2021 Upgrade Success (or lack thereof) thread
Mar 17, 2021, 9:01 pm
#91
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: ANC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,859
Had to book a last-minute trip at T-36 before the outbound, 7 days before the return, last week for myself and spouse. Here's our UG results:
ANC-SEA (738), cleared to C+ at booking, cleared to F at the gate.
SEA-ATL (757), cleared to C+ at booking, cleared to F at the gate.
ATL-ECP (CR9), cleared to C+ at booking, missed the F UG by 1. (Short 45 minute flight, so no biggie).
ECP-ATL (717), cleared to C+ at booking, was #1 and #2 on the F UG list for 0 seats.
ATL-MSP (739), cleared to C+ at booking, was #4 and #5 of 13 on the F UG list for 0 seats.
MSP-ANC (757), no advance C+ UG (first time in months as a PM we didn't get one!), Was #11 and #12 of over 20 on the F UG list for 0 seats! We did get offered C+ just before boarding began, but declined as the seats weren't together and we chose to keep our exit row instead.
ANC-SEA (738), cleared to C+ at booking, cleared to F at the gate.
SEA-ATL (757), cleared to C+ at booking, cleared to F at the gate.
ATL-ECP (CR9), cleared to C+ at booking, missed the F UG by 1. (Short 45 minute flight, so no biggie).
ECP-ATL (717), cleared to C+ at booking, was #1 and #2 on the F UG list for 0 seats.
ATL-MSP (739), cleared to C+ at booking, was #4 and #5 of 13 on the F UG list for 0 seats.
MSP-ANC (757), no advance C+ UG (first time in months as a PM we didn't get one!), Was #11 and #12 of over 20 on the F UG list for 0 seats! We did get offered C+ just before boarding began, but declined as the seats weren't together and we chose to keep our exit row instead.
Mar 18, 2021, 6:11 am
#92
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
I bought a ticket two days before departure (Thursday morning) in U class BWI-ATL-SEA, returning two days later on the redeye SEA-ATL-BWI. Both westbound flights were zeroed out in F and C+ at time of purchase. There was a change of equipment on the BWI-ATL which increased the size of the C+ cabin and I got UG'd to C+, but was #5 for 0 F seats. On the ATL-SEA, I had one of the two good exit row seats on the 737-900 (21F), I ended up #6 for 1 F seat (there was a no show and they pulled one man out of C+ and moved him to F). The flights between BWI and ATL ended up at 100% capacity; there were maybe 10 people short of capacity on the flights to and from SEA. Flying out of BWI was $360 cheaper than going out of DCA or IAD.
On the eastbound segments, I got UG'd to F about two hours after purchasing the ticket. I'm now 6 out of 8 F upgrades in 2021.
On the eastbound segments, I got UG'd to F about two hours after purchasing the ticket. I'm now 6 out of 8 F upgrades in 2021.
Mar 18, 2021, 12:04 pm
#93
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Premier Gold
Posts: 2,939
On a 717 flight last night, I was #1 of 3 with one upgrade showing available. Never upgraded by any of the three gate agents working the flight. Was in the first row of C+ so I could see that two rows of F went out empty.
Mar 23, 2021, 2:27 pm
#94
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,266
Here is a question that may fit in this thread - just missed an upgrade where I was #1 on upgrade list on an A319 where there were 2 sets of seats open (cabin booked to 7 of 12 with 1AB and 3CD open). The agent claims that since the cabin was booked to 7 passengers that they were unable to put anyone else in F even though it would not have resulted in me sitting next to anybody. Is this really the policy? Ironically, I flew an A319 a few weeks back on a paid F ticket and the cabin was full except the seat next to me (cabin booked to 11 of 12).
Mar 23, 2021, 2:41 pm
#95
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
PM here.
3/6 ONT-SEA-ONT C+ cleared at booking, F cleared at T-120. Everyone on the waitlist cleared.
3/13 ONT-SEA-ONT C+ cleared at booking, F cleared at T-120 Everyone on the waitlist cleared out bound, return 2 people didn't clear.
3/20 ONT-SEA-ONT C+ cleared at booking, F cleared at T-120 Everyone on the waitlist cleared.
3/27 LAX-SEA-LAX C+ cleared at booking, F both cleared at the gate. Everyone on the waitlist cleared out bound, return 2 people didn't clear.
3/6 ONT-SEA-ONT C+ cleared at booking, F cleared at T-120. Everyone on the waitlist cleared.
3/13 ONT-SEA-ONT C+ cleared at booking, F cleared at T-120 Everyone on the waitlist cleared out bound, return 2 people didn't clear.
3/20 ONT-SEA-ONT C+ cleared at booking, F cleared at T-120 Everyone on the waitlist cleared.
3/27 LAX-SEA-LAX C+ cleared at booking, F both cleared at the gate. Everyone on the waitlist cleared out bound, return 2 people didn't clear.
