Ok. I recently decided to use some frequent flyer miles to upgrade my wife and me one way from SNA to TUL via IAH. Friday, 8:40 a.m. on a 737-500 on 4/2/99. One seat was available. Waitlisted for the second, and first place on the waiting list. Seating chart showed available seats, thus I surmise that only a certain portion of seats are available for frequent-flyer upgrades--probably only one is allowed(?).

With one of use confirmed and the other on the waitlist, what are the factors/variables for making it off the waiting list. I'm trying to guage the probability. Cont. will call us if we make it off the list.

Decided to use the space-avail upgrade certificates on the Tuesday return instead of pressing our luck on a Friday departure.
By the way, I dislke the OnePass upgrade system of sending certificates. UAL has a much more seemless and paperless system. Moreover, any UAL agent can upgrade; it doesn't require calling the program's f.f. line, as it does for OnePass.

Jeff,

Starting on Mrach 1, 1999, Continental's Upgrade system will be paperless. You just have to call their Elite Priority (assuming you are elite) to confirm your upgrades. As far as your standby, Standby's for first Class got in order from Hightest Elite level, to loweest level and then on a first come basis for regular members. More more information, see CO's website at www.flycontinental.com

Hope this helps

I would say odds are pretty slim since your trip is after 3/1/99. FC will probably be full from IAH to TUL with 3 day advance upgrades by the new Platinum.

The space available upgrades do not require any calls, you use them at the airport. Tues is a good day to use space available certificates.

As for you chances, it all depends, on the demand on that flight.

Jaws, even if IAH-TUL is full, they may still get the SNA-IAH segment upgraded which I think is the longer segment. And with the space available cert's, they get to check in earlier at SNA then many of the other IAH-TUL passengers.

And as for what's going to happen on and after 3/1. We just dont know. Only time will tell. However I agree with Jaws that space available upgrades might be a thing of the past. Stay tuned, only 26 days 3 hrs to go.

Boomer, You're correct! I'd take the space available long haul and take my chances with IAH-TUL. I've been on the IAH-TUL flights a lot and it's always tuff to get an upgrade.

Actually, I'm not elite and therefore have used "frequent flyer" miles to request the upgrades for us from SNA to TUL via IAH. One of us is confirmed, other is first on the waiting list.

IF we are using ff mileage to upgrade, and the OnePass person put us on the list, not on the basis of any elite status, then will our upgrade priority be irrespective of elite status? Rock, paper, scissors? Does FF mileage upgrader beat the elite, on the waitlist?

Many thanks. I have appreciated your responses.

Jeff

Ok, that clears some stuff up. I'm also going to presume that the space available certs are from the prestige pack.

You raise a good question. It all depends on the timing of when the A class seats are made available.

Now if I was Continental, I'd give you first crack before non-mileage upgrades, at least the airline is getting something from you.
I'd say, make sure you call the onepass service center at midnight 3 days, 2 days and day of the flight. Plus I'd call them exactly 2 hours before your flight leaves.
These are the points in time where normally, more seats for upgrade are available.

As for the space available upgrades they are first come first served, so if there are seats in FC, get to the airport and be first on line