DFW-HNL Upgrade Strategy when short of 1 SWU
Apr 22, 2021, 11:04 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 11
DFW-HNL Upgrade Strategy when short of 1 SWU
Booked a trip with a companion and wanted to try our luck in the upgrade game, but we are short of 1 SWU (would need 4 SWUs RT but only have 3). How do I maximize my chance given there is going to be 1 SWU short? I am EXP and my companion has no status. I have enough stickers as well.
1. Myself: Comp; Companion: SWU
2. Myself: Comp; Companion: Sticker
3. Myself: SWU; Companion: Sticker
Are all these options feasible? If so, which one would list us together in the upgrade list, and which one will make us higher on the upgrade list?
My biggest concern is, will my companion and myself end up not next to each other in the upgrade list? or forced to separate PNR in one of those situations? feel like this is dependent on the IT system than any rules.
Any insights are appreciated!
1. Myself: Comp; Companion: SWU
2. Myself: Comp; Companion: Sticker
3. Myself: SWU; Companion: Sticker
Are all these options feasible? If so, which one would list us together in the upgrade list, and which one will make us higher on the upgrade list?
My biggest concern is, will my companion and myself end up not next to each other in the upgrade list? or forced to separate PNR in one of those situations? feel like this is dependent on the IT system than any rules.
Any insights are appreciated!
Last edited by JayJu; Apr 23, 2021 at 12:11 am
Apr 22, 2021, 11:37 pm
#2
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
Booked a trip with a companion and wanted to try our luck in the upgrade game, but we are short of 1 SWU (would need 4 RT but only have 3). How do I maximize my chance given there is going to be 1 SWU short? I am EXP and my companion has no status
1. Myself: Comp; Companion: SWU
2. Myself: Comp; Companion: Sticker
3. Myself: SWU; Companion: Sticker
Are all these options feasible? If so, which one would list us together in the upgrade list, and which one will make us higher on the upgrade list?
My biggest concern is, will my companion and myself end up not next to each other in the upgrade list? or forced to separate PNR in one of those situations? feel like this is dependent on the IT system than any rules.
Any insights are appreciated!
1. Myself: Comp; Companion: SWU
2. Myself: Comp; Companion: Sticker
3. Myself: SWU; Companion: Sticker
Are all these options feasible? If so, which one would list us together in the upgrade list, and which one will make us higher on the upgrade list?
My biggest concern is, will my companion and myself end up not next to each other in the upgrade list? or forced to separate PNR in one of those situations? feel like this is dependent on the IT system than any rules.
Any insights are appreciated!
If not upgraded before going to the airport, it is a toss up.
If sticker upgrade happens before going to the airport, then you can buy the upgrade then. (Your companion has the same status as you for the upgrade. In fact, my wife got an upgrade at the airport instead of me, when she had no status)
Last edited by mvoight; Apr 23, 2021 at 12:40 am
Apr 23, 2021, 12:10 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 11
Thanks for the reply - I have 3 SWUs and only 1 SWU short (since total needed is 4 i.e. 1 each person each way), I have enough stickers to upgrade my companion one-way (>8 stickers)
I am curious about the toss up situation - since SWU hardly clears for HNL route before checkin, at the airport which option would result in higher position on the list? would any option result in us getting split on the upgrade list?
I am curious about the toss up situation - since SWU hardly clears for HNL route before checkin, at the airport which option would result in higher position on the list? would any option result in us getting split on the upgrade list?
Apr 23, 2021, 12:40 am
#4
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
Thanks for the reply - I have 3 SWUs and only 1 SWU short (since total needed is 4 i.e. 1 each person each way), I have enough stickers to upgrade my companion one-way (>8 stickers)
I am curious about the toss up situation - since SWU hardly clears for HNL route before checkin, at the airport which option would result in higher position on the list? would any option result in us getting split on the upgrade list?
I am curious about the toss up situation - since SWU hardly clears for HNL route before checkin, at the airport which option would result in higher position on the list? would any option result in us getting split on the upgrade list?
Apr 23, 2021, 7:24 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
Apr 24, 2021, 5:33 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DTW / SJC
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
Apr 24, 2021, 8:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
I would book three PNRs in your situation:
Direction 1: Both passengers on PNR 1 to maximize list placement
Direction 2: You on PNR 2 (use stickers) and companion on PNR 3 (use SWU)
Hawaii fares should be half roundtrip to book a one way from almost anywhere in US, so you're not out extra $$ this way.
Direction 1: Both passengers on PNR 1 to maximize list placement
Direction 2: You on PNR 2 (use stickers) and companion on PNR 3 (use SWU)
Hawaii fares should be half roundtrip to book a one way from almost anywhere in US, so you're not out extra $$ this way.
Apr 24, 2021, 10:14 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 11
I would book three PNRs in your situation:
Direction 1: Both passengers on PNR 1 to maximize list placement
Direction 2: You on PNR 2 (use stickers) and companion on PNR 3 (use SWU)
Hawaii fares should be half roundtrip to book a one way from almost anywhere in US, so you're not out extra $$ this way.
Direction 1: Both passengers on PNR 1 to maximize list placement
Direction 2: You on PNR 2 (use stickers) and companion on PNR 3 (use SWU)
Hawaii fares should be half roundtrip to book a one way from almost anywhere in US, so you're not out extra $$ this way.
Apr 25, 2021, 7:37 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Booked a trip with a companion and wanted to try our luck in the upgrade game, but we are short of 1 SWU (would need 4 SWUs RT but only have 3). How do I maximize my chance given there is going to be 1 SWU short? I am EXP and my companion has no status. I have enough stickers as well.
1. Myself: Comp; Companion: SWU
2. Myself: Comp; Companion: Sticker
3. Myself: SWU; Companion: Sticker
Are all these options feasible? If so, which one would list us together in the upgrade list, and which one will make us higher on the upgrade list?
My biggest concern is, will my companion and myself end up not next to each other in the upgrade list? or forced to separate PNR in one of those situations? feel like this is dependent on the IT system than any rules.
Any insights are appreciated!
1. Myself: Comp; Companion: SWU
2. Myself: Comp; Companion: Sticker
3. Myself: SWU; Companion: Sticker
Are all these options feasible? If so, which one would list us together in the upgrade list, and which one will make us higher on the upgrade list?
My biggest concern is, will my companion and myself end up not next to each other in the upgrade list? or forced to separate PNR in one of those situations? feel like this is dependent on the IT system than any rules.
Any insights are appreciated!
Apr 25, 2021, 8:33 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
1. SWU R/T for OP
2. SWU O/W for companion, Miles and co-pay O/W (used to be $350 and 25,000 miles)
All confirmed.
FYI-Good luck using ANY kind of upgrade instrument to Hawaii for 2 or more. Perhaps buying J is an option, if one wants a degree of certainty.
2. SWU O/W for companion, Miles and co-pay O/W (used to be $350 and 25,000 miles)
All confirmed.
FYI-Good luck using ANY kind of upgrade instrument to Hawaii for 2 or more. Perhaps buying J is an option, if one wants a degree of certainty.