EUA success??
 

Here’s my story. Platinum member. 20 upgrades on 24 upgradable segments so far in 2001. a) 7 of these were EUA 5 days in advance (3 days earlier in the year); b) 3 were EUA in less than the max upgradable time; c) 10 were at the airport.
7 segments were on NW, 2 CO codeshares, 5 NW ticketed. NONE of these received an EUA, but all were upgraded at airport. This means I’m 13/17 on CO. BTW, I’ve had 3 CLE-IAH segments; from postings here, hub-to-hub are difficult to get, yet I received all these via EUA at maximum days in advance!
From postings here, it seems that Platinums, and many Golds, are doing much better than this with EUA. Is anyone (Platinum or Gold) doing worse than I am?
I’ve called CS and asked them to check my records, and they claim everything is OK. Sighhh. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif How are you doing? Comments, suggestions?

Zip,
I haven't kept track of all the stats that you have, but I can say that on 16 flights this year, I've only sat in the back once, and I'm only gold.

EUAs on NW/CO flights or NW/CO tickets aren't very reliable or consistent. You're only having marginally better luck than me and I'm a silver. I'd suggest trying to book more CO flights directly from CO rather than via NW if EUA is important to you.

Zip: As a Silver Elite, I have been upgraded on 5 out of 6 domestic segments so far this year via EUA. My travel times are somewhat flexible so I try to pick flights on 767s and 777s whenever possible.

Good luck!

Ok, please do not come looking for me with a gun, but I have been Gold on CO for two years, and have not had to sit in coach that entire time on CO or on NW. I always call 3 days before departure to make sure the upgrade went through, and if not, have them do it manually. I NEVER trust automatic upgrades on NW, so call as early as I can.
Of course, I have now jinxed myself and will be in seat 87d for the rest of my life http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Seth (edited 05-12-2001).]

JINXES are like 'living hell' and I try to avoid them at all costs!

There is nothing like a coach jinx, when you are a Gold elite. It hurts all the way to the destination.




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It is never too late to have a HAPPY CHILDHOOD!

BEEP! BEEP!

61 for 61 segments upgraded (not counting the crop dusters). Only one at the airport. 3 less than 5 days out. All the rest 5 days out...
Zip, you gotta call with NW or else...

Thanks for the comments, gang. NW isn't a problem, since I'm 100% with them, and don't REALLY expect an EUA with them. So the stat that's most important to me is that on CO, I'm 7/17 in getting the 5 days in advance EUA -- I would rather simply not even have to think about it!
I usually book more than 30 days in advnace. I noticed in another topic that LADY ELITE out of CLE is Silver, and is doing better than I am! (good for you, LE).
I'm also paranoid enough to think that I already have too many calls into CO; all those are a waste of time; yes I know, most of you have been through this also - calloing and calling and ...

As a Platinum, I've had 99% success (the one time was when I changed my flight the night before takeoff due to weather conditions at ORD). I think it really depends on where you are travelling in & out of. My home airport is a CO hub (EWR), but I usually fly to non CO airports where CO generally doesn't fly full (ATL, ORD, MDW, CLT), so it's been like clockwork for me with EUA--at the 5 day prior to flight, I get my e mail upgrade. Additionally, I'm running 100% on 9 international upgrades--so I really have no complaints with CO's policy, although I know that for many I'm in the minority.

Seth, don't feel bad - I haven't flown in the back since EUA went into place either. I think it was 16/16 'post-EUA' last year, and it's 25/25 this year.

I had pretty good success prior to EUA, due to being extremely vigilant (I think in 2000 prior to EUA I flew in coach on 2 segments). The biggest difference for me, personally, is that a lot of my upgrades have come within 'the Gold window', which to me means EUA IS working. AND, with EUA I haven't had to check ITN every 2 hours for 3 days straight waiting for that seat to move from A to F.

I have a coach flight with the wife and kids next month, which I am actually looking forward to so that I will be reminded just how lucky I have been, and to keep the ego in check http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

mws, why not get the upgrade, trade seats with your wife, and you sit with the kids? Great gift! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I'm still batting a 1.00, had 4 segments yesterday, FC all the way 5 days out. First time I saw non-rev's in the FC cabin though. Granted FC wasnt full (DCA-EWR r/t) but was a first for me.

