Gold Guest Upgrade (GGU) Success or Gripes
Jan 4, 2019, 3:13 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
lol James
Jan 4, 2019, 3:16 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
What I don't understand is how you get 26 GGUs between two people, when you get 4 each as Gold and another 4 each as 75k. That adds up to 16.
Jan 4, 2019, 3:30 pm
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AS 100k, DL PM, New Sagaya
Posts: 1,292
So, I am reading that as 26 segments upgraded with 16 or fewer GGUs... is that right?
But I am in agreement that Companion Fare + GGU is the best strategy in my house. When I fly alone I am more likely taken care of or I am paying to snag CoS.
But I am in agreement that Companion Fare + GGU is the best strategy in my house. When I fly alone I am more likely taken care of or I am paying to snag CoS.
Last edited by williwaw; Jan 4, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Jan 4, 2019, 4:04 pm
#34
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
Jan 4, 2019, 5:05 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: Lifetime AS 1MM & MVPG, AS MVPG100K, AA, DL, HH-G
Posts: 8,259
I find that if I am flexible, they are not that hard to use. The sweet spot is finding connecting flight within the 4 hour connection time period. If I fly ANC-PDX-SEA-MCO with each leg inside that window, and if there is U space on all legs, it only takes one code to cover all of the flights. That does not happen often, but it does from time to time.
Jan 4, 2019, 6:40 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
I find that if I am flexible, they are not that hard to use. The sweet spot is finding connecting flight within the 4 hour connection time period. If I fly ANC-PDX-SEA-MCO with each leg inside that window, and if there is U space on all legs, it only takes one code to cover all of the flights. That does not happen often, but it does from time to time.
Jan 4, 2019, 8:33 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,375
SEA-ANC-PDX-MCO-SAN-BWI (which was only possible because the SAN layover was exactly 3+59) ... first leg never opened up, but that was a “who-cares?” early evening segment in 7A; wasn’t monitoring MCO-SAN, but U space must have opened ~T-48 because I was still able to pre-order dinner after I got the email
Jan 4, 2019, 8:51 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: sometimes, strangely, I find myself at home
Programs: I need to do better in managing my affiliations. Oops, I overshot the runway for status next year.
Posts: 651
I find that if I am flexible, they are not that hard to use. The sweet spot is finding connecting flight within the 4 hour connection time period. If I fly ANC-PDX-SEA-MCO with each leg inside that window, and if there is U space on all legs, it only takes one code to cover all of the flights. That does not happen often, but it does from time to time.
Hi Bob, What is this 4 hour connection time?
And was the ANC-PDX-SEA-MCO a mileage run or a way to have multiple cities to visit?
Thanks!
Jan 4, 2019, 9:31 pm
#40
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Between SFO and STS
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, United Serf, Delta Gold
Posts: 731
It's ALASKA Airlines, right?
Gripe: any lower 48 (I'd even take HNL) to ANC in mid July not on the Tuesday night 11pm flight SEA-ANC (arrives at 3am!?). I'm ready though - those new 200 EF alerts are very welcome Yes, peak summer travel, blah, blah, pbbbtt!
Yes, peak summer travel, blah, blah, pbbbtt!
Jan 4, 2019, 9:43 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
If you are connecting to onward travel and the connection time betwwen flights is < 4hrs a single GGU will upgrade both segments providing U space is available on both flights. Similarly with 3, 4.... flights.
James
James
Jan 8, 2019, 12:52 pm
#42
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA & Bangkok (Home)/Lawrenceville & Switzerland (Boarding School)/Baltimore, MD (College)
Programs: DL DM, AL MVPG 75K, SQ Gold, BA Silver, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Plat, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 599
New to using GGU. Trying to upgrade a friend that I convinced to fly Alaska non stop Dulles to SFO instead of his normal American Airlines. Will feel really bad if it doesn't clear haha. Flight leaves in 2 days with no F space yet, 4 out of 8 seats available. The 75K agent said I couldn't wait list the space and to just keep checking. What happens if upgrades go to the gate? TIA
Jan 8, 2019, 3:59 pm
#44
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,030
I was able to use a GGU on 12/31 for SEA-JFK (morning flight) on 1/11. U space opened up about two weeks out. The FC cabin was about 1/2 full. Oddly on the return flight a few days later FC is totally empty but there is no U space.
Jan 8, 2019, 4:28 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,455
Bought an SFO-EWR and vv for this fall; actually found the AS interface pretty refreshing vs. UA in terms of finding flights and fares for which the upgrades were immediately redeemable.