Automatic Upgrades Still Broken
Mar 14, 2015, 7:10 pm
#61
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
If you are "grabbing" upgrade space doesn't that mean you're either using miles, status upcharge or GGU's to pay for it (all forms of "payment")? I'm ok with that, it's having no tiered system (date of purchase within status rank) for the freebie upgrades that I have a problem with.
Mar 14, 2015, 7:18 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
If you are "grabbing" upgrade space doesn't that mean you're either using miles, status upcharge or GGU's to pay for it (all forms of "payment")? I'm ok with that, it's having no tiered system (date of purchase within status rank) for the freebie upgrades that I have a problem with.
Mar 15, 2015, 6:47 am
#63
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: TUS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 489
I think I would put this in the broken category...
Last month I purchased tus-sea-tus. I was able to use a gold guest upgrade to upgrade the return for the cheapest fare available at that time. The outbound was a G fare and I was "waitlisted" for an upgrade. The flight is on 3/17 and this morning I got an alert from Expertflyer that U1 was now available. Checking my reservation I found that I had not been upgraded.
I called this morning and was able to get the upgrade cleared manually. The agent I talked to said that when using a gold guest upgrade one needs to call in to be properly opted-out (her words) so that one is eligible for a complementary upgrade.
My trip was booked on alaskaair.com
Last month I purchased tus-sea-tus. I was able to use a gold guest upgrade to upgrade the return for the cheapest fare available at that time. The outbound was a G fare and I was "waitlisted" for an upgrade. The flight is on 3/17 and this morning I got an alert from Expertflyer that U1 was now available. Checking my reservation I found that I had not been upgraded.
I called this morning and was able to get the upgrade cleared manually. The agent I talked to said that when using a gold guest upgrade one needs to call in to be properly opted-out (her words) so that one is eligible for a complementary upgrade.
My trip was booked on alaskaair.com
Mar 15, 2015, 4:09 pm
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
I think I would put this in the broken category...
Last month I purchased tus-sea-tus. I was able to use a gold guest upgrade to upgrade the return for the cheapest fare available at that time. The outbound was a G fare and I was "waitlisted" for an upgrade. The flight is on 3/17 and this morning I got an alert from Expertflyer that U1 was now available. Checking my reservation I found that I had not been upgraded.
I called this morning and was able to get the upgrade cleared manually. The agent I talked to said that when using a gold guest upgrade one needs to call in to be properly opted-out (her words) so that one is eligible for a complementary upgrade.
My trip was booked on alaskaair.com
Last month I purchased tus-sea-tus. I was able to use a gold guest upgrade to upgrade the return for the cheapest fare available at that time. The outbound was a G fare and I was "waitlisted" for an upgrade. The flight is on 3/17 and this morning I got an alert from Expertflyer that U1 was now available. Checking my reservation I found that I had not been upgraded.
I called this morning and was able to get the upgrade cleared manually. The agent I talked to said that when using a gold guest upgrade one needs to call in to be properly opted-out (her words) so that one is eligible for a complementary upgrade.
My trip was booked on alaskaair.com
Mar 16, 2015, 5:03 pm
#65
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 61
Just going to mention that today my upgrade cleared just as normal and there was no sign of a "bug".
I even put a rule in expertflyer and a calendar alert so I could call in if indeed my upgrade wasn't processed correctly.
But it was.
So I think this bug is subtle and difficult to reproduce and it probably only happens "sometimes".
Probably won't be too easy to fix...
I even put a rule in expertflyer and a calendar alert so I could call in if indeed my upgrade wasn't processed correctly.
But it was.
So I think this bug is subtle and difficult to reproduce and it probably only happens "sometimes".
Probably won't be too easy to fix...
Mar 16, 2015, 6:57 pm
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Just going to mention that today my upgrade cleared just as normal and there was no sign of a "bug".
I even put a rule in expertflyer and a calendar alert so I could call in if indeed my upgrade wasn't processed correctly.
But it was.
