How difficult are MCS upgrades lately?
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,721
How difficult are MCS upgrades lately?
Just curious how easy MCS upgrades have been lately for VX elites so I have some idea what to expect as an AS elite down the road when I'm eligible for MCS upgrades.
I realize many VX elites get upgraded to MCS but eventually use the upgrade buy-up to F so what effect (if any) does that have on MCS availability? Do you usually let the system auto-upgrade you or do you call at your upgrade window if non-middle MCS seats are still available?
I realize many VX elites get upgraded to MCS but eventually use the upgrade buy-up to F so what effect (if any) does that have on MCS availability? Do you usually let the system auto-upgrade you or do you call at your upgrade window if non-middle MCS seats are still available?
#2
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,307
Just curious how easy MCS upgrades have been lately for VX elites so I have some idea what to expect as an AS elite down the road when I'm eligible for MCS upgrades.
I realize many VX elites get upgraded to MCS but eventually use the upgrade buy-up to F so what effect (if any) does that have on MCS availability? Do you usually let the system auto-upgrade you or do you call at your upgrade window if non-middle MCS seats are still available?
I realize many VX elites get upgraded to MCS but eventually use the upgrade buy-up to F so what effect (if any) does that have on MCS availability? Do you usually let the system auto-upgrade you or do you call at your upgrade window if non-middle MCS seats are still available?
That said, they seem to be getting tougher. They used to be sure things. Lately, I've actually seen a couple flights where MCS was sold out at the upgrade window.
The double upgrade (free+paid) is not as popular as you might think.
I used to auto-upgrade, but now I usually call at the window to make sure I can get an aisle.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP, Bonvoy Plat, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Disc
Posts: 217
Just curious how easy MCS upgrades have been lately for VX elites so I have some idea what to expect as an AS elite down the road when I'm eligible for MCS upgrades.
I realize many VX elites get upgraded to MCS but eventually use the upgrade buy-up to F so what effect (if any) does that have on MCS availability? Do you usually let the system auto-upgrade you or do you call at your upgrade window if non-middle MCS seats are still available?
I realize many VX elites get upgraded to MCS but eventually use the upgrade buy-up to F so what effect (if any) does that have on MCS availability? Do you usually let the system auto-upgrade you or do you call at your upgrade window if non-middle MCS seats are still available?
#5
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: West Hollywood
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Alaska MVP, Delta Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 173
Recently took an LAX-LAS trip 8/4-8/5 and didn't get an upgrade in either direction. Looks like it was actually sold-out prior to check-in on the outbound. On the return, MCS was available for purchase at T-24 but I was never bumped up automatically. Didn't really care since it was such a short flight, to be honest.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAX, BOS, and Seat 1A
Programs: DL Plat, VS Gold, UA Plat, VX Gold (RIP), AS MVP 75K, Starriot Plat, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 387
If you don't get MCS upgrade and see they are still selling seats, call, call, and HUCA repeatedly. Eventually you'll get an agent who can get you into MCS. It's called agent roulette
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,721
#9
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AS, AA, BA, SQ
Posts: 164
They are all over the place. Some routes like LAX-SFO upgrades are easy for golds who select the auto upgrade and almost impossible for silvers that don't. Add in the phone agents who don't know that non auto upgrades are to be processed at the gate, ticket counter agents that don't know that upgrades are processed at the gate, and counter agents who direct you to the gate to be added to the wait list and establishing a pattern is impossible. You could be a gold and not select the auto upgrade and end up in the back because two silvers found a phone agent who would process the upgrade instead of placing them on the wait list and having a counter agent direct you to the gate while another adds a gold before you.
It's not the most straightforward or fair process ATM but with the increase of eligibility for upgrades increasing next month, hopefully all front line employees will be on the same page and upgrade processing will be more standardized.
It's not the most straightforward or fair process ATM but with the increase of eligibility for upgrades increasing next month, hopefully all front line employees will be on the same page and upgrade processing will be more standardized.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,844