Do eVIP requests clear immediately if EF shows C7?
Jan 17, 2009, 9:16 am
#31
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 1,615
I believe so, based on my limited experience with eVIPs that have been gifted to me.
Jan 17, 2009, 10:24 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: IST/DFW/GRU
Programs: AA EXP 0.8MM, Skyward, SPG Gold
Posts: 171
While there are times my upgrade has cleared before EF was aware there was availability, there are other times when EF alerted me to availability and I was able to call in and grab the upgrade. Now, it's possible I would have automatically received that upgrade anyway and my call was unnecessary, but I prefer increasing the odds of upgrading however I can, so I set up alerts. EF has notified me of upgrade availability frequently enough that I find it makes perfect sense to use the program. Obviously YMMV.
As I said before, EF availability has nothing to do with the waitlist or upgrades. If there is availability when EF polls, an alert is sent. You seem to be under the impression that upgrades are issued the same instance availability is released. IME that is not how it works and there is frequently a time lag between the two events. It's on those ocasions that EF proves valuable.
As I said before, EF availability has nothing to do with the waitlist or upgrades. If there is availability when EF polls, an alert is sent. You seem to be under the impression that upgrades are issued the same instance availability is released. IME that is not how it works and there is frequently a time lag between the two events. It's on those ocasions that EF proves valuable.
What I've always thought was that if you are on the waitlist and you get an alert, that's because the agent screwed up somehow when setting up the VIP. Anyways, like I said before, I'm like you and always set up alerts just in case.
Jan 17, 2009, 11:44 am
#33
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 1,615
wow, this is all news to me... so here is a hypothetical situation. Suppose we are both waitlisted for the same flight with the difference being that I requested before you so I'm ahead on the list. C1 becomes available but we have yet to be upgraded because there is a lag between upgrades made available and released. Then you get an alert and I don't. You call immediately, grab the seat and therefore jumps ahead of me on the list... could this happen?
What I've always thought was that if you are on the waitlist and you get an alert, that's because the agent screwed up somehow when setting up the VIP. Anyways, like I said before, I'm like you and always set up alerts just in case.
What I've always thought was that if you are on the waitlist and you get an alert, that's because the agent screwed up somehow when setting up the VIP. Anyways, like I said before, I'm like you and always set up alerts just in case.
Jan 17, 2009, 12:00 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Jan 17, 2009, 12:04 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
I don't know. Generally when I have called, I am fairly sure I was next in line for the upgrade anyway. The system would have handled it automatically had I not called. I tend to buy my international tickets quite a ways in advance, so on the occasions I must be waitlisted, I am usually at (or very near) the top of that list. I probably give the alerts far too much credit, but hey, I have the subscription, so I might as well use it as much as possible.
Jan 17, 2009, 12:47 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
While expanded inventory may only apply to EXPs, C inventory applies to eVIPs whether by EXPs or anyone else (remember liftetime PLTs also receive eVIPs even if they've never been EXP), and C inventory also applies to mileage upgrade awards which are available to any status including none. Is it really as simple as the earliest waitlisted C inventory request of any type gets the next C that's available (as long as no one tries to get "out of order" by trying to "jump in" manually)?
Jan 17, 2009, 12:56 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2001
Programs: AA PLT 2MM, LH SEN *, HH Gold
Posts: 3,075
Doesn't status level have anything to do with it?
While expanded inventory may only apply to EXPs, C inventory applies to eVIPs whether by EXPs or anyone else (remember liftetime PLTs also receive eVIPs even if they've never been EXP), and C inventory also applies to mileage upgrade awards which are available to any status including none. Is it really as simple as the earliest waitlisted C inventory request of any type gets the next C that's available (as long as no one tries to get "out of order" by trying to "jump in" manually)?
While expanded inventory may only apply to EXPs, C inventory applies to eVIPs whether by EXPs or anyone else (remember liftetime PLTs also receive eVIPs even if they've never been EXP), and C inventory also applies to mileage upgrade awards which are available to any status including none. Is it really as simple as the earliest waitlisted C inventory request of any type gets the next C that's available (as long as no one tries to get "out of order" by trying to "jump in" manually)?
Jan 17, 2009, 1:33 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFO/TPE
Programs: AE PLAT, HHONOR GOLD
Posts: 12
my experience today!
Here's my story. I was looking for an eVIP upgrade on NRT/LAX (Jan 22). I bought the ticket and was put on the waiting list 1 month ago.
Today (5 days before departure), EF sent me an alert at 11:26AM (PST). I logged back and found C2 on EF, but my upgrade did not clear on AA though I only needed C1.
After reading this timely thread, I decided to call AA at 11:50AM (PST). The AAgent looked at my reservation and initially said it was still pending, then suddenly, she said "Wait, it's confirmed. Let me do the re-ticketing for you." After 10 mins, everything was done.
I'm not sure if I had jumped ahead of someone else, but the lag in clearing is real. Maybe it would have cleared had I been patient, but I feel more in control with EF alert and by calling AA right away.
Today (5 days before departure), EF sent me an alert at 11:26AM (PST). I logged back and found C2 on EF, but my upgrade did not clear on AA though I only needed C1.
After reading this timely thread, I decided to call AA at 11:50AM (PST). The AAgent looked at my reservation and initially said it was still pending, then suddenly, she said "Wait, it's confirmed. Let me do the re-ticketing for you." After 10 mins, everything was done.
I'm not sure if I had jumped ahead of someone else, but the lag in clearing is real. Maybe it would have cleared had I been patient, but I feel more in control with EF alert and by calling AA right away.