Upgrade Chances: The Definitive Thread
Oct 23, 2007, 4:17 pm
#287
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: CVG
Programs: DL 3MM, US 972k (AA 0.0k), Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hertz G, Nurburgring in 8:29
Posts: 2,183
(assuming you're based out of ATL)
Honestly, if I were you, I'd book the cheaper conneting flight via NW through MSP or DTW solely for the MQM's per dollar ratio as it will help you get a little closer to Gold for less.
My first flight after being status matched to GM was DAY-JFK-LAS-CVG-DAY. The morning flights via JFK I did not upgrade on as a gold, but I was #1 on the board when I boarded (didn't know about the "don't-board-yet-just-hang-on" rule with DL). However the late afternoon return to CVG I was upgraded on.
THIS however was the weekend for the final four and every gambler in the universe was off to Vegas that weekend. Traveling during the world series shouldn't be that big an issue for you considering the two teams local cities don't connect too heavily though ATL to LAS.
SO, on the otherhand, yea, you could get your upgrade during those days, but what the hell, why not spend less and get more MQM's?
Honestly, if I were you, I'd book the cheaper conneting flight via NW through MSP or DTW solely for the MQM's per dollar ratio as it will help you get a little closer to Gold for less.
My first flight after being status matched to GM was DAY-JFK-LAS-CVG-DAY. The morning flights via JFK I did not upgrade on as a gold, but I was #1 on the board when I boarded (didn't know about the "don't-board-yet-just-hang-on" rule with DL). However the late afternoon return to CVG I was upgraded on.
THIS however was the weekend for the final four and every gambler in the universe was off to Vegas that weekend. Traveling during the world series shouldn't be that big an issue for you considering the two teams local cities don't connect too heavily though ATL to LAS.
SO, on the otherhand, yea, you could get your upgrade during those days, but what the hell, why not spend less and get more MQM's?
Oct 23, 2007, 7:21 pm
#288
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: DAB
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 627
(assuming you're based out of ATL)
Honestly, if I were you, I'd book the cheaper conneting flight via NW through MSP or DTW solely for the MQM's per dollar ratio as it will help you get a little closer to Gold for less.
My first flight after being status matched to GM was DAY-JFK-LAS-CVG-DAY. The morning flights via JFK I did not upgrade on as a gold, but I was #1 on the board when I boarded (didn't know about the "don't-board-yet-just-hang-on" rule with DL). However the late afternoon return to CVG I was upgraded on.
THIS however was the weekend for the final four and every gambler in the universe was off to Vegas that weekend. Traveling during the world series shouldn't be that big an issue for you considering the two teams local cities don't connect too heavily though ATL to LAS.
SO, on the otherhand, yea, you could get your upgrade during those days, but what the hell, why not spend less and get more MQM's?
Honestly, if I were you, I'd book the cheaper conneting flight via NW through MSP or DTW solely for the MQM's per dollar ratio as it will help you get a little closer to Gold for less.
My first flight after being status matched to GM was DAY-JFK-LAS-CVG-DAY. The morning flights via JFK I did not upgrade on as a gold, but I was #1 on the board when I boarded (didn't know about the "don't-board-yet-just-hang-on" rule with DL). However the late afternoon return to CVG I was upgraded on.
THIS however was the weekend for the final four and every gambler in the universe was off to Vegas that weekend. Traveling during the world series shouldn't be that big an issue for you considering the two teams local cities don't connect too heavily though ATL to LAS.
SO, on the otherhand, yea, you could get your upgrade during those days, but what the hell, why not spend less and get more MQM's?
Oct 23, 2007, 8:48 pm
#290
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: DAB
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 627
Oh well, he said 1/3 of 1st on the way out and 1/2 of first on the way back is still open, so maybe I'll get the upgrade. I'd really appreciate it on the way back.
Oct 23, 2007, 8:55 pm
#291
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: DAL Diamond, JB Mosaic, AGR Select+, SPG Plat 75, Hyatt Diamond, AXP Plat, AXP DAL Reserve, AXP SPG
Posts: 278
Oct 23, 2007, 11:20 pm
#296
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: DAB
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 627
Wow, I can route myself through MSP in first on NWA and get like 6500 MQMs for the trip, and the times still work out well. Don't think I can justify that in a business sense, though since one stops on Spirit in first are like $450.
Oct 24, 2007, 6:57 am
#297
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: DL Silver, AS MVP, UA Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,883
I wouldn't really factor Spirit in to the equation too much unless it's for one of their dirt cheap fares. I've flown them to MCO a few times and their operations are a cluster... unorganized boarding and rude/unattentive FAs. Their "Big Front Seats" are indeed bigger, about the size of an AirTran Business Class seat, but I don't think they have as much pitch. They're also not seperated from the rest of the cabin at all. The times I've flown them to MCO the fares have been in the $30 or less range r/t ALL IN. It's hard to complain about anything in that price range, but flying 4+ hours TCON I would personaly go coach (especially in a B767 exit row) over Spirit in the "Big Front Seat". I really think Spirit only offers those seats to say they have them. They don't do free upgrades for members of their program and those seats often fly empty or only 1/4 taken.
Oct 24, 2007, 7:07 am
#298
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 107
I saw that on seat counter. It's okay, I'm travelling with 2 non-status friends. Also you never know what will happen in ATL. I was fogged out of ATL earlier this month. I was confirmed upgraded on the ATL-SAV 757 flight, well missed the connection, next flight was on a mad dog, a lot less seats, so no upgrade.
Returning though CVG on Sunday, not ATL
Oct 24, 2007, 7:26 am
#299
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: not @ home...
Programs: DL 1.3MM GM , Marriott-Platinum Premier+Lifetime , Hilton-Blue, Nat'l-Emerald Club Executive Elite
Posts: 293
I think you would get more out of the $200 you'd save doing the MR run with NWA. The upgrades to/from LAS are tough. Even as a PM I have had problems getting upgraded on some runs.
Oct 24, 2007, 2:10 pm
#300
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: DAB
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 627
I wouldn't really factor Spirit in to the equation too much unless it's for one of their dirt cheap fares. I've flown them to MCO a few times and their operations are a cluster... unorganized boarding and rude/unattentive FAs. Their "Big Front Seats" are indeed bigger, about the size of an AirTran Business Class seat, but I don't think they have as much pitch. They're also not seperated from the rest of the cabin at all. The times I've flown them to MCO the fares have been in the $30 or less range r/t ALL IN. It's hard to complain about anything in that price range, but flying 4+ hours TCON I would personaly go coach (especially in a B767 exit row) over Spirit in the "Big Front Seat". I really think Spirit only offers those seats to say they have them. They don't do free upgrades for members of their program and those seats often fly empty or only 1/4 taken.