The Official “I Got Upgraded” Thread: JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA
Aug 22, 2014, 9:23 am
#902
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
We don't know. Various phone calls have resulted in many contradictory statements (it's up to the GA, the GA can't, the SkyClub agent can/can't, the phone line can/can't, it happens automatically at T-6 or maybe later, it can/can't be done by various people at various times, . . .)
Aug 22, 2014, 1:52 pm
#903
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DC
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 148
There was a period of several months where there were no comp upgrades, but anybody (or at least I, as a GM) could transfer their mileage upgrade to the list.
Aug 22, 2014, 4:57 pm
#904
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Minnesota
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,101
I was only upgrade on the way back. I was very pleased to say the least.
Oct 5, 2014, 8:05 am
#905
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
Interesting on the "activation" idea ... I am flying out JFK-SFO today at 15:00 (5 hours from now) and checked the upgrade list on Delta.com, which has the message "Your name will not appear on the Standby list until you are activated by the gate agent."
Delta.com will not show me the full list but my name does not appear on the iPhone app list.
Delta.com will not show me the full list but my name does not appear on the iPhone app list.
Oct 6, 2014, 4:59 pm
#906
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
My experience flying roundtrip JFK-SFO as a DM on an H fare:
On the outbound (Sunday afternoon) there were about 5 seats open the day before departure. My name never appeared in the upgrade list except for the strange note on Delta.com as I mentioned in the previous post. Called the Diamond line and the woman acknowledged that DMs and PMs were sometimes being upgraded on those routes now, but that it wasn't guaranteed (one of her excuses, amusingly, was that "weight and balance" issues could be to blame) and that there wasn't any way for her to put me on the upgrade list.
Checked at the Sky Club in JFK and the agents again agreed they'd heard something about a new policy, again said it wasn't guaranteed (this time blaming how busy the flight is, more reasonably) and didn't think it was possible to put me on the upgrade list nor "activate" me onto the upgrade list unless I used GUCs.
By the time I got to the gate there was only one open seat in J and 5 people that somehow had gotten onto the upgrade list, including one who had been there about 20 hours before departure who I therefore assumed had used a certificate, so I didn't bother asking again. Went out in EC and enjoyed a complimentary chicken wrap.
On the way home (Monday afternoon) there were again 5 seats open a day out, but this time the cabin didn't fill up in the meantime, fortunately. My name was not on the upgrade list when I checked as of about 5 hours before departure, but the next time I checked about 2 hours prior I was #1 on the list without having talked to anyone. 4 seats remained just before boarding and the agents processed 4 people off the upgrade list, leaving one person on the upgrade list as we left and a full BE cabin.
So, perhaps the moral of the story is, if the upgrade is meant to be, it will just happen and you don't have to worry about it? Who knows. Enjoyed the upgrade on the way home.
On the outbound (Sunday afternoon) there were about 5 seats open the day before departure. My name never appeared in the upgrade list except for the strange note on Delta.com as I mentioned in the previous post. Called the Diamond line and the woman acknowledged that DMs and PMs were sometimes being upgraded on those routes now, but that it wasn't guaranteed (one of her excuses, amusingly, was that "weight and balance" issues could be to blame) and that there wasn't any way for her to put me on the upgrade list.
Checked at the Sky Club in JFK and the agents again agreed they'd heard something about a new policy, again said it wasn't guaranteed (this time blaming how busy the flight is, more reasonably) and didn't think it was possible to put me on the upgrade list nor "activate" me onto the upgrade list unless I used GUCs.
By the time I got to the gate there was only one open seat in J and 5 people that somehow had gotten onto the upgrade list, including one who had been there about 20 hours before departure who I therefore assumed had used a certificate, so I didn't bother asking again. Went out in EC and enjoyed a complimentary chicken wrap.
On the way home (Monday afternoon) there were again 5 seats open a day out, but this time the cabin didn't fill up in the meantime, fortunately. My name was not on the upgrade list when I checked as of about 5 hours before departure, but the next time I checked about 2 hours prior I was #1 on the list without having talked to anyone. 4 seats remained just before boarding and the agents processed 4 people off the upgrade list, leaving one person on the upgrade list as we left and a full BE cabin.
So, perhaps the moral of the story is, if the upgrade is meant to be, it will just happen and you don't have to worry about it? Who knows. Enjoyed the upgrade on the way home.
Oct 6, 2014, 9:24 pm
#907
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
On the outbound (Sunday afternoon) there were about 5 seats open the day before departure. My name never appeared in the upgrade list except for the strange note on Delta.com as I mentioned in the previous post. Called the Diamond line and the woman acknowledged that DMs and PMs were sometimes being upgraded on those routes now, but that it wasn't guaranteed (one of her excuses, amusingly, was that "weight and balance" issues could be to blame) and that there wasn't any way for her to put me on the upgrade list.
Checked at the Sky Club in JFK and the agents again agreed they'd heard something about a new policy, again said it wasn't guaranteed (this time blaming how busy the flight is, more reasonably) and didn't think it was possible to put me on the upgrade list nor "activate" me onto the upgrade list unless I used GUCs.
