Best FFP for Complimentary Upgrading?
 

I'm currently a UA Premier member, but thinking about switching to another airlines because UA doesn't offer complimentary upgrades unless you buy a full fare. I wanted to know what the best airline is to get complimentary upgrades, what level you have to be to get that, and if you are likely to get the upgrade based on a restricted, economy fare. What's the point of getting a complimentary upgrade if you're a "silver" member and never have a chance? BTW, I usually fly from IAD to Ohio or the West Coast. Thanks for your help!

I'm a lowly silver on NW usually flying from WAS to IAH through MEM or DTW on peak Friday after work / Monday morning times and I always get upgraded to first except for the leg out of DC on Friday afternoon/evening (LOTS of Plats on board). The other three legs of that RT I sit in the front of the bus. Not bad for a silver, imo, but I don't have experience as an elite on anything else besides Korean and they don't give you crap. Just a nice shiny elite card.

peace,
~Ben~

DL lets you upgrade from Deeply Discounted tickets as well. Plus you get great benefits since they are part of the Skyteam Alliance. You can also choose NW or CO to accumulate miles into your Skymiles account.

NW elites seem generally happiest with our domestic upgrade situation. The int'l upgrade situation is another story (it sucks). There are also no nonstops to Ohio or the West Coast from WAS on NW metal, but that's an excuse to earn more miles, right? ;)

NW and CO elites both get unlimited free upgrades on all NW or CO metal flights that have available FC. Availability is much tighter on CO metal, though. And while CO offers nonstops from IAD to CLE, the route is entirely covered by all-Y ERJs. :td:

I've heard pretty postive things about HP's and US's upgrade programs, too, but am not familiar with the details either.

AmericaWest (HP) offers free upgrade if you are elite members. Platium upgrade window is 4 days, Gold is 2 days, Silver is 1 day. If you bought your ticket with FF number & electronically on their website, they will process upgrades automatically. The 'nightly' upgrade sweep is based on your status (if eligible within the upgrade window) and a rolling 12-month flight activities.

If the nightly sweep does not upgrade you, you can call and request to be upgrade manually or put on the wait list.

I do not know if the upgrade sweep applies to non-electrionic ticket or tickets purchased through other channels.

I was upgraded 17/20 flight segments while flying HP for a year. I was a Gold last year and Silver this year.

I would have to agree with the previous posters that if domestic upgrades is your deciding factor in a FF elite program, than NW/CO is the way to go. I would probably choose NW, as they seem to have many more bonus mile opportunities then CO does.

Also, AFAIK NW planes are configured to have more first class seats than CO planes, generally speaking (usually 16 F seats on the 319/320/DC-9 which covers most of the domestic market).

peace,
~Ben~

It obviously depends on the dominant carriers in your hometown and usual destinations, but US also has free unlimited upgrades for all elite levels. And given their finanical situation, they'll probably comp you to Silver with your Starbucks frequent-drinker status.

Slightly off-topic.. At the Starbucks embedded in our local Safeway grocery store they do have a frequent-drinker program. :D

Buy a Starbucks card with your FF credit and reload it online to get the best of both worlds. :D