upgrades while flying on standby?
Jun 1, 2000 | 5:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Where the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
Posts: 1,680
upgrades while flying on standby?
Simple question - if I standby for an earlier flight than I am scheduled on (on a discount coach ticket), can I still get an upgrade to FC if it's available (I'm a newly minted silver elite)?
Jun 1, 2000 | 5:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: northern NJ
Posts: 1,352
I got one last Thursday for the price of a simple smile to the gate agent while flying on standby.
Jun 1, 2000 | 5:39 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 8,179
Yes, but the problem is you can't confirm the upgrade until after you clear the standby list and are confirmed on the flight. If the flight is at all full, the upgrade seats are likely to be already taken by other elites.
Jun 1, 2000 | 5:54 pm
#4
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
I have done this often over the years, the gate agents usually clear the coach standbys before releasing seats of F/C no-shows, then the standby upgrades will be given based on Elite level first, then time of check-in. My sucess rate as a top level elite has been good. 