Lost upgrade / upgraded seat shenanigans? [master thread]
Dec 30, 2017, 4:30 am
#496
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,263
Whoops, just realized the error of my ways... These flights in question were booked using miles. It just so happens when we've been upgraded in the past on these routes, we were on paid tickets without our lap infant. So the award tickets were the obvious issue, not the infant. I rarely book domestic coach with my miles, so I forgot aa only let's ck and exp upgrade award tickets.
Dec 30, 2017, 9:26 am
#499
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Whoops, just realized the error of my ways... These flights in question were booked using miles. It just so happens when we've been upgraded in the past on these routes, we were on paid tickets without our lap infant. So the award tickets were the obvious issue, not the infant. I rarely book domestic coach with my miles, so I forgot aa only let's ck and exp upgrade award tickets.
You also said nobody was on the upgrade list. If you had requested upgrades, you would be on the list. If you don't see yourself there, that would be an indication of a problem, if you had requested an upgrade
Last edited by mvoight; Dec 30, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Dec 30, 2017, 11:25 am
#500
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Generally: Unless one has status and has requested an upgrade, just having status won’t get one an operational upgrade, regardless of how empty the next cabin is. And nobody who isn’t EXP will be getting upgrades on an award trip.
Some AA employees flying to or from duty assignments will get “upgraded” if there is available seating. I believe it’s in their contract.
Some AA employees flying to or from duty assignments will get “upgraded” if there is available seating. I believe it’s in their contract.
Dec 30, 2017, 5:28 pm
#501
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Dec 31, 2017, 11:13 pm
#502
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: TX
Posts: 92
Hubs #1, I'm #2, We Sit Down, Stranger #3 Clears
Sharing a recent story from last week's pre-holiday travel, DFW-IAD. Husband was #1 on list, I was #2 , and there was only one more stranger that was #3 (we're both Plat and were on the same PNR in paid econ). We had a gate change making the incoming plane a bit late, but we were at the gate, carefully watching the monitor, our iPhone apps, and listening (and watching) the gate agents. No sign of an upgrade so we boarded with our group. We sit down, I check the app on my phone, and #3 has a checkbox by their name. I was quite annoyed they didn't clear my husband first (he would have accepted, even if that meant I'd be alone in coach). I took a screenshot and have submitted my complaint to AA (waiting for a response).
We've been in similar situations before and have had just one of us upgraded (and gate agents have asked about separating us). I assume this was simply a situation of a rushed gate agent filling a seat during a hectic afternoon, but the pessimist in me speculates that someone was doing a favor for a friend and figured they could skip us without us noticing. I suppose the lesson here is to be proactive and kindly strike up a conversation about upgrading my husband so I can enjoy a good movie/book in coach (hardyharhar), but I really don't like bothering gate agents when things are hectic (gate changes, late planes, standby lists, unaccompanied minors, wheelchair assists, a guy with oxygen, and inexperienced holiday travelers - I feel like an idiot bothering them).
Any other couples have this happen? Often? (Or might this be a fluke?)
We've been in similar situations before and have had just one of us upgraded (and gate agents have asked about separating us). I assume this was simply a situation of a rushed gate agent filling a seat during a hectic afternoon, but the pessimist in me speculates that someone was doing a favor for a friend and figured they could skip us without us noticing. I suppose the lesson here is to be proactive and kindly strike up a conversation about upgrading my husband so I can enjoy a good movie/book in coach (hardyharhar), but I really don't like bothering gate agents when things are hectic (gate changes, late planes, standby lists, unaccompanied minors, wheelchair assists, a guy with oxygen, and inexperienced holiday travelers - I feel like an idiot bothering them).
Any other couples have this happen? Often? (Or might this be a fluke?)
Dec 31, 2017, 11:27 pm
#503
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
Sharing a recent story from last week's pre-holiday travel, DFW-IAD. Husband was #1 on list, I was #2 , and there was only one more stranger that was #3 (we're both Plat and were on the same PNR in paid econ). We had a gate change making the incoming plane a bit late, but we were at the gate, carefully watching the monitor, our iPhone apps, and listening (and watching) the gate agents. No sign of an upgrade so we boarded with our group. We sit down, I check the app on my phone, and #3 has a checkbox by their name. I was quite annoyed they didn't clear my husband first (he would have accepted, even if that meant I'd be alone in coach). I took a screenshot and have submitted my complaint to AA (waiting for a response).
