2018 Upgrade Success (Or Lack Thereof)
Feb 20, 2018, 1:02 pm
#91
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
I'm doing significantly better in 2018 (DM) than I did in 2017 (PM). At this point then I was 1/8 and now I'm 7/8.
MKE>MSP 1/27 At Window
MSP>RSW 1/27 At Window
FLL>MSP 2/9 At Window
MSP>MSN 2/9 No Upgrade
MSN>MSP 2/17 At Window
MSP>BWI 2/17 At Window (pushed out with 1st 1/2 full)
BWI>DTW 2/22 At Window
DTW>MKE 2/22 3 Days ahead
MKE>MSP 1/27 At Window
MSP>RSW 1/27 At Window
FLL>MSP 2/9 At Window
MSP>MSN 2/9 No Upgrade
MSN>MSP 2/17 At Window
MSP>BWI 2/17 At Window (pushed out with 1st 1/2 full)
BWI>DTW 2/22 At Window
DTW>MKE 2/22 3 Days ahead
Feb 20, 2018, 3:23 pm
#92
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
You're not fighting the start of a big convention, which is good. There are the usual 11 flights a day ATL-MSY and a fair amount of 'rush hour' traffic late afternoon to early evening. Lot's of SDC's on and off those flights. Probably won't clear until the gate. My wife and I cleared this afternoon for next Tuesday MSY-LGA, V T fares, late afternoon. We'll be at the Sky Club from about 3:30 - 4:45. Maybe a bit earlier since the food at the club is better than the food on the plane.
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
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
#1 and #2 were upgraded just prior to boarding. I boarded and took my C+ seat but the GA came on board just prior to take-off and moved me to FC. I watched the numbers in EF and was confused by all the changes in FC then 3 non-shows.
Feb 20, 2018, 3:57 pm
#93
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
2/20 DTW-DCA, upgraded at window. At gate there were 42 people on upgrade list for 3 seats.
2/19 ORD-DTW, upgraded at boarding. At gate there were I think 12 people on upgrade list for 2 seats.
2/19 SEA-ORD, on a paid F. At gate there were I think 20 people on upgrade list for 4 seats.
2/18 HNL-SEA, on a paid F. At gate there were 9 people for 10 seats. Flight departed with 1 empty seat.
2/10 LAX-HNL, on a paid F. At gate there were 12 people for 3 seats.
2/19 ORD-DTW, upgraded at boarding. At gate there were I think 12 people on upgrade list for 2 seats.
2/19 SEA-ORD, on a paid F. At gate there were I think 20 people on upgrade list for 4 seats.
2/18 HNL-SEA, on a paid F. At gate there were 9 people for 10 seats. Flight departed with 1 empty seat.
2/10 LAX-HNL, on a paid F. At gate there were 12 people for 3 seats.
Feb 20, 2018, 3:59 pm
#94
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
This happened twice to me in 2017. While it's the way it is supposed to work there actually seems to be more reports of seats either going out empty or gatehouse agents upgrading someone else.
Feb 20, 2018, 8:31 pm
#95
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
After missing JFK SAN lie flat using a RUC (moved from 20 to #4 for one seat) and JFK AUS (#4 for 0 seats) hit a good streak:
AUS DTW cleared at gate
DTW CMH finished #4 for 5 seats
CMH LGA was #1 out of 5 for 6 seats
LGA YOW cleared 5 days out. Only one person was on UG list, FC went out with 2 empty seats.
And for good measure, got a check in upgrade as a UA Silver on YOW EWR. There’s still 8 open FC seats and no one on the UG list
AUS DTW cleared at gate
DTW CMH finished #4 for 5 seats
CMH LGA was #1 out of 5 for 6 seats
LGA YOW cleared 5 days out. Only one person was on UG list, FC went out with 2 empty seats.
And for good measure, got a check in upgrade as a UA Silver on YOW EWR. There’s still 8 open FC seats and no one on the UG list
Feb 20, 2018, 9:40 pm
#96
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
24 hours out, I was #1 of 3 FC slots. Around 12 hours out #2 then eventually #3 for ATL-MSY on the 757 this morning that showed no slots in FC.
#1 and #2 were upgraded just prior to boarding. I boarded and took my C+ seat but the GA came on board just prior to take-off and moved me to FC. I watched the numbers in EF and was confused by all the changes in FC then 3 non-shows.
#1 and #2 were upgraded just prior to boarding. I boarded and took my C+ seat but the GA came on board just prior to take-off and moved me to FC. I watched the numbers in EF and was confused by all the changes in FC then 3 non-shows.
We got our UG's today for Sunday LGA-MSY.
Also, the GA came on board and moved someone up on today's MSY-LGA. She had been #6 for 4 when boarding started.