.
Oct 7, 2014, 9:28 am
#908
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
My experience flying roundtrip JFK-SFO as a DM on an H fare:
On the outbound (Sunday afternoon) there were about 5 seats open the day before departure. My name never appeared in the upgrade list except for the strange note on Delta.com as I mentioned in the previous post. Called the Diamond line and the woman acknowledged that DMs and PMs were sometimes being upgraded on those routes now, but that it wasn't guaranteed (one of her excuses, amusingly, was that "weight and balance" issues could be to blame) and that there wasn't any way for her to put me on the upgrade list.
Checked at the Sky Club in JFK and the agents again agreed they'd heard something about a new policy, again said it wasn't guaranteed (this time blaming how busy the flight is, more reasonably) and didn't think it was possible to put me on the upgrade list nor "activate" me onto the upgrade list unless I used GUCs.
By the time I got to the gate there was only one open seat in J and 5 people that somehow had gotten onto the upgrade list, including one who had been there about 20 hours before departure who I therefore assumed had used a certificate, so I didn't bother asking again. Went out in EC and enjoyed a complimentary chicken wrap.
On the way home (Monday afternoon) there were again 5 seats open a day out, but this time the cabin didn't fill up in the meantime, fortunately. My name was not on the upgrade list when I checked as of about 5 hours before departure, but the next time I checked about 2 hours prior I was #1 on the list without having talked to anyone. 4 seats remained just before boarding and the agents processed 4 people off the upgrade list, leaving one person on the upgrade list as we left and a full BE cabin.
So, perhaps the moral of the story is, if the upgrade is meant to be, it will just happen and you don't have to worry about it? Who knows. Enjoyed the upgrade on the way home.
On the outbound (Sunday afternoon) there were about 5 seats open the day before departure. My name never appeared in the upgrade list except for the strange note on Delta.com as I mentioned in the previous post. Called the Diamond line and the woman acknowledged that DMs and PMs were sometimes being upgraded on those routes now, but that it wasn't guaranteed (one of her excuses, amusingly, was that "weight and balance" issues could be to blame) and that there wasn't any way for her to put me on the upgrade list.
Checked at the Sky Club in JFK and the agents again agreed they'd heard something about a new policy, again said it wasn't guaranteed (this time blaming how busy the flight is, more reasonably) and didn't think it was possible to put me on the upgrade list nor "activate" me onto the upgrade list unless I used GUCs.
By the time I got to the gate there was only one open seat in J and 5 people that somehow had gotten onto the upgrade list, including one who had been there about 20 hours before departure who I therefore assumed had used a certificate, so I didn't bother asking again. Went out in EC and enjoyed a complimentary chicken wrap.
On the way home (Monday afternoon) there were again 5 seats open a day out, but this time the cabin didn't fill up in the meantime, fortunately. My name was not on the upgrade list when I checked as of about 5 hours before departure, but the next time I checked about 2 hours prior I was #1 on the list without having talked to anyone. 4 seats remained just before boarding and the agents processed 4 people off the upgrade list, leaving one person on the upgrade list as we left and a full BE cabin.
So, perhaps the moral of the story is, if the upgrade is meant to be, it will just happen and you don't have to worry about it? Who knows. Enjoyed the upgrade on the way home.
Oct 7, 2014, 12:37 pm
#909
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC, MD, LA
Programs: Delta-DM, United, Hilton-DM, SPG-PLTM
Posts: 462
Last friday a.m. JFK - SEA flight, about 6 seats open, I was added to the upgrade list upon check-in per my app - which was about 24 hours before hand - strange, but true -showed me 1 of 1 on the list - next morning lots of people on the list, but I was still in the top 3 or 4
Cleared at boarding, it never showed I cleared on my app, but when I boarded - almost last as I was running late, the new seat assignment popped out
No lay flat seating, so not much to brag about, but still always a nice surprise! All seats were full
Cleared at boarding, it never showed I cleared on my app, but when I boarded - almost last as I was running late, the new seat assignment popped out
No lay flat seating, so not much to brag about, but still always a nice surprise! All seats were full
Oct 8, 2014, 9:34 pm
#910
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
This week, LAX-JFK monday, and JFK-LAX today. I dont fly this route often so a few hours before my departure TO JFK i checked the app and saw i wasnt on the list. Called in and was told that upgrades werent offered on this route, but i pressed as i know clearly they are. Agent came back and told me i was now on the list, 8 of 9 people. Seemed low but i didnt push it and rode in the back.
Tonight returning to LAX, same thing, not on the list a few hours to departure so I asked the check-in agent. She said its not 'always' offered, its random, and after some clicking around told me i was on the list as #8. As i walked to the club i called the PM line to double check as for some reason 8 seems REALLY low, im sure there are DMs or PMs on a higher fare but 7 above me seemed odd. The phone agent looked and said i WASNT on the upgrade list, so he checked me out, and re-checked me in and I was now at #3 (yay!). 1 open seat and 2 no shows later....I curled up comfortably in 7C with the nice new (to me....i never fly biz) Westin bedding, right behind Stevie Wonder and his crew.