Zip, when my wife and I travel alone, and only have one F seat, she does get it. However, with the ages and 'personalities' of my boys, my wife fully realizes that without 1 on 1 attention for both of them, the flight would be miserable, not only for us, but for all of those around us http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You are right, though, about it being a great gift, and as I said, she ALWAYS sits up there when her and I travel alone. In a few more years we'll be able to do it the way you suggested.

I'm Gold and on my trips this year:

1 of 2 (4 total Segments) CMH-BWI
6 of 6 (7 total Segments) CMH-LAX
4 of 4 (4 total Segments) IND-SEA -

My wife sat in back on the EWR-SEA leg last Friday, and I received at the gate upgrade.

Several RJ's on my trips (including 2 of 4 on Tuesday). However, 11 of 12 this year.

[This message has been edited by ToddETurner (edited 05-14-2001).]

I'm Silver and seeing nearly 70%.

mws, thanks for clarifying, I do appreciate the way you handle the upgrades; and thanks for thinking of the other passengers (with both of you looking after the kids).

I think I figured out my original problem. CO is going in alphabetical order!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

mws, thanks for clarifying, I do appreciate the way you handle the upgrades; and thanks for thinking of the other passengers (with both of you looking after the kids).

I think I figured out my original problem. CO is going in alphabetical order!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Hi Zip! Maybe its the route you are taking? I fly almost exclusively CLE-BOS and back, leaving Fri and coming home Monday morning. I have rarely seen a totally full flight which may explain my upgrade success. I'm sure with other routes the chances of being upgraded can be more difficult. Your theory about alphabetical order probably isn't it though, as my last name starts with a "W".
cheers! :-)

Lady E, I do take a variety of routes. Friday I have CLE-IAH-ABQ, and I did get those upgraded 5 days in advance (and the CLE-IAH had only a few FC seats before the upgrade). So, maybe my luck is changing. I think that BOS-CLE is usually full on SUndays, so you're lucky to fly on Mondays. Continued success to you.

Yes, NW EUA system is terrible every time I have a flight with NW it never works. There are always seats available. So I just call and ask for it, or I do it manually.

For what it's worth... I've been EUA'd on 6 of 6 NW ticket/NW metal flights this year and EUA'd on 2 of 2 NW ticket/CO metal flights.

EUA for NW is working for me. In all cases, the upgrade cleared either the day it was supposed to ot one day late.

Zip, if it makes you feel better, I'm doing worse than you this year as a Plat. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif For Feb 1 thru May 3, I was 10 for 29 (lost one EUA for last minute flt change).. But this is mostly due to my purchasing habits of buying full Y only 1,2,or 3 days in advance, plus I found I had made last minute changes a few times also.. Last 3 flts have been much better 3 for 3, non-hub.. I understand your paranoia; I've felt that way myself! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Just got upgraded on all legs of DFW-IAH-LAS.



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Al

Fishbait: Do you realize that as a platinum when buying full Y fares that you can upgrade to FC on the spot? When making your reservation if there are any A or F class seats available they are yours for the price of a Y seat.

My EUA history this year so far

1/2: IAH-EWR
2/2: IAH-AUS
2/2: IAH-CLE
2/2: CLE-BWI
1/2: IAH-LAS
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8/10: Total (when FC is available)

I'm a CO Gold who primarily flies the cheapo seats (haven't bought a Y fare this year so far), so 8/10 isn't bad for me. The rest of my flights this year (52 segments so far) are on short hop flights without FC.

Maybe my luck is changing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif Last 5 segments - three were EUA 5 days in advance, and the last two were 4 days in advance. 4 days? Anyway, much better ... Of course maybe they finally did get to the bottom of the alphabet ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

SGOPAL2- Fishbait stated that he/she buys 1,2 and 3 days in advance...so therefore; is already beyond the PLAT window...and probably beyond the GOLD window....how many seats do you realistically think that there will be left? Doesn't matter if Fishbait gets auto-upgrade due to full Y purchase...if there aren't any seats available.