patchan8984

On 11/10, when I was waiting for my 11PM SFO-ORD (2 class 777), its a full flight and first class has 4 seats left.

I am confirmed in NF, e-500s about 2 days out. Waitlisted one day out and confirmed in 2 days.

So I reach the gate and I hear the GA saying she has 36 people waiting for upgrades. Theres this 1K that hangs out at the counter asking if his upgrade came through or not and I stay in the area to hear the conversations =).

A TON of peopel come up requesting upgrades last minute. Almost all were 1K. Availability dropped to 2 seats, a UGS came up (very nice guy, chatted with him a little...saw his black card and he got one of the seats), another 1K MM got the other seat (i think).

Now this guy hoverng aroudn the counter looks at my BP while I;m reading without me noticing it, then i hear him tell the GA...WHY DOES HE HAVE A FIRST CLASS SEAT...and he was brusquely told that I was confirmed...sheesh


Anyways, how'd I manage to clear SFO-ORD....crazy stuff...do most non FTers only try to upgrade day of travel?

stevenshev

Some people buy last minute tix. For others, it's just bad luck. I think you got particularly lucky on this flight and would not count on it happening too often.

ivoryboi

Yeah, I'm always amazed by the number of high status folks who assume there will be a u/g seat for them when they approach the gate, and then make a scene when there isn't....

Also, I was approached twice by other 1st class pax in a very crowded gate area last night asking me to politely move aside so they could get nearer to the gate, despite boarding not being open. I generally don't have to wear a suit when I travel but I'm always smart and funky Amazing how many people believe 'suit+briefcase+1K=more deserved gate upgrade'
when actually 'any clothing+1K+request upgrade online asap=more deserved upgrade=smarter guy.

Duh

SEA2BA

I second that. I am a 1K 30-something female out of SFO who always dresses casually on travel days. I am CONSTANTLY shoved past by the stereotypical 50-something white males in suits + briefcases holding their Economy boarding passes, crowding the gate even before boarding commences. Then with my First boarding pass I have to try to squeeze between people in order to get to the door.

goalie

with u/g space at a premium, if i'm gonna u/g, i do it at booking or asap if there is any type of change to better equipment.

GRB051111

This happened to me from time to time but, like stevenshev said, don't count on it to much. Early 1P (sometimes) gets the worm.

dmodemd

Yeah, I laugh too... its amazing how much of these elite flyers don't have a clue about using the internet to put in their upgrade requests ahead of time. Even as a 2P on A319 mid-cons, I didnt have too much trouble clearing my e500s, even though at gate time numerous people were asking for upgrades. Im just thinking..."dude, there are only 8 FC seats on this plane, they are GONE by now!"

BenjaminNYC

I love how people just assume that no one would every buy a F seat...

stevenshev

UNITED959

Are you single? (Sorry, that was bad. )

I'm a late-20 something 1K, and I know the stereotype you're talking about. Annoys the heck out of me too!

ivoryboi

I think they are more likely to be the single ones

Tennen

I think the last time I requested an upgrade using 500 milers, I (naturally) was waitlisted at my upgrade window. When I checked in, the TA said I was #5, and on a 320 with 4 seats left, all hope wasn't lost. At the RCC, I dropped to #12, and at the gate, #15 or so.

So, I'd imagine that quite a few people add themselves to the upgrade list on the same day. Or, maybe when the list moves to airport control, I just got kicked down by all the higher status pax who hadn't checked in yet. Either way, I've let a lot of 500 milers expire, because I'm never able to clear.

PS Here's an available mid-20s 2P

Lori_Q

There have been quite a few instances when I got to the gate & discovered that the flight was full, then decided to try for an upgrade. That was in the days when I had to conserve my e500s. Now that my travel patterns have changed, I always apply for an upgrade as soon as I book my ticket.

JFKLAX321

I love how you find it necessary to remind us that you do.

BenjaminNYC

That's not what I'm doing. Just this morning I rode Y since my upgrade didn't clear. I'm referring to the person in the OP's post that demanded to know how he got and F seat -- as if the OP couldn't have bought F.