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strange behaviour from the upgrade system

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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 7:33 am
  #1  
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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?
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 7:55 am
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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.
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 7:56 am
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Does that strike anyone else as a little odd?
Not if MSP-DCA has a history of last minute full fare traffic.
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 8:00 am
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... 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?
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 8:40 am
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Originally Posted by thezipper
... 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)?
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 10:42 am
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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.
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 11:04 am
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Arrow 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
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 12:29 pm
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Originally Posted by Radiocycle
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.
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.
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Old Jul 27, 2004 | 2:25 pm
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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
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Old Jul 28, 2004 | 9:44 am
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Originally Posted by mot29
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...
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Old Jul 28, 2004 | 9:55 am
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Originally Posted by ironmanjt
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
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Old Jul 28, 2004 | 12:04 pm
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Originally Posted by mot29
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.
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