Looks like my EUA clock is stuck, I haven't cleared for a flight in less then 6 hours on a 735 that's got 8 open A seats according to Galilio.

I got saved by the 3 hour run, looks like there was another Elite on the flight, it's only 6A now

Anybody around IAH right now? I'll be here untill 8:30, currently at the South P Club.

Rule to remember in and out of DCA.

When flying from/to DCA, if your upgrade has not cleared at the counter by boarding time or you were not EUA'd, wait at the counter until boarding is finished and make sure they clear the list. If you board, do so at your own risk as you may not get upgraded. I've had to wait at the counter once until everyone boarded DCA-IAH last year, when my EUA had yet to clear. I checked at the PC and there were 4 empty seats in first. They cleared the list after I requested repeatedly and everyone had boarded. The list was cleared for me and two others who had already boarded. If I had already boarded, nothing would have been done, and I likely would have been stuck in chattle with two other pissed off elites.

WASJETBOY

There certainly are a few agents with attitude at DCA. I too have checked at the PC and told you will get the upgrade - based on place on the list and available seats. Even the nice folks at the PC calling down have failed to get the agents to clear the upgrade - this is even for a morning flight already past its departure time and boarding and there are no connecting passengers arriving for these flights.

While the upgrades were cleared (late) - this just delays boarding and affects an already late on time departure.

I've been upgraded after boarding but I think you're right that it's better to wait and see at the counter. One question I have is how did you know the number of available FC seats prior to the flight.

huh?

I'm doing a MR ZFV - EWR - LAX and return tomorrow with 9 empty seats in FC on the outbound (767). I'm Plat and still have not recieved a UG because I guess I'm on a cheapo ticket. They are playing games with the UGs. I believe any elite with a higher fare ticket will get the battlefield UG before me.

EUAs still aren't occurring on transcons. I have an SFO-EWR tomorrow (yes, Saturday)...I am a Plat with a B fare, there are 2 open seats in FC and still no EUA. I'll likely get the battlefield UG I think (just have to check-in at the 24 hour mark).

I checked at the President's Club prior to departure and they told me four seats were available in first.

Making such a definitive statement shows a naive understanding of the intricacies with which CO manages their available upgrade inventory. As others have noted, the route, day and time have much more to do than the systemwide quantity of elites with whether you get upgraded in advance, on the battlefield or not at all.

I really wont be surprised if CO begins to hold the majority of First class seats to day of departure on certain routes, in which case in a few weeks, all the seats will be going to high fare classes, last minute paid Y and those reaccomodated on Y fare tickets on day of departure, especially on transcons and any planes with reconfigured cabins. I will be watching this very closely.

WASJETBOY

I agree, I fly EWR - ORD - EWR every other weekend and last year I was UG every time 5 or 3 days out as a Plat. I only missed one UG all year long and since Feb. I can't get an UG.

This is my upcoming itinerary:

EWR-MCO on 3/7
MCO-IAH-SLC (stopover at IAH) on 3/7
SLC-DEN (on Frontier) on 3/8
DEN-IAH on 3/10 (quick meeting)
IAH-PBI on 3/10
PBI-EWR on 3/13

Last night I received my EUA for the IAH-SLC portion, still waiting on the others. Personally, as a Gold I am thrilled I got at least one after reading all the doom and gloom on this board. I am booked in an emergency exit row (w/recline) on every other leg, so I am at least covered there. If I can snag one more EUA and/or Battlefield, I will be very very pleased.

My experience as well as many others on these boards suggests this has been going on for quite a while now, especially in certain markets like DCA, EWR transcoms. It would be better for all if CO just came out and said that EAU are not run on every flight and in select markets with high volumes of last minute and purchases and frequen sale of FC tickets we reserve the right to only process UG's at the airport.

Just curious, why would that be better?