Flyertalkers,

I just returned from a weekend in Vegas and was upgraded on the way there via EAU. On the way back, EAU did not upgrade me but I knew there were still a couple seats left. When I checked in, I was told that I had "pretty high priority" on the waitlist.

In the end, I was upgraded on neither segment. However, there were plenty of people trying to sweet-talk the gate agents into giving them the upgrade. I don't know whether the people who got upgraded had higher priority than me (I'm a gold and was traveling on a V ticket) or they just managed to charm the gate agent.

So, my question is whether it makes any difference to beg, plead, etc. with the gate agent. Also, does it pay to "stalk" the gate agent by not boarding when elite priority boarding is called and waiting for everyone else to board in the hopes that you'll be the one to get the battlefield upgrade. So, I guess the real question is how well do CO gate agents do at sticking with the rules they're supposed to follow with respect to upgrades?

Thanks,

Brooklynflyer

Also, although no fan of DL, wouldn't be great if the monitors at the gate showed upgrade waitlist. That way there would be no questions as to whether the correct procedures had been followed.

Has anyone ever suggested this to anyone with any power at CO (ie not the folks at 1-800-WE-COULD-CARE-LESS)?

It ain't unheard of for gate agents to forget to let you know that you been upgraded an' give the seat to a NRSA coworker. (after all, CO's one of the 100 best companies to work for )

Groveling before the gate agents don't do no good and just makes you look like a jerk. You just gotta live with it.

There's no need to beg or to be overly aggressive, but it pays to be vigilant and available. Stop by the podium a few minutes before boarding commences, and politely alert the gate agent to your presence and inquire about your upgrade chances. As you end the conversation, let her know that you will be standing nearby and take a position where while not obstructing the boarding process, you are still close to the podium and in the agent's line of sight. And keep your fingers crossed.

"i just have to be in first class...plleeeaaassseeeee...i can't go back to coach....i've flown in first before and can't go back......plleeeaaassseee!!!! that's two and a half hours in a smaller chair...and i have to pay for my drinks...ppllleeeaaassseee don't make me sit back there!!!!"




[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 09-02-2003).]

Don't beg the gate agent. this is sure fire way for them to "accidently on purpose" skip over your name.

Begging and annoying them repeatedly? Probably won't help.

Asking nicely once, smiling, just making sure everything is all set? It works for me and seemingly can't hurt.

I usually check in with them and as nice as I always am; I rarely get an unfriendly response. Plenty of times I've been "the sixth platinum on the list and we're only missing one first class passenger," but then they call my name right before push back.

Who knows?

It's been my experience that being extra-nice and friendly to the gate/ticket counter agent never hurt. I've also seen situations where rude passengers or over-agressive passengers (the types that check the gate 8-9x to see if they've cleared the upgrade list) somehow "accidentially" drop out of the upgrade list. So I would say always be nice but don't be pushy --how you act with the agents may help some rules be bent (in or against your favor.)

I've also flown a few times with a friend who is a very attractive television personality. He holds no status with CO and is cheap (always buys coach), but he always gets upgraded regardless of the fare paid and airline. He's quite a pro at it --he sweet-talks the agents, lays on a thick layer of charm, and puts on quite a show. Even with A1F0 showing before departure, he was able to get an upgrade to 1st ahead of me on CO (at the ticket counter) before I cleared as a Platinum at the gate. (And his act doesn't stop there ..on the plane, he's able to manipulate his looks/charm with the flight attendants.) So I guess in this case, exceptional looks and great personality can also help bend the rules.

See, that's what I find annoying and is the worst thing about EAU no longer filling all remaining seats at the 3-hour mark. Say what you will about EAU but at least no one can accuse it of playing favorites.

That's why having the monitors list upgrade priority would be great--more transparency and less room for the gate agents to play favorites.

Fyi, I always smile, politely ask what my chances are and take my seat in coach when boarding is called. Some people are more insistent and spend 15 minutes trying to sweet-talk the agents into giving them the upgrade--and sometimes it works.

Yes, it might pay to bed the gate agent.

Yeah, sounds like he has a great personality.