Weekly JFK->LAX->JFK flyers
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 111
Weekly JFK->LAX->JFK flyers
Hey all,
I was wondering if some experienced ExP can comment on how often they get upgraded taking JFK->LAX flights on Sunday nights or Monday mornings and LAX->JFK flights back on Thursday nights or Friday.
This is my first year flying a substantial amount in the USA and I take these flights weekly and have yet to be upgraded once (as a Plat) - i'm hoping once i hit ExP these might clear at least now and then? (i really hope so cause flying economy every week is killing me)
Another quick question - if you board the plane do you get removed from the upgrade request list? I was #2 for upgrade the other night and the plane was boarding early so wasn't sure if I should wait it out or get on.
Adam
I was wondering if some experienced ExP can comment on how often they get upgraded taking JFK->LAX flights on Sunday nights or Monday mornings and LAX->JFK flights back on Thursday nights or Friday.
This is my first year flying a substantial amount in the USA and I take these flights weekly and have yet to be upgraded once (as a Plat) - i'm hoping once i hit ExP these might clear at least now and then? (i really hope so cause flying economy every week is killing me)
Another quick question - if you board the plane do you get removed from the upgrade request list? I was #2 for upgrade the other night and the plane was boarding early so wasn't sure if I should wait it out or get on.
Adam
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 67
Originally Posted by kamarge
Hey all,
Another quick question - if you board the plane do you get removed from the upgrade request list? I was #2 for upgrade the other night and the plane was boarding early so wasn't sure if I should wait it out or get on.
Another quick question - if you board the plane do you get removed from the upgrade request list? I was #2 for upgrade the other night and the plane was boarding early so wasn't sure if I should wait it out or get on.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP/4MM, UA GS, AS MVP GOLD 75K
Posts: 3,362
Originally Posted by Tambreet
I don't know the answer to your first question, but I have been upgraded after boarding before - and let me tell you it is not fun trying to get from the exit rows of an MD80 to F against the flow of traffic.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP/4MM, UA GS, AS MVP GOLD 75K
Posts: 3,362
Originally Posted by kamarge
Hey all,
I was wondering if some experienced ExP can comment on how often they get upgraded taking JFK->LAX flights on Sunday nights or Monday mornings and LAX->JFK flights back on Thursday nights or Friday.
This is my first year flying a substantial amount in the USA and I take these flights weekly and have yet to be upgraded once (as a Plat) - i'm hoping once i hit ExP these might clear at least now and then? (i really hope so cause flying economy every week is killing me)
Another quick question - if you board the plane do you get removed from the upgrade request list? I was #2 for upgrade the other night and the plane was boarding early so wasn't sure if I should wait it out or get on.
Adam
I was wondering if some experienced ExP can comment on how often they get upgraded taking JFK->LAX flights on Sunday nights or Monday mornings and LAX->JFK flights back on Thursday nights or Friday.
This is my first year flying a substantial amount in the USA and I take these flights weekly and have yet to be upgraded once (as a Plat) - i'm hoping once i hit ExP these might clear at least now and then? (i really hope so cause flying economy every week is killing me)
Another quick question - if you board the plane do you get removed from the upgrade request list? I was #2 for upgrade the other night and the plane was boarding early so wasn't sure if I should wait it out or get on.
Adam
#5
formerly sirgolf82
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 136
I too wonder the same on the reverse flights...I'm booked in Y, waiting for a sticker upgrade on this friday's JFK-LAX flt 133 at 4pm. Expertflyer shows 0's across the board on all F and J fares. There are a few empty seats on aa.com, but we know that isn't reliable.
Anyone else waiting in line too? Looks like the upgrade chances are slim. Let's grab a beer at JFK.
Anyone else waiting in line too? Looks like the upgrade chances are slim. Let's grab a beer at JFK.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by olimaspecto
These flights are notoriously hard to upgrade on, but it does happen. I just flew one last night LAX-JFK (upgraded on an eVIP) and both J and F were completely full. I fly SFO-JFK redeyes regularly too and the story is quite similar, but I have had more success midweek than on the peak days you are talking about. If you do a search you will hear loads about this, and the difficulty in upgrading. Upgrades, even for an EXP on this route are extremely tough.
