strange behaviour from the upgrade system
 

Flight from YVR-MSP is showing P6 F4, and we snag two upgrades 6 days out. Flight from MSP-DCA is showing P9 F8, and no upgrades at all. I know R is a hidden bucket, but P6 F4 R2 on one flight but P9 F8 R0 on another? Does that strike anyone else as a little odd?

Knowing how hard upgrades are on DCA flights, and how good the yield management software is, not odd, only that NW is hoping for some last minute high price purchases.

Not if MSP-DCA has a history of last minute full fare traffic.

... That and knowing "they" get to change their tickets on a whim... the Congressional Desk gets lots of work at DCA.

Also, did you use the availability tool to check what "R" is showing for your flights?

How do you "use the availability tool to check 'R'?

Are we sure they are holding flights to sell at "full fare"...or are they holding them to try and sell them for the varying prices that have been discussed (e.g. $100, or $150 extra for some vegas flights)?

I didn't get EUA'ed for my MSP-LGA flight sunday night (last one of the night, on a 755)--no surprise since I'm currently silver and the premium section of Y had looked awfully full when I last checked on Friday.

I asked at the gate whether F was checked in full (just in case), and the GA pulled out a stack of at least 5 or 6 battlefield BPs to look for my name. Most were plats, with just a couple golds. So I'd agree that they're probably holding more F seats for walkups on certain flights.

Sometimes there are as many as 54 elites on the EUA waitlist
 

I have been connecting through DTW (most common hub connection for me) and on several occassions there have been 52 or 54 elites on the list for 2-3 FC seats.

You probably have a lot of DCA connecting/originating pax already on the standby list, plus a historical record of many last minute paid fares out of DCA, so it would seem very possible for a larger number of seats to be held back, and then it is also likely that many of the elite pax on the list wouldn't get the upgrade.

On other routes with lower historical last minute paid walk up tickets sold (yield mgmt) you would probably clear your upgrade much earlier.

RC

Perhaps I wasn't clear. I fly DCA-MSP or MSP-DCA quite often, and I'm used to sitting in coach even as a platinum.

However, when it shows F7+ 5/6 days out, I've never not gotten the upgrade at that point. This time, however, that's what happened. I'm wondering if they tweaked the system to hold back more seats in the DCA market.

probably tweaked the system. as a shareholder, I'm pleased because it may raise revenue and yield. as an elite, not as happy about the tweak.
tom

My exact thoughts. That said, the upgrade came through this morning, so all is happy once again.

Now, if only I can get DCA-MSP tomorrow...on a thursday night...yeah right... ;)

Hey, maybe the democrats are all in Boston and the republicans relaxing on their ranches (well except for Dick C who is here in southern California campaigning) and you'll get lucky.
tom

It's showing P1 F0 R0, so I'm not counting on it. Welcome to Thursday nights on the DCA-MSP route, and sunday nights on MSP-DCA. :)