The Official “I Got Upgraded” Thread: JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA
Apr 11, 2014, 3:29 pm
#511
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
Apr 11, 2014, 9:01 pm
#512
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DC
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 148
i requested the UG at booking (approx 3 weeks prior). after checking in i requested to be put on the airport standby (approx 18 hours before departure). on the outbound i was getting a run-around and got on the airport standby at almost exactly T-60, which turned out to be lucky because the GA processed standbys 10 minutes later.
Apr 12, 2014, 8:42 am
#513
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
i requested the UG at booking (approx 3 weeks prior). after checking in i requested to be put on the airport standby (approx 18 hours before departure). on the outbound i was getting a run-around and got on the airport standby at almost exactly T-60, which turned out to be lucky because the GA processed standbys 10 minutes later.
Apr 12, 2014, 9:17 am
#514
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DC
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 148
Apr 12, 2014, 2:02 pm
#515
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
Someone earlier in the thread said the bought K and used miles to request an UG, and ended up clearing at the gate. I asked about it a little further but never heard back. Perhaps there's been a change? I'm flying on Monday next week SFO-JFK on a Q fare with miles UG requested, so I'll definitely report back on that experience.
Last edited by roknroll; Apr 13, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Apr 12, 2014, 10:26 pm
#516
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: AA EXP, United PS, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Amtrak
Posts: 1,254
Well, I guess I won't be able to report on the gate upgrade experience of miles after all. Flying SFO – JFK on Monday morning for the 6:45AM flight, and I got an ExpertFlyer notification last night showing available. When I went to check further, my job just about hit the floor when I saw they released 7 advance upgrade seats a few days out. Definitely a nice thing to see for a Monday morning departure.
Apr 15, 2014, 8:27 am
#518
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, AA EXP, UA Silver, former DL DM
Posts: 2,001
Apr 15, 2014, 11:11 am
#519
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL - Diamond. Marriott - Lifetime Platinum. Starwoods - Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 192
Tried to use SWU cert on SEA - JFK. Outbound, there was 4 seats available until 2 hours prior to flight. And than nothing. Not sure who got those 4 seats.
On inbound flight there was 7 seats available until 1 hour prior to departure and than it showed nothing.
I boarded with my EC seat but only to find that there was actual seats open in First.
That said, i do understand Delta, this is a long flight and people are buying First on this leg due to the distance. So it make sense to upgrade the cabin with the good seats etc.
On the other hand, i do believe they understand that loyalty becomes less. When i know there is no chance of any upgrade, I go by price so next time on this leg I am booked on Alaska (AA) flight due to $100 cheaper. Never thought I would do that as I have been 100% loyal to Delta for years.
Not the most active, but fly 200k + miles a year and million miler.
Many frequent fliers go out of their way to stay with one carrier including paying premium prices even if competitive prices are available on different carriers as well as many times purchasing M + fares due to upgrades chances etc. But if the lack of upgrades (in particular certs) are going away I think overall the net profit might be negative over time.
-ok
On inbound flight there was 7 seats available until 1 hour prior to departure and than it showed nothing.
I boarded with my EC seat but only to find that there was actual seats open in First.
That said, i do understand Delta, this is a long flight and people are buying First on this leg due to the distance. So it make sense to upgrade the cabin with the good seats etc.
On the other hand, i do believe they understand that loyalty becomes less. When i know there is no chance of any upgrade, I go by price so next time on this leg I am booked on Alaska (AA) flight due to $100 cheaper. Never thought I would do that as I have been 100% loyal to Delta for years.
Not the most active, but fly 200k + miles a year and million miler.
Many frequent fliers go out of their way to stay with one carrier including paying premium prices even if competitive prices are available on different carriers as well as many times purchasing M + fares due to upgrades chances etc. But if the lack of upgrades (in particular certs) are going away I think overall the net profit might be negative over time.
-ok
Apr 15, 2014, 11:56 am
#521
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: New York, western US
Programs: DM/3MM
Posts: 4,246
Many frequent fliers go out of their way to stay with one carrier including paying premium prices even if competitive prices are available on different carriers as well as many times purchasing M + fares due to upgrades chances etc. But if the lack of upgrades (in particular certs) are going away I think overall the net profit might be negative over time.
-ok
-ok
Apr 15, 2014, 12:37 pm
#522
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DC
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 148
Tried to use SWU cert on SEA - JFK. Outbound, there was 4 seats available until 2 hours prior to flight. And than nothing. Not sure who got those 4 seats.
On inbound flight there was 7 seats available until 1 hour prior to departure and than it showed nothing.
I boarded with my EC seat but only to find that there was actual seats open in First.
That said, i do understand Delta, this is a long flight and people are buying First on this leg due to the distance. So it make sense to upgrade the cabin with the good seats etc.
On the other hand, i do believe they understand that loyalty becomes less. When i know there is no chance of any upgrade, I go by price so next time on this leg I am booked on Alaska (AA) flight due to $100 cheaper. Never thought I would do that as I have been 100% loyal to Delta for years.
Not the most active, but fly 200k + miles a year and million miler.
Many frequent fliers go out of their way to stay with one carrier including paying premium prices even if competitive prices are available on different carriers as well as many times purchasing M + fares due to upgrades chances etc. But if the lack of upgrades (in particular certs) are going away I think overall the net profit might be negative over time.
-ok
On inbound flight there was 7 seats available until 1 hour prior to departure and than it showed nothing.
I boarded with my EC seat but only to find that there was actual seats open in First.
That said, i do understand Delta, this is a long flight and people are buying First on this leg due to the distance. So it make sense to upgrade the cabin with the good seats etc.
On the other hand, i do believe they understand that loyalty becomes less. When i know there is no chance of any upgrade, I go by price so next time on this leg I am booked on Alaska (AA) flight due to $100 cheaper. Never thought I would do that as I have been 100% loyal to Delta for years.
Not the most active, but fly 200k + miles a year and million miler.
Many frequent fliers go out of their way to stay with one carrier including paying premium prices even if competitive prices are available on different carriers as well as many times purchasing M + fares due to upgrades chances etc. But if the lack of upgrades (in particular certs) are going away I think overall the net profit might be negative over time.
-ok
Apr 15, 2014, 1:16 pm
#523
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,375
2344 SEA-JFK, Sun 13 Apr: I got to the gate approx 1040 for 1115 departure and saw that the one name on the "Cleared List" screen on GIDS showed "UP" ... the "Seats Remaining" screen never appeared before I boarded, and we went out with at least two empty J seats
Apr 15, 2014, 3:11 pm
#524
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Enn Why Cee
Programs: DL, CO, LH, BA etc...
Posts: 1,570
2344 (SEA-JFK 1115) was 8/16 full on Monday 14Apr. I am not sure what happened, as there were j9 seats for sale - but only 8 seats physically. I suspect a sole non-rev made his or her way up.
I boarded last and didn't check GIDS for details :/
EC and the rest of the economy cabin were wide open as well... very comfy ride and amazing forward cabin crew...
I boarded last and didn't check GIDS for details :/
EC and the rest of the economy cabin were wide open as well... very comfy ride and amazing forward cabin crew...
Apr 15, 2014, 4:13 pm
#525
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: DL - Diamond. Marriott - Lifetime Platinum. Starwoods - Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 192