On-board Upgrades
Jan 30, 2001 | 5:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MSP
Posts: 161
On-board Upgrades
Does NW ever upgrade elites who have already boarded? I have seen this on some of the CO flights I have been on, but now that I think about it, I can't recall ever seeing it on a NW flight.
The current system seems rather a gamble; if one waits at the gate long enough for the waiting list to be processed, that usually means boarding last and no carry-on luggage. On my most recent flight, that would have been in no small part due to the FAs' luggage consuming the first two bins in coach, the coat closet, as well as the seat in FC some (off-duty?) FA appropriated for herself.
The current system seems rather a gamble; if one waits at the gate long enough for the waiting list to be processed, that usually means boarding last and no carry-on luggage. On my most recent flight, that would have been in no small part due to the FAs' luggage consuming the first two bins in coach, the coat closet, as well as the seat in FC some (off-duty?) FA appropriated for herself.
Jan 30, 2001 | 6:12 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 673
I don't think they do that normally unless thay have assigned your seat to someone else. Yes, CO do that but NW tells you not to board until they specifically call you or passengers waiting for an upgrade. I was called when I already boarded the aircraft once from DTW to FCO to take a business seat. That's not a normal elite upgrade anyway.
Jan 30, 2001 | 6:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Jersey City, NJ 07302
Posts: 239
NW does that, too.
I was called on board for upgrade for a couple of times. The gate agent came on board and broadcasted my name and asked me to see a FA for assistance. Then I was upgraded to first class cabin.
The thing is that you must be on the upgrade waitlist.
I was called on board for upgrade for a couple of times. The gate agent came on board and broadcasted my name and asked me to see a FA for assistance. Then I was upgraded to first class cabin.
The thing is that you must be on the upgrade waitlist.
Originally posted by eja:
Does NW ever upgrade elites who have already boarded? I have seen this on some of the CO flights I have been on, but now that I think about it, I can't recall ever seeing it on a NW flight.
The current system seems rather a gamble; if one waits at the gate long enough for the waiting list to be processed, that usually means boarding last and no carry-on luggage. On my most recent flight, that would have been in no small part due to the FAs' luggage consuming the first two bins in coach, the coat closet, as well as the seat in FC some (off-duty?) FA appropriated for herself.
Does NW ever upgrade elites who have already boarded? I have seen this on some of the CO flights I have been on, but now that I think about it, I can't recall ever seeing it on a NW flight.
The current system seems rather a gamble; if one waits at the gate long enough for the waiting list to be processed, that usually means boarding last and no carry-on luggage. On my most recent flight, that would have been in no small part due to the FAs' luggage consuming the first two bins in coach, the coat closet, as well as the seat in FC some (off-duty?) FA appropriated for herself.
Jan 30, 2001 | 6:49 pm
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 1999
Location: PVD
Posts: 1,560
Yes, I have seen this, and I have had this happen once to myself using an AS-issued NWA upgrade. But, as someone said, you need to be on the list and it's still best if you wait at the gate.
Jan 30, 2001 | 7:52 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 673
I was waiting for a FC seat from MEM-MSP once and didn't wait for that because I was worried that I might not be able to find a place to store my big bag. Then I used my elite card to board early with a coach boarding pass. Later, my account was credited for that flight with 700 miles plus elite bonus 350 and 350 class bonus miles and it showed that I was flying in F. I didn't get an on board upgrade anyway.
Jan 30, 2001 | 8:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Memphis, TN-SPG Platinum, HY Diamond, HH Gold, NW Platinum, AA Platinum, AVIS Preferred Select.
Posts: 445
NW agents can tell if you are onboard or not when they do the upgrading at the last minute. It is up to the gate agents working the flight as to whether they want to upgrade someone who is onboard or someone who isn't shown as boarding yet. Most agents who are lazy and just want to close the doors will do the latter and then it is best to stay off the aircraft if that is the case so you can get upgraded. Ultimately, it really relies 100% on the gate agent. I have noticied that in MEM they clear the list right before boarding (30mins prior) and in DTW they will wait until 10-15 mins to clear the list. I have never been waitlisted in MSP.
Jan 30, 2001 | 8:37 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 673
Once on a CO flight from EWR to ORF, a FC passenger was told to move back to coach because the original seat holder had just arrived. They apologized anyway.
Jan 30, 2001 | 9:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,064
I have been fortunate enough to have been pre-upgraded on every NW flight since I became Elite, but I have been the beneficiary of two on-board upgrades on CO during the same period. However, I have never seen a NW Elite pulled up front once boarding is complete. Usually the jumpseater or another non-rev takes the last few open F seats instead.
Jan 30, 2001 | 10:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Home
Posts: 2,707
I was upgraded twice from WBC to FC. Both were on the SFO to NRT flight. I was already sitting in my seat when the F/A asked for my boarding pass. She took it and returned shortly thereafter with a new BP and said they were moving me to first class.
Jan 31, 2001 | 8:11 am
#11
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Always on vacation
Programs: aa exp - spg gold - Hyatt Diamond - HH Gold
Posts: 6,007
In the previous year where I had 100% upgrade success as a SE I was twice upgraded after already boarding and taking my coach seat.
When a First Class seat is not available, the system will place you on the airport priority standby list for upgrading at time of check-in (if available). You may check the status of your upgrade once you check in at the airport. The airport priority standby list is limited by the number of seats available in First Class on each aircraft. Once the list is full for a particular flight, no additional names will be added. This process is automatic; Elite Services reservations agents cannot add names to the standby list. http://webx25.nwa.com/cgi-bin/cgi_el...upgrades.shtml
Jan 31, 2001 | 9:59 am
#12
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: DFW,TX USA
Programs: Lifetime Platinum Marriott
Posts: 1,595
I have had it happen to me twice, both times boarded early to get space for my bag and then was called up front by FA. Also, I have had my boarding pass (printed the night before on my PC) rejected as they scanned it because of an upgrade and they gave me the upgraded seat. (I had checked in earlier to see if I was upgraded and they said no).