1.6 million BIS¹ miles & you still need to stay on your game if you want any chance at a gratis upgrade.
There are usually two flights a day SEA🛫AMS on #Delta, & fewer people layover there than SLC, which also has 2 flights a day. So I favor SEA when I'm on West coast USA headed to Europe…
But, due to logistics, I'm traveling on a *SATURDAY*. SEA only has on AMS flight on weekends.
I'm 2 of 0 — I surely won't be assimilated up front, as 2 of 0 isn't a valid Borg designation.
@bkuhn Honestly, I've gotten upgrades for JFK🛫AMS flights before, mostly in the winter where load is super low. But generally getting automatic economy to delta comfort/economy comfort upgrades on booking is nice enough in most cases.
You might have more luck with PDX🛫AMS, since it's once daily (I think?) and not a very heavily loaded route.
Funny you mention JFK🛫AMS! I spent 2 hours on the phone with Delta Global Ticketing yesterday because I found a *cheaper* coach routing through JFK, & the long haul KLM metal had Z available for GUC. We were so close to upgrading me all the way through, & KLM partner desk refused to release the Z to Delta.
Delta+KLM=biggest frenemies ever!
As for PDX🛫AMS, does not run weekends & is KLM metal & gambling on a Z opening is a weaker play than Delta metal with a GUC.
If your point of origin is west coast USA, though, that JFK layover adds a lot of wall clock time to the entire trip when you factor into how long the transcontinental is.
Obvious proof that the earth is round. I always say people who think the earth is flat should be forced to always fly due south/north to the equator, and then due south/north to their destination.
Ok , I have you beat: FOSDEM and LinuxConf Australia were back to back.
Did AMS🛫PDX, 6hr layover at my apartment to do laundry, then PDX🛫LAX 🛫SYD🛫MEL.
All in coach.
Bradley M. Kühn
Neal Gompa (ニール・ゴンパ) 