Getting Bumped up!
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Re: Getting Bumped up!
A two year old child can sell cheapo tickets for Ryanair at £10 each - it takes skill to sell the more expensive seats.
Re: Getting Bumped up!
Originally Posted by Kremmen
Partly agreed. But when I need Club or First I will buy them. I know (also on a US) route that the UG chances are good but if I want to guarantee a sector UG I buy it. Other times it doesn't matter and if it happens its nice. I certainly don't go in with the expectation of an UG and others I know in a similar position also work it this way. However, if you spend £60,000 or so a year and don't get any "knock-back" you might question why, when seats have been available, the airline doesn't UG and change supplier.
Exactly!
Exactly!
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Re: Getting Bumped up!
Originally Posted by Ropey Pilot
Globaliser:
And Kremen With the wine analogy you both seem to be missing a step out by assuming that the upgrade is given once /the full price is paid once respectively(although you are using the analogy to illustrate opposing points of view).
What the wine analogy shows is that if a customer regularly buys £20 bottles of wine (business) but also regularly buys £5 bottles of wine (economy) then 'upgrading' his wine for free may backfire. If it is done once and it is this that causes the customer to come back then it won't be long before he is disgruntled that it hasn't happened again (as I said IF that was the reason he kept coming back - if it was for other reasons then there was no need to entice him as such in the first place).
If you then 'upgrade' his wine regularly (to keep him coming back) he will soon buy expensive wine less frequently as there is a good chance he will get it for £5 anyway.
Fair enough, on the occasions when he MUST have decent wine he may still pay, but there is likely to be a sliding scale and a lot of occasions where he would like it but it is worth the risk.
Eventually the wine shop notices that although the customer comes back regularly their profits are down and the customer realises at the end of a particularly ropey bottle of Bulgarian Cab Sav whilst trying to impress a lady friend that he shouldn't have gambled and bought a full price one - or goes into the shop with a fiver and because he needs an expensive bottle that day gets into 'discussions' with the owner, leaves with a cheap bottle and the memory of an unpleasant scene and gos to Tescos next time anyway!
Maybe one can take an analogy too far (but I want a drink now anyway
)
And Kremen With the wine analogy you both seem to be missing a step out by assuming that the upgrade is given once /the full price is paid once respectively(although you are using the analogy to illustrate opposing points of view).
What the wine analogy shows is that if a customer regularly buys £20 bottles of wine (business) but also regularly buys £5 bottles of wine (economy) then 'upgrading' his wine for free may backfire. If it is done once and it is this that causes the customer to come back then it won't be long before he is disgruntled that it hasn't happened again (as I said IF that was the reason he kept coming back - if it was for other reasons then there was no need to entice him as such in the first place).
If you then 'upgrade' his wine regularly (to keep him coming back) he will soon buy expensive wine less frequently as there is a good chance he will get it for £5 anyway.
Fair enough, on the occasions when he MUST have decent wine he may still pay, but there is likely to be a sliding scale and a lot of occasions where he would like it but it is worth the risk.
Eventually the wine shop notices that although the customer comes back regularly their profits are down and the customer realises at the end of a particularly ropey bottle of Bulgarian Cab Sav whilst trying to impress a lady friend that he shouldn't have gambled and bought a full price one - or goes into the shop with a fiver and because he needs an expensive bottle that day gets into 'discussions' with the owner, leaves with a cheap bottle and the memory of an unpleasant scene and gos to Tescos next time anyway!
Maybe one can take an analogy too far (but I want a drink now anyway
)
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Re: Getting Bumped up!
It might be worth asking (preferably at the airline's down town office) how much an upgrade costs. QR for one had for a long while ,a promotion entitling you to an upgrade from their Indian stations to DOH (the first leg) for any of their connecting pax, a Y to J upgrade for INR 3000 (70 USD or 40 GBP). For a 4 hour sector it was not bad at all, and u get the higher J baggage allowance all the way through to your destination and the use of the Premium lounge at the starting station (not at Doha).
This was because generally up front the loads are light from India to DOH, and they did not want to risk brand dilution by offering involuntary upgrades if they could help it.
This was because generally up front the loads are light from India to DOH, and they did not want to risk brand dilution by offering involuntary upgrades if they could help it.
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Re: Getting Bumped up!
There seems to have been quite a lot of off-topic replies to this one, but may I offer a comment to the original question.
Firstly, the chances are against you getting a free upgrade; if you need an upgrade, then as so many others have said, you have to pay for it. However, as someone who has been upgraded comparitively frequently, may I offer the following, which will improve your chances:
1) Have a frequent flyer card (preferably a nice colour)
2) Smile and be ultra polite on check in
3) Look like newlyweds (find a way to wheedle that into conversation)
4) Choose your airline - (for instance, SIA/CX = forget it, TG = possible)
5) You might mention an upgrade (but NEVER even hint that you feel you might be entitled to one)
If the flight is not at least nearly full in the class you are originally in, you are highly unlikely to get anything at all. But don't be completely put off if you don't get it at the check in desk - I have also been assigned a "bigger seat" at the gate on full flights.
