Upgraded without a request
Jan 21, 2009 | 8:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K / 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 208
Upgraded without a request
I just got an email telling me that I've been upgraded to first class for a flight Friday morning. Seeing how I'm a lowly 2P and I don't have any e500s, any idea how this happens? This is a rebooking, so I'm wondering if my company's travel agent submitted an upgrade request on my behalf. I just want to know if I can make this happen again without using miles/e500s etc.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jan 21, 2009 | 8:10 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: BDL
Programs: AA PLT, UA 1K (2k), Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 683
I just got an email telling me that I've been upgraded to first class for a flight Friday morning. Seeing how I'm a lowly 2P and I don't have any e500s, any idea how this happens? This is a rebooking, so I'm wondering if my company's travel agent submitted an upgrade request on my behalf. I just want to know if I can make this happen again without using miles/e500s etc.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jan 21, 2009 | 8:11 am
#3
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,438
Most likely you were rebooked in Y so you got a complimentary upgrade since there was space and you are premier.
Jan 21, 2009 | 8:11 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: UA 1k Million Miler
Posts: 357
upgrades are automatic and free on a full coach fare. If you go to my itins it will show in red at the top of the page "a complimentary upgrades has been requested"
Jan 21, 2009 | 8:28 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: DEN, or so it says...
Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,991
What fare bucket are you booked in? If it's Y or B, that would explain the upgrade.
Jan 21, 2009 | 8:30 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: No Loyalty to any airline
Posts: 2,378
You may want to check and see if this is what happened. Mr. R is on a flight that was booked by the travel agency for his work. I noted that he had a cleared upgrade that he/I did not request and wondered if it was complimentary. When I went to check in for this flight this morning, it asked me how I wanted to support this upgrade. I have never seen a free upgrade that was cleared in advance unless it was on a Y or B fare. I'd check so you get no surprises at checkin and find that all the good seats in Y are gone.
Jan 21, 2009 | 8:52 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 41,216
You may want to check and see if this is what happened. Mr. R is on a flight that was booked by the travel agency for his work. I noted that he had a cleared upgrade that he/I did not request and wondered if it was complimentary. When I went to check in for this flight this morning, it asked me how I wanted to support this upgrade. I have never seen a free upgrade that was cleared in advance unless it was on a Y or B fare. I'd check so you get no surprises at checkin and find that all the good seats in Y are gone.
Anyone can request an ug for you ... including an unskilled agent who types in something into the wrong field. And if you are short of instruments, the options range from paying, being downgraded to a inferior seat, to an outright IDB.
Jan 21, 2009 | 9:23 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K / 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 208
Thanks to everyone for the input.
Quick follow up: is there a separate MP Reservations number for Premier members? Haven't gotten a welcome kit yet.
Thanks!
Quick follow up: is there a separate MP Reservations number for Premier members? Haven't gotten a welcome kit yet.
Thanks!
Jan 21, 2009 | 9:35 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: HPN
Programs: not anymore! I'm FREE!
Posts: 3,489
Yes. But even when you call the general line and enter your MP number, your call should be prioritized according to your status.
Jan 22, 2009 | 7:33 am
#10
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BWI/WAS
Programs: UA 1K, RCC, HH GOLD, SPG, OMNI, KIMPTON, A-CLUB
Posts: 216
I've been u/g a few time without request or expense as a 2P/1P on a discounted ticket due to space reasons (say there is a family of 3 that want to sit together, and you're in that 3rd seat they'd like to have, so they move you up to Y/B). This is most commonly done during peak travel times (holidays/vacations) when people travel in groups.
Sometimes, depending on the airport/counter/gate/crew, I've been u/g just out of them being nice. This usually happens at BWI and IAD, where they crews are familiar with me.
Just enjoy it.
Sometimes, depending on the airport/counter/gate/crew, I've been u/g just out of them being nice. This usually happens at BWI and IAD, where they crews are familiar with me.
Just enjoy it.
Jan 22, 2009 | 9:05 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K / 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 208
You may want to check and see if this is what happened. Mr. R is on a flight that was booked by the travel agency for his work. I noted that he had a cleared upgrade that he/I did not request and wondered if it was complimentary. When I went to check in for this flight this morning, it asked me how I wanted to support this upgrade. I have never seen a free upgrade that was cleared in advance unless it was on a Y or B fare. I'd check so you get no surprises at checkin and find that all the good seats in Y are gone.
Jan 22, 2009 | 9:10 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 27,399
Jan 22, 2009 | 10:34 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: IAD
Programs: No Loyalty to any airline
Posts: 2,378
Jan 22, 2009 | 12:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM 1.7+MM, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Disc
Posts: 3,309
Hope you at least got the same seat you had booked (or a better one since a lot elites would have vacated good seats after their upgrades cleared). I'd personally be very annoyed if I got stuck in a middle after all that.
Jan 22, 2009 | 12:28 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 6,095
Is this the point where someone chimes in with the "dot bomb at it's finest!" comment?