award ticket upgrades?
 

does anybody still allow for this? i have to travel to sfo from nyc and i'm wondering if this is still possible?

I thought that NorthWest allows Elite upgrades on Award tickets...

NW still allows upgrades on free tickets for its top travelers. And many carriers will let you upgrade by paying the difference between Y and F.

Meanwhile I was on a flight the other day where somebody from Y decided to sit in F. When confronted by the flight attendant he said that he had upgraded on the ground. He couldn't find his boarding pass and the manifest showed him in Y. They asked that he give them his credit card or move back to 41F. He gave them his card. I do not know how much they charged him. The gumption!

I believe US Air permits upgrades on award tickets, but only at the gate and no more than 2 hours before departure. Maybe some of the US Air experts can confirm this.

NW definitely allows upgrades on award tickets.

At least they did let me - last week on LAX to MIA via MSP - KLM award ticket ( KLM RoyalWing + CO Gold )

NWA allows Gold & Platinum members to upgrade on award tix, using the "discount" tix rules - 2 days in advance for Gold, 3 days in advance for Platinum.

BUT - TAKE IT FROM ME - THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE BLOWING! Such terms as "capacity controls" bein used at midyear can only mean that restrictions are coming regarding upgrading discounted tix. NWA already did away with any upgrades on companion free tix.
Enjoy your upgrades while they last FTers.

MileKing, you are correct sir!!!

US Airways allows upgrades on free (bump voucher) or award tickets. Preferred members only, two hours before the flight, and you can only use purchased upgrades (or $$$). You can not use the complimentary upgrades sent to Preferred members.

I am fairly certain this policy is still in effect although not many of the ticket agents know it. I've had much better luck with the Club agents.

AA also allows upgrades on award tickets - confirmed at any time - by payment of the difference between Y and F.

Of course on most routes you would have been better off paying the lowest upgradeable coach fare, and then using your miles for an upgrade, rather than getting the free ticket and trying to buy the upgrade. It depends on the route/market though.

On CO, I have never been able to get an Elite advance upgrade with award or compensation tickets but always get it (space available) at the gate or President's Club.