Last week I was booked on the 5:50 PM BDL to IAH. Silly me, didn't realize it made a stop in CLE.

Here's my issue. I didn't get the upgrade BDL to CLE. However, I was still on the flight from CLE to IAH. Folks in first got off, freeing some upgrade opportunities. Unfortutately, since I was booked BDL to CLE, I wasn't eligible for the CLE to IAH upgrade. The woman at the P-Club (the gate agent didn't have any idea what I was talking about) explained this is a glitch in the system and catches folks periodically.

They handed out 1 upgraded and then BF'd the guy next to me, but my H fare butt stayed in coach - not even mentioned on the list. ( I know the folks who got it may have been Y fares, but it would have been nice to get a shot.)

Is this a common occurance? Is it something CO is aware of? I can't remember it coming up as an issue before in discussions, but I could have missed it.

I know next time to separate the segments or just skip the IAH segment and go straight to AUS on the jungle jet in "first class" (hey, Larry K. said they have a first class: it's the short side).

On another interesting note, my flight next week IAH to BDL just cleared upgrade. It's a 6 seater in first. 3 seats were open and they GAVE ME ONE - 5 days out

I am on LGA-SFO w/stop in CLE, and I am very worried I'll get screwed by this.

Yes it is to both. It's been discussed a couple of times (not often) on here. They have no way to seperate the flights out for you since you're really booked on 1 flight and not 2. Speaking nicely to a GA will help most times. I've done this for both the 1st and 2nd portions of a direct flight in the past. The 2nd portion is easier for them to do then the 1st. On the 1st normally the GA will either look at where I would be if I was only going to the hub and upgrade me based on that or wait till the entire list is cleared and just tell me to take a seat and then lets the FA know why I'm up there(since I'm listed in coach). Doesn't always work so YMMV but the GAs I've dealt with generally are helpful, just don't be pushy/demanding.

If at all possible I avoid taking "direct" routings to avoid this situation, I'll bite the bullet if I have to but not only does this sort of thing hurt your chances of an EUA, but you get nailed on the mileage too, as you are getting the mileage as if the flight were nonstop, instead of actual flown miles with two segments.

CO doesn't do a whole lot of this, but it does pay to keep on the lookout for these tricks if you are concerned with either your upgrade chances or EQMs for a certain flight. The biggest key is to catch direct flights on odd routings, like LAX-LIS, that CO does not operate, and manually construct a connection to cover your bases, otherwise you may be left with the sinking feeling that CO has just "pulled a fast one" on you at the airport, like the OP did.

Oftentimes, you can manually construct a connection with different flight numbers that work better, timing-wise, than the direct flight, which more often than not operate with different equipment.

Be ever mindful...

I believe you can use the multi-segment option to book the two flights as seperate legs. You can then get different seats on each, online or off, and get EUA. Just like two seperate flights. Also earn mileage based on the two flights added together, not "direct". That could make a big difference for flights like CO99 BOS-EWR-HKG, CO89 IAH-EWR-PEK or CO7 SAT-IAH-NRT-GUM.

The cost should be only about $5 extra for each leg if you construct them seperately.

I guess I had the opposite experience of the original poster. I posted this complaint on 5/31/05. I was on CO 6 GUM-NRT-IAH --a "direct" flight. I had been upgraded for the GUM-NRT portion and I guess the system just upgraded me for the NRT-IAH portion too. I was happy until they stopped me in NRT and downgraded me. Direct flights are loads of fun like that!!

Does anyone know if EUA on direct flights is still an issue? The first segment of my direct flight this weekend looks good, but the second looks unlikely. Will EUA run them separately, or will there have to be R availability on both to get the UG? Any issues with processing the first flight at the airport?

Can these flights be separated by calling the elite desk? I'm not too worried about the extra miles (it's only 44)...I just want my UG!

FWIW, EUA's will not work on a NW direct flight when the a portion of it is not automatic upgrades (e.g. MSP - (LAX) - HNL).

DL has the same issue. For example, they used to run a DCA-CVG-DFW flight that you could book DCA-DFW. If you booked DCA-DFW and were a medallion, you would only clear an upgrade if upgrade seats were available on both legs. Luckily, I figured this out from a great agent and started booking as a multi-city trip so that each flight was completely separate. I suggest the CO folks to the same. If you are already booked incorrectly, call customer service and they can separate the flights.....many agents don't know how to do this but it can be done fairly easily.

I used to take the "direct" flight from BOS-LAX that stopped in CLE. As a gold, the BOS-CLE upgrade was unlikely, but I had a better shot on the second "hop." When I checked in at the desk / bag drop in BOS, I specifically asked them to add me to the waitlist in CLE - never got an objection and almost always got the upgrade. :-)

I ended up calling the CO.com support desk and asked them to split the flight for upgrade purposes. They did it with no problem, and the EUA happened a few hours later. I'm starting to like working with the support desk more than calling the elite line!

Not true at all. I've had them do it for me not only for EUA but to accrue more miles. See IAH_FLYER's post also.

I would have to agree. The web support desk seems to be able to change tickets with less hassle than the elite desk these days. In addition, the elite desk often directs you to web support a lot more than in the past.