Upgrade system/priority/dilemma
Mar 11, 1999 | 2:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: TX
Posts: 712
Upgrade system/priority/dilemma
This upgrade stuff is confusing. Do I infer correctly that if the "A" seats are not released until the day of departure, then NOT even the "higher Elites" can snap these up in prior fashion by calling in advance? Then what are the seats that can be snapped up prior: "F" class?
Thus, it's a first come first serve situation at the aeropuerto for the "A" seats, even for the silver elites to beat the gold and platinum? And even for a lowly non-elite member who comes with his "space available upgrades from the prestige pack? A race to the airport. If so, I will beat them.
Also, a VERY important question for our upgrade dilemma. My wife and I are attempting to be upgraded on our outbound flight with 10k miles each. Have the OnePass certs in hand, ready to go. First leg out of SNA there was only one seat avail but the rep told me "not to worry" and that one of us would be first on the waiting list, while the other seat is reserved. Now, I am worried because she didn't explain (or know) how a person executes getting off the waitlist? Says they will call us. Hmmmmmmm. Really? Or, must I take the initiative and call as soon as the seats are opened up? and is this when the 3 day platinum window opens? or sooner? I will be a bit irked if the issuance of our 10k awards via mail is in vain bc it really isn't as much of a "no problem" scenario--or there is a screw up via misinformation (it's a game of information vs. misinformation these days, isn't it?) Or are we in a race for the A seats? Get to airport first?
In need of a plan. Thanks in advance.
Thus, it's a first come first serve situation at the aeropuerto for the "A" seats, even for the silver elites to beat the gold and platinum? And even for a lowly non-elite member who comes with his "space available upgrades from the prestige pack? A race to the airport. If so, I will beat them.
Also, a VERY important question for our upgrade dilemma. My wife and I are attempting to be upgraded on our outbound flight with 10k miles each. Have the OnePass certs in hand, ready to go. First leg out of SNA there was only one seat avail but the rep told me "not to worry" and that one of us would be first on the waiting list, while the other seat is reserved. Now, I am worried because she didn't explain (or know) how a person executes getting off the waitlist? Says they will call us. Hmmmmmmm. Really? Or, must I take the initiative and call as soon as the seats are opened up? and is this when the 3 day platinum window opens? or sooner? I will be a bit irked if the issuance of our 10k awards via mail is in vain bc it really isn't as much of a "no problem" scenario--or there is a screw up via misinformation (it's a game of information vs. misinformation these days, isn't it?) Or are we in a race for the A seats? Get to airport first?
In need of a plan. Thanks in advance.
Mar 11, 1999 | 4:18 am
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: In protest of Flyertalk's uncalledfor censoring of my point of view, I cancelled my InsideFlyer subscription. So long, and thanks for everything.
Posts: 3,325
As I understand it.
F class seats are available for upgrade via Elite status in advance (the old ELTC/ELTS) 3 days in advance for Platinums, 2 days in advance for Golds, 1 day in advance for Silvers, and same day for Platinum or Gold companions. The are also available for upgrade via FF miles anytime in advance.
When they are full, only A seats are left.
A seats (revenue seats) are available for sale at first class price, are authorized for immediate upgrade to an elite if a coach fare in Y or H was purchased, or are available and assigned to Elite members who asked at the airport day of flight and were put on a waiting/standby list.
To answer your specific issues:
I'm not sure but I believe that the standby list is compiled and cleared by time of arrival/request at the airport (regardless of elite status - so the Silver arriving 4 hours prior to the flight is ahead on the list of the Platinum arriving 1 hour before).
The space available upgrades are for F class only. If the F is gone, you can not use the coupon for A, and only Elites get onto the waiting list.
The "first on the waiting list" sounds like a lie. They have you first on a list of requested rewards, but that is only if someone else cancels a reward or upgrade in advance. It does not get you on to the airport waiting list first, you have to show-up for that. Also, those A seats go fast a few days befor the flight to elites purchasing full fare tickets.
