FC Upgrade Rule Change On Hawaii Flights
Aug 1, 2004, 12:58 pm
#1
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
FC Upgrade Rule Change On Hawaii Flights
While the ability to upgrade to Hawaii has been tightened and reported on this board over the last few months, I got first hand experience of the new rules yesterday.
Mrs. Cholula and I were checking in for our LAX/OGG flight yesterday at the kiosks. She was traveling on a SkyChoice FC award and I was on an M fare which was upgraded and confirmed at time of booking in February. We had used the same combo of tickets a months earlier...no problem. This time however, the kiosk spit out Mrs. Cholula’s BP but said “TILT” when it came time to do mine.
The kiosk agent typed something into the computer, looked amazed and issued me a security pass. She said I needed to deal with the “problem” at the gate. The GA wasn’t yet ready for the flight so I headed up to the CRC to straighten things out. The CRC agent said her screen said “ MUST BE RESIDENT OF HAWAII FOR SEGMENT UPGRADE. CHECK MEDALLION STATUS.”
Say what?? She had never seen the message before and didn’t know what to do/say. In the back of my mind, I remembered DL had changed the rules for upgrading to Hawaii but I didn’t know all the details. Besides, they changed the rules well AFTER my ticket was purchased and the upgrade confirmed.
So she sent me down to the gate and I stood in a line that stretched half way back to San Diego.
When I finally got to the front of the line, the GA also got the same message and had no idea what to do. She called “Global Assist” and was on the phone 15 minutes with an agent there.
Bottomline, they said I would have to pony up an additional 15,000 SM’s on TOP of my $1100 fare to upgrade. I mentioned that these new rules weren’t in effect when my ticket was issued and they should honor the rules in effect at time of booking. After a little back and forth with the agents, they agreed, the BP spit out of the machine and I claimed my rightful FC throne.
All’s well that ends well I guess. But I may have to deal with the same issue on my return flight.
Just a heads up to anyone who is holding a FC seat to Hawaii that was booked and upgraded several months ago.
Mrs. Cholula and I were checking in for our LAX/OGG flight yesterday at the kiosks. She was traveling on a SkyChoice FC award and I was on an M fare which was upgraded and confirmed at time of booking in February. We had used the same combo of tickets a months earlier...no problem. This time however, the kiosk spit out Mrs. Cholula’s BP but said “TILT” when it came time to do mine.
The kiosk agent typed something into the computer, looked amazed and issued me a security pass. She said I needed to deal with the “problem” at the gate. The GA wasn’t yet ready for the flight so I headed up to the CRC to straighten things out. The CRC agent said her screen said “ MUST BE RESIDENT OF HAWAII FOR SEGMENT UPGRADE. CHECK MEDALLION STATUS.”
Say what?? She had never seen the message before and didn’t know what to do/say. In the back of my mind, I remembered DL had changed the rules for upgrading to Hawaii but I didn’t know all the details. Besides, they changed the rules well AFTER my ticket was purchased and the upgrade confirmed.
So she sent me down to the gate and I stood in a line that stretched half way back to San Diego.
When I finally got to the front of the line, the GA also got the same message and had no idea what to do. She called “Global Assist” and was on the phone 15 minutes with an agent there.
Bottomline, they said I would have to pony up an additional 15,000 SM’s on TOP of my $1100 fare to upgrade. I mentioned that these new rules weren’t in effect when my ticket was issued and they should honor the rules in effect at time of booking. After a little back and forth with the agents, they agreed, the BP spit out of the machine and I claimed my rightful FC throne.
All’s well that ends well I guess. But I may have to deal with the same issue on my return flight.
Just a heads up to anyone who is holding a FC seat to Hawaii that was booked and upgraded several months ago.
Aug 1, 2004, 2:08 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Originally Posted by Cholula
The CRC agent said her screen said “ MUST BE RESIDENT OF HAWAII FOR SEGMENT UPGRADE. CHECK MEDALLION STATUS.”