Last edited by simonsuo; Mar 29, 2021 at 11:52 am
Mar 23, 2021, 3:00 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
Clearly they had enough staff to work the gate and could field your question.
Mar 23, 2021, 4:25 pm
#97
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Tahoe
Programs: Delta DM for now
Posts: 474
Flew RNO-SLC-ORD yesterday and simply put, it felt different. Certainly the busiest I've seen air travel in a long time.
RNO-SLC: F 2 out of 13 for 0 seats, C+ cleared at T-24ish
SLC-ORD: F 4 out of 11 for 0 seats, C+ 3 out of 11 for 0
First time since September that I did not clear into F for the entire journey, and the first time in the Covid-era that I did not get upgraded to F on at least one segment of the day. Granted, both aircraft (E175 and A220) were smaller F cabins.
RNO-SLC: F 2 out of 13 for 0 seats, C+ cleared at T-24ish
SLC-ORD: F 4 out of 11 for 0 seats, C+ 3 out of 11 for 0
First time since September that I did not clear into F for the entire journey, and the first time in the Covid-era that I did not get upgraded to F on at least one segment of the day. Granted, both aircraft (E175 and A220) were smaller F cabins.
Mar 23, 2021, 4:55 pm
#98
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL DM, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Amb
Posts: 1,342
3/17 DTW-PHX 9:26 PM 1 and 2 for 0 seats at gate ( expected to get this, but think some people bought up to F in the couple days before flight)
3/21 PHX-DTW 5:50 AM 6 and 7 for 0 seats at gate
sat in C+ both seats, cleared at booking
3/21 PHX-DTW 5:50 AM 6 and 7 for 0 seats at gate
sat in C+ both seats, cleared at booking
Mar 26, 2021, 3:39 pm
#99
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: DL, UA, B6
Posts: 28
3/5 JFK-LVS 2 ppl C+ 24 hours before, then upgraded to F at the gate.
3/16 LVS-JFK C+ night before was 1/2 for F, but not upgraded despite their being 2 seats.
Not bad considering that we used an amex plat cert, had an infant, and got 4 checked bags + stroller and car seat all for $350.
3/16 LVS-JFK C+ night before was 1/2 for F, but not upgraded despite their being 2 seats.
Not bad considering that we used an amex plat cert, had an infant, and got 4 checked bags + stroller and car seat all for $350.
Mar 26, 2021, 6:57 pm
#100
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion; Alaska MVP; British Airways Exec Ruby
Posts: 32
I’m Silver Medallion and was traveling in late February with a DVacations booking (not sure if that affects rank), on my 2 legs in economy, was upgraded to Comfort + at gate.
IND > DTW
ATL > IND
Good odds so far in 2021.
IND > DTW
ATL > IND
Good odds so far in 2021.
Apr 2, 2021, 2:56 pm
#103
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: East Coast/West Coast, USA
Programs: AS, DL, UA, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 268
27 March
DL 309
JFK-LAX
B764
10/14 with 3 Clearing into D1
28 March
DL 855
LAX-MSP
B752
3/14 with 2 Clearing into F
3 April
DL 2095
MSP-LGA
A319
Upgraded Shortly after PM Window Opened
Overall 8/20 for the year.
DL 309
JFK-LAX
B764
10/14 with 3 Clearing into D1
28 March
DL 855
LAX-MSP
B752
3/14 with 2 Clearing into F
3 April
DL 2095
MSP-LGA
A319
Upgraded Shortly after PM Window Opened
Overall 8/20 for the year.
Apr 2, 2021, 6:46 pm
#104
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 766
Had four seats open on a CRJ9 flight (two on the A side and a C/D couplet. I was number four behind a single (#1) and a couple (#2/3). The GA only upgraded #1 to an A seat.
Prior to boarding, I innocently ask if my upgrade cleared (knowing full well it hadn’t) and the GA does some typing and then tells me it has.
Sadly, #2/3 missed out even though there was space and they were ahead of me. I can understand when upgrades don’t get processed for no shows, but that was not the case here.
78% this year so far as PM
Prior to boarding, I innocently ask if my upgrade cleared (knowing full well it hadn’t) and the GA does some typing and then tells me it has.
Sadly, #2/3 missed out even though there was space and they were ahead of me. I can understand when upgrades don’t get processed for no shows, but that was not the case here.
78% this year so far as PM
Last edited by tardyturtle; Apr 2, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Apr 9, 2021, 1:09 pm
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,507
Pair of Wednesday morning CR9 flights. Wasn't really worried about the upgrades since the F cabin was only being half filled and I was able to get 8D with 8C blocked on both flights.
Plat, cheap fare class (maybe X)
RDU-DTW, 5th of 11 for 1
DTW-ORD, 4th of 9 for 1
Flying it again in a couple of weeks and fully expect the same result.
Plat, cheap fare class (maybe X)
RDU-DTW, 5th of 11 for 1
DTW-ORD, 4th of 9 for 1
Flying it again in a couple of weeks and fully expect the same result.