LAX-JFK redeye on 3/3 - SWU clears 48 hr in advance
Mar 2, 2013, 2:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Plat
Posts: 83
LAX-JFK redeye on 3/3 - SWU clears 48 hr in advance
PM, shocked when my SWU cleared so early! They even called me ahead of time. I'll take it, but it also seems my complimentary upgrade would have cleared any way...haha!
Mar 2, 2013, 2:33 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Maybe so or maybe not. A Plat member, for instance, can take a Choice Benefit of either 20,000 miles or four SWU. To me, that means there is a 5,000 mile opportunity cost to using a SWU. For that reason, I just say, "Screw it" and take the Choice Benefit miles. I roll the gate upgrade dice flying LAX-JFK. Sometimes I lose and sometimes I win. Once I noticed even a Gold got upgraded.
Mar 2, 2013, 3:22 am
#3
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Mar 2, 2013, 3:23 am
#4
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Maybe so or maybe not. A Plat member, for instance, can take a Choice Benefit of either 20,000 miles or four SWU. To me, that means there is a 5,000 mile opportunity cost to using a SWU. For that reason, I just say, "Screw it" and take the Choice Benefit miles. I roll the gate upgrade dice flying LAX-JFK. Sometimes I lose and sometimes I win. Once I noticed even a Gold got upgraded.
Mar 2, 2013, 3:25 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
Once I got upgraded a day in advance as a Gold 
-- but as a DM, you're more in position to roll the dice than Plats are.
LAX-JFK is a crapshoot, and I wouldn't mind a SWU as insurance once I hit Plat, though having to book K+ fares seems like a drag. 5K miles per SWU isn't bad considering how Skypesos grow on trees.
-- but as a DM, you're more in position to roll the dice than Plats are. LAX-JFK is a crapshoot, and I wouldn't mind a SWU as insurance once I hit Plat, though having to book K+ fares seems like a drag. 5K miles per SWU isn't bad considering how Skypesos grow on trees.
Mar 2, 2013, 7:21 am
#6
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Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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For DMs, the opportunity cost is a bit over 4000 miles per SWU, at terms of trade of 6 SWUs or 25,000 bonus redeemable miles.
A big difference is that SWU upgrades can happen at the gate, while miles upgrades officially must be confirmed before e day of travel, but YMMV. In fact SWU upgrades if coded right have very high priority at the gate.
A big difference is that SWU upgrades can happen at the gate, while miles upgrades officially must be confirmed before e day of travel, but YMMV. In fact SWU upgrades if coded right have very high priority at the gate.
Mar 2, 2013, 8:05 am
#7
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For DMs, the opportunity cost is a bit over 4000 miles per SWU, at terms of trade of 6 SWUs or 25,000 bonus redeemable miles.
A big difference is that SWU upgrades can happen at the gate, while miles upgrades officially must be confirmed before e day of travel, but YMMV. In fact SWU upgrades if coded right have very high priority at the gate.
A big difference is that SWU upgrades can happen at the gate, while miles upgrades officially must be confirmed before e day of travel, but YMMV. In fact SWU upgrades if coded right have very high priority at the gate.