What's your experience with 30-hour upgrades?
Sep 23, 2005, 9:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 43
Upgrading on Am West using US status
Note-- thread title edited to reflect new merger info
I'm on a Friday morning JFK-LAS flight in a few weeks, and want to upgrade. Has anyone had any luck with upgrading starting 30 hours in advance (which in this case would be 3 am)? Is there usually availability and do the AWA customer service people know what they're doing? Thanks
I'm on a Friday morning JFK-LAS flight in a few weeks, and want to upgrade. Has anyone had any luck with upgrading starting 30 hours in advance (which in this case would be 3 am)? Is there usually availability and do the AWA customer service people know what they're doing? Thanks
Last edited by tnmcc; Sep 28, 2005 at 4:32 pm
Sep 23, 2005, 9:51 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
Originally Posted by tnmcc
I'm on a Friday morning JFK-LAS flight in a few weeks, and want to upgrade. Has anyone had any luck with upgrading starting 30 hours in advance (which in this case would be 3 am)? Is there usually availability and do the AWA customer service people know what they're doing? Thanks
Ian
Sep 23, 2005, 10:13 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 43
Sorry-- I was referring to paying for upgrades under the "First Rate Today" program, as described here:
http://www.americawest.com/awa/conte...supgrades.aspx
I have no status other than Silver Preffered on US. I don't think that will matter as this flight is in early Oct.
http://www.americawest.com/awa/conte...supgrades.aspx
I have no status other than Silver Preffered on US. I don't think that will matter as this flight is in early Oct.
Sep 23, 2005, 2:31 pm
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,116
JFK is a tough route to do that on, as a lot of seat sell. LAS is typically ligher than PHX, though, so you have that going for you. Is it the overnight flight? That increases your odds, as it is not a popular flight with elite flyers.
Don't be so sure about US Silver not getting you a free upgrade, if available. Based upon what they've said, I won't be surprised if elite benefits apply right away. It might require making phone calls to make it happen, but I suspect they'll be making that part of the program on both sides as quickly as possible.
Don't be so sure about US Silver not getting you a free upgrade, if available. Based upon what they've said, I won't be surprised if elite benefits apply right away. It might require making phone calls to make it happen, but I suspect they'll be making that part of the program on both sides as quickly as possible.
Sep 23, 2005, 3:14 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 43
Thanks for your reply. The flight is a Friday a.m. flight prior to Columbus Day weekend, so I'm sure that won't help. As for Silver Preferred, it will be interesting to see how AWA approaches it. The merger will be only about a week old at that point; I'll definitely be agressive in trying to do it either way.
Sep 24, 2005, 9:23 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by AZ Travels the World
JFK is a tough route to do that on, as a lot of seat sell. LAS is typically ligher than PHX, though, so you have that going for you. Is it the overnight flight? That increases your odds, as it is not a popular flight with elite flyers.
Don't be so sure about US Silver not getting you a free upgrade, if available. Based upon what they've said, I won't be surprised if elite benefits apply right away. It might require making phone calls to make it happen, but I suspect they'll be making that part of the program on both sides as quickly as possible.
Don't be so sure about US Silver not getting you a free upgrade, if available. Based upon what they've said, I won't be surprised if elite benefits apply right away. It might require making phone calls to make it happen, but I suspect they'll be making that part of the program on both sides as quickly as possible.
The upgrades are pretty easy to do..you can call and I think you can also do it on the internet if you check in there. Also the kiosks offer it if it is still available. Yes most agent know how to do it....though some new ones don't ...lol.
Sep 24, 2005, 3:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Houston
Programs: CO - Platinum and SPG - Platinum
Posts: 87
Originally Posted by Joeypete
At this time US elites will NOT be able to upgrade on HP flights...however that will probably change with the next policy change in November.
The upgrades are pretty easy to do..you can call and I think you can also do it on the internet if you check in there. Also the kiosks offer it if it is still available. Yes most agent know how to do it....though some new ones don't ...lol.
The upgrades are pretty easy to do..you can call and I think you can also do it on the internet if you check in there. Also the kiosks offer it if it is still available. Yes most agent know how to do it....though some new ones don't ...lol.
Sep 24, 2005, 8:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by NastyNoble357
Not true. US elites wont automaticly get upgraded, but you can put in a special service request and then it will get auto upgraded with in the allowable period. After day one US and HP elite members will be able to get free upgrades.
Sep 26, 2005, 8:45 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 43
Under the new policies released today, US Silver Preferred can get upgraded starting 2 days in advance on HP flights starting October 5th. I'm flying JFK-LAS on October 7th, so I'll call HP tomorrow and see if I can "substitute" my US Silver Preferred number with my FlightFund number (no status whatsoever).
I have a feeling this will be a pain. Any other ideas?
I have a feeling this will be a pain. Any other ideas?
Sep 28, 2005, 11:44 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Houston
Programs: CO - Platinum and SPG - Platinum
Posts: 87
Originally Posted by tnmcc
Under the new policies released today, US Silver Preferred can get upgraded starting 2 days in advance on HP flights starting October 5th. I'm flying JFK-LAS on October 7th, so I'll call HP tomorrow and see if I can "substitute" my US Silver Preferred number with my FlightFund number (no status whatsoever).
I have a feeling this will be a pain. Any other ideas?
I have a feeling this will be a pain. Any other ideas?
Sep 28, 2005, 4:27 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 43
Originally Posted by NastyNoble357
You just give them your US number instead of your HP number and they can upgrade you.
Sep 28, 2005, 4:52 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Houston
Programs: CO - Platinum and SPG - Platinum
Posts: 87
Originally Posted by tnmcc
I called Am West on 9/27 with this request and the customer service rep told me she tried but the compute would only accept freq flier numbers in FF form. I'll try again after 10/1 when the reservation systems are supposed to be integrated.
Sep 28, 2005, 10:29 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by tnmcc
I called Am West on 9/27 with this request and the customer service rep told me she tried but the compute would only accept freq flier numbers in FF form. I'll try again after 10/1 when the reservation systems are supposed to be integrated.
Sep 29, 2005, 8:22 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 43
Originally Posted by Joeypete
The upgrades for US elites will be effective 10/5. The reservations systems will not be integrated for a while yet. On 10/2 you can book US flights on HP's website and vice-versa, maybe that's what you mean?