Upgrade Chances: The Definitive Thread
Jul 21, 2010, 8:05 pm
#767
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SLC/DCA
Programs: DL DM (and NRSA), UA NA, HH Dia, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,764
Jul 22, 2010, 12:17 am
#769
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,421
I'd say chances are pretty good (not guaranteed obviously) especially since you're on a "higher" fare basis and have requested the Z upgrade (check your itinerary to make sure). From your fare bucket list, it actually looks like Economy could be oversold (Y4 indicates only 4 economy at full Y available for sale), you probably had a chance of being operationally upgraded for free as a PM anyways.
It was discussed in another thread, but the same day standby for upgrade at gate feature is published for new SWUs but not AFAIK for international upgrades with miles. Nevertheless, the OP should be sure to try to be moved from the waitlist to the standby list at the (first if possible) airport on the day of departure in that direction.
As a new TATL upgrader, OP also needs to be sure that the ticket has been properly reissued with miles deducted. This may require multiple calls to DL. If there is a problem, check in will be long and frustrating, possibly resulting in a missed flight or a middle seat in coach.
Jul 22, 2010, 3:43 am
#770
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
Definitely worth calling the elite line at maybe T-36 or so to see if anything has opened up to save some stress at the airport. I did this recently and upgrade inventory had opened up and they cleared the upgrade. I think that the upgrades are supposed to clear automatically if you are on the waitlist, but better to be proactive, IMO.
Then again, given that the oversold situation looks so certain, you could always hold out for the op-up and save the miles.
Then again, given that the oversold situation looks so certain, you could always hold out for the op-up and save the miles.
Jul 24, 2010, 5:00 pm
#771
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 213
Chance of Upgrade Clearing and When
Am flying monday am (second flight of am) from sea to atl
have a B fare and am platinum with amex reserve
the flight is on 767 and there are 10 open F seats--
Was hoping to have cleared by now--do you think these are being held for gate upgrades in hopes they sell the remainder of the F seats?
have a B fare and am platinum with amex reserve
the flight is on 767 and there are 10 open F seats--
Was hoping to have cleared by now--do you think these are being held for gate upgrades in hopes they sell the remainder of the F seats?
Jul 26, 2010, 5:40 am
#773
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: GRU / SXB
Programs: FB Plat, CX Diamond, TK Elite *G, EK Gold, EY Silv, Amex Cent, R&C 5C, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Avis PC
Posts: 1,077
Is it possible to upgrade at check-in using Flying Blue Miles? If yes, how many miles ?
Jul 29, 2010, 11:06 pm
#774
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA CK
Posts: 78
Best Chance for upgrade JFK to LAX
FLying PHX to JFK to LAX to SLC to PHX in late Sept.
JFK to LAX is prob Wed or Thurs flight. I have never flown JFK to LAX before. Any advice as to time of day to fly to maximize upgrade chance? I'll be on U or L fare and am a PM.
JFK to LAX is prob Wed or Thurs flight. I have never flown JFK to LAX before. Any advice as to time of day to fly to maximize upgrade chance? I'll be on U or L fare and am a PM.
Last edited by frege5; Jul 29, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Jul 30, 2010, 12:00 am
#776
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Jul 30, 2010, 4:38 am
#778
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
Wednesday day is better than Thursday. There are no advanced upgrades on any JFK-LAX flights so prepare for a battlefield
Jul 30, 2010, 5:50 am
#780
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: DL PM, CO PE
Posts: 63
Here's what I do:
Since ALL BE upgrades on the JFK-->LAX flight occur at the gate, its pretty easy to tell the day before the flight where the openings are.
At booking I choose the flight with the best combination of Fare and Arrival Time to suit my needs. Then, the night before departure I scan for upgrade chances on all flights the next day and SDC into an alternate flight if the one I'm booked on looks doomed.
FWIW, As a PM, I'm 6/6 on my JFK/LAX/JFK BE upgrades, most on sLUT fares, and none on the red-eye or post 8 PM routes.