Seat Codes - Upgrading
Dec 6, 2000 | 6:03 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Between SNA and ONT
Posts: 1,486
Here's an interesting question (at least to me):
Say I'm flying a transcon, maybe EWR-SFO and back, and want to use miles to UG. Let's say that it's F0 until day of departure, but then there's 5 F seats released. Would I, wanting to UG with miles, get the F seat ahead of a Platinum or other elite trying to UG with status? What if I'm a Silver or Gold and there's 10 Plats on the waiting list for 5 seats?
Say I'm flying a transcon, maybe EWR-SFO and back, and want to use miles to UG. Let's say that it's F0 until day of departure, but then there's 5 F seats released. Would I, wanting to UG with miles, get the F seat ahead of a Platinum or other elite trying to UG with status? What if I'm a Silver or Gold and there's 10 Plats on the waiting list for 5 seats?
Dec 7, 2000 | 8:22 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: FLL, over-inflated EGO due to EXP status
Posts: 4,519
Excellent question...it may come down to that and, unfortunately, with no status on CO I'll be stuck in the back on a packed-to-the-fills 757 at Christmas time. I'm sure the elite members will take precedence over someone just wanting to use miles.
Dec 7, 2000 | 12:06 pm
#18
In memoriam
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 1,697
Not so sure about that. If there are first class seats available at the time you check in, even if you have no status but you have the upgrade certificate in hand, I think you will be upgraded. Call CO and ask them.
Dec 7, 2000 | 5:13 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,122
In the past, people willing to spend miles to upgrade have always come ahead of elite upgrades. CO would much perfer someone to burn miles. I doubt this has changed, but I'm not sure.
Dec 7, 2000 | 5:52 pm
#20
In memoriam
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 1,697
Vulcan, wouldn't it be correct to add to your comment "at airport checkin"? LLZ could construe your comment to mean in advance of those getting upgraded at their respective windows, which is not true.
Dec 8, 2000 | 12:12 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,122
Sheryl:
I have called in the past at different times of the day and used a certificate. As long as F seats are avaialble, they are yours on the spot if you are using miles to upgrade. It really doesn't make a difference if your elite or not. My daughter who is a non-elite has done this, and it was a few weeks before the flight.
Also, you are correct that in the past, at the airport, someone using miles came ahead of "free" upgrades. There used to be, several years ago, a chart at the aiport counters for CO staff to use to remind themselves of the order of upgrades and those people with certificates using miles always were at the top.
I don't know what the situation is now, but I'd be surprised if it changed with EUA.
[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 12-08-2000).]
I have called in the past at different times of the day and used a certificate. As long as F seats are avaialble, they are yours on the spot if you are using miles to upgrade. It really doesn't make a difference if your elite or not. My daughter who is a non-elite has done this, and it was a few weeks before the flight.
Also, you are correct that in the past, at the airport, someone using miles came ahead of "free" upgrades. There used to be, several years ago, a chart at the aiport counters for CO staff to use to remind themselves of the order of upgrades and those people with certificates using miles always were at the top.
I don't know what the situation is now, but I'd be surprised if it changed with EUA.
[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 12-08-2000).]