Upgrade Priority Question
 

I purchased a ticket LAX-PTY. The fare basis is "I". However, the domestic segments are in "Y".

I called in to see about upgrading with cash or miles. No dice...cash was too much for me and there was no availability for the mileage upgrade...actually, she said they couldn't wait-list me because I already have a BE fare.

I know this flight sells a lot of BE seats and the normal odds of an FO getting the upgrade are in the slim and none category even with a "Y" fare.

My question: Since my fare is actually "I" (a biz fare) does that give me, a lowly FO, priority over even a DM on a "Y" fare?

Just trying to manage my expectations.

Thanks!

An "I" fare code is a restricted business ticket. Unless they split the segments, you should have been in BE already. I have had this happen before (on TATL - LAX-JFK-CDG as an example) and the domestic leg is in Y (usually something like a K or even L) which reduces the cost. If that is the case, you will be in the usual pecking order, status/fare which would put you behind GMs. If the domestic leg is truly a Y fare (not just an economy fare) then you would be ahead of complimentary upgrades - at least that's what I've been told.

Are you in Y or is it a Y fare? With a Y fare, you are ahead of all medallions except PM's and DM's on Y fares.

…and a Y fare is upgraded at booking; no need to wait for your window

Subject to availability at the time of booking. Still capacity controlled upgrade.

Thanks!

The fare is INW28ERQ. I got it by searching "Y and above." So, the domestic segments are, at the least, "Y" fares. However, the agent was insistent that this was a business/first fare.

Y fare. The agent, a Chisolm agent, insisted, however that if "I" became available, I would be moved up.

So, my question isn't really about where I would stand as an FO on a Y fare. I understand that.

What was new to me was what the agent said. That this is an "I" but since "I" isn't available, I am in "Y" on those legs.

So, assuming the agent is correct, does that actually put me a little higher up in the pecking order so that I'd actually have priority over pax on "Y" fares?

She actually suggested that I speak to the gate agent and see if they would clear me if/when things go to the gate for upgrades.

Thanks.

edited to add: Another tidbit...she moved me into first for the return domestic leg and it is listed as "P" not RU or whatever the upgrade class is. The fare basis for the return is actually ZNW28ENQ.

Strange it didn't book into first class for the domestic legs then, unless the I or A inventory wasn't available on those, so it stuck you in Y. You probably should be waitlisted for a first class seat. I'd call and ask an agent to look up the fare basis for those Y segments and why they didn't book into first when you purchased a BE ticket.

Do those segments show 'upgrade requested' in your itinerary? Since you have a first/BE ticket, if you don't get upgraded ahead of time then you should be given priority as a what was previously an UP1 "Customer paid for a higher first/biz class fare but not confirmed in the forward cabin and desiring an upgrade". Problem is now its just all grouped as UPGR so you can't tell if you're ranked correctly, unless you're at the top of the list.

The bolded is what she told me. She also said the fare basis, even for the Y segments were I (outbound) Z (return).

And, yes, "upgrade requested" showed for those segments. Thanks^ for the Code...I will call in and ask if it is coded as such.

One More Question: UpGrd Codes
 

So, I called this morning to see how I was coded for the LAX-ATL leg.

The agent said it was a priority code: PC1. He also said that was the highest priority.

I've seen Up1, Up2a, etc., being mentioned here on FT. This is the first time I've heard of "PC1".

Is this the same as the Up1 Rylan mentioned?

Thanks!

A similar situation x2 booking VA and VS premium economy on Delta using DL flight numbers and 006 stock.
For my VA flight, the two domestic connections are in Y. DCA-ATL booked immediately into RU. ATL-LAX, no upgrade availability (which I checked when EF was still showing it), so my understanding is that as a full Y Diamond I'm near the top of the list. Still showing 6 unassigned F seats and they are still selling them but at a pretty big difference over the available Y seats. Hoping it will clear at the gate.
For my VS flight, the connection ORD-JFK immediately booked into RU.

Haven't heard of that... I have heard PA1 which is the priority waitlist for things such as clearing into first/business with miles or a certificate. Perhaps the coding changed and you are listed in the system for getting a seat if one becomes available, prior to going to the airport.

Wrap-up
 

Checked in today and was #2 on the list and remained there as folks checked in.

I checked expert flyer and saw that "I" had opened up. So, I called in and the agent UN-checked me in and cleared me into 1C. It's nice to not have to sweat whether or not I will get the upgrade.

Thanks for all the input.

Assuming that this was a DL operated flight, what does I have to do with getting an upgrade? On DL, I is a discounted business class fare inventory. It has no clear association with upgrade or award inventory on DL, although it may have been the bucket for (low) business class award seats in the past and IIRC still is on some other carriers.

EF no longer shows DL upgrade or award inventory.

SORRY: Now I remember that the OP was about having a paid I class ticket and being in coach for some segments. So I space was needed but the word "upgrade" in the post I quoted confused me as this was not an upgrade but a matter of OP getting a seat in the cabin that was paid for.

The whole deal was/is a bit convoluted. Sorry for any confusion.