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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 9:52 am
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Holding upgrades

I just checked the system - I have a Caribbean flight in 42 hours. The coach has like three seats left, and the first class has 7 open out of 12.

There are SEVEN seats in first open, and they did not upgrade me yet. What are they waiting for? It's this mentality that is really going to get me to go to AA or NW. NW would have upgraded me three days ago!

Why bother offering the "5 day advanced upgrade" if they're not going to bother?
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 10:00 am
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It is amazing to me to see how many seats they hold back for sale in some markets. I too get frustrated but understand it makes better business sense for them to sell the seat rather than give it away. On the other hand, it also makes the upgrade process a freakin quagmire.
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 10:05 am
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It gets worse --

I am coming back from MCO on Thursday - 757-200 - 24 FC seats -- there are 17 unsold seats in FC. I did not clear at the 5 day window - or the 3 day window.

Talked to an elite agent to see if there was an EUA problem - said no - they are holding almost all FC seats now and virtually nothing is clearing at the 5 day window.

I am VERY VERY VERY close to jumping to NW. Hell my AA plat could easily get to EX. Plat this year with an effort.

What is wrong with this airline!

Last edited by jhawk; Feb 14, 2005 at 10:19 am
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 10:11 am
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Originally Posted by jhawk

I am combing back from MCO on Thursday - 757-200 - 24 FC seats -- there are 17 unsold seats in FC. I did not clear at the 5 day window - or the 3 day window.
Just count your lucky charms that 752 still has 24 seats.
Have you seen a US 752's F setamap?
How about a CO 753?

The only time the upgrade matters is AFTER they close the door.
So, calm down!
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 10:13 am
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Dignity and Respect for Employees, but What About the Customers?

If CO wants to hold back seats for sale and make $$$ as a result then more power to them. However, if they don't upgrade people at the 5 day mark, why advertise it as such? I think that Larry can address our concerns come April (also a ^ for all the COAsters for coming down to meet with us) and even if he does not tell us what we want to hear, he can at least offer the rational behind CO's recent moves.
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 10:21 am
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Originally Posted by J.Edward
If CO wants to hold back seats for sale and make $$$ as a result then more power to them. However, if they don't upgrade people at the 5 day mark, why advertise it as such? I think that Larry can address our concerns come April (also a ^ for all the COAsters for coming down to meet with us) and even if he does not tell us what we want to hear, he can at least offer the rational behind CO's recent moves.
Very well put -- i was just blowing off steam because my upgrade percentage has fallen dramatically this year already -- and I flew over 160K butt in seat miles with CO last year - not feeling very much dignity or respect with all the enhancements to the program that used to be the best.
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 10:26 am
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Originally Posted by J.Edward
...even if he does not tell us what we want to hear, he can at least offer the rational behind CO's recent moves.
With regard to upgrades we *know* the rationale. I have no problem with them holding back F seats to attempt to sell them. I *DO* have a problem with them advertising that we've got a chance at an upgrade 5/3/1 day out depending on status when they're holding all the seats back.
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 10:36 am
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Originally Posted by xyzzy
With regard to upgrades we *know* the rationale. I have no problem with them holding back F seats to attempt to sell them. I *DO* have a problem with them advertising that we've got a chance at an upgrade 5/3/1 day out depending on status when they're holding all the seats back.
Well stated - CO really needs to stop giving us the appearance that they are talking out of both sides of their mouths. Do not offer a benefit that you can not or will not be able to provide. "Space Available Complimentary Upgrades" have become "Fare Class Available Complimentary Upgrades" and that is frustrating a heck of a lot of us.....
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 10:58 am
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sounds like something to bring up at the 'Do.
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 11:44 am
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Originally Posted by entropy
sounds like something to bring up at the 'Do.
I plan on it....
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 12:17 pm
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Originally Posted by suitcasejockey
I just checked the system - I have a Caribbean flight in 42 hours. The coach has like three seats left, and the first class has 7 open out of 12.

There are SEVEN seats in first open, and they did not upgrade me yet. What are they waiting for? It's this mentality that is really going to get me to go to AA or NW. NW would have upgraded me three days ago!

Why bother offering the "5 day advanced upgrade" if they're not going to bother?

Continental is extremely inconsistent when it comes to Elite upgrades. As a Platinum, there have been times that I have gotten upgraded 6 days (yes you read it correctly... 6 days out, not 5) in advance, while other times I have gotten upgraded 30 minutes prior to departure. With Continental, it's just a matter of luck. Just out curiosity, are you flying on the B757 international configuration with 12 BusinessFirst seats? If so, the computer might not be upgrading you thinking it is BusinessFirst though we know it's just First Class service to the Caribbean.
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 12:19 pm
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Originally Posted by entropy
sounds like something to bring up at the 'Do.
Are they going to search for tar and feathers when you arrive?
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 12:22 pm
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Originally Posted by jhawk
It gets worse --

I am coming back from MCO on Thursday - 757-200 - 24 FC seats -- there are 17 unsold seats in FC. I did not clear at the 5 day window - or the 3 day window.

Talked to an elite agent to see if there was an EUA problem - said no - they are holding almost all FC seats now and virtually nothing is clearing at the 5 day window.

I am VERY VERY VERY close to jumping to NW. Hell my AA plat could easily get to EX. Plat this year with an effort.

What is wrong with this airline!

Why not go for AA Ex. Plat???? AA has those awesome 777s flying from MIA - JFK, MIA - DFW, DFW - ORD, DFW - LAX. Ex. Plats get unlimited complimentary upgrades, and when upgrading on the 777 on domestic flight, you actually get the international First Class suites, not Business Class.

I have been a Plat with AA for two years now, and in all this time, I have only missed 1 upgrade, so imagine your chances as an AA Ex. Plat!!!!!!!!!
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 12:31 pm
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We can't take ourselves as the norm. FT's know how many seats are available many thousands of Plats probably don't even know how to check. Miss EAU at window then get battlefield upgrade and say what the hey got my FC seat I am happy.

What irks me is that they have been holding back seats for awhile and it is probably pretty much standard practice ( it could be market by market though and that's a good question for the big DO. I won't be there so maybe someone else could ask).If policy has defacto changed they have a resposnibility to codify that change for members of FF program
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Old Feb 14, 2005 | 12:35 pm
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I also have a flight tomorrow and the intl segment upgraded at 5 days. The domestic portion hasn't though. It looks pretty wide open though, but I do hate the waiting game.
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