Today I have concluded my first purely domestic itinerary and achieved my Platinum status by flying from San Diego to San Francisco via Salt Lake City (yes, it really isn’t on the way).
The flight to Salt Lake was delayed due to a ripple effect (the plane arrived to SLC late from the east coast due to weather). My seat selection tricks worked and I found myself next to the only empty seat on the plane (in a row of 3).
Even with the late arrival there was enough time to grab a burger at Burger King, especially as this flight was also delayed 20 minutes. As usual I asked if an upgrade is possible and surprisingly the answer was “sure!” and I immediately got my new boarding pass assigned to seat 2D (window seat in a 1-2 row on CRJ-900) with 2C next to me vacant.
The first class seats were slightly wider and with a lot more legroom. My drink was refilled as soon as I finished it was cleared just as fast. I rested most of the flight until our only slightly late arrival at SFO.
I’m now in the shuttle home. I’m the only passenger! Good to be back.