Hope above is useful and have a wonderful honeymoon!
Firstly, the chances are against you getting a free upgrade; if you need an upgrade, then as so many others have said, you have to pay for it. However, as someone who has been upgraded comparitively frequently, may I offer the following, which will improve your chances:
1) Have a frequent flyer card (preferably a nice colour)
2) Smile and be ultra polite on check in
3) Look like newlyweds (find a way to wheedle that into conversation)
4) Choose your airline - (for instance, SIA/CX = forget it, TG = possible)
5) You might mention an upgrade (but NEVER even hint that you feel you might be entitled to one)
If the flight is not at least nearly full in the class you are originally in, you are highly unlikely to get anything at all. But don't be completely put off if you don't get it at the check in desk - I have also been assigned a "bigger seat" at the gate on full flights.
Hope above is useful and have a wonderful honeymoon!
Re: Getting Bumped up!
People pay a premium to travel in business/first class.
What would be the point of this purchase if the airline went ahead and filled the empty business/first class seats with people who have only paid for economy.
It dilutes the value of these seats.
There are very strict IATA rules that govern the upgrade process, and airlines can be heavily fined for non-compliance!
What would be the point of this purchase if the airline went ahead and filled the empty business/first class seats with people who have only paid for economy.
It dilutes the value of these seats.
There are very strict IATA rules that govern the upgrade process, and airlines can be heavily fined for non-compliance!
roto pennae veneficus
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Just stopping by from the mil aircrew forum.... 2 pennies inbound
We travelled xmas day LHR-LAX-AKL-BNE on BA/QF - monster trip, longest stop 6 hours in LAX. All done in economy and pretty hard going to be honest, although staff were great. Although i moaned like hell on occasion to myself and the wife i was always polite to staff - it was my choice to pay 500 quid for a ticket that the day before would have been 1000 quid so i got what i paid for. I never asked for a free upgrade, although by the last leg on the return trip i did offer to pay for one! (scuppered by cursed discount economy ticket
)
I did spend a few hundred on a year's membership to Qantas Club which although seemed steep at the time, i can honestly now say easily paid for itself in de-stressing us. Access to Business class lounges, free food and drink, a shower (a godsend between sectors) plus the increased chance that should an upgrade be available, i'd at least be considered, but that wasn't the prime reason for the purchase.
Interestingly, we're back to Oz in March (somewhat unexpectedly - for a family wedding) but this time we are going business and for the first time (and probably the last) i'll enjoy a skybed but it has cost me the price of a small car to do it - and no, i couldn't really afford it either (but i will get a huge wedge of Tesco's clubcard points from their credit card on which it was paid for so maybe i can exchange them one of those bottles of wine that everyone's talking about on here )
My advice to Business class wannabes is if you can afford it, spend a little extra and join one of the clubs (Qantas Club / BA Exec Club etc) - if you don't get an upgrade at least you can sit with the hallowed ones in their lounges and recharge before a monster economy flight!!
We travelled xmas day LHR-LAX-AKL-BNE on BA/QF - monster trip, longest stop 6 hours in LAX. All done in economy and pretty hard going to be honest, although staff were great. Although i moaned like hell on occasion to myself and the wife i was always polite to staff - it was my choice to pay 500 quid for a ticket that the day before would have been 1000 quid so i got what i paid for. I never asked for a free upgrade, although by the last leg on the return trip i did offer to pay for one! (scuppered by cursed discount economy ticket
)I did spend a few hundred on a year's membership to Qantas Club which although seemed steep at the time, i can honestly now say easily paid for itself in de-stressing us. Access to Business class lounges, free food and drink, a shower (a godsend between sectors) plus the increased chance that should an upgrade be available, i'd at least be considered, but that wasn't the prime reason for the purchase.
Interestingly, we're back to Oz in March (somewhat unexpectedly - for a family wedding) but this time we are going business and for the first time (and probably the last) i'll enjoy a skybed but it has cost me the price of a small car to do it - and no, i couldn't really afford it either (but i will get a huge wedge of Tesco's clubcard points from their credit card on which it was paid for so maybe i can exchange them one of those bottles of wine that everyone's talking about on here
)My advice to Business class wannabes is if you can afford it, spend a little extra and join one of the clubs (Qantas Club / BA Exec Club etc) - if you don't get an upgrade at least you can sit with the hallowed ones in their lounges and recharge before a monster economy flight!!
