Upgrade After Boarding?
 

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I couldn't find an answer via Search.

On a recent flight (50% upgrades so far as Silver), the gate agent said I had a 50/50 chance of an upgrade, but pre-boarding had already begun. I decided to board and take my original seat. Did that remove me from the waitlist? I know US Airways upgrades people onboard. Thanks!

It depends on whether the gate agent is up to speed or not. During very busy times, they may forget to check the waitlist, and flights may go out with empty FC seats.

I usually just say, "I just wanted to check if my FC upgrade had cleared", just before they call my row for boarding. As long as you're pleasant, and the GA isn't too harried, it often works out.

Once you board, there is only a slight chance they'll pull you out. (I'd guess 10%). Sometimes the scanner will "beep" differently when you're going through to let the agent know that your ticket was upgraded.

I recently boarded for coach on a MEM-SFO flight and only found out after I got home and reviewed the itinerary on the computer that I had been upgraded to First. Although I had been waitlisted for the airport upgrade, my name was never called. The agent didn't call any names before he started the boarding process.

I find CO & DL somewhat more progressive in giving out upgrades to elites at the gate and only rarely have I seen a NW agent actually board to pull someone to the front after they have already gone to sit in coach. (The one time I noticed it the flight seemed to have been overbooked and they were scrambling to find more coach seats.)

I don't think I've every been pulled forward from the back on a NW flight, CO yes, but the upgrade almost always comes through in advance on NW. Several years ago I got upgraded at boarding in MSP; I asked while boarding as an elite, the GA said let me check, hit a few key strokes on the terminal and I got a new BP.
tom

CO & DL tends to upgrade elites at the gate because CO & DL typical don't release all F seats until a few hours before the flight, whereas NW releases most of F seats. However, in some case, I had some bad experience like you did with NW: stuck in coach, while 2 F seats were given to non-revenue passengers! A letter to WP and got 2 complimentary upgrade coupons.

This is called a "battlefield upgrade" and is all too familiar for those flying CO. As a NW Gold, I once took my seat back in coach for a IAH-SAN flight after being told by gate agents, quite rudely, that all seats were taken. Ten minutes later, and very shortly before the door closed, a gate agent came back to my seat and handed me a new boarding pass stub, verified my name, and told me to follow her - I remember her saying "quickly and quietly", I think so as not to arouse the suspicion of others who were passed over in advance.

Ahh, that was only this past January. Remember when CO flights used to deliver 150% EQM when upgraded, as opposed to 50%? ;)

In general, if I'm not upgraded and on the wait list, I'll wait till final boarding call to see if any seats open up. Then I'd board.

aloha

It also could depend on the FA. I was on a recent flight, in 1B. The GA came on board, just before closing the door, and told the FA "the pax in 20C can take 6C if they want" (757-300). The GA then closed the door. The FA opened the cockpit door, and told the captain we were ready to go, without even offering the FC seat to the pax in 20C. I guess he didn't want to take the time, effort, etc..

I have asked specifically about this issue. CO tells you to get on-board the aircraft and they will pull you up-front if the upgrade clears. On the other hand, NW tells you to wait in the gate area. They will generally NOT come on-board the plane. They will give the upgrade to someone who waited in the gate area.

I agree. Sitting in the gate area patiently and quietly is the easier way to get the upgrade.

While I find myself in FC most often ;) I rarely see someone get moved up to FC. I have been moved next to my wife once as a cabin upgrade (I gave her my FC seat, I took her coach seat, and the seat next to her remained empty after checkin). But this seems quite a rare event.

I find that the GA will notify all of those at the gate that the FC has all checked in and that upgrades are no longer available. Unless I heard that call and was hoping for an upgrade I would remain seated near the gate and hope for the best.

Upgraded while on board...
 

I too have gotten upgrade on board once before, even after pre-boarding. I was sitting comfortably in my seat after my boarding pass was scanned (and verified), and on board the aircraft, when 20 minutes into boarding, another passenger came to my seat for seating. Wondering why the descrepancy, the flight attendant called the gate agent about double booking of the same coach seat. As it turns out, I found out that I had been upgraded, and my seat had then been given to another coach passengers.

Jiburi 04

I agree in theory. However, overhead space is a hot commodity. If you miss pre-boarding, you could be out of luck.

Not long ago I had the same experience on NWA. FC seats were given to standbys(Ichecked with a friendly FA) while I was in coach. I wrote a letter explaining the circumstance and requested FC upgrade coupons. I am only Silver and my reply ignored allof my questions and just gave the standard "WE try to do the best for all our passengers".
Kind of disappointing.

SNOW

I agree. Waiting is a risky option.

Unrelated - This past weekend I was able to make an earlier connection (DTW -> GRR). The GA told me to forget getting upgraded, but time was tight so I can understand. I was the last person to borad and there were at least 4 FC seats open. Anyone ever just take an FC seat that you know won't be filled? Can you just flash the elite card if you're questioned?