So I think this bug is subtle and difficult to reproduce and it probably only happens "sometimes".
Probably won't be too easy to fix...
I even put a rule in expertflyer and a calendar alert so I could call in if indeed my upgrade wasn't processed correctly.
But it was.
So I think this bug is subtle and difficult to reproduce and it probably only happens "sometimes".
Probably won't be too easy to fix...
Mar 16, 2015, 11:43 pm
#67
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,732
SEA-IAD this past weekend. Upgrade list had a dozen people on it night before travel. Random no-status couple upgraded with cash morning of the flight (and then tried to convince me to swap my favorite aisle seat for a bulkhead window so they could sit together - no thank you!). 3 no-shows in F after boarding completed; GA upgraded top 3 on the waitlist just before door closed.
There is definitely a problem with U space released within 24 hours of the flight. It's the same problem that plagued AS years ago. Basically auto-upgrades are not processing within 24 hours, and any U space released becomes a free-for-all to whoever grabs it first: elites of any status for free without regard to waitlist order, or even non-elites who are willing to pay cash to upgrade.
Get it together AS, this is some JV behavior.
There is definitely a problem with U space released within 24 hours of the flight. It's the same problem that plagued AS years ago. Basically auto-upgrades are not processing within 24 hours, and any U space released becomes a free-for-all to whoever grabs it first: elites of any status for free without regard to waitlist order, or even non-elites who are willing to pay cash to upgrade.
Get it together AS, this is some JV behavior.
Mar 19, 2015, 4:57 pm
#68
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska Million Mile Flyer, Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,195
There is definitely a problem with U space released within 24 hours of the flight. It's the same problem that plagued AS years ago. Basically auto-upgrades are not processing within 24 hours, and any U space released becomes a free-for-all to whoever grabs it first: elites of any status for free without regard to waitlist order, or even non-elites who are willing to pay cash to upgrade.
Get it together AS, this is some JV behavior.
Get it together AS, this is some JV behavior.
It, however, seems different than the old Sabre bug -- and a CSR to whom I spoke thought so as well.
Mar 19, 2015, 5:35 pm
#69
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG, Alaska Lounge, HHonors Silver, Bonvoy Gold, National Executive
Posts: 455
I've been hit by the bug, but I've managed to call in and have the upgrade manually processed.
It seems like the upgrades just aren't processing automatically after the waitlist window at T-120/72/48.
On my last trip yesterday SEA-LAX, I got a notification at T-29 that U space had opened up. I called the gold line at T-27 and they were able to process my upgrade (after putting me on hold to ask a question). She said that she reset my upgrade request and then it automatically processed.
I would venture to guess that had I never requested the upgrade in the first place, waited for U space to open inside my T-72 window (as a MVPG), and then clicked the "Request Complimentary Upgrade", I probably would have been instantly upgraded.
One thing that seems to be different about the bug this time is that I haven't seen the "Upgrade to First Class" option during OLCI as much, even after U space has opened. So there seems to be a smaller window where this is possible.
It seems like the upgrades just aren't processing automatically after the waitlist window at T-120/72/48.
On my last trip yesterday SEA-LAX, I got a notification at T-29 that U space had opened up. I called the gold line at T-27 and they were able to process my upgrade (after putting me on hold to ask a question). She said that she reset my upgrade request and then it automatically processed.
I would venture to guess that had I never requested the upgrade in the first place, waited for U space to open inside my T-72 window (as a MVPG), and then clicked the "Request Complimentary Upgrade", I probably would have been instantly upgraded.
One thing that seems to be different about the bug this time is that I haven't seen the "Upgrade to First Class" option during OLCI as much, even after U space has opened. So there seems to be a smaller window where this is possible.
I understand this is a very high priority for AS to address (I noted on another thread that I've also been bit by this bug) and I've been in direct contact with Customer Care on it, giving them lots of details.
It, however, seems different than the old Sabre bug -- and a CSR to whom I spoke thought so as well.
It, however, seems different than the old Sabre bug -- and a CSR to whom I spoke thought so as well.
