How Complimentary Upgrades Work
Dec 31, 2012, 11:51 am
#91
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SAN
Programs: DL Diamond 1MM, AS MVP, SW ALP and CP, b6 Mosaic, UA Silver, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 223
I wasn't (was with DL Silver), which I now realize is important. But the GA still said that complimentary upgrades were processed after upgrades were sold.
The upgrade is no big deal, I just want to know what the policy is for DL elites. I'll be sure to split the PNR next time before flying.
The upgrade is no big deal, I just want to know what the policy is for DL elites. I'll be sure to split the PNR next time before flying.
Dec 31, 2012, 12:07 pm
#92
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Portland, Or USA
Posts: 1,800
I wasn't (was with DL Silver), which I now realize is important. But the GA still said that complimentary upgrades were processed after upgrades were sold.
The upgrade is no big deal, I just want to know what the policy is for DL elites. I'll be sure to split the PNR next time before flying.
The upgrade is no big deal, I just want to know what the policy is for DL elites. I'll be sure to split the PNR next time before flying.
Jan 7, 2013, 7:48 am
#93
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,194
Watch this like a hawk, though. At least once I've had to call them and manually process the upgrade when U space became available but I wasn't upgraded in the 72-hour Gold window. I don't know if that's an artifact of the manual process, or just a one-time glitch.
Jan 9, 2013, 1:05 am
#94
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, WR, AA Gold, Friend of Dorothy
Posts: 144
When I've purchased an AS flight through DL (usually one leg of a longer itinerary), I've always called AS with the flight info, asked them for the locator number, and they've manually put me on the AS upgrade list. Then it shows up on AS site with the indication that I'm on the first class waitlist for the AS segment.
Watch this like a hawk, though. At least once I've had to call them and manually process the upgrade when U space became available but I wasn't upgraded in the 72-hour Gold window. I don't know if that's an artifact of the manual process, or just a one-time glitch.
Watch this like a hawk, though. At least once I've had to call them and manually process the upgrade when U space became available but I wasn't upgraded in the 72-hour Gold window. I don't know if that's an artifact of the manual process, or just a one-time glitch.
Thanks again.
Jan 20, 2013, 1:15 am
#95
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, WR, AA Gold, Friend of Dorothy
Posts: 144
Yesterday I ran into a AS CS Rep friend at SeaTac who looked up my AS conformation number for my DL flights operated by AS. I entered the conformation number into my trips on Alaskair.com. I found that I was Waitlist confirmed for all the AS operated flights except for the one I called customer service about. It appears that the agent broke something that now does not put me on the list.
The moral of my story: do not call anyone, do not let anyone edit your reservation and automatically you'll be on the AS upgrade Waitlist.
Jan 20, 2013, 7:16 am
#96
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,194
I've always had to call AS to get on the upgrade list when I purchase a ticket from DL that has some AS metal segments. But I wouldn't make the assumption either way without checking.
Jan 20, 2013, 11:37 pm
#97
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, WR, AA Gold, Friend of Dorothy
Posts: 144
Actually, the moral of the story is to get your AS confirmation number and check it on the AS website right after you get your ticket issued by DL.
I've always had to call AS to get on the upgrade list when I purchase a ticket from DL that has some AS metal segments. But I wouldn't make the assumption either way without checking.
I've always had to call AS to get on the upgrade list when I purchase a ticket from DL that has some AS metal segments. But I wouldn't make the assumption either way without checking.
Jan 21, 2013, 12:32 am
#98
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
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Noted.... we need DL to give AS conformation number.
I've had better luck calling AS to get the conf code- just need date and flt # plus name. It seems it does take DL a bit of time to ticket sometimes...
Originally Posted by JimmyJoe
Actually, the moral of the story is to get your AS confirmation number and check it on the AS website right after you get your ticket issued by DL.
I've always had to call AS to get on the upgrade list when I purchase a ticket from DL that has some AS metal segments. But I wouldn't make the assumption either way without checking.
I've always had to call AS to get on the upgrade list when I purchase a ticket from DL that has some AS metal segments. But I wouldn't make the assumption either way without checking.
Apr 29, 2013, 8:56 pm
#99
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: HA, DL, UA, PC Gold, A/club Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Pl
Posts: 1,461
I might need a basic description of how these complimentary upgrades work..like real basic..
like
1. buy ticket
2. wait til 72 hrs before flights..get your name on upgrade list(for mvpg)
3. Hope that your name gets picked off of the upgrade/waiting list
4. somehow get notified/emailed that you have been upgraded..
total newb to airline status in general...
like
1. buy ticket
2. wait til 72 hrs before flights..get your name on upgrade list(for mvpg)
3. Hope that your name gets picked off of the upgrade/waiting list
4. somehow get notified/emailed that you have been upgraded..
total newb to airline status in general...
Apr 29, 2013, 10:01 pm
#100
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,732
I might need a basic description of how these complimentary upgrades work..like real basic..
like
1. buy ticket
2. wait til 72 hrs before flights..get your name on upgrade list(for mvpg)
3. Hope that your name gets picked off of the upgrade/waiting list
4. somehow get notified/emailed that you have been upgraded..
total newb to airline status in general...
like
1. buy ticket
2. wait til 72 hrs before flights..get your name on upgrade list(for mvpg)
3. Hope that your name gets picked off of the upgrade/waiting list
4. somehow get notified/emailed that you have been upgraded..
total newb to airline status in general...
