Use ASIC for upgrade?
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Lurking
Use ASIC for upgrade?
I've heard rumours that flashing your ASIC at check in on a commercial flight might get you an upgrade of some sort.
I'm a PPL (so not employed by an airline if that makes any difference to the answer) who's planning to go overseas in a few weeks. Is it worth shoving my ASIC in my handbag and pulling it out at check in (and then putting it away again, I'm not planning to wear it around the airport)? Or is this all just a rumour?
I'm a PPL (so not employed by an airline if that makes any difference to the answer) who's planning to go overseas in a few weeks. Is it worth shoving my ASIC in my handbag and pulling it out at check in (and then putting it away again, I'm not planning to wear it around the airport)? Or is this all just a rumour?
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Lurking
I figured I'd pull it out if I was buying food and stuff but not planning on wearing it as I'm just walking around with my wheely suitcase, seems a bit too much like "Hey look, I fly aeroplanes when I'm not wandering around YMML looking grumpy" 
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From: GPS Signal Lost
(just food and beverage discounts for me so far)
Like baswell said "
You never know where it may lead...
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Mel-burn
Who on earth would give you an upgrade for "flashing" your ASIC?
I really don't think the person on the check-in counter of Virgin Blue would give a toss that you fly a 1964 Cessna 150 on your weekends.
If you are lucky you might get a discount on your coffee and waive the foreign currency fee at Travelex.
These days at Qantas, you are unlikely to even see a check-in worker. I flew tonight and there were none to be seen, I actually had to get a ticket to get in line to see one (but didn't need to in the end).
I really don't think the person on the check-in counter of Virgin Blue would give a toss that you fly a 1964 Cessna 150 on your weekends.
If you are lucky you might get a discount on your coffee and waive the foreign currency fee at Travelex.
These days at Qantas, you are unlikely to even see a check-in worker. I flew tonight and there were none to be seen, I actually had to get a ticket to get in line to see one (but didn't need to in the end).
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Victoria
My mate was wearing his ASIC around at melbourne international when he was approached by two airport security officers and asked why he was wearing it.. he said because he wanted to get a discount in the duty free shop and they told him they'd "let it go" but to take it off immediately because it looks suspicious. Mind you my mate is an arab... not implying anything 
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From: Sunny side up
Give it a go, but don't expect miracles. Upgrades aren't nearly as common as they once were. 
There are a lot of ASICs around, too. Whichever airport you are flying out of will have several thousand on issue.
You have a reasonable chance of scoring discount coffee, though I've noticed that the local pirate port f&b staff now ask non uniformed, ASIC wearing people if they're actually on duty, which suggests that they're onto this particular racket.
There are a lot of ASICs around, too. Whichever airport you are flying out of will have several thousand on issue. You have a reasonable chance of scoring discount coffee, though I've noticed that the local pirate port f&b staff now ask non uniformed, ASIC wearing people if they're actually on duty, which suggests that they're onto this particular racket.
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From: Bradd
Make the most of it
There is a real groundswell around the airports to face down OTS over ASICs and get rid of the damn things. Unpoliceable, unenforceable, meaningless, pointless, expensive and a lot of other adjectives.
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From: gas filled self propelled bag
I got the fee for currency exchange waived with mine, also was able to stick around and have a chat with the blokes in the cockpit after other passengers had disembarked.
...Then got grilled hardcore by security as to what I was doing there and was seemingly lucky to get off without a fine. Don't get too flashy with it.
...Then got grilled hardcore by security as to what I was doing there and was seemingly lucky to get off without a fine. Don't get too flashy with it.
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Australia
Who on earth would give you an upgrade for "flashing" your ASIC?
Except if there is an operational reason, i.e.: economy is over booked and they need to move some people up. Of course, they will choose the more deserving people, like those with a high status, young women traveling solo or with female friends only (seriously, it is the best way to get an upgrade) and those in the industry.
So it would not surprise me if you increase your chances of an operational upgrade by casually wearing your ASIC. (Don't rub it in or act like you are entitled to it.)
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Hiding..... in one hemisphere or another
I've heard rumours that flashing your ASIC at check in on a commercial flight might get you an upgrade of some sort.
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Oz
Have been upgraded domestic once previously however as Baswell said, assumedly there was already an operational reason such as overbooking and the ASIC only 'helped'. This was also in the days when there were actual check-in staff rather than an LCD monitor to talk to.
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: YMMB
The upgrade I received was a few years ago, but I can't remember if it was to New York or Los Angeles.
Got bumped from Economy to Business. I've flown a lot over the years and had a few free upgrades with various airlines.
I think it helps if you are well dressed and pleasant. Timing seems to be the thing, not too early, not too late. Guess they were full in economy and looking for people to upgrade.
There are different types of ASIC and AVID cards. Retail staff at airports seem to have different types.
Pilot ASIC cards are different because they include your ARN.
Wish they'd make the stupid things five or ten years, not two years.
Also got a 30% discount on my Seringetti sunglasses at the sunglasses shop at DFO Moorabbin when they I was wearing an ASIC (pilot discount).
Got bumped from Economy to Business. I've flown a lot over the years and had a few free upgrades with various airlines.
I think it helps if you are well dressed and pleasant. Timing seems to be the thing, not too early, not too late. Guess they were full in economy and looking for people to upgrade.
There are different types of ASIC and AVID cards. Retail staff at airports seem to have different types.
Pilot ASIC cards are different because they include your ARN.
Wish they'd make the stupid things five or ten years, not two years.
Also got a 30% discount on my Seringetti sunglasses at the sunglasses shop at DFO Moorabbin when they I was wearing an ASIC (pilot discount).
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Not Syderknee
You don't need a ASIC to get a look at the flight deck of an airliner, all you have to do is ask. Most pilots would be happy (time permitting) to show you the flight deck after landing at your destination.
I doubt it would help much in getting you an upgrade, check in would have a list of people on each flight they would like to upgrade (frequent flyers, government employees, company reps).
As for wearing it around the airport
Keep it in your bag and pull it out at the duty free for a discount, other than that its of no use.
I doubt it would help much in getting you an upgrade, check in would have a list of people on each flight they would like to upgrade (frequent flyers, government employees, company reps).
As for wearing it around the airport
Keep it in your bag and pull it out at the duty free for a discount, other than that its of no use.
Nunc est bibendum
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Sydney, Australia
I've never heard of them being used for an upgrade before. More likely you'll be laughed at. People pull a lot of stunts to try and get an upgrade and an ASIC is probably a pretty lame one.
However, I've used mine (that said, it's got a big QANTAS across the bottom) to get exit rows on both Jetstar and Virgin when I've been forced to fly them. A police badge would probably work just as well too.
However, I've used mine (that said, it's got a big QANTAS across the bottom) to get exit rows on both Jetstar and Virgin when I've been forced to fly them. A police badge would probably work just as well too.