Is There a Standard Procedure for International Op-Ups?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: NW Gold
Posts: 14
Is There a Standard Procedure for International Op-Ups?
I flew on NW28 from NRT-SFO on 7-27 and while boarding, I noticed 5 boarding passes at the ticket scan. I took a quick glance while walking through and saw two Silver Elites in the group of BPs for WBC. I am Gold Elite and never expect to get an Op Upgrade, but it seems kind of strange that two silvers would be upgraded in front of me. Does fare basis play a more important role than status (I was flying on an M fare)? BTW, this flight was jam packed and I had to endure a fussy, kicking baby directly behind me.
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Louisville, KY, US
Programs: QF Plat - OW EMD | DL Gold / Starwood Gold
Posts: 6,106
Originally Posted by boilerjt
I flew on NW28 from NRT-SFO on 7-27 and while boarding, I noticed 5 boarding passes at the ticket scan. I took a quick glance while walking through and saw two Silver Elites in the group of BPs for WBC. I am Gold Elite and never expect to get an Op Upgrade, but it seems kind of strange that two silvers would be upgraded in front of me. Does fare basis play a more important role than status (I was flying on an M fare)? BTW, this flight was jam packed and I had to endure a fussy, kicking baby directly behind me.
The GA paged me, said she needed my seat, and put me into WBC. I would hope fare paid plays a role, but where you're seated on the plane may play a role if they have to find seats for a couple or a family.
They may just look at the seating plan and see that a person in a specific seat is easiest to op-up to get other pax seated together (when the op-ups are done last minute).
When they're processed at check-in, I would think they go by status, fare paid, and how a person is dressed could even be a factor. I always seem to get more op-up's during the check-in process when I'm nicely dressed (i.e. nice collared, ironed, button down shirt and slacks vs travelling in a t-shirt and jeans).
SDF_Traveler
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: NWA Platinum
Posts: 191
Originally Posted by boilerjt
I flew on NW28 from NRT-SFO on 7-27 and while boarding, I noticed 5 boarding passes at the ticket scan. I took a quick glance while walking through and saw two Silver Elites in the group of BPs for WBC. I am Gold Elite and never expect to get an Op Upgrade, but it seems kind of strange that two silvers would be upgraded in front of me. Does fare basis play a more important role than status (I was flying on an M fare)? BTW, this flight was jam packed and I had to endure a fussy, kicking baby directly behind me.
She is an attractive young woman, but I'm sure that was not a factor, as I don't think they had any way to connect the name to a face. As she boarded, they had a new boarding pass in Business Class already printed.
She also was upgraded on the outbound flight from SFO to NRT. Our other daughter was on the same flights-- same status and she was not upgraded.
We were all puzzled, as we thought the PE would be upgraded before GE. All of us had the same coach fare class that was not upgradeable.
There were a few empty seats in BC.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: NWA Platinum
Posts: 191
For a February flight, we purchased B class tickets for DTW to CDG and were upgraded at the time of purchase. When we boarded in DTW, I asked the gate agent if there were seats available if they would upgrade B class tickets at the gate and he said, "Absolutely not!!! We want to sell those tickets."
I don't know if there were any Bs wanting to be upgraded, but there were a few empty seats and at least 2 flight attendants seated in Business.
Do you think Gate Agents give priority to employees?
I don't know if there were any Bs wanting to be upgraded, but there were a few empty seats and at least 2 flight attendants seated in Business.
Do you think Gate Agents give priority to employees?
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, ROC, HNL, PEN, BKK, KUL, SIN (check out http://my.flightmemory.com/kkua)
Programs: DL Diamond charter member; 2 million miler (45% from NWA, 2MM achieved 5/2018)
Posts: 682
Originally Posted by go go girl
Do you think Gate Agents give priority to employees?
OBTW, my chances of int'l op-ups seem to take into account that I travel solo. When travelling with companion(s) on same PNR, upgrades have been zero. But when solo, seems like my chances are best. When friends accopany me on the same flight with different PNR, I was bumped up but not them Been upgraded with Q, B and M fares in the past. My best op-up route is NRT-HNL (3 for 3 since Oct '05).
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Astoria, NY: LGA, JFK
Programs: Delta PM; Sheraton's Vistana BOD; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,035
On a Shanghai-Narita flight earlier this year, Mrs. Yogimax and I were both upgraded. The boarding passes were already printed and waiting at the counter so it had nothing to do with appearance. I'm actually quite glad because I certainly do not appear to be a platinum elite in the way I dress. Just as an aside, though, I have noticed priests in clerical collars sitting up front. Who knows, though, if they were upgraded or travelling on a paid ticket.