Mar 19, 2015, 6:21 pm
#70
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Sunny Seattle
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, HH Diamond
Posts: 539
(Also including immediate time-of-booking upgrades or automatic waitlisting on tickets purchased through Concur, despite the earlier poster that would have you believe this never works....)
Mar 20, 2015, 7:18 am
#71
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JNU
Programs: HH D, AS MM/MVPG for life/AL, Awesome Wipes VIP Club, NEXUS, Hertz 5-Star Gold
Posts: 2,893
They're not not exactly the same thing, but my upgrades on tickets purchased within the window have been acting normally, including purchases both before and after check-in started, as well as upgrades on immediately-qualifying fares before the window opened.
(Also including immediate time-of-booking upgrades or automatic waitlisting on tickets purchased through Concur, despite the earlier poster that would have you believe this never works....)
(Also including immediate time-of-booking upgrades or automatic waitlisting on tickets purchased through Concur, despite the earlier poster that would have you believe this never works....)
Mar 24, 2015, 4:02 am
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
Well, I just experienced the bug in an almost-controlled setting, in that I think I manipulated the system, but it didn't ultimately affect anyone.
Flying SEA-SNA tomorrow, was on a flight that showed as F2 U0 and I was already #3 on the waitlist, so I SDCed to an earlier flight that showed F5 U0, figuring my chances would be better. I ended up being the only person on the list.
I decided to check EF again to see how other flights were doing, and I noticed that my flight was now showing F5 U5, while my original flight was F2 U2.
Wanting to secure my choice in remaining seats, I called in to have AS manually upgrade me. I suspect that if I had asked to move back to my original flight and ask for the upgrade, I would have jumped the others ahead of me.
I'm definitely going to set my EF alerts to look for U inventory from now on.
Flying SEA-SNA tomorrow, was on a flight that showed as F2 U0 and I was already #3 on the waitlist, so I SDCed to an earlier flight that showed F5 U0, figuring my chances would be better. I ended up being the only person on the list.
I decided to check EF again to see how other flights were doing, and I noticed that my flight was now showing F5 U5, while my original flight was F2 U2.
Wanting to secure my choice in remaining seats, I called in to have AS manually upgrade me. I suspect that if I had asked to move back to my original flight and ask for the upgrade, I would have jumped the others ahead of me.
I'm definitely going to set my EF alerts to look for U inventory from now on.
Mar 26, 2015, 7:03 pm
#74
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SNA
Programs: AA 1MM, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Avis Pres Club, Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 297
Well, I just experienced the bug in an almost-controlled setting, in that I think I manipulated the system, but it didn't ultimately affect anyone.
Flying SEA-SNA tomorrow, was on a flight that showed as F2 U0 and I was already #3 on the waitlist, so I SDCed to an earlier flight that showed F5 U0, figuring my chances would be better. I ended up being the only person on the list.
I decided to check EF again to see how other flights were doing, and I noticed that my flight was now showing F5 U5, while my original flight was F2 U2.
Wanting to secure my choice in remaining seats, I called in to have AS manually upgrade me. I suspect that if I had asked to move back to my original flight and ask for the upgrade, I would have jumped the others ahead of me.
I'm definitely going to set my EF alerts to look for U inventory from now on.
Flying SEA-SNA tomorrow, was on a flight that showed as F2 U0 and I was already #3 on the waitlist, so I SDCed to an earlier flight that showed F5 U0, figuring my chances would be better. I ended up being the only person on the list.
I decided to check EF again to see how other flights were doing, and I noticed that my flight was now showing F5 U5, while my original flight was F2 U2.
Wanting to secure my choice in remaining seats, I called in to have AS manually upgrade me. I suspect that if I had asked to move back to my original flight and ask for the upgrade, I would have jumped the others ahead of me.
I'm definitely going to set my EF alerts to look for U inventory from now on.
I wish the system just worked as intended but I don't feel bad about monitoring U availability within the 72-hour window if AS can't get the system to work properly.