Operational Upgrades, or “OpUps” on International Flights: The Definitive Thread
Jan 1, 2011, 11:09 pm
#346
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: DL DM; SPG PLAT
Posts: 120
Last Jan I got an op up lax to nrt. I was a GM at the time. I purchased a T fare on orbitz of all places for myself and buddy. When we got to the check in counter they gave us some new unexpected bps with BE seating!!!
Jan 2, 2011, 7:22 am
#347
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: South Carolina
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 313
09 0/8 TPAC segments 0/8 intra Asia as plat
10 1/6 TPAC 0/6 intra asia as diamond
Wife
09 0/8 TPAC segments 1/8 intra Asia as plat
10 0/8 TPAC 0/8 intra Asia as plat
Tpac came on nrt-sfo on a Monday in aug2010
Intra Asia on sin-nrt on a thursday in oct2009
We've used atl dtw msp sfo sea slc gateways, my hunch is atl-nrt and dtw-nrt are the toughest for opups. Sfo might be the easiest, lot of competition selling higher quality j-seats sfo-asia, than delta's 767. I shouldnt complain, but it was a bittersweet experience.
10 1/6 TPAC 0/6 intra asia as diamond
Wife
09 0/8 TPAC segments 1/8 intra Asia as plat
10 0/8 TPAC 0/8 intra Asia as plat
Tpac came on nrt-sfo on a Monday in aug2010
Intra Asia on sin-nrt on a thursday in oct2009
We've used atl dtw msp sfo sea slc gateways, my hunch is atl-nrt and dtw-nrt are the toughest for opups. Sfo might be the easiest, lot of competition selling higher quality j-seats sfo-asia, than delta's 767. I shouldnt complain, but it was a bittersweet experience.
Jan 2, 2011, 7:27 am
#348
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,636
ICN-NRT on an oversold coach DL90 on 9/10
But, although the ongoing flight NRT-MSP DL 620 was absolutely full -- no opup. Might have been others on higher fares (I was booked in U) who got it because BE was full also. Fortunately I was in the exit row or 2 on the side so lots of space next to me.
But, although the ongoing flight NRT-MSP DL 620 was absolutely full -- no opup. Might have been others on higher fares (I was booked in U) who got it because BE was full also. Fortunately I was in the exit row or 2 on the side so lots of space next to me.
Jan 2, 2011, 8:51 am
#349
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Free Agent Level 2; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, ALL SE, BA GECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,144
Yeah, this bothers me even though I understand the logic. It's worse because I generally don't need to put in an SPML if I'm in J to begin with because the menus usually have at least one good option for me.
Jan 2, 2011, 9:14 am
#350
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mid Atlantic
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Prez Circle, Bus Pass
Posts: 1,240
i had one op-up on an ex-NRT flight this year, but it was only a short run to PVG. i got upgraded way back at JFK for that flight, when i was checking in at the outset of that loooong day. it was a cheap fare; a T or something of that nature, and i assume it was dumb luck.
Jan 2, 2011, 9:41 am
#351
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: FLL / BKK
Posts: 703
OK I consider myself very lucky.
My 2 paid Y round trips from the US to BKK resulted in the following. No upgrade on the way over but coming back is a different story.
BKK – NRT Sept 2010 (L fare)
NRT – SLC Sept 2010 (L fare)
Both of these happened at the gate.
BKK – NRT Dec 2010 (K fare)
NRT – LAX Dec 2010 (U fare) Very glad to get out of Y on the 747.
Both of these happened in advance. Woke up at 2:45AM to get the BKK flight and noticed a nice surprise when I looked at my itinerary on line before heading to the airport. NRT-LAX happened en route to NRT. Once I got into the skyclub, logged in to find yet another surprise.
My 2 paid Y round trips from the US to BKK resulted in the following. No upgrade on the way over but coming back is a different story.
BKK – NRT Sept 2010 (L fare)
NRT – SLC Sept 2010 (L fare)
Both of these happened at the gate.
BKK – NRT Dec 2010 (K fare)
NRT – LAX Dec 2010 (U fare) Very glad to get out of Y on the 747.
Both of these happened in advance. Woke up at 2:45AM to get the BKK flight and noticed a nice surprise when I looked at my itinerary on line before heading to the airport. NRT-LAX happened en route to NRT. Once I got into the skyclub, logged in to find yet another surprise.
Jan 2, 2011, 9:42 am
#352
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: CHI/MSP
Programs: Delta Platinum, United Prem Exec
Posts: 1,334
Jan 4, 2011, 3:00 am
#353
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BDL
Programs: DL PM, HHonors Silver
Posts: 440
My company books our flights via their agent from US to PUS most of which are 744's MSP and DTW they are always low level fare classes booked one way. We are seeing upgrades about 7% of the time over the past two years. I've done a few dozen round trips and have yet to get the low fare op up.
Jan 4, 2011, 7:52 am
#355
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Programs: Delta - GM
Posts: 4
I was op-uped on the return leg of NRT -> LAX on 12/31.
T fare ticket, Oversold Coach. Was already sitting in my coach seat when I was approached. Very pleasant surprise considering I am only a SM.
T fare ticket, Oversold Coach. Was already sitting in my coach seat when I was approached. Very pleasant surprise considering I am only a SM.
Jan 4, 2011, 8:24 am
#356
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SZX/HKG/BWI
Programs: UA 1K 1.1MM, CX Diam 1.0MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC, MGM Pearl
Posts: 2,637
Platinum here, purchased T ticket out of pocket late October (I think 26) personal visit DTW-NRT. GA approached me at seat, handed me my seat assignment in 2nd BE cabin. My record for 2010 on to/from NRT op-ups is 1/1.
Jan 4, 2011, 10:51 am
#358
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Programs: Delta GM/1.5MM ~ United Silver ~ Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,434
0/1 PM flying on L class tix ATL-NRT on a Friday in the fall.
Did catch the op/up for NRT-HKG ~ oversold situation.
Returned HKG-DTW so no info on the flight back for ya.
Did catch the op/up for NRT-HKG ~ oversold situation.
Returned HKG-DTW so no info on the flight back for ya.
Jan 4, 2011, 11:35 am
#359
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SLC
Programs: Delta DM, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, SPG Gold, National EC Executive, Delta Amex Reserve
Posts: 271
While SM, I was upgraded from NRT to Guam. I was hoping to get upgraded on the way back from NRT to SLC, but was not. I was GM on the way back.
Feb 12, 2011, 1:59 pm
#360
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,266
Saturday and Lima = Opup central?
So I have flown to Lima, Peru 4 times in the past year. The first time was a Sunday and the last 3 Saturdays. Each Saturday I have been op-upped and the GA in ATL told me that this is very common. Saturdays to Lima are packed and she stated it is normal to see coach oversold by 20 and BE (lieflats now!) to have 40/42 seats open. I just wanted to alert FTers that may be traveling to Lima that Saturday is the day to fly if u want an op up. I still find it strange that Lima is considered a BE destination since there are so few elites on the route and CO offers UDUs on it.