Gold Guest Upgrade (GGU) Success or Gripes
 

Since we ended the year with the GGU and U space challenge (and mixed opinions on whether there was a problem) - I thought I'd start a thread on GGU successes or gripes. Have you had an easy time using your GGU's in 2019? Where and when? How flexible did you have to be? Felt like it would be good to have a thread to discuss the relative ease (or not) of using GGU's.

For example, my first three trips of the year for work (PDX-HNL, PDX-CHS, PDX-DCA) have only had U space on the CHS-PDX leg where U2 was open and I snagged with companion fare and GGU's. Not shocked on the DCA flight, its an empty F but also I assume they protect space on this route. HNL was pretty booked up outbound, but return is half full.

I have three trips booked so far for the first three months of 2019, all RT to HNL. They were booked towards the end of 2018 and there was U space available on all flights. One of the trips had U2 as it was booked with a companion. I used an instant upgrade fare for two legs of one trip (only M was available) and GGU’s for all of the rest.

Depending where you are leaving from, Hawaii is one of the easiest upgrades to get. I flew two RTs in paid economy (SFO or OAK to/from OGG or HNL) and was upgraded 3 out of 4 times. The other time I was the only person in the list who didn't clear. This was all on R or T fares as an MVP, so, basically, close to last on the list every time.

I'm not sure where I'll try to use my GGUs this year. My only AS travel booked so far is SFO-PDX... definitely won't be using them for that :)

"GGU's = benefit theater" was my comment

I'd like to retract that comment because more info below especially from Flying for Fun. I now presume the GGU's must have some value and I must not know how to best use them to get that value.

My apologies for any confusion my comment caused.

Not sure what you mean by that. To me, they are the biggest benefit by far to being Gold and why I strive for it every year. Change fee waivers are also great but the GGUs are number one for me. I use all of my own and as many others as I can get my hands on.

I love mine too for multiple connecting flights especially when combined with a companion certificate.

James

I used 4 to OGG and back in late Feb when I booked in August.

At the very end of Dec I was trying to find a way to use 4 expiring certs and ended up booking the SFO redeye to RDU and return via SEA. RDU-SEA did not have U space, but SEA-PDX did, so off to experflyer I go I guess.

I just don't even consider using them until later in the year. The reason is because those flights that have the best opportunity to use GGUs are often the easiest flights to get a comp upgrade as a 75K. I don't want to waste them.
What I really WISH I could do, is to be able to waitlist a GGU, just as you can on United with RPUs. In that case you get higher priority. When I fly SEA-DFW with 60+ people on the waitlist, I would like to use the GGU to get me to the front of the list. It is very rare that U space opens up on that route in advance. The other problem of course is paying for the higher required fare class not knowing if you can clear. I think that whole minimum required fare class to use the "free" benefit is a sham since you are not refunded if you do not clear. It is also done with United and GPUs to a much worse extent.