We've been in similar situations before and have had just one of us upgraded (and gate agents have asked about separating us). I assume this was simply a situation of a rushed gate agent filling a seat during a hectic afternoon, but the pessimist in me speculates that someone was doing a favor for a friend and figured they could skip us without us noticing. I suppose the lesson here is to be proactive and kindly strike up a conversation about upgrading my husband so I can enjoy a good movie/book in coach (hardyharhar), but I really don't like bothering gate agents when things are hectic (gate changes, late planes, standby lists, unaccompanied minors, wheelchair assists, a guy with oxygen, and inexperienced holiday travelers - I feel like an idiot bothering them).
Any other couples have this happen? Often? (Or might this be a fluke?)
We've been in similar situations before and have had just one of us upgraded (and gate agents have asked about separating us). I assume this was simply a situation of a rushed gate agent filling a seat during a hectic afternoon, but the pessimist in me speculates that someone was doing a favor for a friend and figured they could skip us without us noticing. I suppose the lesson here is to be proactive and kindly strike up a conversation about upgrading my husband so I can enjoy a good movie/book in coach (hardyharhar), but I really don't like bothering gate agents when things are hectic (gate changes, late planes, standby lists, unaccompanied minors, wheelchair assists, a guy with oxygen, and inexperienced holiday travelers - I feel like an idiot bothering them).
Any other couples have this happen? Often? (Or might this be a fluke?)
Jan 1, 2018, 11:49 am
#504
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,247
Sharing a recent story from last week's pre-holiday travel, DFW-IAD. Husband was #1 on list, I was #2 , and there was only one more stranger that was #3 (we're both Plat and were on the same PNR in paid econ). We had a gate change making the incoming plane a bit late, but we were at the gate, carefully watching the monitor, our iPhone apps, and listening (and watching) the gate agents. No sign of an upgrade so we boarded with our group. We sit down, I check the app on my phone, and #3 has a checkbox by their name. I was quite annoyed they didn't clear my husband first (he would have accepted, even if that meant I'd be alone in coach). I took a screenshot and have submitted my complaint to AA (waiting for a response).
We've been in similar situations before and have had just one of us upgraded (and gate agents have asked about separating us). I assume this was simply a situation of a rushed gate agent filling a seat during a hectic afternoon, but the pessimist in me speculates that someone was doing a favor for a friend and figured they could skip us without us noticing. I suppose the lesson here is to be proactive and kindly strike up a conversation about upgrading my husband so I can enjoy a good movie/book in coach (hardyharhar), but I really don't like bothering gate agents when things are hectic (gate changes, late planes, standby lists, unaccompanied minors, wheelchair assists, a guy with oxygen, and inexperienced holiday travelers - I feel like an idiot bothering them).
Any other couples have this happen? Often? (Or might this be a fluke?)
We've been in similar situations before and have had just one of us upgraded (and gate agents have asked about separating us). I assume this was simply a situation of a rushed gate agent filling a seat during a hectic afternoon, but the pessimist in me speculates that someone was doing a favor for a friend and figured they could skip us without us noticing. I suppose the lesson here is to be proactive and kindly strike up a conversation about upgrading my husband so I can enjoy a good movie/book in coach (hardyharhar), but I really don't like bothering gate agents when things are hectic (gate changes, late planes, standby lists, unaccompanied minors, wheelchair assists, a guy with oxygen, and inexperienced holiday travelers - I feel like an idiot bothering them).
Any other couples have this happen? Often? (Or might this be a fluke?)
Next time just ensure it is split and that way worst case one of you will clear vs neither.
Jan 1, 2018, 11:51 am
#505
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
The willingness to split is recorded at tome of upgrade request, with a split/no split indicator. That must be set to Y.
Did you address this at time of upgrade request? Or it can be done before flight goes to airport control. But they dont ask at the gate, they follow the code.
Did you address this at time of upgrade request? Or it can be done before flight goes to airport control. But they dont ask at the gate, they follow the code.
Jan 17, 2018, 1:22 pm
#507
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
I flew BOS-PHL recently and 2 F seats went out empty while there were 17 on the UG list! We backed out of the gate early, so it's not like they were rushing to beat the clock. When the GA came onboard with final paperwork, he looked at his manifest, looked at the 2 seats and nodded like they were empty, just like he wanted. Very odd.
Jan 17, 2018, 1:38 pm
#508
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
I flew BOS-PHL recently and 2 F seats went out empty while there were 17 on the UG list! We backed out of the gate early, so it's not like they were rushing to beat the clock. When the GA came onboard with final paperwork, he looked at his manifest, looked at the 2 seats and nodded like they were empty, just like he wanted. Very odd.
Jan 17, 2018, 1:47 pm
#509
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
Jan 17, 2018, 1:49 pm
#510
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