As a Silver this year, I'm running about 60% of the time on upgrades. Actually had the best luck on my CO flights from SMF to IAH. :)

SacFitz

And were the studs platinum?

I hopped on the earlier flight out - Flt 429. Was told I would be lucky to make standby at first and that there were many plats ahead of me for upgrades.

BAM! Hit the upgrade. I think the GA was toying with my emotions.

I hate coach like my daughter hates broccoli.

Mmmm... broccoli...

mmHmm .. I actually love broccoli :D

Anyway .. does anyone know if PBI-DTW and DTW-SAN (and vise versa) is elite heavy?

I just made SE yesterday and looking forward to my first upgrade. I'll be traveling during the week (9/20 & 9/27).

Welcome to elite status.....

Ballpark guess here:

PBI-DTW - midweek, you probably have a decent shot at an upgrade
DTW-SAN -very slim chance, upgrades lately have been hard to come by on West Coast flights, since they are very elite-heavy, plus paid F passengers. You'll be lucky if you do.

With the exception of anything to LAS the chances of a west coast upgrade are low. In addition, when there are certian conventions in town the chances of upgrades in/out of LAS for a SE are about zero.

Anyway .. does anyone know if PBI-DTW and DTW-SAN (and vise versa) is elite heavy?
I just made SE yesterday and looking forward to my first upgrade. I'll be traveling during the week (9/20 & 9/27


My cousin is SE and she has been getting upgrades on the DTW-PBI routes. I'm PE and always get Ug'd.

It doesn't appear that there are that many elites on the PBI-DTW route.

West coast....I agree with other posters.....Lots 'o luck :)

Do Silver Elites get to upgrade their companion? I had thought yes, but I think I read that you need to get to Gold or Platinum. That will stink for my companion!!! (If I am traveling with my wife, I think I will stay in coach). Can I give her my FC seat and stay in coach? At least we'd have a better chance at the "first row coach" seats as a Silver.....

No, on NW Golds and Plats only.

Yes, you can do this, however if you are on the same PNR as a non-elite pax, you won't get a UG. If you want to try to get your UG and give the seat to your companion, call the elite line and ask them to split your PNRs [doing this may or may not result in the loss of your companion's ability to sit in a "P" seat--I haven't had experience with this in a while and not sure how it's working now].

When I flew DTW(sunday)-SAN-DTW(thursday) in late July, F flew with several seats open on each flight. I was upgraded days before the flight both ways.

I'm not married, but I explained to the elite agent that I was traveling with a buddy and we would like the Aisle and Middle seat in row 1 coach and she called the seating department so she could move him to there. I took the middle in case I got the upgrade so that would leave him on the aisle. If I miss the upgrade I told him I want the aisle and he'd have to sit in the middle - he agreed.

So just give them a call, I don't see them not giving her a P seat next to you.

I always have good luck in and out of SEA as a plat. Even scored a companion UG on the 23rd to MSP.

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the info. Though I always thought midweek have less chance of an upgrade due to the business travelers traveling during the week.
That's good to hear :D

Thanks again

You know that's funny because I have the most difficult time getting upgraded out of LAS as a PE. In fact my flight on Sept 4th is already showing 19 of 22 seats filled. As for the OP I would love to have his success. I'm at about 80% upgrade success this year. I always read these posts about 100% upgrade success and wonder where they fly that they have such great luck.