From the responses so far, as well as personal experience, it looks like the "easiest" international op-ups are the feeder flights into Narita
From the responses so far, as well as personal experience, it looks like the "easiest" international op-ups are the feeder flights into Narita
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: NW Gold
Posts: 14
Originally Posted by yogimax
On a Shanghai-Narita flight earlier this year, Mrs. Yogimax and I were both upgraded. The boarding passes were already printed and waiting at the counter so it had nothing to do with appearance. I'm actually quite glad because I certainly do not appear to be a platinum elite in the way I dress. Just as an aside, though, I have noticed priests in clerical collars sitting up front. Who knows, though, if they were upgraded or travelling on a paid ticket.
From the responses so far, as well as personal experience, it looks like the "easiest" international op-ups are the feeder flights into Narita
From the responses so far, as well as personal experience, it looks like the "easiest" international op-ups are the feeder flights into Narita
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,487
If it were based on appearance, I'd be loaded in the hold!
#9
Join Date: May 2002
Location: seattle, wa.
Posts: 915
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
If it were based on appearance, I'd be loaded in the hold!
#10
Join Date: May 2004
Location: formerly Gold now Diamond, formerly MSY, now LAX, formerly NW, now DL
Programs: Hyatt Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Delta Diamond/1MM
Posts: 4,635
Originally Posted by Jaimito Cartero
If it were based on appearance, I'd be loaded in the hold!
#11
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Originally Posted by kkua
Usually, they don't. But if the employees happen to be crew reporting immediately to work on a connecting, then the GAs may block the WBC seats.
OBTW, my chances of int'l op-ups seem to take into account that I travel solo. When travelling with companion(s) on same PNR, upgrades have been zero. But when solo, seems like my chances are best. When friends accopany me on the same flight with different PNR, I was bumped up but not them Been upgraded with Q, B and M fares in the past. My best op-up route is NRT-HNL (3 for 3 since Oct '05).
OBTW, my chances of int'l op-ups seem to take into account that I travel solo. When travelling with companion(s) on same PNR, upgrades have been zero. But when solo, seems like my chances are best. When friends accopany me on the same flight with different PNR, I was bumped up but not them Been upgraded with Q, B and M fares in the past. My best op-up route is NRT-HNL (3 for 3 since Oct '05).
#12
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: BSB
Programs: DL 2 MM
Posts: 4,910
Ask the ticket counter if you can "volunteer" for WBC if they are oversold in Y
I asked the ticket counter at CDG (knowing in advance that they were oversold in Y) if they needed any "volunteers" to move to WBC due to the oversold condition in Y.
The agent thanked me for my concern, and upgraded both my wife and I into WBC.
The important point to remember is to ask.
RC
The agent thanked me for my concern, and upgraded both my wife and I into WBC.
The important point to remember is to ask.
RC
#13
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SEA/PHX
Programs: Delta Diamond/Million Miler; Mileage Plus Platinum; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum; Hilton Silver
Posts: 425
Originally Posted by Radiocycle
I asked the ticket counter at CDG (knowing in advance that they were oversold in Y) if they needed any "volunteers" to move to WBC due to the oversold condition in Y.
The agent thanked me for my concern, and upgraded both my wife and I into WBC.
The important point to remember is to ask.
RC
The agent thanked me for my concern, and upgraded both my wife and I into WBC.
The important point to remember is to ask.
RC
#14
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by BallyLoser
I did the same thing from AMS to DTW. They were more than happen to do it.
I'm flying AMS-SEA on Monday on a full fare coach ticket. I'm Silver Elite, but don't know if I even have a prayer of getting an upgrade.
I'd even use miles, but I always get the same song n dance. "Sorry it's too late to use your miles too upgrade!" Huh?
#15
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: CMH, sometimes AVP, formerly down the Shore
Programs: UA 1K/3MM, AA EXP/3MM, DL MM, former fan of TWA
Posts: 1,854
My experience is that NW has been pretty generous with the op-ups for me (a CO Plat). One time, though, I wound up getting an op-up to the upper deck of a 747 flying NRT-JFK (remember that route?). The passenger next to me was a very friendly woman who was totally astounded that she had also been upgraded - from speaking with her, it seemed that she had hardly ever flown before.
My experience is that status often helps, but other times it is pretty much random.
My experience is that status often helps, but other times it is pretty much random.