Routing strategies to improving upgrade chances
Sep 20, 2019, 2:37 am
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,583
So do many other people, which is why you're not getting upgraded.
I don't criticize your choice; I simply choose differently. I would rather spend the currency of time than cash for comfort; I enjoy flying and I don't really find delays stressful. (I use the extra time to help out fellow travelers, who frequently do find it stressful). To each his own, but I agree that I would not stretch for Plat in your situation (although you may hit it organically), nor would I stretch for 1K.
I don't criticize your choice; I simply choose differently. I would rather spend the currency of time than cash for comfort; I enjoy flying and I don't really find delays stressful. (I use the extra time to help out fellow travelers, who frequently do find it stressful). To each his own, but I agree that I would not stretch for Plat in your situation (although you may hit it organically), nor would I stretch for 1K.
Sep 20, 2019, 7:55 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
That's my thinking as well. I don't mind making an extra stop if flying international J or F, but for domestic I pretty much always favor the nonstop.
The one exception is that being SFO based, I'll route via LAX either to enhance upgrade chances on a tcon or to Hawaii or for a significantly cheaper J fare (e.g., NRT, which is often 40% cheaper ex-LAX). Being able to grab a shower at *A lounge TBIT is an added plus, as are the relatively cheap airport hotels (100% on suite upgrades at Sheraton Gateway).
The one exception is that being SFO based, I'll route via LAX either to enhance upgrade chances on a tcon or to Hawaii or for a significantly cheaper J fare (e.g., NRT, which is often 40% cheaper ex-LAX). Being able to grab a shower at *A lounge TBIT is an added plus, as are the relatively cheap airport hotels (100% on suite upgrades at Sheraton Gateway).
Sep 20, 2019, 4:32 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Are you talking CPUs?
Sep 21, 2019, 6:25 am
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,583
If I'm scheduled to fly FRA-IAD nonstop in Y and can't get upgraded, but I see business seats up front on BRU-IAD, GVA-IAD, MUC-IAD, LHR-IAD, I'll change to FRA-XXX-IAD. I do this frequently, using miles and money to upgrade.
Sep 21, 2019, 10:00 am
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Sure that's not too bad.
But in the US, you would have to get on a 4-6 hour flight in Y in for the chance to get upgraded from ORD, IAD, IAH, etc.
Sep 21, 2019, 11:52 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,402
And I'll happily do that in exchange for PZ space. 14 hours in Y, vs 12 hours in J, a 3 hour layover, and 4 hours in Y, say? Not everyone will make that trade, but I certainly will.
Sep 21, 2019, 3:30 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
It was a relatively last-minute ticket and SFO-FRA was $10,600 and SFO-BEG was $2,700. The BEG fare allowed a stopover in FRA so...
My only regret was that I didn't have the guts to book myself on the same LH frame FRA-BEG-FRA (as it turned out, it was the same plane and while I had to clear transfer security at BEG there would have been plenty of time to fly it back to FRA). I did start rooting for the catering delay on SFO-FRA that was ultimately not enough to get me to misconnect on my first time through FRA that day
Instead I spent a bit in the BEG "Business Club" (an awful lounge, and yet fascinating for how Warsaw Pact era it felt) and the regrettable decision to stop by the D SEN lounge in ZRH (also forgettable but they did have Movenpick ice cream, albeit doing its best to melt in the freezer since the lounge was roasting).
My only regret was that I didn't have the guts to book myself on the same LH frame FRA-BEG-FRA (as it turned out, it was the same plane and while I had to clear transfer security at BEG there would have been plenty of time to fly it back to FRA). I did start rooting for the catering delay on SFO-FRA that was ultimately not enough to get me to misconnect on my first time through FRA that day
Instead I spent a bit in the BEG "Business Club" (an awful lounge, and yet fascinating for how Warsaw Pact era it felt) and the regrettable decision to stop by the D SEN lounge in ZRH (also forgettable but they did have Movenpick ice cream, albeit doing its best to melt in the freezer since the lounge was roasting).