How Complimentary Upgrades Work
May 27, 2019, 12:32 pm
#766
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AS 75k, Hyatt EXPL, *all* the CC statuses
Posts: 78
Last week on MCO-SEA in 6A+B, just before departure I was upgraded at T-20. My companion on the PNR was MVP, but they had only one seat available which they gave to me.
I chalked it up to a non-standard gate procedure at an AS end-node (can't see that happening in SEA), but it does happen.
I chalked it up to a non-standard gate procedure at an AS end-node (can't see that happening in SEA), but it does happen.
It's not a question of whether a gate agent might do it, it's a fact that technological limitations of the airline reservation system require all parties on a single PNR to be in the same cabin. Unless this agent is moonlighting as a professional computer hacker and has years of coding under his/her belt, your PNR was split.
May 28, 2019, 12:40 am
#767
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Last week on MCO-SEA in 6A+B, just before departure I was upgraded at T-20. My companion on the PNR was MVP, but they had only one seat available which they gave to me.
I chalked it up to a non-standard gate procedure at an AS end-node (can't see that happening in SEA), but it does happen.
I chalked it up to a non-standard gate procedure at an AS end-node (can't see that happening in SEA), but it does happen.
But the upgrade processor will skip you if there is not enough U space for your whole party.
Last edited by VegasGambler; May 29, 2019 at 4:28 pm
May 29, 2019, 2:34 pm
#768
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SEA, ORD, SFO
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, AA PLT, DL GM, SPG GLD, Hyatt GLD, SPG GLD
Posts: 202
Did you check your reservation afterwards? The agent would have had to split it. This may not be noticeable if it's your final journey leg, but if you had subsequent legs the companion would have been on a different record.
It's not a question of whether a gate agent might do it, it's a fact that technological limitations of the airline reservation system require all parties on a single PNR to be in the same cabin. Unless this agent is moonlighting as a professional computer hacker and has years of coding under his/her belt, your PNR was split.
It's not a question of whether a gate agent might do it, it's a fact that technological limitations of the airline reservation system require all parties on a single PNR to be in the same cabin. Unless this agent is moonlighting as a professional computer hacker and has years of coding under his/her belt, your PNR was split.
May 29, 2019, 2:49 pm
#769
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SEA, ORD, SFO
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, AA PLT, DL GM, SPG GLD, Hyatt GLD, SPG GLD
Posts: 202
When they boarded 75K I think I was the first one up there, and thanked the gate agent as I scanned in. I think she must have remembered us later when handing out 1F...
May 29, 2019, 3:07 pm
#770
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 659
Sounds like it all happened at T-1 hour which means it was completely under the GA's control. No rules regarding U space, no upgrade processor, etc. The GA in theory can give any empty F seat to whomever they want, but I'm guessing the official policy is to follow the processor list.
While the upgrade processor would've skipped a PNR with 2 people (only 1 seats), it's very likely that a human GA will just go to the next person on the list. If they decline because they want to stay together, go to the next person on the list. Maybe some GA's follow the processor rules and skip PNRs with 2 people, which is why its always a good idea to check in with them before on upgrade status and clarify your intentions, and hope they remember
I've been that "next person" on the list and had the guy literally in front of me talking to the GA decline to split up, then they gave it to me
While the upgrade processor would've skipped a PNR with 2 people (only 1 seats), it's very likely that a human GA will just go to the next person on the list. If they decline because they want to stay together, go to the next person on the list. Maybe some GA's follow the processor rules and skip PNRs with 2 people, which is why its always a good idea to check in with them before on upgrade status and clarify your intentions, and hope they remember
I've been that "next person" on the list and had the guy literally in front of me talking to the GA decline to split up, then they gave it to me
May 30, 2019, 4:52 am
#771
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
May 30, 2019, 7:23 am
#772
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 48
Sounds like it all happened at T-1 hour which means it was completely under the GA's control. No rules regarding U space, no upgrade processor, etc. The GA in theory can give any empty F seat to whomever they want, but I'm guessing the official policy is to follow the processor list.
While the upgrade processor would've skipped a PNR with 2 people (only 1 seats), it's very likely that a human GA will just go to the next person on the list. If they decline because they want to stay together, go to the next person on the list. Maybe some GA's follow the processor rules and skip PNRs with 2 people, which is why its always a good idea to check in with them before on upgrade status and clarify your intentions, and hope they remember
I've been that "next person" on the list and had the guy literally in front of me talking to the GA decline to split up, then they gave it to me
While the upgrade processor would've skipped a PNR with 2 people (only 1 seats), it's very likely that a human GA will just go to the next person on the list. If they decline because they want to stay together, go to the next person on the list. Maybe some GA's follow the processor rules and skip PNRs with 2 people, which is why its always a good idea to check in with them before on upgrade status and clarify your intentions, and hope they remember
I've been that "next person" on the list and had the guy literally in front of me talking to the GA decline to split up, then they gave it to me
I'm 75k and was given a middle seat in back of plane, while standby passengers were given upgraded seats.
Customer service said that gate agents are to be focused on getting seats for everyone and not worrying about upgrades.
May 30, 2019, 8:10 am
#773
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
i was told via email from customer service that since 1st class seats are held until 1 hour before departure that any premium seats made available by passengers get upgrade to 1st class will be given to standby passengers, no status required.
I'm 75k and was given a middle seat in back of plane, while standby passengers were given upgraded seats.
Customer service said that gate agents are to be focused on getting seats for everyone and not worrying about upgrades.
Once they assign a seat they are not going to move someone so you need to make this request before they start upgrading people.
May 30, 2019, 8:13 am
#774
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 48
I have never had a problem with this. Get to the gate when the GAs do, and when they are not busy (they are usually not busy when they first arrive) just let them know that you didn't get a chance to pick a premium seat, but from the upgrade list you see that person XXX is likely to get upgraded and ask if they can move you to that seat when that happens. I'm planning on doing this again today as I am stuck in E- but I see that 6A and 6F are probably going to be upgraded.
Once they assign a seat they are not going to move someone so you need to make this request before they start upgrading people.
Once they assign a seat they are not going to move someone so you need to make this request before they start upgrading people.
AS website states the policy and they have now decided to do something else.
May 30, 2019, 8:19 am
#775
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
May 30, 2019, 9:10 am
#776
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 48
Upgrades are supposed to be automatic, not after begging. I’ve been 75K for many years and have never had to go beg for an upgrade...
May 30, 2019, 12:34 pm
#777
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I don't think I was begging more than being punished, earlier this year, when an SFO gate agent told me upgrades are not cleared until after the flight is completely boarded. I watched everyone board and I was the lone passenger left at the gate on a flight that showed F2 while I was #1 on the upgrade list. At that point I was called to the gate and handed a new boarding pass.
May 30, 2019, 4:54 pm
#778
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 159
I don't think I was begging more than being punished, earlier this year, when an SFO gate agent told me upgrades are not cleared until after the flight is completely boarded. I watched everyone board and I was the lone passenger left at the gate on a flight that showed F2 while I was #1 on the upgrade list. At that point I was called to the gate and handed a new boarding pass.
May 30, 2019, 6:20 pm
#779
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 48
May 30, 2019, 9:25 pm
#780
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
I've had a family member get separated before on a flight before and I was still able to fly. The companion did leave before me
