OK all of you experts out there. Here's the story. I have a reservation this summer on Delta coach, two legs, one 2-1/2 hours the other 1-1/2 hours. I have about 10,000 miles in my Delta Sky Miles account. What is the procedure to upgrade to first class for both or just one of those flights, and would it be worth it? Is it just a question of asking on check in to upgrade me, pretty please??? or do I have to use my miles? May sound stupid, but I've never done it. Advice much appreciated. Thanks.

Dina,
Not sure of the procedure on Delta as I usually fly Continental, but why would you blow 10,000 miles to upgrade on relatively short flights?

Unless you have no intention to fly Delta that frequently, it would seem to me that getting a free ticket with 25,000 or 30,000 miles would provide a better value.

Personally, I wouldn't waste an upgrade on flights that are so short.

I'd save the miles to use towards a free ticket instead.

In my experience, just asking on check-in to be upgraded never works, unless you are an elite frequent flyer member (i.e. flown at least 25,000 miles in the past year), and even then it's difficult sometimes. I've been looked at with scorn by many ticket agents for asking this question nicely. So, your best bet for upgrading is to use your miles. On Delta, unless you paid full coach fare (i.e. super-expensive, fully refundable/changeable ticket), you need 10,000 miles to upgrade one way. If you decide to do this, you need to call Delta's FF reservations as soon as possible to get the upgrade as they sometimes fill up quickly. Is it worth it? For me, I'd only consider it for a coast-to-coast trip or something overseas (i.e. > 4 hrs). Upgrading to business class when flying to Europe is quite a bit cushier than upgrading to first class to fly from Atlanta to Chicago, for example. For Atlanta to LA, it's worth it for the extra legroom on that long flight. If I can only do a one way upgrade, I often do the return trip so I can get some rest on the way home.

Best of luck, whatever your decision!

I'll agree with the other posters. Don't waste your miles on an upgrade for such a relative short flight.

Many thanks for the replies. You are all probably right about saving the miles. I've just returned from a recent trip and noticed that Delta has their electronic screens running all the time with rules, seats, etc. While watching that screen, I saw a list of passengers with upgrade status posted. (Not standby, but upgrade) There were quite a few on one flight I was on. That's what made me inquire. If you must upgrade way ahead of your flight by calling the FF airline #, how can these folks be getting upgrades at the gate? Maybe I just didn't understand what was going on....that's happened before!

Most airline have a procedure to upgrade Elite members either on a standby basis, or with a confirmation a few days before a flight. Usually, the upgrade priority is set by the number of miles you've flown within that Elite level. Some may also take ticket price and Elite level into account.

Most likely these were elite FF members who are eligible for last-minute upgrades if 1st class isn't fully booked.

With some airlines the better a customer you are,,the earlier you can request an upgrade. Someone that flies ( as opposed to mileage earned on credit card) 100,000 miles a year..may be able to get an upgrade 48-72 hours before the average person.

Teh airlines wil bend over backwards to keep the "road warrior" happy.

No, do upgrade - you'll arrive sooner.

Actually, on many international flights, you do arrive sooner.

First class passengers have cleared customs and immigration before coach passengers even have their luggage.