2013 Upgrade Success Thread
May 13, 2013, 12:00 pm
#136
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: FLL
Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 5,162
Yeah, I was actually incredibly surprised. Sort of figured I would clear on my MSP-STL and STL-ATL legs, but the ATL-LAX UG was a total shock. I checked the DL app from the SC in ATL and I was #10 on the list with 2 seats remaining.
Got to the gate and asked the GA about the UG list because I didn't see my name anywhere - more out of curiosity than anything else. That's when she confirmed I cleared. Somehow moved up to #2 with 2 seats remaining. Thought I was going to have a heart attack when she told me I made my UG. Only the second time I've ever made the ATL-LAX UG. Nice way to finish off and MR. Granted, the F seats on the 76Q aren't the greatest, but better than Y any day.
Now if I only I hadn't screwed up and pulled a rookie move - miscalculated my MQM's and fell a few hundred short of GM. Oh well, my J flight to Italy next month will more than cover that.
Got to the gate and asked the GA about the UG list because I didn't see my name anywhere - more out of curiosity than anything else. That's when she confirmed I cleared. Somehow moved up to #2 with 2 seats remaining. Thought I was going to have a heart attack when she told me I made my UG. Only the second time I've ever made the ATL-LAX UG. Nice way to finish off and MR. Granted, the F seats on the 76Q aren't the greatest, but better than Y any day.
Now if I only I hadn't screwed up and pulled a rookie move - miscalculated my MQM's and fell a few hundred short of GM. Oh well, my J flight to Italy next month will more than cover that.
How does that work out to a rookie move if you are on a J flight to Italy next month? If you are paying for that, as a RT, from LAX-JFK-FCO, with 150% MQM, that should bring you to the brink of PM, with about 20K MQM earned there, or am I missing something?
May 13, 2013, 12:51 pm
#137
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: DL PM | Marriott Gold | Alaska Gold
Posts: 758
Rookie move because I mis-calculated my MQM's leading up to the Italy trip thinking I'd be just over 50K MQM's prior to Italy. Just shy right now by a few hundred MQM. But you're correct, I'll return from the trip well over GM and near PM - which PM was my goal with DL for 2013. Already have 15K MQM's worth of MR's booked for the fall too, so should finish 2013 with about 90K MQM (assuming I do some more work travel on DL in 2013 as well)
May 13, 2013, 1:26 pm
#138
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: DL PM, Hertz Gold Plus, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,049
I got my first BFUG of the year on Friday (5/10/2013) flying BOS-DTW at 6:35pm. I was SHOCKED - FO on a T fare, flying to a hub on a Friday evening after work - seems like a worst-case scenario, no? I had been maybe #6 of 8 for 2 seats, so maybe the folks ahead of me misconnected or SDCed. Regardless, I was pretty happy for my new seat. :-)
I did well on the return, too (5/12/2013) - SDCed from DTW-BOS to DTW-IND-BOS for the extra MQMs, and because I saw RU = 4 right before the SDC window opened. Made the upgrade on IND-BOS immediately after the ticket was reissued (no FC on DTW-IND - CR2 aircraft).
I did well on the return, too (5/12/2013) - SDCed from DTW-BOS to DTW-IND-BOS for the extra MQMs, and because I saw RU = 4 right before the SDC window opened. Made the upgrade on IND-BOS immediately after the ticket was reissued (no FC on DTW-IND - CR2 aircraft).
May 17, 2013, 1:41 pm
#139
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Delta DM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 98
Amazing Upgrade Percentage Year-to-date
Hi all,
Been reading a lot of people, esp FOs complaining about lack of upgrades domestically. Thought I would share my upgrade experience in 2013 so far:
MSP-PDX: 1/4
PDX-MSP: 0/4
PDX-JFK: 0/3
JFK-PDX: 0/3
PDX-DTW: 1/1
DTW-PDX: 0/1
PDX-ATL: 0/1
ATL-PDX: 0/1
Total of 2/18 upgrades for the year domestically.
I am not complaining - I am happy when I get upgraded, but don't expect it, nor do I feel entitled to it.
I am quite satisfied with Delta's products, service and promptness, and will continue to fly them both domestically and intl.
My perspective.
^^
Been reading a lot of people, esp FOs complaining about lack of upgrades domestically. Thought I would share my upgrade experience in 2013 so far:
MSP-PDX: 1/4
PDX-MSP: 0/4
PDX-JFK: 0/3
JFK-PDX: 0/3
PDX-DTW: 1/1
DTW-PDX: 0/1
PDX-ATL: 0/1
ATL-PDX: 0/1
Total of 2/18 upgrades for the year domestically.
I am not complaining - I am happy when I get upgraded, but don't expect it, nor do I feel entitled to it.
I am quite satisfied with Delta's products, service and promptness, and will continue to fly them both domestically and intl.
My perspective.
^^
May 17, 2013, 1:54 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Western Wisconsin
Programs: DL DM, HH Devalued Diamond, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 800
Hi all,
Been reading a lot of people, esp FOs complaining about lack of upgrades domestically. Thought I would share my upgrade experience in 2013 so far:
MSP-PDX: 1/4
PDX-MSP: 0/4
PDX-JFK: 0/3
JFK-PDX: 0/3
PDX-DTW: 1/1
DTW-PDX: 0/1
PDX-ATL: 0/1
ATL-PDX: 0/1
Total of 2/18 upgrades for the year domestically.
