Upgraded at "The Question"!
Jan 9, 2008, 1:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
Upgraded at "The Question"!
For the second time in as many trips, I have been upgraded directly after responding "Yes" to the "Would you like a complimentary upgrade if available on your trip from XXX to YYY?"
This time, on an award ticket, flying MSN-MSP-SEA tomorrow. MSN-MSP had already been upgraded, but MSP-SEA had not, and flight was showing P7F7 as of early this morning. Then, checking in at about 23:55 before flight time, I enter the check in process and get a seat up front out of the R bucket (instead of A). Look at availability right after I check in, and it's now P4F4...guessing some others got lucky with early check-ins as well.
Anyone else been noticing better success with "the question"??
This time, on an award ticket, flying MSN-MSP-SEA tomorrow. MSN-MSP had already been upgraded, but MSP-SEA had not, and flight was showing P7F7 as of early this morning. Then, checking in at about 23:55 before flight time, I enter the check in process and get a seat up front out of the R bucket (instead of A). Look at availability right after I check in, and it's now P4F4...guessing some others got lucky with early check-ins as well.
Anyone else been noticing better success with "the question"??
Jan 9, 2008, 3:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
C'mon! We might be gullible over here but c'mon! That ain't never happened.
Jan 9, 2008, 5:09 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,344
The only time I've had "the question" work for me is when I've just used FlyNow to change my flights. After paying the $25 fee, the OLCI process brings you right back to the beginning and asks if you would like your complimentary upgrade. Clicking "yes" will often have success for me.
Then again, I think there was only 3 flights in 2007 that didn't EUA for me. And, due to "security issues", I'm unable to check in online for the outbound portion of any itinerary.
-RM
Then again, I think there was only 3 flights in 2007 that didn't EUA for me. And, due to "security issues", I'm unable to check in online for the outbound portion of any itinerary.
-RM
Jan 9, 2008, 5:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: St. Paul, MN
Programs: Walmart Super Elite
Posts: 727
Only once in a lifetime for me (and it was probably a saturday morning flight)
Jan 9, 2008, 7:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Madison, wi
Programs: DL Diamond, Priority Club Platinum, Emerald Aisle Executive
Posts: 185
Twice this week! However, they prolly don't count as I changed outbound flight, used "fly now" on the way back. Anyway got them on the way out of MKE (couldn't get out of MSN because of ffog), and then BOS-DTW today.
Jan 9, 2008, 11:03 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
It has happned for ame a few times and this is the entire idea behind the check-in at 24hrs, get on the waitlist, cancel, and try again later. It does happen. Now, think about the guys who checked in and did not cancel. They are on the list but the newly freed up R seat went to the person at OLCI...
Jan 9, 2008, 11:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: NW Plat, SPG Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 110
It has happned for ame a few times and this is the entire idea behind the check-in at 24hrs, get on the waitlist, cancel, and try again later. It does happen. Now, think about the guys who checked in and did not cancel. They are on the list but the newly freed up R seat went to the person at OLCI...
Jan 10, 2008, 12:08 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: DL DM MM (fmr NW Plat), BA GGL/CCR, Aegean Gold, WorldClubs Life, SPG Plat, Hyatt Plat, HHonors Dmnd
Posts: 1,409
Ahh... but recent indications seem to point that such may no longer be the case, as described in this thread (and corroborated by Scoop): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=774307
Jan 10, 2008, 7:03 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
But Scoop never actually said that the arcane practice would no longer be beneficial. He didn't say that as soon as an R seat opens up, someone is plucked from the waiting list. To me, it seems entirely possible / likely that there is still some non-zero amount of time between when the R seat opens up and when someone is plucked from the wait list in which an OLCI person can snag the seat. Until Scoop tells me otherwise, I'm likely to continue the OLCI black magic.
Jan 10, 2008, 5:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: Former DL PM, AS MVP
Posts: 131
It worked for me on MSP-LAX a couple of weeks ago. I tried to check in and 24 hours and no dice and then tried again about 2 hours later and voila!
Jan 10, 2008, 5:25 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Mesilla, NM
Programs: DL DM 4.7 MM MQM Marriott Ambassador Lifetime Titanium AA CK
Posts: 2,714
Once last year
In 104 segments and 12 non-1st I had it happen 1 time.
Jan 10, 2008, 10:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hibbing
Posts: 7
What the "yes" means is in most cases they throw you on the stand-by list, but if it close to departure and based on a few more things they can sneak most elites up in p/f
Jan 11, 2008, 7:36 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: NW Silver Elite
Posts: 247
Flying between MSP and TPA I have had this occur on numerous occasions, even as a lowly Silver!
Jan 11, 2008, 7:53 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 740
The question prompt is one big psych out. Would you like...emphasize on the would. Almost like a game show. You could win a new upgrade. Sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't.