Basic Economy + No Status = First
Mar 23, 2019, 6:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 2,932
Basic Economy + No Status = First
On a Canada-US flight this morning my “At Gate” seat assignment magically turned into 1D. I have to think nearly all of the 58 other passengers in economy were more qualified for that upgrade. Goes to show you just never know what will happen when you play the airplane game!
Mar 23, 2019, 6:36 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 2,932
Mar 23, 2019, 9:55 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Been discussed many times before. BE gets whatever seats are left. If that's F, they get F. However most agents will ensure elites have been upgraded before giving it to a BE passenger.
Mar 23, 2019, 11:00 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,399
Was there an upgrade list for the flight or were all eligible elites already upgraded?
Mar 23, 2019, 2:54 pm
#8
formerly jackvogt
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles,
Posts: 822
I suppose this will be the new reason why people have BE so much. Because there is a sliver of a chance that a non elite will receive first class...I love it. Congrats on taking the gamble and winning. I have gotten C+ several times but other than that, it has been aisle or window in the back.
Mar 23, 2019, 3:04 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
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YYJ service is stopping shortly. Also most Canadian flights are light on elites/paid F, other than YYZ and to lesser extent, YVR. Thus greater likelihood of F being last available seats.
Mar 23, 2019, 3:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Los Altos
Programs: Delta DM 2 Million Miler, Hilton DM, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 1,112
Basic Economy + Diamond Status = First
Diamond medallion booked BE $99 roundtrip SJC-LAS. Volunteered on SJC-LAS potential oversold flight- but not needed upgraded to First. Return flight had empty first class seats and no one left on upgrade list, so I asked and exception was made and upgraded to First.
Mar 23, 2019, 4:17 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
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As for the OP I once got C+ on a BE ticket but usually am stuck in the back. I now usually find myself paying the medallion tax and buying main cabin to preserve the upgrade chances.
Mar 23, 2019, 5:55 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 2,932
Seats went out empty in C+ and steerage. Maybe the agents are just being nice and not following corporate policies for their last few months of employment!
Mar 24, 2019, 3:09 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019
Brought a main cabin ticket from ATL-AUS, probably should of book BE for a gamble. Who knows.. maybe I can still get lucky..
Mar 25, 2019, 3:59 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: BNA
Programs: DL GM, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,027
Probably depends on the route... that or I don't have your luck.
Mar 25, 2019, 4:09 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
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YVR varies wildly. It just depends. However YYZ generally has much more paid F, if for no other reason than cheap J fares ex-YYZ.