Upgrade etiquette
 

Scenario: A friend and I are flying on the same flight - both T fares; 2 separate reservations. I'm Gold, he's Silver. We currently are sitting together.

Last time we flew together, I got upgraded at the last min while sitting in coach and it created a problem (some lady was upset that I had her seat when I had unknowingly been upgraded). Then the dilemma of taking the seat or staying in coach.

While it unlikely as we are on T fares to be upgrade, its also a short flight on a CRJ 900 which is usually when I get upgraded. Would it be best to not request the upgrade, or can I do it and then refuse it if he as a Silver doesn't get the upgrade? Or is it just best to take my original seat and give the upgraded boarding pass to the person who then got the seat (or does that tick off someone on the upgrade list)?

Basically, what is the Flyertalk etiquette in this situation?

you can always refuse an upgrade once it's cleared. i would definitely prefer to take my chances until the door is literally about to close, as you both are elites and thus are eligible

i have flown with non-elite companions and noted that my charms never worked on the gate agent to upgrade them. but, the person sitting in my pre-assigned seat (next to said companions) is generally happy to trade places with me :)
unless, of course, the companion does not desire the seat up front himself...

what flight is it? i can take a look at expert flyer for ya to see how it is looking

p.s. refusing the upgrade at the gate can create a mess with your seat assignments.. so i prefer to have that power myself. plus... the greatful looks, smiles, and thanks, can make your flight :)

The problem with refusing the upgrade is then you lose the seat next to your companion and get the seat of whoever does get upgraded, so you're not sitting together anyway.

I think the etiquette is you take the upgrade if you get it, and either send you traveling companion up to F or take it yourself (or trade off if you fly together enough.)

I know me personally, I take the upgrade unless the traveling companion is the wife.

Or, go back to your original seat and offer the upgrade to that person (assuming the seat was filled). If the seat wasn't filled but you still want to sit with your companion, just look for the cutest single woman (or man) nearby and offer it to them. If you're traveling with your spouse - make sure you offer it to someone ugly.






(It's just a joke people.)

I agree. And you choose not to do that...do whatever you want.

Upgrade Etiquette
 

I will be flying JFK-MSP-LNK for business in a few days. Yesterday, I surprisingly learned that a very senior member of upper management (4 levels above me on the org. chart) decided to "join" me on this trip. We've never traveled together before. This person is a loyal *A member (as are most people in my firm), whereas I am one of the few dedicated Delta / ST fliers.

For this year, I am 100% on upgrades (both business and leisure). On leisure trips, without hesitation I always give the upgrade to my spouse. However, for this particular trip, I for some reason feel awkward about sitting up front, while a a very senior member of the firm sits in the back.

I am planning on inviting this person into SC on my behalf. However, I am unsure what to do regarding the upgrade on the JFK-MSP leg (although only 3.5 hours long). Should I:

1. Reject the upgrade and sit in coach (not necessarily next to this person, but hopefully an aisle seat).

2. Ask the GA to give the upgrade to this person, without telling them it was from me. Have the GA make up some story that DL appreciates their business.

3. Accept the upgrade, sit up front, while they sit in the back. It was this person's choice to fly with me, instead of UAL.

Considering my career, general business etiquette, and my desire to continue flying DL / ST and not *A, which of the above is the best choice? Is there any standard practice in these situations?

I haven't flown on DL in about 2 years, but do they allow you to sponsor him a miles upgrade?
If they do, do you have the miles to support it?

Keep your FC seat.

Just avoid saying "Neener, neener, neener" as he walks past and hope that he assumes your presence up front comes as consequence of your talent and superior intellect.:D

Company politics aside its the answer that will probably be your best bet. Leaving him in back can't be good, and trying to fake him an upgrade could backfire somehow (let's say another flyer is there to say... hey, if he's not taking it, I am next on the list)

You can't go wrong with sitting in the same class of service, get some face time, and work dilligently on the flight. You can get some "points" by allowing him to board with you in zone 1 (flame-on....).

If he asks you can say you were offered the upgrade but declined it. Then tell him the upgrade grass on the DL side is greener than *A and he should come over as well. Get him the status match info.

I'd turn down the upgrade and sit in back.

If you have to seek advice, that means that sitting up front while el jefe cools his heels in the back would be gauche. Similarly, having the GA anonymously give the u/g to him just doesn't sound like a good plan. You might get caught and end up looking a little smarmy.

Instead, I'd work on getting both of you into bulkheads at the front of coach. There, you can extol the virtues of Delta's domestic F product (:rolleyes:).

I have more than enough miles, but I'd rather use it for travel with my spouse.

Depends on the company really. At the subsidiary of the company I work for, our VP (also a PM right now) has told me that if I didn't take a F seat over him (he knows I'll make DM in a couple of weeks), he would be very disappointed in me for not taking my seat up front.

Then again, I will say that leadership in my division (a subsidiary of a major Fortune 50) is great and fosters a great working environment.

Request a companion upgrade by calling Delta or day of departure....... Otherwise I would offer it to the senior member.

Yup, I just did a companion upgrade in a similar situation last week and it went off perfectly. :D

Since it seems like he is a frequent flier (just on another airline), he will understand the game and that your upgrade is free, etc. Unless you already have some sort of strained relationship, take the upgrade and make a joke about it.

I've dealt with this situation several times while traveling with people a few levels above me. In those cases, they were not frequent travelers, but understood that I am and those perks come with the territory.