Upgrades at check in

Advice appreciated for upgrades at checkin.
6 days until my return from SFO to LHR. have been looking for G's for last few weeks but nothing happening.
Expert flyer suggests 16 seats free in UC at present. What are chances of a G at checkin?
Any tips for upgrades at the airport and what chances do you think I have?
I'm on an M economy ticket and in PE at present (VS silver)

EF will only ever show >9 available seats - how are you reading it, do not add the numbers together but look for the single highest number up to nine, that will be the number available.

If there are say 5/6 then highly likely at least one or two will become available but don't wait till check in, check a few times a day and particularly early on the morning of departure - if you see one online call and bag it (you'll likely have to confirm and pay the additional taxes at check in).

On my last 2 flights last December to BGI, EF was showing 0 for upper both ways even up to the night before but when getting to the desk they had 4 outbound which we took 2 seats and the return journey we found an empty upper class for our flight so always good to ask

I would keep looking as I was looking for G last year (June) from YVR to ensure Mrs P joined me in UC and it took to 2 days prior to departure until one popped up

On arrival at LHR go to the upgrade/ticketing queries desks on the left end of the row of check-in desks. I did this a few weeks ago and got a helpful agent who called some other office to confirm that Gs were available on a flight which wasn't showing availability on the website.

And keep checking in the meantime!

I have booked 4 x economy reward tickets for October to NY from LHR.

What are the chances of NY flights with space for UC upgrades?
I'm guessing it's random but anyone been successful doing this route?

I have booked 4 x economy reward tickets for October to NY from LHR.

What are the chances of NY flights with space for UC upgrades?
I'm guessing it's random but anyone been successful doing this route?

I have just done LHR-JFK-LHR on G (reward) tickets for 2.

[buns]

mswadley

I would endorse everything Slinky has said - especially checking every day.

I did that recently and even resorted to phoning Flying Club the day before returning from Las Vegas to the UK.

That said, miracles can happen and in our case, we were fortunate in getting two G's at Check In.

So keep checking and if no luck, do ask at check in - but do not raise your hopes until they ask for the miles!!

buns

My VS3 got altered from a 789 to 744 not long ago, but I guess this means they've got a lot more UC seating available. If I read this thread right, I ought to make sure I've got 10k miles available when I go to check-in, just in case I can move up from PE?

I've been checking intermittently and there's reward seats in Y and PE available but nothing has ever showed up.

To follow this (talking to myself lol) I rang FC today to ask about availability of G fares on my flight, and there was 1 available which was obviously not showing on the website. Cue huge excitement from me, until.... I was told I'd have to pay £1,200 to change my K fare to S

He did helpfully suggest that as there was still a lot of UC availability on the flight and it was only a month away, that I should try again within 72 hours of departure when the fares start to reduce.

EF will only ever show >9 available seats - how are you reading it, do not add the numbers together but look for the single highest number up to nine, that will be the number available.

If there are say 5/6 then highly likely at least one or two will become available but don't wait till check in, check a few times a day and particularly early on the morning of departure - if you see one online call and bag it (you'll likely have to confirm and pay the additional taxes at check in).

Thanks slinky and buns.

Its 3 days to go back from SFO - EF shows J9 D9 Z9. Been checking on the VS website but still nothing.
Sounds like I should ring even if nothing showing.
If nothing before I go to airport where should I go to ask? I'm on an M fare already upgraded into PE. My wife and 2 kids are already on G's in UC
Thanks for the advice.

Just ask at check-in.

Once check-in opens anything goes as control switches from Crawley to the airport ground crew. In my experience the US outstations readily sell miles upgrades if there are still seats available and they don't think they'll fill them.

Its 3 days to go back from SFO - EF shows J9 D9 Z9. Been checking on the VS website but still nothing.
Sounds like I should ring even if nothing showing.
If nothing before I go to airport where should I go to ask? I'm on an M fare already upgraded into PE. My wife and 2 kids are already on G's in UC
Thanks for the advice.

You can call but the CS team only see the same availability you will see online ... keep checking, if it really is 9s then I'd say you stand a good chance but SF is one that VS overbooks in UC (or rather over-makes-available!) so it may end up being a little less. But with three days to go I'd say you're on, if you keep clicking!

When you get to SFO to the left of the UC check in (or is it to the right?) there's a ticketing desk, you can ask at either ... or even in the clubhouse if there aren't any. I do believe you'll see one pop up online though so just ring quickly.