Upgradeability of EZE-IAH
Jul 26, 2009 | 11:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SFO
Posts: 206
Upgradeability of EZE-IAH
I'm flying EZE-IAH-SFO in August. The fares on the CO site are $865 for economy and $6950 for business. I'm Silver and have about 100k ffm. The 865 fare is non-upgradeable, but the last few times I flew the route I never failed to get a complimentary upgrade on the IAH-SFO leg both ways.
Question: is there a way to book a flight on the site or on the phone that gives me a 100% chance of upgrading with miles or am I stuck gambling on an upgradeable fee that's 3x-4x the lowest one for an uncertain probability of upgrades? If I have to gamble, is there any way to know the odds of getting an upgrade?
Question: is there a way to book a flight on the site or on the phone that gives me a 100% chance of upgrading with miles or am I stuck gambling on an upgradeable fee that's 3x-4x the lowest one for an uncertain probability of upgrades? If I have to gamble, is there any way to know the odds of getting an upgrade?
Jul 26, 2009 | 3:31 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: Kommissar Giga-Posting Direktor, PWP; Fasano Nouveau Aristocrat; CO Platinum; BD Gold; MR Gold
Posts: 18,733
All CO fares are upgradeable, but you will have to pay a copay and there will have to be upgrade availability.
Of course, that does not apply if you are traveling on a consolidator or similar fare.
Of course, that does not apply if you are traveling on a consolidator or similar fare.
I'm flying EZE-IAH-SFO in August. The fares on the CO site are $865 for economy and $6950 for business. I'm Silver and have about 100k ffm. The 865 fare is non-upgradeable, but the last few times I flew the route I never failed to get a complimentary upgrade on the IAH-SFO leg both ways.
Question: is there a way to book a flight on the site or on the phone that gives me a 100% chance of upgrading with miles or am I stuck gambling on an upgradeable fee that's 3x-4x the lowest one for an uncertain probability of upgrades? If I have to gamble, is there any way to know the odds of getting an upgrade?
Question: is there a way to book a flight on the site or on the phone that gives me a 100% chance of upgrading with miles or am I stuck gambling on an upgradeable fee that's 3x-4x the lowest one for an uncertain probability of upgrades? If I have to gamble, is there any way to know the odds of getting an upgrade?
Jul 26, 2009 | 7:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,959
If you are buying a ticket from continental.com and you are silver elite, all the tickets are upgradeable.
You will have to pay upfront the fee and give the mileage and if you do not receive the upgrade, both are returned. Once the upgrade is given, you cannot change your mind.
Look at these 2 links:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...rade/fees.aspx
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../chart_5a.aspx
You will have to pay upfront the fee and give the mileage and if you do not receive the upgrade, both are returned. Once the upgrade is given, you cannot change your mind.
Look at these 2 links:
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...rade/fees.aspx
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US.../chart_5a.aspx
Jul 27, 2009 | 5:17 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SFO
Posts: 206
Thanks, that's useful. With United I had to buy a higher fare just to have a chance of upgrading with unknown odds. This seems more fair.
Jul 27, 2009 | 5:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SJO
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 1,230
alternatively you could fly SFO-IAH-PTY-EZE via COPA and take your chances with free upgrades
the cabin is not BF (its more like international F)
when I went to EZE on May we even did the return leg with empty seats
the cabin is not BF (its more like international F)
when I went to EZE on May we even did the return leg with empty seats