Upgrading to 1st class at airport after declining to be on gate list?
Aug 22, 2018, 8:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 5
Upgrading to 1st class at airport after declining to be on gate list?
I am a Silver member so I can be put on the upgrade list for 1st class when I check in. I am wondering if I decline the option to be put on the upgrade list when I check in could I still ask at the airport at the gate if there is room?
The main reason I ask is because the person I'm traveling with isn't a Silver Member and so we'd get different reservation #'s which has always been a hassle to deal with in the past, especially if we don't even get a free upgrade. So if there is room in 1st class when we get to the airport are we allowed to ask for an upgrade there or is it an only online thing?
The main reason I ask is because the person I'm traveling with isn't a Silver Member and so we'd get different reservation #'s which has always been a hassle to deal with in the past, especially if we don't even get a free upgrade. So if there is room in 1st class when we get to the airport are we allowed to ask for an upgrade there or is it an only online thing?
Aug 22, 2018, 8:33 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Once you decline, you're done for.
Your dilemma is well-described (as are the solutions) in the "auto-splitting PNR" thread so won't belabor it here.
Your dilemma is well-described (as are the solutions) in the "auto-splitting PNR" thread so won't belabor it here.
Aug 22, 2018, 8:37 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,362
The main reason I ask is because the person I'm traveling with isn't a Silver Member and so we'd get different reservation #'s which has always been a hassle to deal with in the past, especially if we don't even get a free upgrade. So if there is room in 1st class when we get to the airport are we allowed to ask for an upgrade there or is it an only online thing?
Aug 22, 2018, 12:00 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,882
IME, there is a way to get back on, Ive had it done before, though it was a long time ago, probably a year or so after the merger. Not sure if it’s possible still. Had it done at DEN CS desk, and it seemed like a really difficult task. I think this was back in the day where when you opted not to split on the outbound, it wouldn’t ask on the return. It at least asks now (and I take advantage, as sometimes there is no point splitting the outbound since there’s no way it will clear, but it might on the return).
The OP will still have issues accomplishing this if it is even possible - first, I doubt many airport agents know how to remove the ‘do not upgrade’ flag, and second, they would still need to split the reservation to be added to the list, which it sounds like is the thing the OP wants to avoid.
The OP will still have issues accomplishing this if it is even possible - first, I doubt many airport agents know how to remove the ‘do not upgrade’ flag, and second, they would still need to split the reservation to be added to the list, which it sounds like is the thing the OP wants to avoid.
Aug 22, 2018, 12:51 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,362
Correct. You'd need to find someone who would be willing to bypass the list and put the passengers directly into F. It's possible, and if the list is empty, it wouldn't even be against policy. But that doesn't mean that every agent will both know how to do it and be willing to do it.