You're now eligible for upgrades on Delta as of the middle of last month, Drew.
Oh I'm well aware, the vast majority of my flying is actually on American Airlines and Delta. The reason I use Alaska Airlines for my miles is because they are partnered with both airlines so all my miles end up in one bucket.
I also follow Flyer Talk, I've gotten some great information on how the Delta/Alaska partnership has been going. There are rumors that they will be doing the same type of integration with American Airlines in the future. If that happens I will be very happy.
As for upgrades, since one of my main flights in LAX to MCO I can rarely get an upgrade. The last 4 flights I had through that corridor the upgrade list was 20+ people deep with maybe one available seat in first class. However, for my mileage runs coming up I stand a better chance as almost all of the flights are showing sparsely populated planes with first practically empty. I did two two flights on Horizon turbo props though, just so that I get the bonus milage for a leg under 500 miles between PDX and SEA.
Um, yeah, FF geekage going on.
How does the upgrades thing work if you're a frequent enough flyer?
It depends on the program, but with Alaska and Delta, if you are on one of the rungs on their FF program when you check in you get placed on a free upgrade list. Any unused first class seats get given to people on the upgrade list for free. Your position on the list is based on the fare class or your original ticket, and the level of your status in the FF program.
Ha! Did you see Up in the Air ?
Not yet. I started watching it on a flight, ironically enough, and ended up falling asleep in the first ten minutes. Hey, I was tired and it was a red-eye. I have a feeling that it's going to be in my Christmas stocking this year.
How does the upgrades thing work if you're a frequent enough flyer?
To put it very basically, if you're a good enough customer of the airline, then you can be upgraded without charge into first class on a space-available basis, even if you've only purchased an economy class ticket. In practice, it becomes much more complex and one needs to take into account fare classes, how many other elites could be on the flight and if they have a higher status, time of check-in, and a host of other factors. In order to qualify as an elite, most airlines require one to earn a minimum of 25,000 elite qualification miles (usually by flying; miles earned with a credit card don't count for the most part).
For me, the greatest benefit isn't the first class seat, though the free liquor and food (on long-enough flights) is a bonus. It's the opportunity to check 2 bags without charge, board first to secure overhead space, the ability to do same-day flight changes without charge, and the way I'm treated when things go tits up during weather and mechanical delays. I'm often rebooked on another flight even before I know there's been any delay. Oh, and I can use the elite security lines at the airport. That alone has saved me from going crazy. The last time I flew out of Chicago, it was a Friday afternoon. The regular line was wrapped all the way around the concourse and it would have taken an hour to get through, but I was the fifth person in the elite line. Ten minutes from start to finish and I was through security. That is a lifesaver.
The reason I use Alaska Airlines for my miles is because they are partnered with both airlines so all my miles end up in one bucket.
If Pix didn't already have you... be still my beating heart.
Um, yeah, FF geekage going on.
t swoon
I'm never upgraded DTW-ORD. That's such an elite-heavy route that the gate agents call for zone 1 boarding, and the gate area's empty after that. I've seen upgrade lists with more than 60 names. I'm happy with whatever upgrade I get, especially considering it's a perk and not something I paid for.
I was a flyertalker before I was a Buffista.
So was I! Lurked more than posted. Actually, that still holds true.
Hahah! I agree with everything Maria said. And I'm also on flyertalk! For me it's rarely about upgrades, since probably two thirds of the flights I take are regiOnal jets and don't have first class. But changes, free bags, and most of all the elite security lane are totally things that make my frequent flyer life better!
can SFistas who are meeting at the Ferry Terminal at 11:30ish on Sunday drop me an email to my profile addy? Then I can group mail if we (hopefully don't) hit a travel snag.
Great photo link JZ!
Nanita, are you home already?
The elite security lane and zone one boarding are worth their weight in gold. Sadly one of my main airports is Orlando and they don't have an elite security lane there.
Hey ND - are you able to jump on AIM for a quick minnit?
