How the upgrade works nowadays since premiums seats are introduced?
Sep 5, 2017, 6:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 147
How the upgrade works nowadays since premiums seats are introduced?
I am a MVP but I never know how the upgrade works nowadays. In the past, it is very straight-forward: you get the first class or not. But now, if you are no. 1 in the list, and you are upgraded to a premium seat, are you still eligible to first class upgrade or you are out completely? If so, some one after you might get the upgrade to first class while you don't? I don't understand it...
Sep 5, 2017, 6:18 pm
#2
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
There are two waitlists, one for PE and one for F. One can be on either, both or neither. An upgrade can happen to either one, neither or both. AS seems to display a hybrid waitlist with components from each one, which can be confusing. I would like AS to display these separately so it makes more sense what is happening.
Sep 5, 2017, 7:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
It's just random gibberish at this point and I've long ago given up trying to predict/guess/understand where I am on the upgrade list and whether I have any chance of F, PE, or both. The list in the app is laughable and confusing as hell.
Neil
Neil
Sep 5, 2017, 9:50 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: AS 100K, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,828
What's so confusing about the waitlist in the app?
It's pretty straightforward once you understand that it is showing F and PC together.
It is sorted by priority of who gets the F seat first. When there are no more F seats to allocate, it then allocates PC seats in the same exact order.
You may see people on the list who have a PC seat assigned; they are still eligible for F if it becomes available. You may see people with no PC seat assigned; they either have an exit row seat (which no longer gets auto-upgraded to PC) or have manually opted out of the PC upgrade. They too are still eligible for F if it becomes available.
And of course, as always, it only shows passengers who have checked in.
It's pretty straightforward once you understand that it is showing F and PC together.
It is sorted by priority of who gets the F seat first. When there are no more F seats to allocate, it then allocates PC seats in the same exact order.
You may see people on the list who have a PC seat assigned; they are still eligible for F if it becomes available. You may see people with no PC seat assigned; they either have an exit row seat (which no longer gets auto-upgraded to PC) or have manually opted out of the PC upgrade. They too are still eligible for F if it becomes available.
And of course, as always, it only shows passengers who have checked in.
Sep 5, 2017, 9:57 pm
#5
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
It gets confusing when you see pax leapfrog you in the list getting an upgrade. 
Sep 6, 2017, 12:34 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MM, MVPGold100k, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,475
It is kind of odd that all of you can see what seat I selected upon booking (because it shows as a PE upgrade for me even though I was able to select that seat upon booking - for example: me as 2 on the list with an upgrade to 7D)
Sep 6, 2017, 8:28 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
I've lost count of how many times I've seen someone in the list *after* me get a PC upgrade while I get skipped and left out. And no, I wasn't in an exit row.
Here's a picture of one instance: https://i.imgur.com/Y8Fd1ud.png?2. I'm position 23. How does that make sense?
Neil
Here's a picture of one instance: https://i.imgur.com/Y8Fd1ud.png?2. I'm position 23. How does that make sense?
Neil
Sep 6, 2017, 9:14 am
#9
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SEA
Posts: 355
I've lost count of how many times I've seen someone in the list *after* me get a PC upgrade while I get skipped and left out. And no, I wasn't in an exit row.
Here's a picture of one instance: https://i.imgur.com/Y8Fd1ud.png?2. I'm position 23. How does that make sense?
Neil
Here's a picture of one instance: https://i.imgur.com/Y8Fd1ud.png?2. I'm position 23. How does that make sense?
Neil
Sep 6, 2017, 9:58 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Sep 6, 2017, 10:02 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MM, MVPGold100k, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,475
I've lost count of how many times I've seen someone in the list *after* me get a PC upgrade while I get skipped and left out. And no, I wasn't in an exit row.
Here's a picture of one instance: https://i.imgur.com/Y8Fd1ud.png?2. I'm position 23. How does that make sense?
Neil
Here's a picture of one instance: https://i.imgur.com/Y8Fd1ud.png?2. I'm position 23. How does that make sense?
Neil
Sep 6, 2017, 10:16 am
#12
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SEA
Posts: 355
A higher fare class that allows them to instantly choose a PC seat at purchase would have bumped them higher up on the upgrade list. The more I think about it, the more likely it is that they simply logged in at T-48 to grab a PC seat.
Sep 6, 2017, 11:49 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
In your screen shot, I would assume that MAL/A and DES/T were able to select seats 6B and 7E when they booked. And, that ENN/N and HAR/C are either sitting in an exit row and opted out of PE but ensured they were on the WL for FC, or they opted out of PE and are sitting in a non-PE seat and are on the WL for FC. I would be upset if I was Enn/N and HER/L got upgraded to FC since they are in a lower position on the WL than Enn/N is.
Neil
Sep 6, 2017, 11:51 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Snohomish, WA
Programs: AS MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,793
Once you have reached the designated upgrade window, upgrades will be processed first by fare class, then by time of booking. If an upgrade is available on your flight, you will be upgraded immediately. If there are no upgrades available for your flight, you will remain on the waitlist until one is available.
Neil
Last edited by missamo80; Sep 6, 2017 at 11:57 am
