"Direct" flight help requested
Mar 29, 2006 | 10:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
Programs: AS: 75K; DL/NW: Plat; DL SC: Lifetime; Hyatt: Diamond; HH: Gold; SPG: Plat;
Posts: 3,401
"Direct" flight help requested
Reluctantly, I'm about to book a 'Direct' flight (PDX-MSP-LGA, taking advantage of this $228 all-in coast to coast fare). I know all the downsides of booking a 'direct' flight (i.e, more than one stop, flight number doesn't change), however if I want this great 'K' fare, I have no choice. I have three questions:
1) Does the SAME exact seat need to open in FC for both flights (PDX-MSP and MSP-LGA) in order for the pax to be upgraded?
2) As a Platinum traveling with a companion on the same PNR, I'd get two seats up front IF there's R availability at the Plat window, which is difficult enough on a non-Direct flight. Can I pretty much kiss the two upgrades goodbye with Direct flight (because of the added difficulties of getting upgraded on a 'Direct' flight?
3) If there is a silver lining, it's the fact that I have a choice of two 'Direct' flights PDX-MSP-LGA, or PDX-MSP-MEM (then MEM-LGA) for about the same flight. I know the MEM routing would end up giving me a total of 375 extra EQM's.
By taking the PDX-(MSP)-MEM, I get 'robbed' of 270 EQMs (since the flight will be calculated as PDX-MEM=1,854 EQM versus PDX-MSP=1,423 + MSP-MEM=701, which total 2,124, but are my chances for getting upgraded better on the PDX-(MSP)-MEM than the PDX-(MSP)-LGA? The flights will be on a Monday. The PDX-(MSP)-MEM flight is served by a 753 (24 FC seats), leaves PDX at 12pm and gets to LGA at 10:35pm. The PDX-(MSP)-LGA is served with a 752 (22 FC seats), leaves PDX at 8:55am, and gets to MEM at 5:22pm. My intuition tells me that the chances for two of us to get upgraded are better on the PDX-(MSP)-MEM flights (even though that flight might have a higher load of Elites traveling PDX-MSP on a Monday morning). what are your thoughts (or experiences?)
Thanks!
Am I over analyzing this situation (then again, isn't that what FT is all about anyway?)
1) Does the SAME exact seat need to open in FC for both flights (PDX-MSP and MSP-LGA) in order for the pax to be upgraded?
2) As a Platinum traveling with a companion on the same PNR, I'd get two seats up front IF there's R availability at the Plat window, which is difficult enough on a non-Direct flight. Can I pretty much kiss the two upgrades goodbye with Direct flight (because of the added difficulties of getting upgraded on a 'Direct' flight?
3) If there is a silver lining, it's the fact that I have a choice of two 'Direct' flights PDX-MSP-LGA, or PDX-MSP-MEM (then MEM-LGA) for about the same flight. I know the MEM routing would end up giving me a total of 375 extra EQM's.
By taking the PDX-(MSP)-MEM, I get 'robbed' of 270 EQMs (since the flight will be calculated as PDX-MEM=1,854 EQM versus PDX-MSP=1,423 + MSP-MEM=701, which total 2,124, but are my chances for getting upgraded better on the PDX-(MSP)-MEM than the PDX-(MSP)-LGA? The flights will be on a Monday. The PDX-(MSP)-MEM flight is served by a 753 (24 FC seats), leaves PDX at 12pm and gets to LGA at 10:35pm. The PDX-(MSP)-LGA is served with a 752 (22 FC seats), leaves PDX at 8:55am, and gets to MEM at 5:22pm. My intuition tells me that the chances for two of us to get upgraded are better on the PDX-(MSP)-MEM flights (even though that flight might have a higher load of Elites traveling PDX-MSP on a Monday morning). what are your thoughts (or experiences?)
Thanks!
Am I over analyzing this situation (then again, isn't that what FT is all about anyway?)
Mar 29, 2006 | 10:49 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sarasota, FL
Programs: Northwest Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador, National Executive Elite
Posts: 613
Unfortunately, the answer to your 1st 2 questions are yes. Although - I did score an upgrade and companion upgrade on that very itenerary although it was a Wed not a Monday. For my bet, I'd go with the MEM route...best of luck.
Mar 29, 2006 | 11:20 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: Delta Diamond, Some other impressive stuff
Posts: 450
But, battlefield ug's can be handed out on the second leg. I've flown coach on directs and asked the gate agent at the "connection" (that's really what it is) and been successful. It doesn't hurt to ask