Callling versus Checking
 

A naive question. I have been reading all the posts about what basket can be used for what fare upgrades, what is open etc, etc. etc. But why not just call the elite number and ask what is available for the times that you are interested in? Can you find availablitiy that the agents can't see.? At first glance it seems more trouble than it is worth to try to learn all the various interconnections.

Thanks for enlightening me.

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My reason is simple. I like to have control over my own destiny. I don't like calling up, wading through menu prompts until I can talk to a person, explain my situation, and then receive a response that may or may not be accurate anyway.

If I know the buckets, what they mean, and have the tools to verify the info, I only have to make the call when it's appropriate, and I can confirm what I'm being told.

I've learned this many times, never trust a reservation agent.

I understand the various windows that an upgrade happens -- but, Im new to this too. If you buy a tix a week or two out of a trip, does checking any of the various buckets help?

I will call up if I don't find what I want on the website. I've often called trying to get a different return that was listed on the website but the agent doesn't show.

A few times this year, I was upgraded on one segment and not the other (ie: MSP-GRR Upgraded, SEA-MSP not upgraded) I will check the fare bucks and see where F is. If it is at 0, then I will check again late that night or first thing in the morning. When I have done this, there has always been seats added to F. I then call NW and ask to be upgraded. You could wait until that evening for the automaic upgrades, but I don't like taking the chance.