Should we be concerned with this new Upgrade Development?
Jan 15, 2011, 12:32 pm
#856
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Ambassador/Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 590
Once again, I tried to use miles to upgrade the LAX-IAH portion of my flight to LFT today. I was waitlisted but the upgrade did not clear. So I wound up #1 on the F standby upgrade list yesterday following OLCI at 24 hours out as a Plat with a U fare.
Today, I note on CO.com that I'm still #1 on the upgrade list but that the #2 and #3 pax on yesterday's list have been upgraded and I have not.
Perhaps they bought up for "tens of dollars"?
Any thoughts?
Today, I note on CO.com that I'm still #1 on the upgrade list but that the #2 and #3 pax on yesterday's list have been upgraded and I have not.
Perhaps they bought up for "tens of dollars"? Any thoughts?
Jan 16, 2011, 9:07 am
#857
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LFT
Programs: AA Plat, lots of AA, AS, DL, UA miles, former top level CO Elite (sigh...)
Posts: 10,795
Update: Even though I had completed OLCI 24 hours out, I went ahead checked in again via the electronic kiosk at LAX. The screen said there was one seat left in F and that I could upgrade for $173. I checked with the ticket agent and confirmed I was still #1 on the upgrade list. Rolling the dice, I declined the "buy up" approx. 90 minutes before departure. At the gate, I was told to take my seat in coach which I did.
Ten minutes before the aircraft door closed, I received a battlefield upgrade for the last seat in F on this flight to IAH. I was the only passenger to be upgraded in this manner.
I also rolled the dice again concerning this flight by checking a box packed with half a case of premium red wine as my second bag. The ticket agent was a bit doubtful about whether it would arrive intact in LFT. She plastered "fragile" stickers all over the box and then had me walk it over to the TSA baggage screening area down the hall (she took my first checked bag at the ticket counter). The TSA received it without comment and it arrived in LFT just fine.
Ten minutes before the aircraft door closed, I received a battlefield upgrade for the last seat in F on this flight to IAH. I was the only passenger to be upgraded in this manner.
I also rolled the dice again concerning this flight by checking a box packed with half a case of premium red wine as my second bag. The ticket agent was a bit doubtful about whether it would arrive intact in LFT. She plastered "fragile" stickers all over the box and then had me walk it over to the TSA baggage screening area down the hall (she took my first checked bag at the ticket counter). The TSA received it without comment and it arrived in LFT just fine.
Last edited by jlemon; Jan 16, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Jan 16, 2011, 2:27 pm
#858
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
Once again, I tried to use miles to upgrade the LAX-IAH portion of my flight to LFT today. I was waitlisted but the upgrade did not clear. So I wound up #1 on the F standby upgrade list yesterday following OLCI at 24 hours out as a Plat with a U fare.
Today, I note on CO.com that I'm still #1 on the upgrade list but that the #2 and #3 pax on yesterday's list have been upgraded and I have not. Perhaps they bought up for "tens of dollars"?
Any thoughts?
Today, I note on CO.com that I'm still #1 on the upgrade list but that the #2 and #3 pax on yesterday's list have been upgraded and I have not.
Perhaps they bought up for "tens of dollars"? Any thoughts?
#2 and #3 may have been Plats who also requested mileage upgrades earlier than you but on a lower fare class. The waitlist is processed by status then time of request. The standby list, which doesn't come into play unless F is fully booked and there are last-minute no-shows/misconnects, is prioritized by status then fare class then time of upgrade request.
Between this possible explanation or the B/M-Up into ZE inventory explanation, there probably wasn't any shenanigans.