Upgrade Shenanigans? [Consolidated] {Archive}
Oct 10, 2017, 5:19 am
#646
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
Posts: 783
I just want to add a data point as my experience doesn’t match some of what I read here. I am traveling paid J and have requested an upgrade using miles. Right now my name appears on the flight standby list, on the J upgrade standby list, and twice on the F upgrade standby list. I’ve been assured I still have my J seat assignment. YMMV
Last edited by In2ishn; Oct 10, 2017 at 7:31 am Reason: Error in paragraph
Oct 10, 2017, 2:04 pm
#647
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
I just want to add a data point as my experience doesn’t match some of what I read here. I am traveling paid J and have requested an upgrade using miles. Right now my name appears on the flight standby list, on the J upgrade standby list, and twice on the F upgrade standby list. I’ve been assured I still have my J seat assignment. YMMV
Oct 11, 2017, 1:22 am
#648
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
Posts: 783
Fair question. I suppose I made the assumption as the names all appeared at same time when I checked in. Stranger things have happened so you may be right
Oct 12, 2017, 4:57 pm
#649
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,985
Oct 13, 2017, 7:52 am
#650
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
Posts: 783
Makes sense. A bit weird that they all appeared at the same time but my name doesn’t contain truly unusual letters.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Oct 13, 2017, 10:57 am
#651
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAS
Programs: 3 MMer
Posts: 458
I've seen my last name (3 Letters) and first name (1 letter) on the upgrade list in 2 different places. My name never got called, and as I walked past 3B I spoke to the gentleman who verified that he was also concerned until he got his 1st class b/p (and I didn't).
Oct 13, 2017, 11:14 am
#652
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,907
Alaska and Virgin America require you to show ID when you go up to get a new BP. UA should do the same.
Oct 13, 2017, 11:37 am
#653
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I've already cleared TSA - I've got carryons, computer, etc - should I really need to dig out a ID for the incredibly rare scammer who tries to take my seat?
Oct 13, 2017, 3:40 pm
#655
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
Oct 13, 2017, 3:47 pm
#656
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,907
Oct 13, 2017, 3:51 pm
#657
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
Yes, pointless, or very close thereto. How often can a scammer successfully grab an upgrade in this scenario without being caught? It's just a more egregious example of the seat poaching that goes on in economy.
Oct 13, 2017, 3:52 pm
#658
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAS
Programs: 3 MMer
Posts: 458
The title of this thread is --- "Upgrade Shenanigans?"
I have learned a lot of valuable info on this forum, and the recent
"heads up" for me is the fact that if one does board their flight, and relies on the g/a to come on board to move them up, it probably will go as planned. However, if someone is the wiser, and hangs out at the gate until the last minute and hears someone's named called, and that person doesn't respond asap, then anyone can go up and claim the f/c b/p, it seems, especially w/o turning in the steerage b/p, or showing a picture i.d.
Joe, hang around this forum long enough and you will soon learn that scams are occurring in "The Friendly Sky's" on a regular basis. I trust no-one!
I have learned a lot of valuable info on this forum, and the recent
"heads up" for me is the fact that if one does board their flight, and relies on the g/a to come on board to move them up, it probably will go as planned. However, if someone is the wiser, and hangs out at the gate until the last minute and hears someone's named called, and that person doesn't respond asap, then anyone can go up and claim the f/c b/p, it seems, especially w/o turning in the steerage b/p, or showing a picture i.d.
Joe, hang around this forum long enough and you will soon learn that scams are occurring in "The Friendly Sky's" on a regular basis. I trust no-one!
Oct 13, 2017, 5:01 pm
#659
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
The title of this thread is --- "Upgrade Shenanigans?"
I have learned a lot of valuable info on this forum, and the recent
"heads up" for me is the fact that if one does board their flight, and relies on the g/a to come on board to move them up, it probably will go as planned. However, if someone is the wiser, and hangs out at the gate until the last minute and hears someone's named called, and that person doesn't respond asap, then anyone can go up and claim the f/c b/p, it seems, especially w/o turning in the steerage b/p, or showing a picture i.d.
Joe, hang around this forum long enough and you will soon learn that scams are occurring in "The Friendly Sky's" on a regular basis. I trust no-one!
I have learned a lot of valuable info on this forum, and the recent
"heads up" for me is the fact that if one does board their flight, and relies on the g/a to come on board to move them up, it probably will go as planned. However, if someone is the wiser, and hangs out at the gate until the last minute and hears someone's named called, and that person doesn't respond asap, then anyone can go up and claim the f/c b/p, it seems, especially w/o turning in the steerage b/p, or showing a picture i.d.
Joe, hang around this forum long enough and you will soon learn that scams are occurring in "The Friendly Sky's" on a regular basis. I trust no-one!
Oct 13, 2017, 5:56 pm
#660
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,907
The only two ways this scam works is if the legit passenger no-shows the flight or if the upgrade clears extremely late and the legit passenger doesn't see it on his phone after boarding. Requiring ID for hundreds if not thousands of daily upgrades because of one failed scam attempt seems like overkill.