a little advice - use miles to upgrade?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,549
a little advice - use miles to upgrade?
we're flying PDX-DTW on Friday 5/25 (of Memorial weekend). Both Mrs. Psychtobe and myself are gold.
This is what ExpertFlyer says as far as availability:
P9 F8 Y1 B1 M0 H0 Q0 V0 L0 T0 K0 R3
The question is whether to use miles to upgrade us to F now. My understanding (I've never upgraded using miles) is that I can burn 30k miles and upgrade both of us now into F because there is adequate R availability?
The only reason we're considering doing this is because we have a 3 month infant and would appreciate the extra space during feeding (hers, not ours).
The other question is: it looks like coach might end up being oversold; of course, this is the only non-stop PDX-DTW and all other options would leave us on MSP connections (wouldn't be the end of the world - we'd get in late but breaking up the flight might be better). If we get bumped out of coach we'd earn $600 in vouchers which could be handy - as long as they can put us on the MSP connection the same day. If we're upgraded to F then we wouldn't be able to earn the bump.
The other thing to weigh is: on a 757 with the above availability on a Friday morning, does anyone want to hazard a guess as to our chances of getting an EUA or battlefield upgrade without burning the miles? Normally on a Friday morning as gold I'd say our chances aren't good - but 9 months out of the year PDX-DTW is a 320 rather than a 757. The 757 seems to increase our chances.
This is my first flight ever as gold, so I don't have a feel for upgrade likelihood.
Any thoughts appreciated.
This is what ExpertFlyer says as far as availability:
P9 F8 Y1 B1 M0 H0 Q0 V0 L0 T0 K0 R3
The question is whether to use miles to upgrade us to F now. My understanding (I've never upgraded using miles) is that I can burn 30k miles and upgrade both of us now into F because there is adequate R availability?
The only reason we're considering doing this is because we have a 3 month infant and would appreciate the extra space during feeding (hers, not ours).
The other question is: it looks like coach might end up being oversold; of course, this is the only non-stop PDX-DTW and all other options would leave us on MSP connections (wouldn't be the end of the world - we'd get in late but breaking up the flight might be better). If we get bumped out of coach we'd earn $600 in vouchers which could be handy - as long as they can put us on the MSP connection the same day. If we're upgraded to F then we wouldn't be able to earn the bump.
The other thing to weigh is: on a 757 with the above availability on a Friday morning, does anyone want to hazard a guess as to our chances of getting an EUA or battlefield upgrade without burning the miles? Normally on a Friday morning as gold I'd say our chances aren't good - but 9 months out of the year PDX-DTW is a 320 rather than a 757. The 757 seems to increase our chances.
This is my first flight ever as gold, so I don't have a feel for upgrade likelihood.
Any thoughts appreciated.
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lansing, MI USA, DL DM
Posts: 922
If it were me I'd burn the miles. The ride, especially with the little one will be much better. I would not count on the VDB as there are others who may be happy to do that also.
#3
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
The other question is: it looks like coach might end up being oversold; of course, this is the only non-stop PDX-DTW and all other options would leave us on MSP connections (wouldn't be the end of the world - we'd get in late but breaking up the flight might be better). If we get bumped out of coach we'd earn $600 in vouchers which could be handy - as long as they can put us on the MSP connection the same day. If we're upgraded to F then we wouldn't be able to earn the bump.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: RST
Programs: Delta Diamond; Hilton Diamond; Accor Gold
Posts: 4,839
Award upgrades might not be available for long...
#5
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 47,979
Upgrade to F as long as you can. In case you get bumped (possible, you get a seat on a new flight in Y and the miles get redeoposited) no harm done.
Why would you go for bumps on memorial day weekend travel with a baby ??
Why would you go for bumps on memorial day weekend travel with a baby ??
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,549
right, I probably wouldn't and am just dreaming. First time traveling with her, so I'm likely being overly optimistic.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
You can definitely be bumped voluntarily even if you are in F as has been mentioned earlier.
Also as has been mentioned earlier, if you want to do the upgrade, now is the time. Might not be around forever.
Also as has been mentioned earlier, if you want to do the upgrade, now is the time. Might not be around forever.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,549
sort of strange. Now Expertflyer shows P6F3 R7. How can that happen? Not that I'm complaining, as we decided not to use miles and are hoping against hope for at least one EUA.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MEL
Programs: DL, QF, QR Gold, MR Lifetime Gold
Posts: 6,984
I second that! Have faith in the EUA gods