Been reading a lot of people, esp FOs complaining about lack of upgrades domestically. Thought I would share my upgrade experience in 2013 so far:
MSP-PDX: 1/4
PDX-MSP: 0/4
PDX-JFK: 0/3
JFK-PDX: 0/3
PDX-DTW: 1/1
DTW-PDX: 0/1
PDX-ATL: 0/1
ATL-PDX: 0/1
Total of 2/18 upgrades for the year domestically.
In contrast, counting my flights this coming Sunday, as a PM, I am 33/40.
May 17, 2013, 2:11 pm
#141
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Now just a lowly DL PM/1MM. This industry needs some competition. It's just not enjoyable anymore.
Posts: 3,543
May 17, 2013, 2:38 pm
#143
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY/CT
Programs: DL PM, Marriott PM
Posts: 263
I've done pretty well this year as a GM, certainly no complaints!
2013: 14/28 -- Window: 11, BF/Gate: 3
Sun 1/20/2013 LGA - ATL Yes window
Fri 1/25/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Tues 1/29/2013 LGA - ATL Yes gate
Wed 2/27/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Fri 3/15/2013 LGA - BOS Yes window
Sun 3/17/2013 BOS - ATL Yes gate
Fri 3/22/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Wed 4/3/2013 LGA - ATL Yes gate
Fri 4/5/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Mon 4/29/2013 LGA - ORD Yes window
Wed 5/1/2013 ORD - ATL Yes window*
Fri 5/3/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Sat 5/4/2013 HPN - ATL Yes window
Sat 5/4/2013 ATL - ORD Yes window
*Was upgraded at window, but due to MX (two aborted takeoffs) I ended up on a different flight. Including it as I boarded and attempted take off
0/11 ATL-SNA / SNA-ATL
0/2 LGA-ATL / ATL-LGA
0/1 ORD-DTW
2013: 14/28 -- Window: 11, BF/Gate: 3
Sun 1/20/2013 LGA - ATL Yes window
Fri 1/25/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Tues 1/29/2013 LGA - ATL Yes gate
Wed 2/27/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Fri 3/15/2013 LGA - BOS Yes window
Sun 3/17/2013 BOS - ATL Yes gate
Fri 3/22/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Wed 4/3/2013 LGA - ATL Yes gate
Fri 4/5/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Mon 4/29/2013 LGA - ORD Yes window
Wed 5/1/2013 ORD - ATL Yes window*
Fri 5/3/2013 ATL - LGA Yes window
Sat 5/4/2013 HPN - ATL Yes window
Sat 5/4/2013 ATL - ORD Yes window
*Was upgraded at window, but due to MX (two aborted takeoffs) I ended up on a different flight. Including it as I boarded and attempted take off
0/11 ATL-SNA / SNA-ATL
0/2 LGA-ATL / ATL-LGA
0/1 ORD-DTW
Last edited by Schmoops; May 17, 2013 at 2:43 pm Reason: formatting / additional info
May 17, 2013, 2:55 pm
#144
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: American Ex Plat, Avis Presidents, Hertz - Preidents Circle, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 176
DM .... 48/51. Two of those we last minute changes when I boarded an earlier (also delayed) flight when mine was delayed. In both of these cases, I was happy to give up my FC seat for cozy middle seat in the back. I only missed a MSP/LAX upgrade ..... Very happy with the %.
May 17, 2013, 3:19 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187
May 17, 2013, 3:21 pm
#148
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SLC
Programs: DL FO, KM, & 1.7MM; UA nothing; HH♦; National EE
Posts: 6,344
I've flown 53 legs this year, with 42 flights eligible for UG (due to CR2s, TATLs, & award tickets). I've been upgraded 33 times for a rate of 79% of possible (33/42) or 62% of total (33/53). A couple times I've given up FC to SDC on an earlier flight home.
May 17, 2013, 3:26 pm
#149
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
100% since becoming DM in Sept.
Of course over 50% of my flights were on CRJ without FC...and I had three paid J (used 1 SWU one way)
Still not too shabby
Was only at 50% as PM before that, down from 80 in years past.
Perfect flight today....bypassed horrendous security line with precheck, flight left early, FA's in FC were great, got picked up in the Porche, bag waiting on me when I got to claim area. Ain't complaining!
Of course over 50% of my flights were on CRJ without FC...and I had three paid J (used 1 SWU one way)
Still not too shabby
Was only at 50% as PM before that, down from 80 in years past.
Perfect flight today....bypassed horrendous security line with precheck, flight left early, FA's in FC were great, got picked up in the Porche, bag waiting on me when I got to claim area. Ain't complaining!
May 17, 2013, 3:44 pm
#150
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 828
To me the PDX part is the most interesting, as this used to be an easy UG--I was 100% as FO between JFK and PDX for several years--then an occasional one, and now just impossible to/from anywhere, except perhaps Saturdays.
It's the same planes--738s--and with the same frequency as a few years ago, so it's not a question of capacity. I think it's entirely FCM--and the fact that the OP is DM would seem to support that hunch.
It's the same planes--738s--and with the same frequency as a few years ago, so it's not a question of capacity. I think it's entirely FCM--and the fact that the OP is DM would seem to support that hunch.