New to U/G Process
 

Hello FT'ers!

I just recently earned Silver status (hooray!) for the first time, and am quite new to the elite comp u/g process. I have a few business trips DEN-IAH coming up and I'm wondering what gives me the best chance at scoring an u/g as a Silver. V booking class has a reasonable ticket cost right now, do you think that is high enough, or should I hold out for H, Q, etc?

Thanks!!

Welcome to CO-land. From my understanding, DEN has the highest concentration of CO elites that isn't a hub...holdovers from when it was a hub. DEN-IAH upgrades are hard for Plats. Don't go in expecting the EUA.

And to further answer your question about the upgrade process in general, check out our stickied FAQ. There's a really good explanation in there.

If you're hoping to get an upgrade out of DEN as a Silver, you better fly at "off" times or when the business travelers aren't flying.

B fares where there is AN inventory available or a Y fare when any seat up front is still for sale = instant upgrade. Everything else is a crap shoot.

While you will do slightly better with the higher fare, the fact that you are at the bottom of the list anyways is really what is going to hurt your chances. I wouldn't buy from V up to H. I'd either buy the instant upgrade to be in F or the cheapest and expect to be in Y.

Thanks!
 

Thanks for the replies, and good point Mike about DEN being a CO hub back in the day...didn't even think about that!

I think I will just go ahead and book the flights now...I feel a bit guilty holding out for an M or H fare when I can book a cheaper one, and at least I can get a better seat in Y this far in advance.

0/2 this weekend as a PLAT.

Flight isn't that long though. If you can get an exit row seat at T-24 you'll be golden.

Also, lot of frequent flying oil field trash between IAH/DEN

That would be me. :p

I like your handle - go Boilers indeed!! ^^

FYI
 

Just to let you know, my upgrade actually cleared today! Recap:

CO Sliver Elite
Booked in V class DEN-IAH on CO 498 on a 753 (2:30 PM departure)

Was not very hopeful of an upgrade based on the comments above, but was the 3rd to last person to get a seat in F...very cool! :D

The 2:30 and 4:00ish departure are usually an easy upgrade, IME. Hope you're upgraded on the way back!

^

The 753 flights are the one of the few flights I was able to get an upgrade on as a Silver out of DEN.

Somehow I scored upgrades on 735s a few times as well.

great! I always try to fly off days and times to improve my chances.

Also new to U/G process on Co.com
 

I too am new to CO as a Gold.

I am confused by the upgrade process.

As mentioned I am Gold (on Co) and fly mostly on economy fares.

First few flights were easy to understand; Once I check in I can view my Comp U/G status and has cleared 3 for 3.

Tomorrow i have another flight booked on a 737 and I checked in 23hrs ahead of departure.

NO WHERE on the Co.com on the itin can I locate were I am in the upgrade list. It is like the button is missing.

I called Co.com and spoke to the rep at the Gold desk and she put me on hold, after a 6 minute wait she came back and said #4 on the list.

Does my being #4 have anything to do with the "button/link" to view the upgrade list?

What am I missing?

You can view the upgrade standby list for your flights at http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...s/default.aspx or pda.continental.com if you'd like a simpler view.

Your position on the list has to do with your elite level, the elite level of others on the flight and your fare class.