Do some flights not have any mileage upgrades to FC?
Jun 22, 2013, 8:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
Do some flights not have any mileage upgrades to FC?
I'm still trying to use miles to upgrade a relative (who's flying CLT-BOS on August 17 with a paid coach ticket and is not Preferred). The US site shows that regular awards on that date are the "high" level, and the Preferred agents say that no seats in FC have been released for upgrades; all are being held for revenue sales.
Do some flights just never have any FC seats released for upgrades with miles? Or do all flights have at least one FC seat that opens up at some point to be upgraded with miles?
Thanks.
Do some flights just never have any FC seats released for upgrades with miles? Or do all flights have at least one FC seat that opens up at some point to be upgraded with miles?
Thanks.
Jun 22, 2013, 8:34 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
If they don't sell out by a week prior to the flight, you should check daily for the "low" award inventory seats to start opening up (which is also when they start giving them out to elites, of course).
I find that when I set EF alerts for O and I inventory, I do get the alerts at some point in the week leading up to the flight if F isn't totally sold out.
I find that when I set EF alerts for O and I inventory, I do get the alerts at some point in the week leading up to the flight if F isn't totally sold out.
Jun 22, 2013, 8:44 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
Odds are that you'd be able to upgrade with miles on that Saturday flight, but you'd have to keep checking regularly (or use EF as PHL suggests above).
Jun 23, 2013, 4:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: RIC
Programs: US CP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, *wood Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,600
They often open up at about 10 days out. You should check frequently at about 2 weeks out.
Jun 23, 2013, 5:07 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
THANKS! Very helpful!
Aug 3, 2013, 5:09 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
Thanks for the info. I set up an ExpertFlyer alert for FC upgrades for the flight (using, I think, "I" and "O" inventory).
Is ExpertFlyer pretty accurate and quick--when US does release a seat for upgrade on the flight, will I definitely get a notice from ExpertFlyer right away? Or is ExpertFlyer hit or miss, so I should keep calling? I've started calling now every 2 days.
Thank you.
Is ExpertFlyer pretty accurate and quick--when US does release a seat for upgrade on the flight, will I definitely get a notice from ExpertFlyer right away? Or is ExpertFlyer hit or miss, so I should keep calling? I've started calling now every 2 days.
Thank you.
Last edited by ibrandsguest; Aug 3, 2013 at 6:12 pm Reason: Error in post
Aug 3, 2013, 5:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: charlotte NC
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 573
Do some flights not have any mileage upgrades to FC?
I've had mixed results with EF. When there is upgrade availability, which is O class (domestic) I haven't gotten an alert. However, over the last 48 hours before a flight, where typically any F seat is also available for an upgrade, I've set an alert for F, gotten the alert and scored the upgrade. Perhaps I am doing something wrong. Curious as to other's experiences. Thanks for bringing it up, NYCommuter!
Aug 3, 2013, 6:05 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: charlotte NC
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 573
Do some flights not have any mileage upgrades to FC?
One other note--I have seen flights that have plenty of availability go to F2 or even F0 when the sweeps run, usually at the plat window and the silver window. On those flights, it seems that there never are any O seats "available" It seems the seats are not available until the sweeps run, then the sweep takes all the available seats at once. I suppose it could have been available for some time overnight, but haven't tried to follow that closely.
Aug 4, 2013, 11:09 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
Wouldn't it make sense (and save money for US) to be able to just add yourself to an "upgrade with miles" list rather than have to keep calling US? Maybe you could do it online or by calling, and on the conditions that if you're on the list when the upgrade becomes available, the miles are automatically deducted and that you could remove yourself from the list beforehand if you want.
What am I missing here?
What am I missing here?
Aug 5, 2013, 10:21 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp
Posts: 2,673
Wouldn't it make sense (and save money for US) to be able to just add yourself to an "upgrade with miles" list rather than have to keep calling US? Maybe you could do it online or by calling, and on the conditions that if you're on the list when the upgrade becomes available, the miles are automatically deducted and that you could remove yourself from the list beforehand if you want.
What am I missing here?
What am I missing here?
Aug 9, 2013, 4:17 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
8 days out now and still "all FC seats are being held for sale"- lesson learned not to count on a mileage upgrade!
Aug 9, 2013, 5:42 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: IAD
Programs: DL-Silver; BA-Bronze
Posts: 1,162
I think you'll be fine. With all flights being wide open in F, wait until the preferred upgrade sweeps start to run - I'm guessing some mileage upgrades will open up at T+7 or T+4.
Sep 30, 2013, 9:36 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,746
Anyone know why I don't see PHL-TLV or TLV-PHL on EF Award & Upgrades? Can't get it to show the direct flight. Curious about general upgrade availability before deciding whether or not to share miles for the bonus.
I understand I'd want to look for O inventory since it's international?
I understand I'd want to look for O inventory since it's international?
Oct 1, 2013, 4:15 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Wouldn't it make sense (and save money for US) to be able to just add yourself to an "upgrade with miles" list rather than have to keep calling US? Maybe you could do it online or by calling, and on the conditions that if you're on the list when the upgrade becomes available, the miles are automatically deducted and that you could remove yourself from the list beforehand if you want.
What am I missing here?
What am I missing here?