs money, but much less painful, sign up for expert flyer pro account and search for U space and F space directly. AS caps inventory visibility at 7 versus 9 for other airlines like UA, so expert flyer saying "F7" means that at least 7 F seats are available for purchase, whereas F6 means exactly 6.
Dec 20, 2017, 1:14 pm
#519
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I'm pretty new (MVP) to this upgrade stuff but I have an upcoming flight where I'm "Waitlisted for First Class." There are plenty of FC seats available but I also have a second passenger on my reservation. I understand I'll be skipped over for solo travelers, which is understandable. In previous posts, I've seen folks reference the actual number of U seats that are available. How do you check that? Also, if I don't get FC, do I get thrown into a pool for a PC upgrade?
Dec 20, 2017, 2:13 pm
#520
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 943
two options - dummy bookings checking for paid F and upgradeable F inventory - increase the # of passengers 1 by one until upgradeable space goes from "available" to "unavailable"...when it does, you know U. same strategy for paid F.
option 2 - costs money, but much less painful, sign up for expert flyer pro account and search for U space and F space directly. AS caps inventory visibility at 7 versus 9 for other airlines like UA, so expert flyer saying "F7" means that at least 7 F seats are available for purchase, whereas F6 means exactly 6.
option 2 - costs money, but much less painful, sign up for expert flyer pro account and search for U space and F space directly. AS caps inventory visibility at 7 versus 9 for other airlines like UA, so expert flyer saying "F7" means that at least 7 F seats are available for purchase, whereas F6 means exactly 6.
Is the second passenger on the reservation also an MVP or higher? If not, then it doesn't matter how many U seats are available. You will not be upgraded unless you first call in and have the PNR split. And if you are on a Companion fare, then it also won't happen plus you cannot split the res.
Dec 21, 2017, 9:04 am
#521
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: PDX
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Posts: 231
Is the second passenger on the reservation also an MVP or higher? If not, then it doesn't matter how many U seats are available. You will not be upgraded unless you first call in and have the PNR split. And if you are on a Companion fare, then it also won't happen plus you cannot split the res.
I was just about to ask about this situation. I am an MVP and she is just general. So it won't be auto-upgraded.
But if U opened and I am in Y. Could I call and upgrade just me and then if there was another U spot, use miles for her?
Dec 22, 2017, 10:48 pm
#522
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG75; Bonvoy, National Exec, United Silver
Posts: 121
Thanks for the explanation.
Hmmm...good to know. I won't be able to split the reservation since my second passenger is a minor. Is it normal for AS to show a second, non-elite passenger also as "Waitlisted for FC?" Is an upgrade into PC still an option or do the same principles apply?
Hmmm...good to know. I won't be able to split the reservation since my second passenger is a minor. Is it normal for AS to show a second, non-elite passenger also as "Waitlisted for FC?" Is an upgrade into PC still an option or do the same principles apply?
Dec 22, 2017, 10:50 pm
#523
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG75; Bonvoy, National Exec, United Silver
Posts: 121
probably, but you’d have to split the reservations. They’d lose the free checked bag etc. you’d want to make sure that there is sufficient upgrade space available before you started the process. Do a dummy booking on th AS website ore visit expertflyer.com
Dec 23, 2017, 6:35 am
#524
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SEA/LAX
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 27
I am on a flight TPA-SEA tomorrow that is showing U3, but we haven’t been upgraded yet. Called in, and the agent said “nope, MVP’s are only eligible for upgrades within 24 hours”... tried to tell him that isn’t true, but he wasn’t buying it. Said he “looked it up”...
My question: If the flight is showing U3, shouldn’t that mean that people should be auto-upgraded into those seats since we are within the UG window? If no one else has taken them, then wouldn’t that mean we are at the top of the list?
My question: If the flight is showing U3, shouldn’t that mean that people should be auto-upgraded into those seats since we are within the UG window? If no one else has taken them, then wouldn’t that mean we are at the top of the list?
Dec 23, 2017, 7:20 am
#525
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG75; Bonvoy, National Exec, United Silver
Posts: 121
I am on a flight TPA-SEA tomorrow that is showing U3, but we haven’t been upgraded yet. Called in, and the agent said “nope, MVP’s are only eligible for upgrades within 24 hours”... tried to tell him that isn’t true, but he wasn’t buying it. Said he “looked it up”...
My question: If the flight is showing U3, shouldn’t that mean that people should be auto-upgraded into those seats since we are within the UG window? If no one else has taken them, then wouldn’t that mean we are at the top of the list?
My question: If the flight is showing U3, shouldn’t that mean that people should be auto-upgraded into those seats since we are within the UG window? If no one else has taken them, then wouldn’t that mean we are at the top of the list?