Upgrade Email from USAir

[millie]

I recieved an email from US Air this morning asking if I wanted to be on the first class upgrade list for our flight flight next week to Orlando. It was an extra $149 but I have always wanted to fly first class and really get nervous flying so I jumped on it.

They said I would be informed if selected for the upgrade two days before the flight.

Has anyone ever gotten this type of email and if so, what do you think my chances are of getting the upgrade? It would be for two of us.

 

[DebbieB]

I recieved an email from US Air this morning asking if I wanted to be on the first class upgrade list for our flight flight next week to Orlando. It was an extra $149 but I have always wanted to fly first class and really get nervous flying so I jumped on it.

They said I would be informed if selected for the upgrade two days before the flight.

Has anyone ever gotten this type of email and if so, what do you think my chances are of getting the upgrade? It would be for two of us.

Elite level flyers (25,000 annual miles or more) get free upgrades first. Orlando does not tend to be an elite heavy route because most elites are business flyers. You probably have a decent chance. What route? Different plane models have different number of first class seats.

 

[millie]

flying from Philadelphia. There were 5 empty seats in first class when I checked. This will be my Christmas present!

 

[DebbieB]

flying from Philadelphia. There were 5 empty seats in first class when I checked. This will be my Christmas present!

Most of the planes on that route are large so you have a chance. It really depends on how many elites get free upgrades first. Silver is upgraded at 2 days (chairman 7, platnium 4, gold 3), after that is probably when they look at how many people signed up to pay for upgrades. They must be expecting there to be empty seats to send out the e-mail.

 

[beccasmom]

We have received those e-mails fairly frequently when doing the PHL-MCO route. Usually, you need to respond by a certain date. We did not bite the last time - last month - when we got the offer for both portions of or flights. They were asking for volunteer bumps at PHL on our outbound flight and we volunteered, but ultimately we were not needed. We were kind of hoping we'd get an upgrade to 1st class on the next flight (which has happened in the past). Can't hurt to try!

 

[Jestocost]

First class is a better experience than coach, but domestic first class on a relatively short flight isn't a huge upgrade. You will get to board first (and get off faster), have a larger seat with more legroom, get free cocktails, and you may get something more than peanuts and pretzels to eat. That's not necessarily a bad deal for $149 as long as you have appropriate expectations. You will NOT get the individual capsule seats that fully recline, gourmet meals, etc. that you see for international first class cabins.

 

[DebbieB]

First class is a better experience than coach, but domestic first class on a relatively short flight isn't a huge upgrade. You will get to board first (and get off faster), have a larger seat with more legroom, get free cocktails, and you may get something more than peanuts and pretzels to eat. That's not necessarily a bad deal for $149 as long as you have appropriate expectations. You will NOT get the individual capsule seats that fully recline, gourmet meals, etc. that you see for international first class cabins.

On domestic USAirways, flights between 1.5 and 3.5 hours get the snack basket in first class, I assume PHL-MCO would fall into that category. You have your choice of pretzels, cookies, peanuts, chips, as many as you want. It may get passed more than once. A hot meal is served over 3.5 hours. Under 1.5 hours, you just get a large package of snack mix. Glassware only on meal flights.

 

[plutolovr]

You also won't have to pay for checked bags.