Tonight returning to LAX, same thing, not on the list a few hours to departure so I asked the check-in agent. She said its not 'always' offered, its random, and after some clicking around told me i was on the list as #8. As i walked to the club i called the PM line to double check as for some reason 8 seems REALLY low, im sure there are DMs or PMs on a higher fare but 7 above me seemed odd. The phone agent looked and said i WASNT on the upgrade list, so he checked me out, and re-checked me in and I was now at #3 (yay!). 1 open seat and 2 no shows later....I curled up comfortably in 7C with the nice new (to me....i never fly biz) Westin bedding, right behind Stevie Wonder and his crew.
Oct 8, 2014, 9:49 pm
#911
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA: EXP Hilton: Gold, SPG: Gold, Hyatt: Plat
Posts: 196
This week, LAX-JFK monday, and JFK-LAX today. I dont fly this route often so a few hours before my departure TO JFK i checked the app and saw i wasnt on the list. Called in and was told that upgrades werent offered on this route, but i pressed as i know clearly they are. Agent came back and told me i was now on the list, 8 of 9 people. Seemed low but i didnt push it and rode in the back.
Tonight returning to LAX, same thing, not on the list a few hours to departure so I asked the check-in agent. She said its not 'always' offered, its random, and after some clicking around told me i was on the list as #8. As i walked to the club i called the PM line to double check as for some reason 8 seems REALLY low, im sure there are DMs or PMs on a higher fare but 7 above me seemed odd. The phone agent looked and said i WASNT on the upgrade list, so he checked me out, and re-checked me in and I was now at #3 (yay!). 1 open seat and 2 no shows later....I curled up comfortably in 7C with the nice new (to me....i never fly biz) Westin bedding, right behind Stevie Wonder and his crew.
Tonight returning to LAX, same thing, not on the list a few hours to departure so I asked the check-in agent. She said its not 'always' offered, its random, and after some clicking around told me i was on the list as #8. As i walked to the club i called the PM line to double check as for some reason 8 seems REALLY low, im sure there are DMs or PMs on a higher fare but 7 above me seemed odd. The phone agent looked and said i WASNT on the upgrade list, so he checked me out, and re-checked me in and I was now at #3 (yay!). 1 open seat and 2 no shows later....I curled up comfortably in 7C with the nice new (to me....i never fly biz) Westin bedding, right behind Stevie Wonder and his crew.
Oct 8, 2014, 10:05 pm
#912
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Delta skymiles DM + 1MM
Posts: 8,144
This week, LAX-JFK monday, and JFK-LAX today. I dont fly this route often so a few hours before my departure TO JFK i checked the app and saw i wasnt on the list. Called in and was told that upgrades werent offered on this route, but i pressed as i know clearly they are. Agent came back and told me i was now on the list, 8 of 9 people. Seemed low but i didnt push it and rode in the back.
Tonight returning to LAX, same thing, not on the list a few hours to departure so I asked the check-in agent. She said its not 'always' offered, its random, and after some clicking around told me i was on the list as #8. As i walked to the club i called the PM line to double check as for some reason 8 seems REALLY low, im sure there are DMs or PMs on a higher fare but 7 above me seemed odd. The phone agent looked and said i WASNT on the upgrade list, so he checked me out, and re-checked me in and I was now at #3 (yay!). 1 open seat and 2 no shows later....I curled up comfortably in 7C with the nice new (to me....i never fly biz) Westin bedding, right behind Stevie Wonder and his crew.
Tonight returning to LAX, same thing, not on the list a few hours to departure so I asked the check-in agent. She said its not 'always' offered, its random, and after some clicking around told me i was on the list as #8. As i walked to the club i called the PM line to double check as for some reason 8 seems REALLY low, im sure there are DMs or PMs on a higher fare but 7 above me seemed odd. The phone agent looked and said i WASNT on the upgrade list, so he checked me out, and re-checked me in and I was now at #3 (yay!). 1 open seat and 2 no shows later....I curled up comfortably in 7C with the nice new (to me....i never fly biz) Westin bedding, right behind Stevie Wonder and his crew.
Oct 8, 2014, 11:15 pm
#913
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
I think they are scared to talk about this, as if it were a big secret.
When I got upgraded JFK-SEA, my upgrade showed up on my record as an OP-UP, not as a "RU" upgrade.
When I got upgraded JFK-SEA, my upgrade showed up on my record as an OP-UP, not as a "RU" upgrade.
Oct 9, 2014, 1:31 am
#914
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
X.
Agreed. The checkin agent I first talked to even commented how we know more about the system then they do.
Agreed. The checkin agent I first talked to even commented how we know more about the system then they do.
Oct 9, 2014, 2:08 am
#915
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, BonVoy Titanium, (soon former) Caesars7*, (former) Wynn Black, HR "Icon"
Posts: 8,172
I've heard that so so many times.