GM Upgrade doesn't clear at window...
Oct 21, 2010, 6:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, UA GOLD, HERTZ #1 GOLD, STRWD PLAT
Posts: 614
GM Upgrade doesn't clear at window...
I'm sure it's been answered here thousands of times, but I can't seem to find it in a search, so I apologize.
If a GM upgrade doesn't clear at the window, is there a chance that it may clear prior to the gate, or does it always mean that it will be a possible gate upgrade situation?
If a GM upgrade doesn't clear at the window, is there a chance that it may clear prior to the gate, or does it always mean that it will be a possible gate upgrade situation?
Oct 21, 2010, 6:58 am
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 785
Really? You couldn't find this?
Without V (or X) inventory when your UG window comes up, you'll be left to what's called the "battlefield," or gate. You'll end up on an upgrade priority list and will be ordered based on medallion level and ticket price.
There's a small chance it'll clear prior to the gate if inventory opens, but it looks like you'll be waiting for a BF upgrade as described above.
Without V (or X) inventory when your UG window comes up, you'll be left to what's called the "battlefield," or gate. You'll end up on an upgrade priority list and will be ordered based on medallion level and ticket price.
There's a small chance it'll clear prior to the gate if inventory opens, but it looks like you'll be waiting for a BF upgrade as described above.
Oct 21, 2010, 7:05 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
I'm sure it's been answered here thousands of times, but I can't seem to find it in a search, so I apologize.
If a GM upgrade doesn't clear at the window, is there a chance that it may clear prior to the gate, or does it always mean that it will be a possible gate upgrade situation?
If a GM upgrade doesn't clear at the window, is there a chance that it may clear prior to the gate, or does it always mean that it will be a possible gate upgrade situation?
Oct 21, 2010, 7:18 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Programs: DL 1MM Platinum, UA 1k, HH Silver, BonVoy Platinum
Posts: 1,146
I'm PM and didn't clear an upgrade yet for a MSP-PHX flight on the 22nd...but even more oddly, I can't see an upgrade list! When I checked in for my flight from BKK, I can see a link to view the upgrade list...but it comes up empty. Weird!
Oct 21, 2010, 7:23 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: HSV
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/1.2MM, UA Premier gold/1MM, Choice diamond, Marriott gold
Posts: 1,374
Time to call the medallion line.
Oct 21, 2010, 7:34 am
#7
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 785
Is this part of a multi-leg? If so, it will often only display the first leg.
Oct 21, 2010, 7:50 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
I believe the upgrade list will only display online within the check-in window for that flight. Since you checked in at BKK I am assuming that it is greater than 24 hours from your domestic segment. Once you are within the 24 hours of your domestic segment the upgrade list for that flight should show.
Oct 21, 2010, 7:51 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Programs: DL 1MM Platinum, UA 1k, HH Silver, BonVoy Platinum
Posts: 1,146
Yeah, I called the desk and that is what they thought sounded right as well (but the guy sounded like a newbie, and TTT might be right as well). Anyway I was able to confirm they still have seats in F for sale, and I'm currently #1 on the upgrade list, so my perfect streak might be saved!~!
Last edited by Powers106; Oct 21, 2010 at 7:53 am Reason: added
Oct 21, 2010, 8:37 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, UA GOLD, HERTZ #1 GOLD, STRWD PLAT
Posts: 614
Really? You couldn't find this?
Without V (or X) inventory when your UG window comes up, you'll be left to what's called the "battlefield," or gate. You'll end up on an upgrade priority list and will be ordered based on medallion level and ticket price.
There's a small chance it'll clear prior to the gate if inventory opens, but it looks like you'll be waiting for a BF upgrade as described above.
Without V (or X) inventory when your UG window comes up, you'll be left to what's called the "battlefield," or gate. You'll end up on an upgrade priority list and will be ordered based on medallion level and ticket price.
There's a small chance it'll clear prior to the gate if inventory opens, but it looks like you'll be waiting for a BF upgrade as described above.
Oct 21, 2010, 8:43 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 143
I've only had it happen once where I've cleared inside my 3 day window. It was less than 24 hours before the flight, but before the airport takes control which is 3 hours prior to departure time I think. It happened overnight so I'm not exactly sure how far out it occurred.
Oct 21, 2010, 8:56 am
#12
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 785
Gotcha. Yeah, it's happened. I have to guess it happens when a V/X seat opens up when someone else changes flights or cancels. Or if revenue management does something magical.
Oct 21, 2010, 9:10 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
I've been watching upgrade availability for some of my future DL flights in ExpertFlyer, and it seems pretty common that 7 days out they show wide open availability in V/X - 8's or 9's. Then suddenly everything goes to 0 - while interestingly the seat map in the first class cabin doesnt change much or at all.
A pretty bogus system, as I am sure has been discussed many times before here.
A pretty bogus system, as I am sure has been discussed many times before here.
Oct 21, 2010, 9:32 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: DL DM; SPG Gold
Posts: 1,733
It also happened once that I was on UG list for gate upgrade but was upgraded when printing my BP from the kiosk 2 hrs before my flight.
It seems that once you reached your window, UG can clear anytime.
Oct 21, 2010, 9:32 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
It happens. Not often, but it's not a rarity either. Like others said, if V inventory becomes available, it will immediately get allocated to the next elites in line who are within the upgrade window. Happened to me last month on DTW-SFO. I was too low on the list to clear at the Plat window, but I ended up clearing a day or two later when more inventory opened up.
Some routes will never have upgrade inventory released prior to the gate, as others have mentioned, including JFK-LAX, etc. All depends on what they think they can sell, however realistic.
Some routes will never have upgrade inventory released prior to the gate, as others have mentioned, including JFK-LAX, etc. All depends on what they think they can sell, however realistic.