Miles for upgrade question
 

I am booked in June EWR-LAS in W class. I have no elite status but miles to spare. It's giving me the option to use $100 and 15,000 each way to be put on the waitlist for upgrade. If/when the upgrade goes through would it be well in advance? day of departure? if it doesn't go through does the money and miles automatically get refunded or will I have to call to request it? Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

If the upgrade does not go through, you will get your money and miles back.
(i am glad you already noted that this is 100$ and 15K miles each way).

The Up will go through when seats in the upgrade bucket are available.
It can be any day from today through the day of departure.
You are automatically on the waitlist. You dont need to call....however, you can call to check if you are indeed on the waitlist.

Thanks, would the refund be automatic or would I have to call? How long should it take for the refund?

You might want to read my thread on upgrading EWR-SFO trip - many useful information there answered by FTyers! Once you request an upgrade you will see in your online reservation in red - this flight segment is waitlisted.

The refund is supposed to be automatic and a few days after the flight. Save your BP (showing that you actually flew in Y) until the refund hits. If a week goes by and the refund hasn't processed call it in.

based on the popularity of the route should I just not bother and deal with checking every day for updates?

If you want the upgrade and are willing to pay for it do so now. Earlier is better in terms of how the list is prioritized. There is nothing to check daily at that point; should the upgrade happen it will happen and you'll have a seat up front. That is much more reliable than hoping to spot an empty upgrade seat by checking every day and then calling in to get it.

If you're asking something else then ask again because I didn't understand the question. :p

You answered perfectly, thanks!

Flight CO484
Sun., May. 2, 2010 at 12:50 p.m.
Equipment - Boeing 737-800
Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) to Cleveland, OH (CLE)

No mileage upgrades available for the above flight. I know revenue management works in mysterious ways, but this is a Sunday afternoon flight to CLE. And, mind you, there are 16 FC seats! Does revenue management figure it should hold back mileage upgrades because a lot of business types (or whoever) are likely to buy FC seats to CLE from FLL on a Sunday afternoon? :confused:

When exactly are you flying (day of the week)? Generally week day flights are pretty open in F with lots of chances for upgrades going through. Additionally, June is NOT a very popular month for flights to LAS (unless it is when there's a big convention/trade show going on) So from a general standpoint, I would say your chance of the upgrade going through sooner rather than later are pretty good.

Wouldn't those be your cohorts getting off their cruise and heading back up to the middle of the country? I'm guessing a number of those folks buy the F seats. You can always waitlist and get in line for the upgrade when the seats do open up.

Well, yeah, if it's anyone, it's them. Not a lot of millionaire moguls, captains of industry, or assorted fatcats fly to CLE for any reason other than to have their arteries bypassed at the Cleveland Clinic. You may be right; I see noonish flights to IAH and EWR similarly waitlisted. Whereas early morning departures (too early for disembarking cruisers to catch) aren't waitlisted. Anyway, I am waitlisted...though only as a kindness to the little woman, who has developed a taste for FC. Personally, I don't think 30,000 miles for a flight that short makes sense. But, I'm not the world's greatest husband for nothin'! :D