I normally do online checkin at 24 hours prior which brings me within the top 3-4 on the upgrade list (as Plat), I would assume there would be more than 2-3 ExP's on these flights so I gather the rest have been upgraded?
Or am I forgetting something?
#7
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP/4MM, UA GS, AS MVP GOLD 75K
Posts: 3,362
Originally Posted by kamarge
Your sig says 44 of 46 upgrades as ExP this year though?
I normally do online checkin at 24 hours prior which brings me within the top 3-4 on the upgrade list (as Plat), I would assume there would be more than 2-3 ExP's on these flights so I gather the rest have been upgraded?
Or am I forgetting something?
I normally do online checkin at 24 hours prior which brings me within the top 3-4 on the upgrade list (as Plat), I would assume there would be more than 2-3 ExP's on these flights so I gather the rest have been upgraded?
Or am I forgetting something?
If you are indeed third or fourth on the list as a PLAT then that is pretty good, and some other EXPs may have already cleared. I have also been on flights where full fare Ys have not been upgraded and were sitting in coach too. Monitor the flight on EF closely and then continue to maximize your chances (as it sounds like you already are).
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by Tambreet
I don't know the answer to your first question, but I have been upgraded after boarding before - and let me tell you it is not fun trying to get from the exit rows of an MD80 to F against the flow of traffic.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by olimaspecto
Haha, yeah my upgrade stats this year have been quite good (even on the transcons) though last fall was a different story.
If you are indeed third or fourth on the list as a PLAT then that is pretty good, and some other EXPs may have already cleared. I have also been on flights where full fare Ys have not been upgraded and were sitting in coach too. Monitor the flight on EF closely and then continue to maximize your chances (as it sounds like you already are).
If you are indeed third or fourth on the list as a PLAT then that is pretty good, and some other EXPs may have already cleared. I have also been on flights where full fare Ys have not been upgraded and were sitting in coach too. Monitor the flight on EF closely and then continue to maximize your chances (as it sounds like you already are).
#10
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA 2MM, Bonvoy LT Plt, Mets fan
Posts: 5,073
Originally Posted by sirgolf82
I too wonder the same on the reverse flights...I'm booked in Y, waiting for a sticker upgrade on this friday's JFK-LAX flt 133 at 4pm. Expertflyer shows 0's across the board on all F and J fares. There are a few empty seats on aa.com, but we know that isn't reliable.
Anyone else waiting in line too? Looks like the upgrade chances are slim. Let's grab a beer at JFK.
Anyone else waiting in line too? Looks like the upgrade chances are slim. Let's grab a beer at JFK.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 1MM, DL Silver, SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 91
Originally Posted by kamarge
Hey all,
I was wondering if some experienced ExP can comment on how often they get upgraded taking JFK->LAX flights on Sunday nights or Monday mornings and LAX->JFK flights back on Thursday nights or Friday.
This is my first year flying a substantial amount in the USA and I take these flights weekly and have yet to be upgraded once (as a Plat) - i'm hoping once i hit ExP these might clear at least now and then? (i really hope so cause flying economy every week is killing me)
Another quick question - if you board the plane do you get removed from the upgrade request list? I was #2 for upgrade the other night and the plane was boarding early so wasn't sure if I should wait it out or get on.
Adam
I was wondering if some experienced ExP can comment on how often they get upgraded taking JFK->LAX flights on Sunday nights or Monday mornings and LAX->JFK flights back on Thursday nights or Friday.
This is my first year flying a substantial amount in the USA and I take these flights weekly and have yet to be upgraded once (as a Plat) - i'm hoping once i hit ExP these might clear at least now and then? (i really hope so cause flying economy every week is killing me)
Another quick question - if you board the plane do you get removed from the upgrade request list? I was #2 for upgrade the other night and the plane was boarding early so wasn't sure if I should wait it out or get on.
Adam
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by kflyer2
In about 20 RT flights in the last 2 years, I have failed to get upgraded twice on the JFK-LAX returns. They often do not clear until check-in though.
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 1MM, DL Silver, SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 91
Originally Posted by kamarge
peak time flights? or mid-week? i would guess the 2 which didnt clear were definately the peak flights correct?