How Are Upgrades Determined?
May 21, 2003 | 11:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 44
How Are Upgrades Determined?
"As an added benefit, when a First Class or Business Class seat is available, the upgrade is automatically processed nightly according to Elite level, type of ticket purchased (both full and discount Economy fares), fare class, date and time of reservation." From CO's Web Site.
What are the fare classes (my tickets show T, Q, and S) and how do these relate to each other when determining upgrade chances? I'm attempting to develop some techniques to better the chances for an upgrade. I usually travel between San Juan through Newark to Los Angeles and back. Thanks.
Ken
What are the fare classes (my tickets show T, Q, and S) and how do these relate to each other when determining upgrade chances? I'm attempting to develop some techniques to better the chances for an upgrade. I usually travel between San Juan through Newark to Los Angeles and back. Thanks.
Ken
May 21, 2003 | 4:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,069
I suggest a good tarot card reader... who buys A class tickets.
That's a good way to get first class seats.
Seriously, though, those are low fares and are the last to be upgraded.
Everyone here will tell you, however, that the rules are rarely, if ever, consistently applied.
So, cross your fingers, watch the flights on www.itn.net to see if "F" class comes available, and go from there.
If it clears... celebrate.
If it doesn't... call and ask why.
That's a good way to get first class seats.
Seriously, though, those are low fares and are the last to be upgraded.
Everyone here will tell you, however, that the rules are rarely, if ever, consistently applied.
So, cross your fingers, watch the flights on www.itn.net to see if "F" class comes available, and go from there.
If it clears... celebrate.
If it doesn't... call and ask why.
May 21, 2003 | 5:25 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Smoke filled room, TPA and FLL/MIA :UAL 1K and 2MM,AA EX PLAT and 2MM,Lifetime Plat Starwood
Posts: 4,318
First you go to KFC to get the chicken bones you will need for the ritual sacrifice...
May 21, 2003 | 8:35 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,633
Well, I just checked on an itinerary for this weekend:
V-fare, EWR-SFO, Gold Elite.. upgraded to 2A.
The return leg is a Q fare - am keeping my toes crossed.
V-fare, EWR-SFO, Gold Elite.. upgraded to 2A.
The return leg is a Q fare - am keeping my toes crossed.
May 21, 2003 | 8:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: New York NY USA
Posts: 432
Why bother? Just do what I do and use your miles to purchase confirmed upgrades. (If available) After all, you can't take them with you and this "unlimted upgrade" crap is just that.
May 21, 2003 | 9:40 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus. Eurobonus Millionaire
Posts: 38,726
As a silver who flies mostly on Q/V fares I find I'm upgraded 75% of the time. I was even upgraded on a Q the other day from SFO->EWR. When I end up with a B fare I find I'm much more likely to be upgraded. Often B fares are only $20 or so more per segment. If it wasn't for the fact that I'd have to call and have a reservation changed to a B fare manually instead of via co.com I might even intentionally book B fares.
May 22, 2003 | 7:13 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 44
CO 1502 EWR 1740 LAX 2046 757 0
A4 D4 F4 Y9 H9 K9 B9 V9 Q9 S9 T9 L9
Thanks very much for your replies. Found the above data on http://www.seatmap.com/ concerning one of my flights on Saturday 05-24-03.
I assume the numbers indicate the seats remaining to be sold in each fare class (Y = full-fare coach; F = first), but other than these assumptions, do the letters directly correspond to the fare paid (ex. B is better than Q and Q is better than T)?
A4 D4 F4 Y9 H9 K9 B9 V9 Q9 S9 T9 L9
Thanks very much for your replies. Found the above data on http://www.seatmap.com/ concerning one of my flights on Saturday 05-24-03.
I assume the numbers indicate the seats remaining to be sold in each fare class (Y = full-fare coach; F = first), but other than these assumptions, do the letters directly correspond to the fare paid (ex. B is better than Q and Q is better than T)?
May 22, 2003 | 1:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: United GS, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 787
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kgm0001:
CO 1502 EWR 1740 LAX 2046 757 0
A4 D4 F4 Y9 H9 K9 B9 V9 Q9 S9 T9 L9
Thanks very much for your replies. Found the above data on http://www.seatmap.com/ concerning one of my flights on Saturday 05-24-03.
I assume the numbers indicate the seats remaining to be sold in each fare class (Y = full-fare coach; F = first), but other than these assumptions, do the letters directly correspond to the fare paid (ex. B is better than Q and Q is better than T)?</font>
CO 1502 EWR 1740 LAX 2046 757 0
A4 D4 F4 Y9 H9 K9 B9 V9 Q9 S9 T9 L9
Thanks very much for your replies. Found the above data on http://www.seatmap.com/ concerning one of my flights on Saturday 05-24-03.
I assume the numbers indicate the seats remaining to be sold in each fare class (Y = full-fare coach; F = first), but other than these assumptions, do the letters directly correspond to the fare paid (ex. B is better than Q and Q is better than T)?</font>
(I've never found an L fare).But, as far as upgrades are concerned, yes. Everything else being equal (elite status etc), the more you pay for a ticket, the better your chances (in theory). For coach fares the cheapest fare bucket is on the right (L), generally getting more expensive as you move left up until full coach (Y).
May 22, 2003 | 1:52 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kgm0001:
I'm attempting to develop some techniques to better the chances for an upgrade. I usually travel between San Juan through Newark to Los Angeles and back.</font>
I'm attempting to develop some techniques to better the chances for an upgrade. I usually travel between San Juan through Newark to Los Angeles and back.</font>
Also, search for non-BF equipped 757's that have 24 F seats up front. While not as desirable as actual BF seats, with 24 F seats on this type of aircraft, you have better odds of scoring the upgrade.
May 23, 2003 | 7:36 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 44
Thanks everyone. Got upgraded on both segments. Really appreciate the info. Flights out of LAX back to SJU through EWR might be a different story. Last time through IAH on a 767-400, FC was full as was the 737 to SJU. Gate agent at LAX said flights in the morning there were very difficult to upgrade on unless you book through Cleveland.
May 25, 2003 | 11:14 am
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/1mm/Admirals,United Silver+Club (life),Marriott Titanium,Hilton & Accor Gold
Posts: 5,064
On an upcoming flight ITN was A3 F1 just on the afternoon before my window. I figured no chance for an upgrade from a Q fare. Surprisingly, ITN now shows A2 F0 and I'm in First Class. Must be my lucky day.
May 25, 2003 | 11:17 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,245
For what it's worth, I just got upgraded this morning on a L fare PHX EWR as a CO Gold. Depart May 28.
May 25, 2003 | 1:32 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
just book a nice exit row seat and don't worry about it. if the upgrade happens, good. depending on the plane, you might even get as much leg room in first as an exit row. 
May 25, 2003 | 1:41 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 44
Food was very good yesterday, especially out of EWR. Will have digital photos of the food out of both SJU and EWR on www.airlinemeals.net in a week or so. Will take more photos if upgraded on the return on the 28th. FYI for steak lovers: was hoping they had my favorite entree, Sterling Silver grilled rib-eye steak, but the asparagus with veal was nearly as good. Good luck to all on your upgrades.
May 25, 2003 | 1:45 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: In the SKY most of the time!
Posts: 324
Mine are granted on account of my sheer masculine beauty!