Cheaper Upgrades?
Mar 4, 2012 | 5:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: Hertz Presidents, UA Plat, IHG Plat, MR Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 423
Cheaper Upgrades?
Im on flight 992 from ORD to IAD tomorrow morning. Just checked in and was offered a seat up front for $69. I've never seen an upgrade go for so little before. So E+ is $39 and "first" is only $30 more? I was on the same flight last week and got no such deal. Does that $69 also buy access to the elite line at ORD?
Mar 4, 2012 | 5:59 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K2MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,318
Please post what fare class you're currently in, and we can diagnose if it's a TOD. Any elite status?
For a Monday morning flight that should be elite heavy, seems quite low.
11/12 are available on the seatmap - guess it could be possible that there are more F seats than elite on the flight.
For a Monday morning flight that should be elite heavy, seems quite low.
11/12 are available on the seatmap - guess it could be possible that there are more F seats than elite on the flight.
Mar 4, 2012 | 6:15 am
#3
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
Please post what fare class you're currently in, and we can diagnose if it's a TOD. Any elite status?
For a Monday morning flight that should be elite heavy, seems quite low.
11/12 are available on the seatmap - guess it could be possible that there are more F seats than elite on the flight.
For a Monday morning flight that should be elite heavy, seems quite low.
11/12 are available on the seatmap - guess it could be possible that there are more F seats than elite on the flight.
That is the big question. If so then this is great. If not then it is the Delta Ham Sandwich all over again.
Mar 4, 2012 | 6:18 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 19
Booked in W class on UA 506 LAX to BOS, paid $129 upgrade for First. This is definitely happening.
Im on flight 992 from ORD to IAD tomorrow morning. Just checked in and was offered a seat up front for $69. I've never seen an upgrade go for so little before. So E+ is $39 and "first" is only $30 more? I was on the same flight last week and got no such deal. Does that $69 also buy access to the elite line at ORD?
Mar 4, 2012 | 6:19 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: Hertz Presidents, UA Plat, IHG Plat, MR Plat, HH Gold
Posts: 423
I'm a GM (who flies every week now since starting consulting this year). Fare class now says R -- not sure what it was before but pretty sure not a Y or B. I also checked in on my phone -- lots more options checking in this week than on Thursday night when I flew home...
Mar 4, 2012 | 6:20 am
#6
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
Please post what fare class you're currently in, and we can diagnose if it's a TOD. Any elite status?
For a Monday morning flight that should be elite heavy, seems quite low.
11/12 are available on the seatmap - guess it could be possible that there are more F seats than elite on the flight.
For a Monday morning flight that should be elite heavy, seems quite low.
11/12 are available on the seatmap - guess it could be possible that there are more F seats than elite on the flight.
I'm a GM (who flies every week now since starting consulting this year). Fare class now says R -- not sure what it was before but pretty sure not a Y or B. I also checked in on my phone -- lots more options checking in this week than on Thursday night when I flew home...
Last edited by iluv2fly; Mar 4, 2012 at 8:01 am Reason: merge
Mar 4, 2012 | 6:33 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K2MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,318
Curious why OP got the upgrade though if he doesn't have status and has not yet selected the buy-up...
Mar 4, 2012 | 6:33 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 124
Wow. Those prices would be worth it to me to upgrade. I'm assuming though it is due to loads. I wonder what would happen if a flight had a long waitlist - same inexpensive upgrades or not?
Mar 4, 2012 | 6:38 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K2MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,318
That's what we're all trying to diagnose - PMCO seemed to offer up a lot of very suspiciously cheap upgrades on elite heavy routes. It was partly diagnosed (at least to/from EWR) - guess we'll see what happens going forward.
Mar 4, 2012 | 8:57 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,761
I flew US for the first time in a while last week (last-minute purchase and UA/CO was much higher priced) and was offered $100 MSP-CLT F out; $50 IAD-CLT and $100 CLT-MSP back.
Wasn't on a cheapo fare to begin with, but no status on US and I DEFINITELY displaced some other US elites.
Seems like this is just another of the new airline things.
Wasn't on a cheapo fare to begin with, but no status on US and I DEFINITELY displaced some other US elites.
Seems like this is just another of the new airline things.
Mar 4, 2012 | 10:15 am
#12
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
All elites must already be up front
Showing 2 open CPU's right now. I am not sure when the sweep runs next but it will be interesting to see if they stick around until the gate.
As long as all Elites are up front I could care less how much they sell upgrades for. We should continue to track this closely on as many flights as possible.
As long as all Elites are up front I could care less how much they sell upgrades for. We should continue to track this closely on as many flights as possible.
Paid Upgrade for $0
Mar 4, 2012 | 10:29 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA Plat (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 11,218
What happened when you clicked on "View Options"? Did you try to upgrade for $0? Did it actually upgrade you?
This deserves a new thread title. Instead of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...s-dollars.html you can do "Confirming zero dollars"
-RM
This deserves a new thread title. Instead of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...s-dollars.html you can do "Confirming zero dollars"
-RM