2018 Upgrade Success (Or Lack Thereof)
Feb 11, 2018, 3:13 am
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,507
Down to Gold...
ORD-SEA (319) Sunday AM, I was 3rd of 4 for 1, but there was a couple before me. I actually asked to be taken off the upgrade list because I had 10C with 10AB open, and the only F seat was 1D. This really confused the SkyClub agent, who said he couldn't remember somebody ever passing up a free upgrade. C+ was maybe 1/3 full, Y- was 1/2 full.
SEA-SFO (E75) Sunday AM, 5th of about 10 for 3, but mis-connected.
SEA-SFO (E75) Sunday PM, 6th of 12 for 2. The flight between the one I was supposed to be on and the one I took was completely sold out.
SFO-SEA (E75) Wednesday AM, cleared 3 days out
SEA-ORD (319) Wednesday PM, 4th of 8 for 2, C+ had all middle seats open
ORD-SEA (319) Sunday AM, I was 3rd of 4 for 1, but there was a couple before me. I actually asked to be taken off the upgrade list because I had 10C with 10AB open, and the only F seat was 1D. This really confused the SkyClub agent, who said he couldn't remember somebody ever passing up a free upgrade. C+ was maybe 1/3 full, Y- was 1/2 full.
SEA-SFO (E75) Sunday AM, 5th of about 10 for 3, but mis-connected.
SEA-SFO (E75) Sunday PM, 6th of 12 for 2. The flight between the one I was supposed to be on and the one I took was completely sold out.
SFO-SEA (E75) Wednesday AM, cleared 3 days out
SEA-ORD (319) Wednesday PM, 4th of 8 for 2, C+ had all middle seats open
Feb 11, 2018, 8:40 am
#77
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Programs: HH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, DL-DM, PnF Plat, Kroger +
Posts: 514
Being DM has made a difference for my UG this year.
ATL-RDU cleared RDU-ATL cleared
ATL-SGF/SGF-ATL cleared
ATL-DTW cleared. DTW-NGO n/a NRT-ATL n/a
ATL-GUA cleared. GUA-ATL coming on 2/19 I'm sure it will clear as well.
ATL-RDU cleared RDU-ATL cleared
ATL-SGF/SGF-ATL cleared
ATL-DTW cleared. DTW-NGO n/a NRT-ATL n/a
ATL-GUA cleared. GUA-ATL coming on 2/19 I'm sure it will clear as well.
Feb 11, 2018, 5:30 pm
#78
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Sarasota, FL
Programs: DL Diamond , Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 131
Feb 11, 2018, 7:36 pm
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
As Silver so far in 2018. Mix of times and day of the week. All but 2 (RDU - JFK - RDU) were work trips bought within 3 days of departure (mostly H/Q/L fares I think) which I believe is a tiebreakers vs other silver on the list.
First
RDU - JFK x3 (1 at gate, 2 ahead)
RDU - LGA
JFK - RDU (at gate)
C+
JFK - RDU
JFK - YYZ
YYZ - DTW (at gate)
DTW - RDU x2
Didn't clear or didn't put name on list
JFK - SFO (764 with very light load in 2nd Y cabin, had whole section to myself)
SFO - DTW (757 exit row aisle - as good as the C+ seats on that plane IMO)
First
RDU - JFK x3 (1 at gate, 2 ahead)
RDU - LGA
JFK - RDU (at gate)
C+
JFK - RDU
JFK - YYZ
YYZ - DTW (at gate)
DTW - RDU x2
Didn't clear or didn't put name on list
JFK - SFO (764 with very light load in 2nd Y cabin, had whole section to myself)
SFO - DTW (757 exit row aisle - as good as the C+ seats on that plane IMO)
Feb 12, 2018, 12:07 pm
#80
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
As FO:
1/26: DL 782 RDU-DTW 717-200: 19 and 20 out of 28 for F, 2 and 3 of 3 for C+
1/29: DL 4051 JFK-RDU CRJ-900: 1 and 2 out of 6 for F. Annoyingly there was an empty seat in F but the F/A refused to move me up because "only the gate agent can"
As GM:
2/3: DL 3623 RDU-LGA CRJ-900: 1 and 2 out of 6 for F.
