Hi All!

I often ug with miles for tpac flights from EWR. Usually EWR-NRT, vice versa. I notice that after the miles ug passes and everyone is successfully upgraded to BF, that a lot of other customers (non mile ug) have gotten into the cabin and the flight generally leaves full in BF.

Do they have "space available" seating in bf for plats or high fare classes but unannounced? I always wonder how the cabin ends up full when after all mile ug's process there should be about 7-8 seats open.

If you are one of these lucky people, what is your status and fare class flying in?

Thanks in advance for your explanations/tips!

Non-revs?

I would never chance an op-up on a flight that long. If you want the u/g, put in for it. If you don't mind riding in Y, then by all means, roll the dice.

thanks channa. I usually book in B then spare the 30k per segment. Haven't had any problems getting ug'd that way... Y on a 14 hour flight is a lot to roll the dice with!

TPAC op-ups are the threesomes of the CO world, highly enjoyable but very very rare.

It is my understanding that op-ups process according to the same rules as EUA's, status then fare class. Of course this only matters if Y is oversold, J is empty, and everyone shows up.

Signature line for sale. :-:

good one indeed!!

Well, I don't know how you know when the "miles ug passes and everyone is successfully upgraded to BF". Mileage upgrades that don't clear the waitlist by the 24 hour mark then transfer over the the upgrade standby list. Those names certainly could be mileage upgrade requests.

But yes, often there are others that are upgraded from the standby list at the airport. Usually you'll see a bunch of names on both the upgrade standby list and the "flight standby list." I believe that's a rather sure indication that it is a non-revenue traveler (NRSA, I think), usually an employee or friend/family of employee. I believe they can request BusinessFirst if it's available, though I don't know how much extra they have to pay, if anything).