Upgrading with miles question
Mar 15, 2003 | 10:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: CLE
Posts: 48
Upgrading with miles question
Ok, I know non-elites can't updgrade using miles on T,Q, or V fares....but an elite member can upgrade the non-elite using his/her miles on those fares. My question is, can a non-elite upgrade an elite flying in T,Q, or V ahead of time with their miles? I probably am making myself sound stupid, since we can get the elite upgrade on those fares. But on some flights I am constantly being waitlisted and having no luck with EUA. My cousin has offered to upgrade me early enough in advance w/ his miles....since he owes me for helping him out on a Q fare. Thanks guys.
Mar 15, 2003 | 11:04 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: DTW
Programs: DL Platinum Medallion
Posts: 944
My understanding is elites can upgrade anyone on any fare with their miles, but non-elites can't upgrade anyone, regardless of status, with their miles on the deeply discounted fares.
Mar 16, 2003 | 10:20 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 68
I recently tried to use my miles to upgrade my (as of this year) non-elite wife for a trip to LA next week. While I could upgrade on the lowest available fare, I would have been required to buy a higher fare for my wife even though I was using my miles for the upgrade. That coupled with the fact that there were only seats available in one direction at the time of booking led me to book Jet Blue instead. If I'm going to be in coach I might as well have an extra inch of pitch.
Mar 16, 2003 | 10:33 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,206
An elite can upgrade anyone else, regardless of their elite status or fare basis, on any domestic flight ...as long as the space is available.
It's the non-elite who must buy a more expensive fare to upgrade.
It's the non-elite who must buy a more expensive fare to upgrade.
Mar 16, 2003 | 10:45 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
Rules is rules, and subject to 
enhancement with or without notice.
enhancement with or without notice.
Mar 16, 2003 | 4:07 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 68
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Weatherboy:
An elite can upgrade anyone else, regardless of their elite status or fare basis, on any domestic flight ...as long as the space is available.
It's the non-elite who must buy a more expensive fare to upgrade.</font>
An elite can upgrade anyone else, regardless of their elite status or fare basis, on any domestic flight ...as long as the space is available.
It's the non-elite who must buy a more expensive fare to upgrade.</font>
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Mar 16, 2003 | 4:09 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: In protest of Flyertalk's uncalledfor censoring of my point of view, I cancelled my InsideFlyer subscription. So long, and thanks for everything.
Posts: 3,325
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flyinggolfer:
I recently tried to use my miles to upgrade my (as of this year) non-elite wife for a trip to LA next week. While I could upgrade on the lowest available fare, I would have been required to buy a higher fare for my wife even though I was using my miles for the upgrade. That coupled with the fact that there were only seats available in one direction at the time of booking led me to book Jet Blue instead. If I'm going to be in coach I might as well have an extra inch of pitch.</font>
I recently tried to use my miles to upgrade my (as of this year) non-elite wife for a trip to LA next week. While I could upgrade on the lowest available fare, I would have been required to buy a higher fare for my wife even though I was using my miles for the upgrade. That coupled with the fact that there were only seats available in one direction at the time of booking led me to book Jet Blue instead. If I'm going to be in coach I might as well have an extra inch of pitch.</font>
Nov 24, 2003 | 1:12 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SPG Gold, Point Pleasant, NJ USA
Posts: 130
So what you are saying is...as a non-elite...I am essentially S.O.L. if I am trying to get an upgrade without paying extra $$$ or booking a "Y" fare.
Can anyone school a non-elite newbie in how to get an upgrade to first without having to pay the $300?
Thanks!
Can anyone school a non-elite newbie in how to get an upgrade to first without having to pay the $300?
Thanks!
Nov 24, 2003 | 1:32 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 4,952
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jen80370:
Can anyone school a non-elite newbie in how to get an upgrade to first without having to pay the $300?</font>
Can anyone school a non-elite newbie in how to get an upgrade to first without having to pay the $300?</font>
Domestically, you are not required to pay a surcharge for your travel - just purchase a qualifying fare.
Type of Upgrade Rewards
* Domestic mileage-deduct upgrades do not include Hawaii at the 10,000 (to be 15,000) mile levels.
[This message has been edited by dsimon (edited Nov 24, 2003).]
Nov 24, 2003 | 1:41 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 4,952
Sort of on-topic...
Did I read somewhere that the domestic mileage upgrade bucket (F) is changing to a different letter on January 1, or am I just making things up?
Did I read somewhere that the domestic mileage upgrade bucket (F) is changing to a different letter on January 1, or am I just making things up?
Nov 25, 2003 | 9:37 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SPG Gold, Point Pleasant, NJ USA
Posts: 130
dsimon...Thank you for clearing it up. Our "B" flight is December 26...EWR to SEA...I think it is time to start trying...
Nov 25, 2003 | 9:58 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 4,952
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jen80370:
Thank you for clearing it up. Our "B" flight is December 26...EWR to SEA.</font>
Thank you for clearing it up. Our "B" flight is December 26...EWR to SEA.</font>
If you are on CO1781, 1447, or 1881, there is nothing available for immediate upgrade, though A=9 for all of them, so the seats are there for revenue sale, just not released for mileage-deduct upgrades (at the moment)
If you are on CO1581, I would go ahead and do it now.
Nov 25, 2003 | 11:15 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SPG Gold, Point Pleasant, NJ USA
Posts: 130
Thanks so much for checking. We are on 1581!
Nov 25, 2003 | 11:32 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 4,952
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jen80370:
We are on 1581!</font>
We are on 1581!</font>
Nov 26, 2003 | 7:40 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SPG Gold, Point Pleasant, NJ USA
Posts: 130
I need to get out more. When I was told, "Mrs. Jen80370, we have you and Mr. Jen80370 in seats 3E and 3F...have a great flight," I squealed...which caused quite a ruckus in my office.
I feel like doing a happy dance.
Thanks for everyone's help. My husband is going to be soooo surprised. This is our first trip in First Class. As a woman used to eating her knees on flights (6'1), I do believe I am about to be spoiled.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I feel like doing a happy dance.
Thanks for everyone's help. My husband is going to be soooo surprised. This is our first trip in First Class. As a woman used to eating her knees on flights (6'1), I do believe I am about to be spoiled.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!