Say what?? She had never seen the message before and didn’t know what to do/say. In the back of my mind, I remembered DL had changed the rules for upgrading to Hawaii but I didn’t know all the details.
Say what?? She had never seen the message before and didn’t know what to do/say. In the back of my mind, I remembered DL had changed the rules for upgrading to Hawaii but I didn’t know all the details.
aloha
P.S. Here's hoping for a flawless vacation free of random terminal car fires, electrical/telecommunication shortages caused by Verizon on your trip.!
Aug 1, 2004, 3:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Putnam County, NY
Programs: Delta-Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott-Lifetime Titanium. Priority Club-Platinum
Posts: 1,214
I am curious as to why being a resident of Hawaii grants you special upgrade rights. I do not recieve special preference when traveling to my home state of New York. 
Aug 1, 2004, 3:34 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,960
Originally Posted by Pointfreak!
I am curious as to why being a resident of Hawaii grants you special upgrade rights. I do not recieve special preference when traveling to my home state of New York.
The only major that now permits the use of segment upgrade points from/to Hawaii for all of its elite members, regardless of residency, is UA.
Aug 1, 2004, 3:51 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Putnam County, NY
Programs: Delta-Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott-Lifetime Titanium. Priority Club-Platinum
Posts: 1,214
Why couldnt I flash one of these and say "Tanks fo da upgrade brah!". 
Last edited by Pointfreak!; Aug 1, 2004 at 3:56 pm
Aug 1, 2004, 4:12 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: BA GGL; AA LT Gold; AS 100K; DL MM GM; Hyatt G*list, Hilton Diamond; SQ silver
Posts: 3,806
Originally Posted by Cholula
While the ability to upgrade to Hawaii has been tightened and reported on this board over the last few months, I got first hand experience of the new rules yesterday.
Mrs. Cholula and I were checking in for our LAX/OGG flight yesterday at the kiosks. She was traveling on a SkyChoice FC award and I was on an M fare which was upgraded and confirmed at time of booking in February. We had used the same combo of tickets a months earlier...no problem. This time however, the kiosk spit out Mrs. Cholula’s BP but said “TILT” when it came time to do mine.
The kiosk agent typed something into the computer, looked amazed and issued me a security pass. She said I needed to deal with the “problem” at the gate. The GA wasn’t yet ready for the flight so I headed up to the CRC to straighten things out. The CRC agent said her screen said “ MUST BE RESIDENT OF HAWAII FOR SEGMENT UPGRADE. CHECK MEDALLION STATUS.”
Say what?? She had never seen the message before and didn’t know what to do/say. In the back of my mind, I remembered DL had changed the rules for upgrading to Hawaii but I didn’t know all the details. Besides, they changed the rules well AFTER my ticket was purchased and the upgrade confirmed.
So she sent me down to the gate and I stood in a line that stretched half way back to San Diego.
When I finally got to the front of the line, the GA also got the same message and had no idea what to do. She called “Global Assist” and was on the phone 15 minutes with an agent there.
Bottomline, they said I would have to pony up an additional 15,000 SM’s on TOP of my $1100 fare to upgrade. I mentioned that these new rules weren’t in effect when my ticket was issued and they should honor the rules in effect at time of booking. After a little back and forth with the agents, they agreed, the BP spit out of the machine and I claimed my rightful FC throne.
All’s well that ends well I guess. But I may have to deal with the same issue on my return flight.
Just a heads up to anyone who is holding a FC seat to Hawaii that was booked and upgraded several months ago.
Mrs. Cholula and I were checking in for our LAX/OGG flight yesterday at the kiosks. She was traveling on a SkyChoice FC award and I was on an M fare which was upgraded and confirmed at time of booking in February. We had used the same combo of tickets a months earlier...no problem. This time however, the kiosk spit out Mrs. Cholula’s BP but said “TILT” when it came time to do mine.
