E-bay purchases of upgrades
Apr 8, 2003 | 11:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,346
E-bay purchases of upgrades
Since this post doesn't deal with exchanging coupons, I don't think it belongs in The Coupon Connection... so I'll put it here.
I frequently see upgrades posted on E-bay. There are loads of AA, AS, UA and NW upgrades that float around.
Almost all of them say "you're bidding for a white envelope, and because I'm nice, I'll throw in this first class upgrade."
Now, I know this is done to get around the no-purchase rule. For example, a NW standby upgrade cert that's on right now says "9. Purchased certificates are subject to confiscation and you will not be allowed to travel."
Now, my question. How could NW really determine if someone purchased this, since there's no identifying information posted on E-bay, and most of the certs don't have someone's name on them. Even if they bothered to check the certificate ID#, and track it to the original bearer (which they may not be able to do), couldn't the end user just say that it was a gift?
Has anyone heard of any airline refusing travel because they suspected someone purchased an upgrade?
I frequently see upgrades posted on E-bay. There are loads of AA, AS, UA and NW upgrades that float around.
Almost all of them say "you're bidding for a white envelope, and because I'm nice, I'll throw in this first class upgrade."
Now, I know this is done to get around the no-purchase rule. For example, a NW standby upgrade cert that's on right now says "9. Purchased certificates are subject to confiscation and you will not be allowed to travel."
Now, my question. How could NW really determine if someone purchased this, since there's no identifying information posted on E-bay, and most of the certs don't have someone's name on them. Even if they bothered to check the certificate ID#, and track it to the original bearer (which they may not be able to do), couldn't the end user just say that it was a gift?
Has anyone heard of any airline refusing travel because they suspected someone purchased an upgrade?
Apr 8, 2003 | 11:26 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
No, I've never heard of a case of denied upgrade because the airline thought it was purchased.
AA's SWUs (VIPOWs or VIP3s) do contain the name of the member to whom the cert was originally issued. I suppose AA could ask the traveler some questions about the AAdvantage member and easily determine whether the cert was purchased or whether the cert was given to the traveler by a friend.
AA's SWUs (VIPOWs or VIP3s) do contain the name of the member to whom the cert was originally issued. I suppose AA could ask the traveler some questions about the AAdvantage member and easily determine whether the cert was purchased or whether the cert was given to the traveler by a friend.
Apr 8, 2003 | 11:37 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,346
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FWAAA:
No, I've never heard of a case of denied upgrade because the airline thought it was purchased.
AA's SWUs (VIPOWs or VIP3s) do contain the name of the member to whom the cert was originally issued. I suppose AA could ask the traveler some questions about the AAdvantage member and easily determine whether the cert was purchased or whether the cert was given to the traveler by a friend.</font>
No, I've never heard of a case of denied upgrade because the airline thought it was purchased.
AA's SWUs (VIPOWs or VIP3s) do contain the name of the member to whom the cert was originally issued. I suppose AA could ask the traveler some questions about the AAdvantage member and easily determine whether the cert was purchased or whether the cert was given to the traveler by a friend.</font>
Apr 8, 2003 | 11:53 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Still going through ORD security when boarding has already started
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Hyatt Disco, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,323
United has put pressure on eBay sellers to take their auctions offline in the past. But agents at the airport have much better things to do with their time than quiz you on where you got your upgrade.
------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack
------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack
Apr 8, 2003 | 1:59 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Madison NJ; Watopia
Posts: 3,161
I've noticed that UA agents will write the 016- ticket number on the actual SWU - so potentially that could be cross checked later.
But in any event you can always claim it was a gift from a friend - just make sure you both have the story straight.
But in any event you can always claim it was a gift from a friend - just make sure you both have the story straight.
Apr 8, 2003 | 7:32 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,314
Always a good idea to ask for a birthday/anniversary/get well/thank you card to go along with the cert. 
------------------
View from the Wing: A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets
------------------
View from the Wing: A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets