Are IAH-FL upgrades really that hard?
Mar 4, 2009, 9:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Round Lake, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,064
Are IAH-FL upgrades really that hard?
First off, I am a spoiled former NW flyer that has a 100% upgrade as a PE. Now I am a PE on CO. I am flying ORD-IAH-PBI with a FLL-IAH-ORD return this fri/Mon. The ORD-IAH and return legs cleared but both FL flights did not. Is this typical?
Mar 4, 2009, 10:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,120
I would estimate that I clear 90%+ as a plat from IAH to Florida (primarily TPA, but also RSW and FLL)
Mar 4, 2009, 10:31 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Nothing - I'm useless!
Posts: 2,441
TPA-IAH flight yesterday i was watching the upgrades clear for my own interest/amusement as i am working my way up the status chain. They only sold like 3 seats in F but cleared a whole bunch of upgrades. Flight was oversold, $250 credit was the offer to take a later flight.
I think the routes are popular and there's plenty of folks on them with status. Nearly no one buys F on them.
I think the routes are popular and there's plenty of folks on them with status. Nearly no one buys F on them.
Mar 4, 2009, 11:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 3,169
my experience is that most flights will clear. even as a gold. a bit less likely for silver.
this holds true to all cites except MIA and JAX.
MIA is primarily serviced with 737-500's having only 8 seats in FC. JAX is much of the same, with an ERJ, having no FC, thrown in the mix.
the other markets use AC with FC seating in the 16-24 range.
all FL markets will also see 737-300's and 700's with 12 FC seats.
this holds true to all cites except MIA and JAX.
MIA is primarily serviced with 737-500's having only 8 seats in FC. JAX is much of the same, with an ERJ, having no FC, thrown in the mix.
the other markets use AC with FC seating in the 16-24 range.
all FL markets will also see 737-300's and 700's with 12 FC seats.
Mar 4, 2009, 11:33 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,199
PBI can be difficult during season - lot's of paid FC. FLL is a decent business market to IAH, and there are certain flights which will almost sell out F, while others only sell a few seats.
Flights 1849 and 149 are often among the hardest upgrades to snag, but it depends on the day. 249 used to be an easy upgrade for most Plats and some Golds, but changing it from a 753 down to a 738/752 has dramatically cut the ease of upgrading on that flight on key days.
To answer your question, I've often ridden in the back as a Plat between FLL and IAH, so the upgrades are not super-easy just because it's Florida.
Flights 1849 and 149 are often among the hardest upgrades to snag, but it depends on the day. 249 used to be an easy upgrade for most Plats and some Golds, but changing it from a 753 down to a 738/752 has dramatically cut the ease of upgrading on that flight on key days.
To answer your question, I've often ridden in the back as a Plat between FLL and IAH, so the upgrades are not super-easy just because it's Florida.
Mar 5, 2009, 12:03 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SFO and SSA
Posts: 92
As a Gold I've had excellent luck with upgrades on IAH-TPA and IAH-FLL flights.
Mar 5, 2009, 8:46 am
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
PBI is generally the hardest Southeast Florida upgrade, than FLL and finally MIA which seems the easiest to me, but that may be more perception than fact.
The West coast is a whole different animal with MCO being the easiest and TPA being significantly more difficult.
Dan
The West coast is a whole different animal with MCO being the easiest and TPA being significantly more difficult.
Dan
Mar 5, 2009, 9:20 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere. I know I get to TPA every few weeks.
Programs: HHonors Silver, CO Silver, Delta Silver, SPG Gold, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 62
As a silver, I have about 50/50 with IAH-TPA and TPA-IAH this year so far. Last year, was about 80%, but I expect the rate to go up now since we are after 01Mar.
Mar 6, 2009, 6:31 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: FLL
Programs: United Premier 1K; Alaska MVP 75K; Hilton Honors Diamond; Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 667
I fly the FL-IAH route a lot and I am upgraded 100% of the time, unless I am traveling on a reward ticket. Also, they lately have been flying in 762s and 764s into Lauderdale, which have been a nice surprise. They should work them into the schedule. Sometimes, I will get waitlisted if its a 752 but it always comes through.
Mar 6, 2009, 7:13 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Round Lake, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,064
I was on 1630 today - 737-800. 12 of 16 were paid F. I enjoyed (not) 5D for the 2 hours.
Mar 8, 2009, 5:15 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Round Lake, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,064
Update:
I am on 149 tomorrow FLL-IAH. Out of 16 F seats, all are taken and Im already 4th or 5th on the list. Looks like PE is not too helpful on this route for me.
I am on 149 tomorrow FLL-IAH. Out of 16 F seats, all are taken and Im already 4th or 5th on the list. Looks like PE is not too helpful on this route for me.
Mar 8, 2009, 5:19 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFE / SAT
Programs: UA Premier Silver, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 3,681
I imagine these first few weeks of March will be a hard upgrade due to Spring Break.
Mar 8, 2009, 9:06 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,199
Mar 9, 2009, 9:27 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Round Lake, IL
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,064
Mar 9, 2009, 10:08 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,199