The kiosk agent typed something into the computer, looked amazed and issued me a security pass. She said I needed to deal with the “problem” at the gate. The GA wasn’t yet ready for the flight so I headed up to the CRC to straighten things out. The CRC agent said her screen said “ MUST BE RESIDENT OF HAWAII FOR SEGMENT UPGRADE. CHECK MEDALLION STATUS.”
Say what?? She had never seen the message before and didn’t know what to do/say. In the back of my mind, I remembered DL had changed the rules for upgrading to Hawaii but I didn’t know all the details. Besides, they changed the rules well AFTER my ticket was purchased and the upgrade confirmed.
So she sent me down to the gate and I stood in a line that stretched half way back to San Diego.
When I finally got to the front of the line, the GA also got the same message and had no idea what to do. She called “Global Assist” and was on the phone 15 minutes with an agent there.
Bottomline, they said I would have to pony up an additional 15,000 SM’s on TOP of my $1100 fare to upgrade. I mentioned that these new rules weren’t in effect when my ticket was issued and they should honor the rules in effect at time of booking. After a little back and forth with the agents, they agreed, the BP spit out of the machine and I claimed my rightful FC throne.
All’s well that ends well I guess. But I may have to deal with the same issue on my return flight.
Just a heads up to anyone who is holding a FC seat to Hawaii that was booked and upgraded several months ago.
Cholula,
I am sorry to inform you that this a direct hint from DL airlines that youand Mrs Cholula should now fly on another airline!
Aug 1, 2004, 5:00 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,386
Originally Posted by FTraveler
The only major that now permits the use of segment upgrade points from/to Hawaii for all of its elite members, regardless of residency, is UA.
Aug 1, 2004, 5:12 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,960
Originally Posted by vasantn
AFAIK, AA also allows this.
Aug 1, 2004, 7:55 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Somewhere...
Programs: AA PLT/3MM, UA GM/1MM, DL DM/1MM, FB Plat, AS MVP Gold, WN AList+
Posts: 1,588
Originally Posted by FTraveler
I stand corrected.
Aug 1, 2004, 9:16 pm
#10
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
Originally Posted by DeltaFlyingProf
Cholula,
I am sorry to inform you that this a direct hint from DL airlines that youand Mrs Cholula should now fly on another airline!
I am sorry to inform you that this a direct hint from DL airlines that youand Mrs Cholula should now fly on another airline!
Aug 1, 2004, 9:37 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [+MKK4 EBBER R577 EDSEL R577 ELKEY EXERT]
Posts: 15,826
Originally Posted by Pointfreak!
Why couldnt I flash one of these and say "Tanks fo da upgrade brah!".
aloha
Aug 1, 2004, 10:15 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,386
Originally Posted by Cholula
Actually, if the truth be known, we had long ago decided this was our last trip to Hawaii on DL. The LAX/OGG schedule is down to one a day and it doesn’t arrive OGG until 6 PM. So you don’t get to your Maui destination until dark. The return is even a bigger nightmare...a dreaded red-eye that arrives LAX at 5 AM. Top it off with 764’s on this route and now the inability to upgrade even an $1100 ticket and I’ve got to say DUHHHH. Time to make a change of airlines on our quarterly trips to Hawaii.
Aug 1, 2004, 10:25 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: MIA
Programs: Retired :)
Posts: 10,940
Originally Posted by slippahs
To obtain or renew an ID card, you must come in person, with the proper documents and fee. The fee is $15.00 in cash except for those age 65 and older, who pay $10.00 in cash.
Cholula, would you have to pay $10 or $15?
Aug 1, 2004, 10:33 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Change your address to an address in HI and use your passport as ID.
Aug 1, 2004, 11:05 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,960
Originally Posted by vasantn
Cholula, you might as well come over to the dark side and give AA a try. You're already lifetime PM on DL anyway. Much easier to upgrade, all fares upgradable, and much better food in F. Service can be inconsistent, but overall I'm very pleased with AA.