Upgrade order
May 28, 2017, 2:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: USA-AZ
Programs: DL Skymiles DM, Hertz President Circle, Enterprise Platinum, IHG, BW Diamond Select, AA EXP
Posts: 180
Upgrade order
I could not find the answer to this easily. If I want to upgrade a domestic flight to FC using miles (I am booked in K) as a GM...where in the pecking order does that happen? Does it come before all
comp upgrades or do upgrades using instruments come before medallion upgrades?
comp upgrades or do upgrades using instruments come before medallion upgrades?
May 28, 2017, 3:44 pm
#4
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Some GAs are willing to process mileage upgrades at the gate, but it's not a published benefit beyond T-24.
Before the gate, instrument supported upgrades require RP/OP inventory while free elite upgrades use RU/OU, so the priority really can't be compared.
Before the gate, instrument supported upgrades require RP/OP inventory while free elite upgrades use RU/OU, so the priority really can't be compared.
May 28, 2017, 5:50 pm
#5
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Re: the priority question, I'm not sure anyone has ever claimed authoritative knowledge, but there are at least a few reports of people being told by multiple DM line agents that certs trump mileage upgrades. So a GM using miles, it seems likely, would be behind anyone using certs, and behind DM/PM using miles, assuming that those things still go in Medallion order.
I would also guess that usually RP >= RU but who knows. And once inside T-24 all bets are off as indicated above. You might find a GA willing to process a mileage upgrade but you might not.
I would also guess that usually RP >= RU but who knows. And once inside T-24 all bets are off as indicated above. You might find a GA willing to process a mileage upgrade but you might not.
May 28, 2017, 6:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
Do not know if this is still true, but a few years ago it was the case that wait-listed mile/cert upgrades well in advance would only sweep periodically. This meant that one could call in when inventory opened and jump the wait-list line.
May 28, 2017, 10:01 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: USA-AZ
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Posts: 180
Thanks for the feedback...I called DL to use miles to upgrade and was quoted 60,000 miles to upgrade a $376 one-way fare. That is a joke as the same ticket is 55,000 miles to book in F. It is a HUCA situation...but it took almost an hour to get a call back in the first place...lol.
May 28, 2017, 10:19 pm
#8
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Thanks for the feedback...I called DL to use miles to upgrade and was quoted 60,000 miles to upgrade a $376 one-way fare. That is a joke as the same ticket is 55,000 miles to book in F. It is a HUCA situation...but it took almost an hour to get a call back in the first place...lol.
May 28, 2017, 10:40 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
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The route is SRQ to SEA. The published A fare on the same route is 607...so the difference is $230. 60,000 miles for that difference is not a good redemption rate. However just as a side note the "upgrade offer" in my booking was $299 to buy up to first. I went back and did a dummy booking and the fares are the same 376/607. So I just cancelled my original booking are re-booked the A fare. I was till in the 24hr cancel window.
May 29, 2017, 12:37 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2016
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The route is SRQ to SEA. The published A fare on the same route is 607...so the difference is $230. 60,000 miles for that difference is not a good redemption rate. However just as a side note the "upgrade offer" in my booking was $299 to buy up to first. I went back and did a dummy booking and the fares are the same 376/607. So I just cancelled my original booking are re-booked the A fare. I was till in the 24hr cancel window.
For future reference, phone agents will upgrade you for the fare difference without change fees regardless of what the online offer is. This does not have to be within the 24 hour window.
May 29, 2017, 12:55 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
The route is SRQ to SEA. The published A fare on the same route is 607...so the difference is $230. 60,000 miles for that difference is not a good redemption rate. However just as a side note the "upgrade offer" in my booking was $299 to buy up to first. I went back and did a dummy booking and the fares are the same 376/607. So I just cancelled my original booking are re-booked the A fare. I was till in the 24hr cancel window.