Feb 20, 2018, 11:32 pm
#97
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 275
SEA-BOS 2x at window (1 into FC)
SEA-SJC no
SJC-SEA at window
SAN-SEA at window
SEA-SJC no
SJC-SEA at window
SAN-SEA at window
Feb 22, 2018, 9:54 am
#98
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 11
There is a very noticeable decline in upgrade availability in 2018. One leg of my current weekly route, CLT-ATL, consistently is full in 1st, and I find myself far down the upgrade list. On such a short and small flight, this is very unusual. I am Diamond and used to get upgraded 20-30% of the time. Now, I don't hold my breath.
In addition, redeeming miles for Business on long haul flights is ridiculously expensive...350k+. What the hell? I've been Diamond every year since they introduced the status level in 2010, and I think this may be the last year that I bother getting Delta status. What's the point of getting the miles and status if they gouge you on redemption? The dangling carrot is turning rotten.
In addition, redeeming miles for Business on long haul flights is ridiculously expensive...350k+. What the hell? I've been Diamond every year since they introduced the status level in 2010, and I think this may be the last year that I bother getting Delta status. What's the point of getting the miles and status if they gouge you on redemption? The dangling carrot is turning rotten.
Feb 25, 2018, 7:19 am
#99
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
IAD-DTW
24 February
CRJ-700
4 on the upgrade list for 1 first-class seat
Plane went out with 8 comfort-plus seats empty.
24 February
CRJ-700
4 on the upgrade list for 1 first-class seat
Plane went out with 8 comfort-plus seats empty.
Feb 26, 2018, 11:35 am
#100
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
JFK - DCA 2/1 - Ceared at the Window. Travel companion cleared at the Gold window
DCA-ATL 3/2 - Cleared at the window
ATL-FLL 3/2 - Not looking good, 7 seats available but no one cleared at the window last night .
DCA-ATL 3/2 - Cleared at the window
ATL-FLL 3/2 - Not looking good, 7 seats available but no one cleared at the window last night .
Feb 26, 2018, 11:50 am
#101
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Madison, WI (MSN)
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hilton & Marriott Plastic Gold, Chick-fil-A Signature
Posts: 441
MSN-DTW 2/19 - Rebooked to this flight due to waiver, finished #2 for 0. Received last C+ "upgrade" at gate
DTW-SFO 2/20 - Cleared at window
SFO-DTW 2/24 - Waitlisted RUC several weeks ago, finished #2 for 0. F was "sold out" for several days before flight. Sat in C+ seat reserved at booking
DTW-MSN 2/24 - Cleared at window
Sitting 2/5 (40%) on non-WFBF flights this year and 0/1 on RUC use.
DTW-SFO 2/20 - Cleared at window
SFO-DTW 2/24 - Waitlisted RUC several weeks ago, finished #2 for 0. F was "sold out" for several days before flight. Sat in C+ seat reserved at booking
DTW-MSN 2/24 - Cleared at window
Sitting 2/5 (40%) on non-WFBF flights this year and 0/1 on RUC use.
Feb 26, 2018, 1:30 pm
#102
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,298
What time are you flying out of DCA on Friday? I’m flying into DCA around 1:30 on Friday.
Feb 26, 2018, 2:02 pm
#103
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSN
Programs: Delta DM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,987
I'm 3/3 again this week on a K fare MSN>DTW>BWI both cleared at window for 2/25 (Sun) and DCA>MSN cleared at window for 3/2 (Fri). I'm really stunned by my UG improvement odds as DM, although my tendency to get booked into K or M fares helps I suppose.
Feb 26, 2018, 5:26 pm
#104
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
I'm not in this conversation but am flying out of DCA on the direct to MSN @ 15:10 on Friday. If anyone wants to hang out in the (temporarily) sh*tty SkyClub before, let me know. I had a really rude guy there last week block me checking and then then try to order a drink in front of me at the bar -- and this was an employee! But it looks like the improvements will be done soon and I can't wait.
Feb 26, 2018, 6:28 pm
#105
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BWI
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 165
I'm not in this conversation but am flying out of DCA on the direct to MSN @ 15:10 on Friday. If anyone wants to hang out in the (temporarily) sh*tty SkyClub before, let me know. I had a really rude guy there last week block me checking and then then try to order a drink in front of me at the bar -- and this was an employee! But it looks like the improvements will be done soon and I can't wait.
I'm 3/3 again this week on a K fare MSN>DTW>BWI both cleared at window for 2/25 (Sun) and DCA>MSN cleared at window for 3/2 (Fri). I'm really stunned by my UG improvement odds as DM, although my tendency to get booked into K or M fares helps I suppose.
I'm 3/3 again this week on a K fare MSN>DTW>BWI both cleared at window for 2/25 (Sun) and DCA>MSN cleared at window for 3/2 (Fri). I'm really stunned by my UG improvement odds as DM, although my tendency to get booked into K or M fares helps I suppose.