I'm flying MEM-SEA on 5/31, and I'm currently sitting in 17E on the 319 (yuck..middle seat). I'm on a M class fare. If I'm offered an E-first upgrade at OLCI (rare occurance, from what I've gathered), would it worth it to pay the $$$ to upgrade? Or should I just try and score a CoachChoice exit row seat? Does anyone have a wild guess as to what the E-first upgrade cost would be from MEM-SEA?

Also flying ANC-MSP a week later, but sitting in 16B (exit row). Worth a potential E-first upgrade then? Idea about cost?

Thanks for the help...and again, I've read that these E-first upgrades are usually non-existant, but who knows...?

First class on NW is nothing special... bigger seat and you'll probably get a meal of some sort... for me, I wouldn't pay to upgrade.. I'd just try to get the coachchoice exit row seat to get out of the middle seat and be happy with that. Haven't got a clue what the cost would be... I can tell you a co-worker of mine was recently offered an e-first upgrade on MEM-MKE and it was $50.

Only you can answer if "X" is worth paying to upgrade to first class. None of us can do that for you.

The guy sitting next to me might have been willing to pay $350 to upgrade on SFO-MSP while I, a Plat who didn't get a free upgrade, wouldn't pay more than $25 for the upgrade, if even that. Everyone is different and as such, you'll have to make that call. I doubt you'll even be offered the option, but I guess it's good to be thinking about it in the event it does come up.

I've seen people ask the GA before if a paid upgrade were available (at the gate) and they were placed on the "wait list." They ended up edging my SO out of an upgrade (which meant I sat in back; I don't know how this happened, to tell you the truth) and they coughed up $$ (don't know the exact amount) for a MEM-LAX flight.

So you might just ask at the gate too (and offer to pay) if an e-First upgrade doesn't come up during OL or Kisosk check-in.

Just today--yes a Saturday morning flight--MSP-PDX, on which EUA did not run (showing P4 six days out) I got to the gate and was told that there were STILL 4 seats available, and I was 4th on the waitlist--how perfect!

About 35 minutes before the flight was to depart, someone walks up and asks how much it will cost to upgrade. I didn't hear the amount, but she looked at her significant other for approval, and shelled out a bunch of bills. As soon as I saw that I scurried to Famiglia Pizza in Northstar Crossing and got their "special" (thin crust with loads of toppings, including lots of onion). I managed to get back to the gate and scarf down the pizza before the upgrade list was called. ONE elite only got called up for an upgrade.

5F isn't all that bad a seat, even on a 3.5 hour flight.

But plats in back on a Saturday morning?!?

Loads are way up and you're flying an A320, so upgrades are harder to come by. When possible, take the 757s.

>>>>>Loads are way up and you're flying an A320, so upgrades are harder to come by. When possible, take the 757s

You got it. The 9am 757 had been wide open upfront that Saturday morning, as was the 5pm. My 11am 320 was packed and q-tippy up front.

plenty of empty seats on my flights yesterday Even after a GA thought it was a clever idea to upgrade 5 UMs !! What a mess in FC.

I have some empirical evidence on this one.... MSP-LAS on Friday 5/18 5pm departure. My co-worker and I are both upgraded 5B & 5C on a 753, chugging down a Miller Lite (ugh) on the ground... chit chat, looking forward to a week in Vegas, not really paying attention to anything.

Pretty much everyone has boarded on a full flight, when the FA, a Fabio-type guy stands up in front of F and announces: "The gentleman in seat 4A would like to get his wife upgraded, and is offering $100 for anyone willing to switch seats with her. She has an aisle seat in coach."

At this point, I'm thinking, hmm... sweet deal for someone, but this is a Vegas flight, I think I'll stay up here and hit the sauce a bit. Plus I'm a little more than snackbox-hungry, and I've been flying in Y a bunch lately, think I will keep my seat.

Apparently, everyone else was thinking along the same lines, b/c he didn't get any takers... I see the high-roller flash a hand signal to the FA, and he says "Anyone for $200?" Here, I'm starting to think, whoa... maybe I need to switch. But It's such a strange thing going on, I just can't pull the trigger. Impatient, the high-roller guy in 4A gives another signal, and the FA says "$300, anyone?"

At this point my co-worker raises his hand quick-draw wild west style, beating myself and about four other passengers to the punch. He takes his $300, and his Miller Lite, and walks to the back... about a whole trip's worth of Pai-Gow losses in his pocket. The high roller guy says "small price to pay to save my marriage".

Passenger next to me and I reviewed the events afterwards.. he told me that he had paid an extra $500 for his seat in F, so that price point was still a bargain.

Getting away from the story, if I were you, I'd look into what it costs for F on the ANC-MSP flight. That's a grueler in Y. i don't think it will be offered to you in OLCI as this is a very platinum heavy route with all the oil commuters. I've been upgraded every time as a plat, but some gold co-workers have had almost no success.

How would I do that without being given the option at OLCI?

Ask the gate agent or the frontline staff during check-in.