2/10: DL 3623 RDU-LGA CRJ-900: Cleared with Companion at T-72.
Currently 25.00% (1/4)
1/26: DL 782 RDU-DTW 717-200: 19 and 20 out of 28 for F, 2 and 3 of 3 for C+
1/29: DL 4051 JFK-RDU CRJ-900: 1 and 2 out of 6 for F. Annoyingly there was an empty seat in F but the F/A refused to move me up because "only the gate agent can"
As GM:
2/3: DL 3623 RDU-LGA CRJ-900: 1 and 2 out of 6 for F.
2/10: DL 3623 RDU-LGA CRJ-900: Cleared with Companion at T-72.
Currently 25.00% (1/4)
Feb 14, 2018, 7:55 pm
#81
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott PE
Posts: 61
Traveled BOS to TPA on 2/8 and got upgraded at the 5 day window (I think only 1 person on list didn't get upgraded) and on return on 2/12 (only 1 person not UG) also got the notice that I was upgraded to FC! Very nice to fly down and get the notice for the return!!
Feb 15, 2018, 6:51 am
#82
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Just cleared ATL-RIC at T-3, Monday flight. Just about spit my coffee. 
Feb 15, 2018, 7:46 am
#83
Formerly known as scootr29
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 977
PM...3 out 7 so far this year
ATL to BWI - First upgrade 5 days out
BWI to ATL - First upgrade 5 days out
SEA to REDMOND - First upgrade 5 days out
ATL to BWI - First upgrade 5 days out
BWI to ATL - First upgrade 5 days out
SEA to REDMOND - First upgrade 5 days out
Feb 15, 2018, 5:38 pm
#84
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,752
Date Route Fare Status (All SU's at Booking)
1/5 MSY-ATL A Ineligible
1/5 ATL-MCO A Ineligible
1/8 MCO-ATL V Missed
1/8 ATL - MSY V 3 Days
1/10 MSY-LAX V 3 Days
1/10 LAX-MSY V Gate
1/16 MSY-ATL V IRROPS - @ Rebooking
1/16 ATL-LGA V IRROPS - @ Rebooking
1/21 LGA-MSY V Gate
1/24 MSY-LAX V Gate
1/24 LAX-MSY V Gate
1/31 MSY-LAX V 4 Days
1/31 LAX-MSY K Gate
2 Ineligible, 10/11 UG
1/5 MSY-ATL A Ineligible
1/5 ATL-MCO A Ineligible
1/8 MCO-ATL V Missed
1/8 ATL - MSY V 3 Days
1/10 MSY-LAX V 3 Days
1/10 LAX-MSY V Gate
1/16 MSY-ATL V IRROPS - @ Rebooking
1/16 ATL-LGA V IRROPS - @ Rebooking
1/21 LGA-MSY V Gate
1/24 MSY-LAX V Gate
1/24 LAX-MSY V Gate
1/31 MSY-LAX V 4 Days
1/31 LAX-MSY K Gate
2 Ineligible, 10/11 UG
Next Tuesday I do OKC-ATL-MSY for a conference. OKC-ATL upgraded at the window. ATL-MSY (on a 757, V fare) is F5 and it did not upgrade at the window. Your schematic gives me helpful points of reference for a flight that looks to be filling up.
Last edited by Xeno; Feb 15, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Feb 15, 2018, 7:34 pm
#85
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,449
I just came off a trip purchased at the last minute due to a funeral on eastern NC. The RDU M fare was outrageous (but FAY flight would have missed funeral). All segments on these first flights of the morning were upgraded at the window, OKC-ATL-RDU, RDU-ATL-OKC (Tues, Wed of this week).
Next Tuesday I do OKC-ATL-MSY for a conference. OKC-ATL upgraded at the window. ATL-MSY (on a 757, V fare) is F5 and it did not upgrade at the window. Your schematic gives me helpful points of reference for a flight that looks to be filling up.