You'd best call CO customer care and complain loudly that you were decieved into spending the 10K miles under the promise the upgrade would be available, and now you were lied to about the airport waiting list. Either they will give it to you if you complain loudly enough (use the "my wife is now destroyed about not being able to sit next to me during the flight" line - I know it's sexist, but it often works), or they won't...a 50-50 thing.
You could also offer to pay the difference between your fare and full H class on the leg where F is unavailable, which would entitle you to a immediate upgrade to A.
Customer care is 1-888-WECARE2.
OMNI: notice how I didn't say "look for this in an earlier thread".
F class seats are available for upgrade via Elite status in advance (the old ELTC/ELTS) 3 days in advance for Platinums, 2 days in advance for Golds, 1 day in advance for Silvers, and same day for Platinum or Gold companions. The are also available for upgrade via FF miles anytime in advance.
When they are full, only A seats are left.
A seats (revenue seats) are available for sale at first class price, are authorized for immediate upgrade to an elite if a coach fare in Y or H was purchased, or are available and assigned to Elite members who asked at the airport day of flight and were put on a waiting/standby list.
To answer your specific issues:
I'm not sure but I believe that the standby list is compiled and cleared by time of arrival/request at the airport (regardless of elite status - so the Silver arriving 4 hours prior to the flight is ahead on the list of the Platinum arriving 1 hour before).
The space available upgrades are for F class only. If the F is gone, you can not use the coupon for A, and only Elites get onto the waiting list.
The "first on the waiting list" sounds like a lie. They have you first on a list of requested rewards, but that is only if someone else cancels a reward or upgrade in advance. It does not get you on to the airport waiting list first, you have to show-up for that. Also, those A seats go fast a few days befor the flight to elites purchasing full fare tickets.
You'd best call CO customer care and complain loudly that you were decieved into spending the 10K miles under the promise the upgrade would be available, and now you were lied to about the airport waiting list. Either they will give it to you if you complain loudly enough (use the "my wife is now destroyed about not being able to sit next to me during the flight" line - I know it's sexist, but it often works), or they won't...a 50-50 thing.
You could also offer to pay the difference between your fare and full H class on the leg where F is unavailable, which would entitle you to a immediate upgrade to A.
Customer care is 1-888-WECARE2.
OMNI: notice how I didn't say "look for this in an earlier thread".
Mar 11, 1999 | 8:31 am
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,293
the upgrade situation is extremely confusing, my understanding from a number of conversations with OnePass is:
A class seats are available to Elites traveling on Y fares, but since 3/1/99 H fares are not upgradeable before the 1-2-3 day advance period.
A class seats may be released to F class before the day of departure by the yield management computer system, so it may be worthwhile to call again after being told FC is not available.
Standby priority is based on 1. Elite status 2. Time of check-in 3. Companions to Elites have equal status.
According to the Elite literature Silvers can call for upgrades on the day of departure, but there is nothing written about standby. perhaps some of the Silvers out there can let us know how they handle it.
A wild card in the system is the gate agents, who have a lot of power in their little domains. An agent can give the seat of a last minute no-show to anyone they want and justify it by saying it was to "expedite an on time departure" I have seen it happen, from the first row of coach!
Remember that the rules are not always applied uniformly, I always pays to ask politely for what you feel you are entitled to.
A class seats are available to Elites traveling on Y fares, but since 3/1/99 H fares are not upgradeable before the 1-2-3 day advance period.
A class seats may be released to F class before the day of departure by the yield management computer system, so it may be worthwhile to call again after being told FC is not available.
Standby priority is based on 1. Elite status 2. Time of check-in 3. Companions to Elites have equal status.
According to the Elite literature Silvers can call for upgrades on the day of departure, but there is nothing written about standby. perhaps some of the Silvers out there can let us know how they handle it.
