Upgrade possibilities on ORD-DEL route
Nov 22, 2007, 5:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canada
Programs: AA EXP-2MM, AC
Posts: 314
Upgrade possibilities on ORD-DEL route
What are the chances of an eVIP upgrade at booking time for flights booked about two months out (travel in Feb 2008). EF shows C0, but there is supposed to be expanded C availability for EXP. Flights currently show J7 and some also D7.
I can confirm BA Economy Plus for close to economy prices, but that is not nearly as nice...
I can confirm BA Economy Plus for close to economy prices, but that is not nearly as nice...
Nov 22, 2007, 6:24 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
What are the chances of an eVIP upgrade at booking time for flights booked about two months out (travel in Feb 2008). EF shows C0, but there is supposed to be expanded C availability for EXP. Flights currently show J7 and some also D7.
I can confirm BA Economy Plus for close to economy prices, but that is not nearly as nice...
I can confirm BA Economy Plus for close to economy prices, but that is not nearly as nice...
Nov 22, 2007, 6:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: JFK/DXB/DEL/LAX/MAD/LHR
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 115
6 roundtrips ord-del . . . 12 evips, all cleared, never middle seat, usually 3 days before flight . . . YMMV
Nov 22, 2007, 10:37 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton
Posts: 3,191
Have done the RT solo and also with four family members (including myself), totaling 10 eVIPs. All cleared. Have another on waitlist for early Dec and am not worried at all that it will clear.
Nov 23, 2007, 9:46 am
#5
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,953
2 for 2 here.
Nov 23, 2007, 9:51 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Santa Cruz CA USA
Posts: 1,643
business awards easy too?
Are business awards on this route as easy to get as the upgrades? I would book at -330, am lifetime Gold (does status matter for awards?).
Sylvia
Sylvia
Nov 23, 2007, 11:22 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
MileSAAver awards are harder to come by than upgrades, based on what I've heard. Status doesn't come into play unless you're on a waitlist.
Nov 26, 2007, 8:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: LAN, AA, SPG
Posts: 1,965
Outbound cleared shortly after purchase/request in August for 12/8 trip. Return just cleared today! HOOOORAY! I was starting to sweat! Not only that...but an aisle seat came open for a split second and was able to get that too...Thanks to an AAngel! I'm a happy camper today! Thanks to EVERYBODY! 
woohoo!
Have to say though...as this was my first EVIP waitlist (and last I hope now that I have EF thanks to FT!) never got a "C" alert from EF. I thought seats always went into "C" if only for a minute before being processed. So I remain ignorant....BUT happy!^
woohoo!Have to say though...as this was my first EVIP waitlist (and last I hope now that I have EF thanks to FT!) never got a "C" alert from EF. I thought seats always went into "C" if only for a minute before being processed. So I remain ignorant....BUT happy!^
Nov 26, 2007, 8:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Outbound cleared shortly after purchase/request in August for 12/8 trip. Return just cleared today! HOOOORAY! I was starting to sweat! Not only that...but an aisle seat came open for a split second and was able to get that too...Thanks to an AAngel! I'm a happy camper today! Thanks to EVERYBODY! woohoo!
Have to say though...as this was my first EVIP waitlist (and last I hope now that I have EF thanks to FT!) never got a "C" alert from EF. I thought seats always went into "C" if only for a minute before being processed. So I remain ignorant....BUT happy!^
woohoo!Have to say though...as this was my first EVIP waitlist (and last I hope now that I have EF thanks to FT!) never got a "C" alert from EF. I thought seats always went into "C" if only for a minute before being processed. So I remain ignorant....BUT happy!^
Nov 26, 2007, 8:21 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: LAN, AA, SPG
Posts: 1,965
Makes sense! That would certainly explain it. I learn something new at least once a day.
Nov 26, 2007, 11:09 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,389
When I've set alerts for either eVip Intl C inventory or mileage domestic A upgrades on EF, I have NEVER received the alert as I clear the waitlist. I suspect (but have no proof) that when RM clears any form of upgrade, in advance, it is cleared into a 'masked' bucket (simliar to the 'C' inventory the EP desk uses for the expanded availability) and hence EF will never alert these clearing, as it cannot see the inventory. I've heard EF does help a lot in the last 24 hours and/or under AP control. (Happily, I've always cleared the waitlist before that time!)
Nov 27, 2007, 2:55 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Buffalo, New York
Programs: AA EXP 4MM
Posts: 304
Vasantn's assumption was confirmed for me in a response from EF customer serice, after I wrote them about receiving upgrades without getting an alert (happens to me a lot).