tracking remaining first-class seats left for upgrade on the internet
#31
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
Thanks, Boomer. The problem is that with CO, you know where you stand, since the "A" total represents all available F/C seats and the "F" total only those available at a given point in time for upgrade. If NW also holds some seats for revenue sale, since they only have an "F" category, one really doesn't get to see the whole picture. I'm not sure it really makes a difference. What is does mean, however, is that if one sees an "F0" on ITN, it really isn't F0. There is no way to tell how many seats may be unsold and thus avaiable for upgrade!
#32
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
I am a frequent traveler between EWR and either MDW or ORD on CO. I have yet to have a problem with upgrading, but I thought I would check out the 'available seating' section on ITN for a future trip. What a surprise, for a trip mid-day, mid week at the end of Sept I found the following: A7D1F0Y9K9B9V9! Now I am talking over a month away, it is hard to believe that all upgradable FC seats are gone on all flights leaving ORD from 2pm onward. Could this be a mistake? Granted, my odds are much better traveling through MDW, but I was very surprised at this figure.
[This message has been edited by mauld (edited 08-17-1999).]
[This message has been edited by mauld (edited 08-17-1999).]
#33
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: San Jose, CA; AA Plat, CO Silver, SPG Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 178
Mauld--
Unlikely but possible.
A few passengers could have used mileage to upgrade their seats to ensure getting FC. Seats would still come out of the F class in this case. Or a plat/gold elite could have paid for full fare and gotten an instant upgrade.
Plus I've noticed that they hold seats depending on the flight. The first flight (6:30AM) out of SJC to IAH, CO always holds 6 FC Revenue seats and releases them a couple of hours before flight time. I think their view is that there is a greater possibility that someone will pay a walkup fare for a Monday morning first flight out vs. say a Monday afternoon flight. They must have some actuary figuring this stuff out <grin>.
Just my 2c.
--Ryan
[This message has been edited by SJSharky (edited 08-17-1999).]
Unlikely but possible.
A few passengers could have used mileage to upgrade their seats to ensure getting FC. Seats would still come out of the F class in this case. Or a plat/gold elite could have paid for full fare and gotten an instant upgrade.
Plus I've noticed that they hold seats depending on the flight. The first flight (6:30AM) out of SJC to IAH, CO always holds 6 FC Revenue seats and releases them a couple of hours before flight time. I think their view is that there is a greater possibility that someone will pay a walkup fare for a Monday morning first flight out vs. say a Monday afternoon flight. They must have some actuary figuring this stuff out <grin>.
Just my 2c.
--Ryan
[This message has been edited by SJSharky (edited 08-17-1999).]
#34
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: New York
Posts: 2,115
What's happening is they are trying to predict which flights people will pay for FC ahead of time. The data mining software available these days can do a great job on this type of analysis.
Simply put, they are trying to maximize revenue, and giving away seats that can be sold(for a hefty premium no less) cuts into the revenue.
Simply put, they are trying to maximize revenue, and giving away seats that can be sold(for a hefty premium no less) cuts into the revenue.
#35
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Million Miler (mostly earned on CO)
Posts: 2,599
Thanks, everyone, for posting all the great information in this thread. I just called CO to try to upgrade a flight SFO-BOS this Tuesday. I checked availability before I called in: A9/F1. While the reservations agent was seeing if she could upgrade me, I hit "Refresh" on my browser (which was at ITN's site) and saw availability was now A9/F0. I knew I got the upgrade before she told me!
BTW, I was able to upgrade the flight at midnight EST (9 PM Friday PST). I thought discussion on the other thread had been to the effect that you couldn't get an upgrade until 72 hours (for platinum) before the day of departure in the time zone from which the flight was departing. Did I misunderstand what was said, or did I just get lucky?
BTW, I was able to upgrade the flight at midnight EST (9 PM Friday PST). I thought discussion on the other thread had been to the effect that you couldn't get an upgrade until 72 hours (for platinum) before the day of departure in the time zone from which the flight was departing. Did I misunderstand what was said, or did I just get lucky?
#36
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: New York
Posts: 2,115
You got a little lucky. It seems that not all of the onepass agents are enforcing the rules the same way.