A wild card in the system is the gate agents, who have a lot of power in their little domains. An agent can give the seat of a last minute no-show to anyone they want and justify it by saying it was to "expedite an on time departure" I have seen it happen, from the first row of coach!
Remember that the rules are not always applied uniformly, I always pays to ask politely for what you feel you are entitled to.
Mar 11, 1999 | 10:14 am
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: In protest of Flyertalk's uncalledfor censoring of my point of view, I cancelled my InsideFlyer subscription. So long, and thanks for everything.
Posts: 3,325
though H fares are no longer printed in the literature, I believe they are still allowed, as I got one for an April flight....
Mar 11, 1999 | 11:45 am
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,293
NJDavid: Was your H fare upgrade processed before 3/1/99?
Mar 11, 1999 | 12:28 pm
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: New York
Posts: 2,115
This may muddle the discussion a little 
Oldgold is correct about the standby list being cleared by elite level. But there is more to it.
When the A seats are released, day of the flight, If seats are available, it is first come first served. So a non-elite with a prestige pack certificate can get seat if they are early and a platinum checking in a few minutes later doesnt get the seat.
Once they start building a standby upgrade list, it is by elite level, then by checkin time. I remember one flight last year, that I checked in about 20 mins before the flight and got the one standby upgrade, I guess I was the only gold on the list.
As for the gate agents "changing things". This can and does happen. So always be nice to them
Oldgold is correct about the standby list being cleared by elite level. But there is more to it.
When the A seats are released, day of the flight, If seats are available, it is first come first served. So a non-elite with a prestige pack certificate can get seat if they are early and a platinum checking in a few minutes later doesnt get the seat.
Once they start building a standby upgrade list, it is by elite level, then by checkin time. I remember one flight last year, that I checked in about 20 mins before the flight and got the one standby upgrade, I guess I was the only gold on the list.
As for the gate agents "changing things". This can and does happen. So always be nice to them
Mar 11, 1999 | 2:28 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: In protest of Flyertalk's uncalledfor censoring of my point of view, I cancelled my InsideFlyer subscription. So long, and thanks for everything.
Posts: 3,325
Old Gold - yes, processed in February for a flight in April...
Mar 11, 1999 | 4:23 pm
#8
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: TX
Posts: 712
Well...called Continental to sort out the upgrade dilemma. Would have come down to day of departure, based on someone giving up F seat or racing to the airport. Still not entirely clear whether the A seats would have been an option even if we had arrived early. Nothing definite on the upgrade given the situation, and wouldn't have been telephoned or upgraded prior to airport. Anyway, went with certainty and upgraded the return instead of outbound (a bit disappointed though).
Called One Pass, great agent took care of the mess and apologized (Deke in Denver). Said that I was misled to think be optimistic on the upgrade, and advised the return upgrade.
Also called "We Care" number to customer service and voiced my displeasure and entailed hassles due to original agent's conveyance of optimism. Would have loathed arriving at the airport to find ourselves in an unexpected mess at the inception or our vacation. Anyhow...
I appreciate that Cont. at least listens and apologizes. The customer service rep. took the initiative to follow up with the agent to correct any future misinfo. Cont. is "rising" in this regard. There's nothing more irksome than an airline that says we screwed up and doesn't care about correcting the error or future errors.
Jeff L. (sigh)
Called One Pass, great agent took care of the mess and apologized (Deke in Denver). Said that I was misled to think be optimistic on the upgrade, and advised the return upgrade.
Also called "We Care" number to customer service and voiced my displeasure and entailed hassles due to original agent's conveyance of optimism. Would have loathed arriving at the airport to find ourselves in an unexpected mess at the inception or our vacation. Anyhow...
I appreciate that Cont. at least listens and apologizes. The customer service rep. took the initiative to follow up with the agent to correct any future misinfo. Cont. is "rising" in this regard. There's nothing more irksome than an airline that says we screwed up and doesn't care about correcting the error or future errors.
Jeff L. (sigh)