LFBU: Non-elite, space-available, counter and kiosk upgrades (obsolete)

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 5, 2005, 4:57 pm

#46

Jakebeth

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: Midwest

Programs: AA, UA, DL, LUV, SPG, HHonors, Avis, Hertz

Posts: 3,033

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonNYC

...There was no announcement yet-- but even when they do announce it, I believe this info will be relatively hard to come by. Not to say we won't try.

But I certainly assume that your assumption is incorrect.

This scares the daylights out of me. I'm not going to badmouth AA unless/until this becomes clearer, but leaving it open to interpretation, ala:

determining factors
41n include the number of revenue customers on the priority
42n list, in addition to how many aadvantage members are
43n waitlisted for an upgrade. this will help ensure there
44n are seats available for last minute full-fare first
45n class customers and aadvantage upgrades.

...feels a little like a kick in the teeth. Maybe I'm just too paranoid, and maybe they're just trying to make clear it's not necessarily going to speed upgrades (and may slow them). Even leaving open the possibility that walk-ups could get the upgrade ahead of elites really hurts the program IMHO. I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not threatening to, so everyone just relax before you light up the flame-throwers.

Am I reading this correctly, though? Do I understand that there may in fact be a waitlist in existence, such that elites have not yet cleared, yet the algorithm will sell the $50/500 LFBU, in anticipation of there being enough seats for elites?

Dec 5, 2005, 4:59 pm

#47

CharlesMD

Suspended

Join Date: Apr 2002

Programs: AA EXP, BA GLD, FT < 30 y

Posts: 2,106

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guidelines and Rules

NEVER rely on information or opinions exchanged via the forums to replace the information that you receive from your various frequent traveler programs...
Use good personal judgment when considering how to utilize information derived from the forums, and always consult a representative from the respective programs before doing anything that might impact your travel or put your miles and points at risk.

So until I hear otherwise from AA...

Last edited by CharlesMD; Dec 5, 2005 at 5:19 pm

Dec 5, 2005, 5:03 pm

#48

JonNYC

Suspended

Original Poster

Join Date: Mar 2001

Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST

Posts: 27,730

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakebeth

..Am I reading this correctly, though? Do I understand that there may in fact be a waitlist in existence, such that elites have not yet cleared, yet the algorithm will sell the $50/500 LFBU, in anticipation of there being enough seats for elites?

That's not my reading of it. The way it's presented, this offer will only be made on flights where it is apparent (at least in Rev. managements eyes) that after all elites are upgraded and leaving a seat or two for last-minute purchase, etc., there will still be empties in F.

I see no sign that the kiosks will offer to waitlist non-elites under this system.

Dec 5, 2005, 5:07 pm

#49

AA in CA

Join Date: Feb 2001

Posts: 371

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesMD

So until I here otherwise from AA...

Relax - the passengers who take advantage of these load factor based upgrades will still be allowed to photograph their meals prior to consumption.

You are good to go!

Dec 5, 2005, 5:11 pm

#50

CharlesMD

Suspended

Join Date: Apr 2002

Programs: AA EXP, BA GLD, FT < 30 y

Posts: 2,106

Asking me what

???

IMHO it is ridiculous to try to speculate what AA is going to do and when as it has been shown in the past that even if the prediction is correct (and that's a big if), when AA makes the announcement actual implementation ends up being delayed due to lack of funds or difficulty in making the changes.

Even if this were going to happen, and I doubt it will, I'd think AA would at least have done a test run somewhere.

So I see no point in getting everyone here worked up.

Dec 5, 2005, 5:12 pm

#51

Jakebeth

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: Midwest

Programs: AA, UA, DL, LUV, SPG, HHonors, Avis, Hertz

Posts: 3,033

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonNYC

I think I'm asking the opposite, though JonNYC - Do you think it's possible that while one of us is on the waitlist, the algorithm determines - yes there are very likely to be enough seats for everyone, elites included, once this is all said and done - and then go ahead and SELL the confirmed LFBU, while some elites remain unconfirmed, and on the waitlist?

Dec 5, 2005, 5:17 pm

#52

CharlesMD

Suspended

Join Date: Apr 2002

Programs: AA EXP, BA GLD, FT < 30 y

Posts: 2,106

I think it's important to wait until AA makes an official announcement about changes to upgrade procedures and how it will affect elites.

Last edited by askworldtraveler; Dec 5, 2005 at 6:23 pm Reason: Personal

Dec 5, 2005, 5:18 pm

#53

oiRRio

Join Date: Oct 2002

Location: Ireland

Programs: AA PLT 2MM, IHG Plat

Posts: 3,566

Here or hear?

Standards must be slipping at Harvard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chartreuse

Well, on the plus side this won't affect my chances of international op-ups

Furthermore I don't believe that LFBUs will get priority over elites. At least for now.

for the time being.

That's my take on it too and given domestic segments form a very small % of my AA flying I'm not that worried either way. I think it'll pan out alright and hopefully it'll be a win-win for AA and us.

Dec 5, 2005, 5:19 pm

#54

JonNYC

Suspended

Original Poster

Join Date: Mar 2001

Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST

Posts: 27,730

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakebeth

Well, that does remain to be seen. RM will be "looking at" the flight the night before-- and then the kiosks will do "additional checks" on check-in. Presumably by then some/many will already have their upgrades, the rest will be on the wait-list and some will have even checked in on-line.

SO, it seems-- IF AA is genuinely concerned that no elites by denied upgrades by this system, they have the technology, in principal, to prevent same, for the most part. How things actually fly is a different matter.

But they sound like they know what they are doing!

Dec 5, 2005, 5:19 pm

#55

CharlesMD

Suspended

Join Date: Apr 2002

Programs: AA EXP, BA GLD, FT < 30 y

Posts: 2,106

Quote:

Originally Posted by oiRRio

Here or hear?

Standards must be slipping at Harvard.

Fixed. It's hard to type with gloves on!

Dec 5, 2005, 5:23 pm

#56

JonNYC

Suspended

Original Poster

Join Date: Mar 2001

Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST

Posts: 27,730

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiff

In your younger days, did you happen to like throwing rocks at hornets' nests and similar activities?

(Please don't interpret this as a personal attack...)

I do! I just got called "a hornets' nest"!

Dec 5, 2005, 5:25 pm

#57

chartreuse

Join Date: Aug 2003

Location: London, UK

Programs: AA EXP 1MM, HH Gold, dirt loads of places.

Posts: 1,657

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly AA J all the way

That doesn't make any sense. If they hold the X back, then those elites requesting upgrades will be added to the wait list. That wait list will still be cleared before these new upgrades are given. Therefore, it doesn't matter how far out the upgrades clear or don't clear for elites, they will still be cleared before the LFBUs.

That was my first thought, hence the

at the end.

But then I got to thinking, which is always dangerous, and thought; what if one of the variables YM considers when holding back X on higher demand routes is that it encourages EXPs to choose lower demand routings? What if LFBU revenue exacerbated that?

I'm more than happy to concede that this sounds paranoid, but IME any attempt to fathom the workings of YM does.