Op-Up Question
 

My SO and I are flying EWR-LIS tonight (CO 64). When I look at the PDA site, it is showing that Economy is full and BF has three seats open. The flight standby list has three names on it. I know that BF requires miles + co-pay for an upgrade, but is there a way to ask in the PC about the possibility of an op-up if they need the seats? Will only the GA do this at the gate if the seats are needed (I know it's not happening if they aren't)? I lucked out last year flying EWR-DUB and we were both moved to BF because the flight was oversold. Anyone else have any advice?

Why do you think CO will OPUP you and your friend when there are 3 people willing to pay CO some $$$ and Miles???

OPUPs usually occur when the flight is oversold and nobody is on the waitlist for UPing so then they need to move people from Coach to BF.

Dont know if they will give it to say a Plat on an ElCheapo or a Silver on a much more expensive fare 1st, but unless some more BF people are no-shows Id expect that the 2 of you will end up in the seats you purchased,Sorry

What you might do is let the GA know you would be willing to be Vols (dont do this if you really want to actually or need to fly tonight). Alot of times by offering to help them out by VDBing when it doesnt come thru (they dont need anyone) if BF is open they will UPOP those who were Vols as a Thanks

Could be they will need to use you and maybe can get you out on TP or with a connection and you end with a couple of nice vouchers for your next trip

The three that are on the flight standby list are also on the upgrade standby list. I think that means that they are non-revs, no? I'm not expecting an op-up, just curious about the process.

Even if non-revs they are Entitled to BF while you guys arent. So anyone entitled to it will get it before you guys. CO will not OPUP anyone as long as there are people who are Entitled to the UP before those who arent

Do a Search and you will find a few threads that dealt with the proper pecking order for such UPs.

But as you yourself have said 3 people are on teh List and you guys arent so you would at best be behind those 3.Thusly youd need a couple of no-shows to even be in the ballgame,IMO. Go for the Bump if you have the time

That assumes the back is not oversold. If the non-revs are not positive space, and Y is over, then they'll bump up CO Plats to resolve the oversale before accommodating non-revs.

So the OP's theoretical scenario is certainly possible. Not likely, but possible.

You might be offered a $ buy up when you check in. I think this is what CO is now doing to make more money. You should check in as close to T-3 as possible, cause then I think the EUA might kick in.

Best of luck.

There will not be an EUA on a BF flight. And I don't believe buyups are happening on BF segments regularly either(if at all).

I just looked at the PDA site again. The three names are still on the upgrade standy and flight standby lists. The flight standby tab now shows BF as full and Economy as available. But, the upgrade standby tab shows 13/16 booked in BF. This is odd, no?

Likely, that means they've already decided to move people up from oversold coach into BF, but haven't done so yet. They've zeroed out the BF fare buckets & made more seats available for sale in coach.

David

op-ups usually happen at the last minute. I dont think ive ever heard of someone being so gracious to offer their Y seat in exchange for a BF ever actaully getting the op-up.

if you are using the CO seat map, keep in mind that certain seats and/or rows are blocked out and appear assigned. that means, there is possibly 10+ unsold seats. CO also oversells most flights using statistical data showing that a certain number of PAX do not show for that flight.

and if the flight is 100% full in Y (and all paid pax have been accomodated and boarded and mileage upgrades processed), but BF still has three seats open in BF, CO employees will get those seats before random op-ups.

also isnt 16 D/E/F held for crew rest? could be they would give the crew the empty BF seats and put 3 Y people into those row 16 seats. Thats if they dont get any takers to lossen up their wallets and pay their way someway into BF

I'll plan for most things the 1 thing I never planned for was an OPUP.

Just an FYI, and of no help to OP as #64 today is showing as only 1 seat available in both coach & up front (as of now), but 16 D/E/F are usually released at T-24.

Agree one should never plan for an OPUP, but great when they happen (& have have enjoyed 2 in recent months - hence probably my miserable EUA record so far this year, even on supposedly Elite-light flights to/from RSW).

Am surprised how busy #64 is today. Should I be in Portugal this weekend?