Callling versus Checking
Jan 1, 2004 | 2:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Posts: 229
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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Thanks for enlightening me.
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Jan 1, 2004 | 3:18 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA USA
Programs: CO Silver, HHonors Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 984
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Joe747:
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.
</font>
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.
</font>
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.
Jan 1, 2004 | 8:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,221
I've learned this many times, never trust a reservation agent.
Jan 1, 2004 | 9:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: HYATT-Nothingness; Starwood-Nothingness; AA-Nothingness
Posts: 566
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?
Jan 2, 2004 | 6:31 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt something
Posts: 34,516
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.
Jan 2, 2004 | 7:35 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Grand Rapids
Programs: NW Plat, HH Sliver, Mariott Silver
Posts: 420
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.