Why "Not Upgrade Eligible"?
Nov 27, 2012, 7:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
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Why "Not Upgrade Eligible"?
Still trying to figure this all out, I am a GM and I am flying from MSP->AMS later this week. The ticket is an H fare (still not sure what that means) and online it says "Not Upgrade Eligible"... why? Can I not get an upgrade with an H fare? Or can GM not get upgrades on international flights? The seat map shows a pretty empty plane
Nov 27, 2012, 7:33 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,426
Still trying to figure this all out, I am a GM and I am flying from MSP->AMS later this week. The ticket is an H fare (still not sure what that means) and online it says "Not Upgrade Eligible"... why? Can I not get an upgrade with an H fare? Or can GM not get upgrades on international flights? The seat map shows a pretty empty plane
Nov 27, 2012, 7:39 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta: Gold, Marriott: Silver
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Y,B,M international for complementary upgrades, H,K,Q require a SWU (System Wide Upgrade) or a Miles upgrade, however the miles required for upgrade are 2x the normal (so for instance most TATL flights are 25,000 RDMs for a BE upgrade, instead of 12,500 if you had a Y,B,M).
Nov 27, 2012, 7:42 am
#5
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Originally Posted by sethmac86:19752818
Thanks, whats an SWU?
On domestic flights, you can use it on a K fare or higher to get upgraded (if available inventory, Z fare). On international flights, they can only be used with Y, B, or M fares.
The only way for a medallion to get upgraded on an intl flight is if the flight is overbooked, then they might opup (operational upgrade) you. Don't fly expecting opus, though
Nov 27, 2012, 7:43 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Y,B,M international for complementary upgrades, H,K,Q require a SWU (System Wide Upgrade) or a Miles upgrade, however the miles required for upgrade are 2x the normal (so for instance most TATL flights are 25,000 RDMs for a BE upgrade, instead of 12,500 if you had a Y,B,M).
Nov 27, 2012, 7:45 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
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Y,B,M international for complementary upgrades, H,K,Q require a SWU (System Wide Upgrade) or a Miles upgrade, however the miles required for upgrade are 2x the normal (so for instance most TATL flights are 25,000 RDMs for a BE upgrade, instead of 12,500 if you had a Y,B,M).
Nov 27, 2012, 7:46 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2011
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SystemWide Upgrade. Upon qualifying for Platinum or Diamond, you can choose SWUs as a choice benefit. For flights with BE (typically), these can be used for a one way upgrade to BusinessElite from an expensive coach ticket (YBM fares). For domestic flights, they can be used on slightly lower fare buckets, though still not on LUTE classes.
Nov 27, 2012, 7:47 am
#9
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ok so then a follow up question:
How do I know if I'm booking a Y,B or M fare? I know what Y is, but what about B & M? I normally purchase fully refundable but that seems to still be an H fare?
How do I know if I'm booking a Y,B or M fare? I know what Y is, but what about B & M? I normally purchase fully refundable but that seems to still be an H fare?
Nov 27, 2012, 7:48 am
#10
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Y,B,M international for complementary upgrades, H,K,Q require a SWU (System Wide Upgrade) or a Miles upgrade, however the miles required for upgrade are 2x the normal (so for instance most TATL flights are 25,000 RDMs for a BE upgrade, instead of 12,500 if you had a Y,B,M).
You can upgrade domestic H Q K fares with SWUs or the same number of miles as M and restricted B fares.
Nov 27, 2012, 7:58 am
#11
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If you're going through a travel agent, you'd have to ask them to book an M or higher fare to be able to use miles for an upgrade to AMS.
I've never seen an international fare that is refundable in H... usually that requires a B or Y, although strange things do happen.
Domestic refundable fares are all over the place, so I wouldn't be too surprised to see an H that is refundable.
Nov 27, 2012, 8:44 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2012
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I don't know where you're getting this infromation but it is wrong. For international long-haul upgrades into BE, Y B M fares and SWUs or miles are required. Period. No upgrades from H Q K fares with any number of miles.
You can upgrade domestic H Q K fares with SWUs or the same number of miles as M and restricted B fares.
You can upgrade domestic H Q K fares with SWUs or the same number of miles as M and restricted B fares.
Nov 27, 2012, 8:50 am
#13
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Wow, ok I see it now, I checked for my flight and M & higher are at $4K+?? may as well get business then but I'm not allowed to get business... go figure...
So unless I have the SWU I'm pretty much outta luck getting an upgrade on international as a GM?
So unless I have the SWU I'm pretty much outta luck getting an upgrade on international as a GM?
Nov 27, 2012, 8:50 am
#14
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Besides domestic, H,Q,K is allowed to be used for upgrades with an SWU to the Carribbean/Mexico/Hawaii. Miles to the carib are Y/B/M, same as international.
Nov 27, 2012, 8:52 am
#15
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Even with an SWU you'd still have to pay the 4k M fare. Your only shot would be to pay that fare and use 25k miles, assuming there is upgrade space available... or hope for the slim chance that Y is very overbooked and you get an op-up to business.