Question re: gate upgrade timing
Nov 28, 2007, 8:06 am
#1
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Question re: gate upgrade timing
Assume you are on the gate upgrade wait list in a decent spot (1st-3rd), but you haven't cleared for an upgrade and the boarding process has started.
Once the boarding process has started (they call zone 1), is there still any reasonable chance for an upgrade?
In other words, is there any reason not to board when called, but instead to wait until the end of boarding process to see if you can sit up front?
Once the boarding process has started (they call zone 1), is there still any reasonable chance for an upgrade?
In other words, is there any reason not to board when called, but instead to wait until the end of boarding process to see if you can sit up front?
Nov 28, 2007, 8:20 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
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If it show's and FC seats avaliable on the screen then you should wait. If not then you proabably won't get upgraded. If you are still on the list and there are seats avaliable, then if you attempt to board then you won't be upgraded. You will take your seat, then once everybody has boarded the GA will come on board and move the appropiate people to the front. I've heard there are some discrepancies that occur this way so if you definately know you are going to get 1 of the last 2 to 3 seats avaliable, then I would just wait it out in the gate area.
Nov 28, 2007, 8:25 am
#3
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Yes, there might be misconnects or checked-in non-boarders who free up seats. However, there was one time in SEA where I asked the GA if he would come get me from Y if an F seat freed up. He said yes, and did so!
Nov 28, 2007, 9:51 am
#4
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I have been pulled from coach before, it is never too late unless the plane is moving.
Nov 28, 2007, 11:28 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Last week a GA came on board and gave me an upgrade, it even shows in my account, but I was unable to get the benefit because the FA had given the seat away to someone else who was complaining about not getting an upgrade since they missed their scheduled flight earlier in the day. It was kind of embarassing to have to walk back to my old seat with all my carry on. To add insult to injury someone had all ready snatched my old good seat.
15 Nov 2007 Delta Flight 125 from Atlanta, GA to Los Angeles, CA (TX)
It does happen but the FA's apparently don't have to let you sit in F if they have upgraded someone else by their own discretion. In the future if I am settled in my caoch seat I will just say no thanks.
15 Nov 2007 Delta Flight 125 from Atlanta, GA to Los Angeles, CA (TX)
It does happen but the FA's apparently don't have to let you sit in F if they have upgraded someone else by their own discretion. In the future if I am settled in my caoch seat I will just say no thanks.
Nov 28, 2007, 12:01 pm
#6
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If the GA comes on to the aircraft to upgrade you and has a BP for you, I would challenge the FA's upgrade. If you're on the AC w/ a BP w/ your name and seat assignment I think you have the right to challenge an arbitrary denial of your assigned seat.
Nov 28, 2007, 12:13 pm
#7
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If the plane was still at the gate, then it's your seat period - the plane is still under the control of the gate agent until the door is closed. Once the door is shut, only the captain (since then the plane is under his control) can authorize an upgrade. F/As are not supposed to be upgrading anyone on the plane.
Nov 28, 2007, 2:31 pm
#8
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Almost like giving out a secret, but amps is right. If you are on the upgrade list and see at least 1 seat available, I would sit and wait. If you board, then you are taken off of the upgrade list. But if others higher then you board, then you can take it. I have waited until I was #1 on the list (from #8), and then I walked up to the GA and asked if they could clear the last upgrade. Since I was #1 on the list, I got my new boarding pass and walked on board.
Nov 28, 2007, 3:15 pm
#9
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Thank you all for responding and thanks for the tip. And Kiljin, only us FT'ers reading this topic know the dirtly little secret. So, shhhh, let's not tell anybody! 
Nov 28, 2007, 4:37 pm
#10
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Almost like giving out a secret, but amps is right. If you are on the upgrade list and see at least 1 seat available, I would sit and wait. If you board, then you are taken off of the upgrade list. But if others higher then you board, then you can take it. I have waited until I was #1 on the list (from #8), and then I walked up to the GA and asked if they could clear the last upgrade. Since I was #1 on the list, I got my new boarding pass and walked on board.
Nov 28, 2007, 5:18 pm
#11
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I did the same today LGA-ATL. As the upgrades started to clear, I was eventually #3, with only 1 open seat left. The boarding process got all the way through zone 8, when the other two pax in from of me all of a sudden disappeared from the list. Sure enough, the GA called me over to me a couple minutes later and said that I had seat 1A and to go ahead an board.
Nov 28, 2007, 7:47 pm
#12
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Usually I've seen that the FAs will keep First Class bins pretty empty if possible. I've never had a problem putting my bag in first. Of course I don't wait that often because I want my pre-board drink! 