Frequent RT Bay area - BUF, best route to get upgrade?
Jul 31, 2018, 7:10 pm
#18
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Aug 1, 2018, 6:58 am
#19
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Aug 1, 2018, 9:33 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,106
Look at the bright side: with a commute like that, you’ll be close or over the Plat threshold.
On the other hand: complimentary upgrades for Platinums still don’t happen on any long haul non stops out of SFO.
On the other hand: complimentary upgrades for Platinums still don’t happen on any long haul non stops out of SFO.
Aug 1, 2018, 9:50 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
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Posts: 3,276
Heck, it's difficult for a Diamond to get an upgrade out of SFO to ATL even using a RUC. SJC is a bit easier, but that's still difficult to do. Now that you really don't see the 763 with its 30 F seats anymore and they took 4 F seats out of the 752, comp upgrades have become very difficult.
Aug 1, 2018, 2:40 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BUF
Programs: SkyTean, Star Alliance, HHonors
Posts: 155
I am a newly GM.
Due to work, I will travel almost every other two weeks from bay area to BUF in the next three months. SFO is my first choice, but SJC is good to me too.
I normally book ticket through Concur 3-4 days before travel. Based on travel policy, I can choose airlines, but not ticket class code.
What's the best route I should take to get upgrade in the long haul flights?
Thank you.
Due to work, I will travel almost every other two weeks from bay area to BUF in the next three months. SFO is my first choice, but SJC is good to me too.
I normally book ticket through Concur 3-4 days before travel. Based on travel policy, I can choose airlines, but not ticket class code.
What's the best route I should take to get upgrade in the long haul flights?
Thank you.
Aug 1, 2018, 2:44 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2017
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Posts: 2,994
Heck, it's difficult for a Diamond to get an upgrade out of SFO to ATL even using a RUC. SJC is a bit easier, but that's still difficult to do. Now that you really don't see the 763 with its 30 F seats anymore and they took 4 F seats out of the 752, comp upgrades have become very difficult.
The other benefit SJC has it that they run more 738s with lots of C+ seating - there is actually a small chance of snagging a C+ seat if you book 8-9 days in advance (as opposed to no shot flying into SFO on a 752 or 739).
Either way, the point remains.. a RUC as a Diamond probably only gives you a 20-30% chance of a upgrade (assuming you're on a high fare class) - certainly no guarantee at all.
Aug 1, 2018, 3:13 pm
#24
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Heck, it's difficult for a Diamond to get an upgrade out of SFO to ATL even using a RUC. SJC is a bit easier, but that's still difficult to do. Now that you really don't see the 763 with its 30 F seats anymore and they took 4 F seats out of the 752, comp upgrades have become very difficult.
Aug 1, 2018, 9:53 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Posts: 8,414
There's just lots of really rich people in the bay. My guess is that a majority of those F seats are being sold in advance. Remember that the region is full of engineers who make a half million a year in cash starting. It's the same reason the housing market is so insane.
OP I would just take the SFO-JFK flight & then connect in JFK because the inflight service & equipment will be the best for the long flight. You will get free meals in coach, several options for wide-body a/c that are IMO more comfortable, even better options in C+ (which you can choose in advance after you are PM) and chances are you will score a rare upgrade every now and then, and they are the very best on this route.
OP I would just take the SFO-JFK flight & then connect in JFK because the inflight service & equipment will be the best for the long flight. You will get free meals in coach, several options for wide-body a/c that are IMO more comfortable, even better options in C+ (which you can choose in advance after you are PM) and chances are you will score a rare upgrade every now and then, and they are the very best on this route.
Aug 2, 2018, 1:05 am
#26
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If travel is basically consuming the OP's entire day, an additional connection might be acceptable providing that it offers a good plan B for IROPs.
I agree that Saturday flights would give the best chances. Also, OP can pick RUCs for the DM choice benefit and use them to score a few upgrades.
It might be better to focus on the upgrade odds of various BUF-XXX and YYY-BUF shorter connecting flights and plan to sit in coach on the longer segments unless RUCs can be used.
I agree that Saturday flights would give the best chances. Also, OP can pick RUCs for the DM choice benefit and use them to score a few upgrades.
It might be better to focus on the upgrade odds of various BUF-XXX and YYY-BUF shorter connecting flights and plan to sit in coach on the longer segments unless RUCs can be used.
Aug 2, 2018, 8:38 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
I am a newly GM.
Due to work, I will travel almost every other two weeks from bay area to BUF in the next three months. SFO is my first choice, but SJC is good to me too.
I normally book ticket through Concur 3-4 days before travel. Based on travel policy, I can choose airlines, but not ticket class code.
What's the best route I should take to get upgrade in the long haul flights?
Thank you.
Due to work, I will travel almost every other two weeks from bay area to BUF in the next three months. SFO is my first choice, but SJC is good to me too.
I normally book ticket through Concur 3-4 days before travel. Based on travel policy, I can choose airlines, but not ticket class code.
What's the best route I should take to get upgrade in the long haul flights?
Thank you.