1) Buy your ticket, make sure your MP number is in the Frequent Flyer number field.
2) If you buy an expensive fare, you're eligible to upgraded right away if there's space, or waitlisted right away if there's not.
3) If you buy a cheap fare, you're not eligible to be upgraded until 72 hours prior to the flight at the earliest. If there's space then, you'll be upgraded; if not, you'll be waitlisted.
In all cases, you don't need to do anything, and you can always check your status simply by viewing your reservation online. If you haven't been upgraded when you check in, don't worry, you'll stay on the waitlist until the flight departs. When you get to the airport, you can ask any ticket agent whether you've been upgraded or what your position is on the waitlist. They'll also show this information at the gate starting about an hour prior to takeoff.
Apr 30, 2013, 2:53 pm
#101
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: HA, DL, UA, PC Gold, A/club Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Pl
Posts: 1,461
That's basically it. The process is almost all automatic, though, you don't really need to do anything other than make sure your Mileage Plan number is in your reservation. Basically:
1) Buy your ticket, make sure your MP number is in the Frequent Flyer number field.
2) If you buy an expensive fare, you're eligible to upgraded right away if there's space, or waitlisted right away if there's not.
3) If you buy a cheap fare, you're not eligible to be upgraded until 72 hours prior to the flight at the earliest. If there's space then, you'll be upgraded; if not, you'll be waitlisted.
In all cases, you don't need to do anything, and you can always check your status simply by viewing your reservation online. If you haven't been upgraded when you check in, don't worry, you'll stay on the waitlist until the flight departs. When you get to the airport, you can ask any ticket agent whether you've been upgraded or what your position is on the waitlist. They'll also show this information at the gate starting about an hour prior to takeoff.
1) Buy your ticket, make sure your MP number is in the Frequent Flyer number field.
2) If you buy an expensive fare, you're eligible to upgraded right away if there's space, or waitlisted right away if there's not.
3) If you buy a cheap fare, you're not eligible to be upgraded until 72 hours prior to the flight at the earliest. If there's space then, you'll be upgraded; if not, you'll be waitlisted.
In all cases, you don't need to do anything, and you can always check your status simply by viewing your reservation online. If you haven't been upgraded when you check in, don't worry, you'll stay on the waitlist until the flight departs. When you get to the airport, you can ask any ticket agent whether you've been upgraded or what your position is on the waitlist. They'll also show this information at the gate starting about an hour prior to takeoff.
so this process works on any flights..any limitations on hawaii flights for this complimentary upgrades?
Apr 30, 2013, 3:49 pm
#102
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
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thanks for the response..
so this process works on any flights..any limitations on hawaii flights for this complimentary upgrades?
Only limitation is if F sells out...
Originally Posted by bitachu
That's basically it. The process is almost all automatic, though, you don't really need to do anything other than make sure your Mileage Plan number is in your reservation. Basically:
1) Buy your ticket, make sure your MP number is in the Frequent Flyer number field.
2) If you buy an expensive fare, you're eligible to upgraded right away if there's space, or waitlisted right away if there's not.
3) If you buy a cheap fare, you're not eligible to be upgraded until 72 hours prior to the flight at the earliest. If there's space then, you'll be upgraded; if not, you'll be waitlisted.
In all cases, you don't need to do anything, and you can always check your status simply by viewing your reservation online. If you haven't been upgraded when you check in, don't worry, you'll stay on the waitlist until the flight departs. When you get to the airport, you can ask any ticket agent whether you've been upgraded or what your position is on the waitlist. They'll also show this information at the gate starting about an hour prior to takeoff.
1) Buy your ticket, make sure your MP number is in the Frequent Flyer number field.
2) If you buy an expensive fare, you're eligible to upgraded right away if there's space, or waitlisted right away if there's not.
3) If you buy a cheap fare, you're not eligible to be upgraded until 72 hours prior to the flight at the earliest. If there's space then, you'll be upgraded; if not, you'll be waitlisted.
In all cases, you don't need to do anything, and you can always check your status simply by viewing your reservation online. If you haven't been upgraded when you check in, don't worry, you'll stay on the waitlist until the flight departs. When you get to the airport, you can ask any ticket agent whether you've been upgraded or what your position is on the waitlist. They'll also show this information at the gate starting about an hour prior to takeoff.
so this process works on any flights..any limitations on hawaii flights for this complimentary upgrades?
Apr 30, 2013, 9:39 pm
#103
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 61
Woah... I always thought Hawaii flights did not get upgrades - similar to Delta classifying Hawaii as "international". I assume that's a hard route to get upgrades on?
Apr 30, 2013, 9:43 pm
#104
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
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Ex-SEA or ANC yes.
Ex-SJC, OAK, SAN...much easier.
Originally Posted by lastquestion
Woah... I always thought Hawaii flights did not get upgrades - similar to Delta classifying Hawaii as "international". I assume that's a hard route to get upgrades on?
Ex-SJC, OAK, SAN...much easier.
Jun 19, 2013, 6:27 pm
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,721
IMO this is a major benefit reduction. As an MVP it would appear you are entitled to your free upgrade if space is available <48 hours. I understand the requirement that both people on a record must fly in the same cabin, but you should not be punished for flying on a companion ticket or for not splitting your reservation record or not booking separate rez. If you are willing to buy the upgrade with miles or cash then AS should make good on its promise to prioritize and provide complimentary MVP upgrades.