Getting Upgraded..
 

I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of chances i have to get upgraded on my coming flight to Hawaii from chicago. I have silver status with Delta. I called him NW and they told me only 24 hours prior do the first class seats get assigned for upgrades. Anyone know if there is a way to secure a first class seat before hand?

Zero

DL Elites are not upgraded on CO & NW (which is exactly what DL does to NW/CO Elites)

To secure a F seat in advance you'll need to purchase one

BTW: HI is considered an international destination by both NW & CO and Elite upgrades don't happen for NW/CO Elite members

Sounds like you got a terribly misinformed agent.

Upgrades have to be purchased to HI on NW.

There are four ways you can ride in front:

1. You can buy a ticket in FC.
2. You can use NW or CO miles to upgrade (assuming you're in an upgradeable coach fare class AND there is FC upgrade availability--note that DL miles can't be used to upgrade NW metal)
3. Some NW GAs are generous and will give DL elites a domestic upgrade if all the NW/CO elites have already been up'ed (even though they're not supposed to). Same goes for op-ups to Hawaii if coach is oversold.
4. FC upgrades to/from Hawaii are sometimes offered for sale for a reasonable price at the kiosk when you check in or at the gate.

Do they always sell out FC? I'm DTW>LAX>HNL HNL>MSP>DTW in November already in R, I like FC beucase usually the 'people' there are a little more reserved and quiet. Not sure I want a family of 4, for lack of better terms, 'commoners', behind me on HNL>MSP while I'm trying to sleep :)

I've heard of NW/CO agents giving out FC seats after all thier elites have cleared to DL elites... not a policy but just being nice - you never knwo never hurts to ask at the airport.

-Vincent

With the exception of HNL-MSP, the prices they offer surely aren't reasonable for the level of service and comfort your receive. $250 for a 5 hour flight to the West Coast on a 757 with limited FC service? I'll stick with my 14-A, thank you very much NW.

In all my flying, I may have been only on one flight in/out of HNL on NW where FC was not full in the end. And, that one time was during a super off-peak travel period.

NW finds a way to pack the FC cabin, especially on the HNL-MSP flight.

FWIW on my recent HNL-SFO there were empties in F, even after the flood of nonrevs.

Admittedly, a Monday night. And YMMV.

Slippahs - please do not take offense - but I never pictured you riding in the back! :D

Correct but this is a flight to HI....different story even for us (CO/NW elites)

Not sure that I'd call it reasonable -- $200 to the west coast, $250 to MSP. My seat on the aisle in row 27 of a 757-300 is as comfortable, I think, especially when the seat next to me is empty as it has been on my two of my last segments.

FWIW, to clarify, it's $250 for a day of departure upgrade to/from HNL and the West Coast and $350 on the HNL-MSP route.

On a 753 to/from HNL, it's probably more worth it to be in 14-A/B with a nice take-out meal than up front with a plate of congealed chicken and tight legroom. ;)

I'd agree that it is probably not worth the money to upgrade on the west-coast 753 flight (unless you have a middle seat).

However, I would jump at the $350 upgrade to MSP on the DC-10. Much more legroom with legrest, 8-hour flight, etc. If you can't use miles to upgrade in advance, try showing up at the airport 3 hours before the flight and ask around if you could purchase an upgrade. You won't regret it.

I disagree with the $350 upgrade, even HNL-MSP.

At $.02 per mile, $350 is half-way to enough miles to redeem a RT award (albeit in coach) back to HNL from anywhere in the US.

Now, if NW gave you the F class bonus onto your miles, then it might be worth it. But since I don't believe that they do, grab the exit row on the DC-10 and sleep the night away. It might also be a different story if it were a daytime flight and there was some sort of "service" up in FC to speak of, but considering you're just going to sleep, bring a nice pillow, get the exit, and save $350 towards your next flight, upgrade, hotel stay, etc. :)

My $.02

Unless things have changed in the past few years here is confirmation that they do NOT give you the F class bonus when upgrading/paying at the gate on the day of departure

Too bad the good exit row on the DC-10 is now RoachChoice....

I would choose flying with a group of “unreserved” chimpanzees if F than fly that distance in coach.
You better bust out the credit card. :D