Next Tuesday I do OKC-ATL-MSY for a conference. OKC-ATL upgraded at the window. ATL-MSY (on a 757, V fare) is F5 and it did not upgrade at the window. Your schematic gives me helpful points of reference for a flight that looks to be filling up.
We're buying more FCM and flying a little less this year. An economic analysis showed that it was worth it for me to keep DM so I have some AM flights booked for MQD runs. We have 3 TATL planned, all in J
Last edited by SuperG1955; Feb 15, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Feb 15, 2018, 8:51 pm
#86
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
I didn’t fly at all in January but have just had some success on my first trip of the year.
Today:
MSP-DTW-PVD
Upgraded at the 5-day window on the first segment. Helped by weather IROPS on the second segment. The DTW-PVD was delayed by fog in DTW. I asked and was rebooked onto DTW-BOS (bigger plane could manage the fog better). Because many incoming flights were delayed F had empty seats; I had two F seats to myself.
Just got window upgrades for my return flights on PVD-ATL-MSP. ATL-MSP is particularly surprising; I always assume that I won’t get an upgrade on that route.
Today:
MSP-DTW-PVD
Upgraded at the 5-day window on the first segment. Helped by weather IROPS on the second segment. The DTW-PVD was delayed by fog in DTW. I asked and was rebooked onto DTW-BOS (bigger plane could manage the fog better). Because many incoming flights were delayed F had empty seats; I had two F seats to myself.
Just got window upgrades for my return flights on PVD-ATL-MSP. ATL-MSP is particularly surprising; I always assume that I won’t get an upgrade on that route.
Feb 16, 2018, 8:28 am
#87
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, Delta Reserve, Amex Plat, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold ;)
Posts: 1,776
DCA-ATL-HOU next week, with a companion, cleared into F today (at window) for the DCA-ATL leg. (Shocked)
Cleared for C+ on ATL-HOU at booking.
This week:
Cleared to C+ at gate DCA-ATL, was 10 of 64 on the UG list for F
Cleared C+ at booking ATL-DCA, was 4 of 16 on the UG list for F, 2 upgrades cleared at the gate
All of my other flights this month are in F where the buy up from W to F wasn't bad.
Cleared for C+ on ATL-HOU at booking.
This week:
Cleared to C+ at gate DCA-ATL, was 10 of 64 on the UG list for F
Cleared C+ at booking ATL-DCA, was 4 of 16 on the UG list for F, 2 upgrades cleared at the gate
All of my other flights this month are in F where the buy up from W to F wasn't bad.
Feb 16, 2018, 1:27 pm
#88
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DCA, LEX
Programs: DL Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Caesars Diamond, K Fund
Posts: 375
2/11 IAD-ATL Cleared to F at window
2/11 ATL-NAS C+ at booking. 2/5 for 0
2/14 NAS-ATL Cleared to F at T-3(3 open seats)
2/14 ATL-IAD C+ at booking. Ended 3/13 for 0.
2/11 ATL-NAS C+ at booking. 2/5 for 0
2/14 NAS-ATL Cleared to F at T-3(3 open seats)
2/14 ATL-IAD C+ at booking. Ended 3/13 for 0.
Feb 19, 2018, 11:46 pm
#89
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MEM
Programs: Starbucks Green Card
Posts: 5,431
Monday evening MEM-ATL DM on M fare, cleared at window (23 people on the gate list, 8 cleared)
Feb 20, 2018, 7:50 am
#90
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: DL-PM
Posts: 266
2/14 PHX-LAX Mrs. & I, 2/3 of 8 for 4 seats, cleared at gate.
2/19 LAX-PHX 6/7 of 23 for 5. Ended up 1/2 5 cleared. First time in years that I haven't made an upgrade on this route.
2/19 LAX-PHX 6/7 of 23 for 5. Ended up 1/2 5 cleared. First time in years that I haven't made an upgrade on this route.