Upgrades on overseas flights
Dec 7, 2009, 6:38 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,553
Welcome to FlyerTalk. As others have stated, complimentary upgrades are not given on trans-oceanic flights, regardless of elite status or fare class. The only case that happens is when coach is oversold. In that case, typically platinums on high fare classes are upgraded first, and they work down by elite status and fare type as needed to open coach seats.
Standard domestic complimentary upgrade rules apply to flights within North America (except Hawaii), Central America, and at least some cities in northern South America. More details can be found on delta.com or nwa.com.
Standard domestic complimentary upgrade rules apply to flights within North America (except Hawaii), Central America, and at least some cities in northern South America. More details can be found on delta.com or nwa.com.
Dec 15, 2009, 9:51 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Plat, 1 MM; SPG LT Plat (RIP); Marriott LT Titanium; Fairmont Plat (RIP), DL Kryptonium Medallion
Posts: 1,791
Question: when do international op-ups get processed?
Last week, I was upgraded on JFK-NRT, as part of a JFK-NRT-SIN RT.
About 12 hours before the flight, I saw the "upgrade/standby list" button, clicked on it, and was amazed to see that there was an upgrade list and I was #1 of 10 on the upgrade list (I was on a V ticket and thus not eligible to use miles).
The following morning, ~5 hours before the flight, I was #1 of 9. Not long thereafter I was upgraded. Based on the change in the J seatmap and what I saw on the plane, I think everyone on the list was upgraded.
I had called NW the day before about op-ups and how people are prioritized and was curtly told that this is handled by the airport, and so they couldn't tell me anything.
Expertflyer had shown anywhere from Y3 to Y6 (and some seats on lower buckets) for the preceding couple of days, so I didn't think it was oversold. When I was on the plane, I noticed that coach did seem to have, at most, a few open seats (and this after ~9 passengers were upgraded).
So if they had to accomodate other pax at the airport, I am surprised that the upgrade would clear 4-5 hours before flight, but if they didn't and knew the flight would be full, I don't know why expertflyer was showing Y6 that morning.
Also, for the other 3 flights on my itinerary, there was no upgrade list (at least none for non-YBM passengers), and some of them I thought had lower Expertflyer availability than the first segment.
Last week, I was upgraded on JFK-NRT, as part of a JFK-NRT-SIN RT.
About 12 hours before the flight, I saw the "upgrade/standby list" button, clicked on it, and was amazed to see that there was an upgrade list and I was #1 of 10 on the upgrade list (I was on a V ticket and thus not eligible to use miles).
The following morning, ~5 hours before the flight, I was #1 of 9. Not long thereafter I was upgraded. Based on the change in the J seatmap and what I saw on the plane, I think everyone on the list was upgraded.
I had called NW the day before about op-ups and how people are prioritized and was curtly told that this is handled by the airport, and so they couldn't tell me anything.
Expertflyer had shown anywhere from Y3 to Y6 (and some seats on lower buckets) for the preceding couple of days, so I didn't think it was oversold. When I was on the plane, I noticed that coach did seem to have, at most, a few open seats (and this after ~9 passengers were upgraded).
So if they had to accomodate other pax at the airport, I am surprised that the upgrade would clear 4-5 hours before flight, but if they didn't and knew the flight would be full, I don't know why expertflyer was showing Y6 that morning.
Also, for the other 3 flights on my itinerary, there was no upgrade list (at least none for non-YBM passengers), and some of them I thought had lower Expertflyer availability than the first segment.
Dec 15, 2009, 10:23 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Jan 3, 2010, 2:11 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SMF
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt D
Posts: 416
I'm a new to FT and am interested in flying TPAC. Currently I have PM status and will be DM next year. If I purchase a T class NRT flight (SFO, PDX or LAX) what are my chances of getting up in FC? Looking through the forums it does not look good. Most of my experience is domestic - which was relatively positive. If there are open seats in FC will the GA not upgrade elites because of fare class and policy? How does this work on an NRT flight?
Jan 3, 2010, 2:26 am
#8
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Plat, PC&HH Gold
Posts: 2,602
I would say your confidence of flying coach is 98%. If the flight is oversold in coach you will be one of the top flyers considered for an op-up. Especially if the system updates for diamond are being implemented early.
Jan 3, 2010, 5:00 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Yes, M, Y, or B but M will be the cheapest (well ok, not cheap at all but CHEAPER than B or Y). Probably around $3,300.00
Jan 3, 2010, 7:18 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
Jan 3, 2010, 7:47 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 664
Welcome to FlyerTalk. As others have stated, complimentary upgrades are not given on trans-oceanic flights, regardless of elite status or fare class. The only case that happens is when coach is oversold. In that case, typically platinums on high fare classes are upgraded first, and they work down by elite status and fare type as needed to open coach seats.
Standard domestic complimentary upgrade rules apply to flights within North America (except Hawaii), Central America, and at least some cities in northern South America. More details can be found on delta.com or nwa.com.
Standard domestic complimentary upgrade rules apply to flights within North America (except Hawaii), Central America, and at least some cities in northern South America. More details can be found on delta.com or nwa.com.
When traveling with the family internationally, all on the same PNR, I, a PM, have wondered whether I would be overlooked for the oversold upgrade because of the other members (all general members) present in the PNR. Is this true?
I have also asked what would happen with regards to luggage allowances if I were split from the PNR in order to optimize the chance for the oversold UG and was told that the remaining pax would then be subject to luggage fees. Is this true?
Jan 3, 2010, 7:57 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
Questions:
When traveling with the family internationally, all on the same PNR, I, a PM, have wondered whether I would be overlooked for the oversold upgrade because of the other members (all general members) present in the PNR. Is this true?
I have also asked what would happen with regards to luggage allowances if I were split from the PNR in order to optimize the chance for the oversold UG and was told that the remaining pax would then be subject to luggage fees. Is this true?
When traveling with the family internationally, all on the same PNR, I, a PM, have wondered whether I would be overlooked for the oversold upgrade because of the other members (all general members) present in the PNR. Is this true?
I have also asked what would happen with regards to luggage allowances if I were split from the PNR in order to optimize the chance for the oversold UG and was told that the remaining pax would then be subject to luggage fees. Is this true?
as for your 2nd question: I try never to answer a question with a question, but why would you want to upgrade and leave your family in coach? First off, I dont have any personal knowledge of this but I do not think you can split the PNR and if you were able to, they would be subject to the luggage fees. Mind you, I dont work for Delta but thats my understanding of how things work at Delta.