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Upgrades
Agree with sentiments of Greenhaven. Like him popped in from Mil forum. My own experience of an UG was San Diego to LHR. I had managed to plead my Boss in letting me fly Club on this journey and on the return the charming BA staff informed me of an UG to 1st ( I hadn't asked..never entered my head to.) Probably because this was the only BA Friday flight to London and was in high demand.
Whilst I too can see both sides of the coin in this issue.... I would add that I was totally bowled over by this UG and looked at it as a one off experience. I certainly don't "expect" it to happen again nor would I expect any airline to hand them out willy-nilly. (Frequent flyer or not) I guess I don't see myself as important enough!!!! However, as a military chap I appreciate any sign of kindness regarding UG's!
Due to fly to Dubai next month for a short break with my better half, we are flying back aft.....would love to fly in comfort but that isn't always financially possible. The bottom line is you get what you pay for.......anything else is a bonus. As long as there is a Jack Daniels at hand I can endure cattle class for 6 hours.
Regards
Whilst I too can see both sides of the coin in this issue.... I would add that I was totally bowled over by this UG and looked at it as a one off experience. I certainly don't "expect" it to happen again nor would I expect any airline to hand them out willy-nilly. (Frequent flyer or not) I guess I don't see myself as important enough!!!! However, as a military chap I appreciate any sign of kindness regarding UG's!
Due to fly to Dubai next month for a short break with my better half, we are flying back aft.....would love to fly in comfort but that isn't always financially possible. The bottom line is you get what you pay for.......anything else is a bonus. As long as there is a Jack Daniels at hand I can endure cattle class for 6 hours.
Regards
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Hopefully my one-eyed opinion is valid as my other half is Cabin Crew for an un-named national carrier but to my (discrete) experience, once the doors are closed the CSD has a fair amount of flexibility with SLF placement (I luv 1K! 
).
Moving people around before push-back is a pain as the crew are run off their high-heeled little feet looking after specials, infants, morons etc. But smile sweetly, make no loud american-style demands and you never know your luck.
Old Japanese proverb says:
"A little politeness costs you nothing but a little rudeness will cost you dearly".
And don't get drunk.
).Moving people around before push-back is a pain as the crew are run off their high-heeled little feet looking after specials, infants, morons etc. But smile sweetly, make no loud american-style demands and you never know your luck.
Old Japanese proverb says:
"A little politeness costs you nothing but a little rudeness will cost you dearly".
And don't get drunk.
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4Foxtrot,
I think what you describe above is how Cabin Crew get around the official staff upgrade process! Your love of 1K may not be well viewed by your wife's employer.
I am fortunate to be in a family that benefits from space available staff upgrades, but these should normally be performed at the gate/check-in, though I do except that last minute changes do occur.
However, it is quite common to see cabin crew move family, or worse, friends around cabins following door closure. This unfortunately is not always done discreetly, or honestly. On one occasion I walked to my assigned up-grade seats to find two people already sat there, having a great giggle with a member of crew. Politely flashed my boarding card and said "I think that's my seat". Passengers went very quiet, head down, looked sheepish etc. Crew member now starts doing all the talking, "their must be a mistake etc". Quietly offered that I was on staff travel, not wanting to make a fuss etc, to which the crew member replied she knew that.
What followed was a farce. She radioed "dispatch" to check who should be where, and I needed to move down a cabin, still not economy, but down from my assigned level of cabin. Unfortunately, my wife was still downstairs, hovering by the bar area, and heard the conversation from "dispatch" point of view. Thing is, "dispatch" happened to be another member of crew, merrily playing along with the farce. Truly a pathetic display, but as staff, we decided not to complain. I just hope such a situation doesn't occur when paying passengers have been bumped due to status etc. Maybe not the right thread to air this, but staff travel is a privilege that I believe shouldn't be abused, and is part of an earned benefits package; giving your mates a jolly at someone else’s expense narks me more than a little.
I think what you describe above is how Cabin Crew get around the official staff upgrade process! Your love of 1K may not be well viewed by your wife's employer.
I am fortunate to be in a family that benefits from space available staff upgrades, but these should normally be performed at the gate/check-in, though I do except that last minute changes do occur.
However, it is quite common to see cabin crew move family, or worse, friends around cabins following door closure. This unfortunately is not always done discreetly, or honestly. On one occasion I walked to my assigned up-grade seats to find two people already sat there, having a great giggle with a member of crew. Politely flashed my boarding card and said "I think that's my seat". Passengers went very quiet, head down, looked sheepish etc. Crew member now starts doing all the talking, "their must be a mistake etc". Quietly offered that I was on staff travel, not wanting to make a fuss etc, to which the crew member replied she knew that.
What followed was a farce. She radioed "dispatch" to check who should be where, and I needed to move down a cabin, still not economy, but down from my assigned level of cabin. Unfortunately, my wife was still downstairs, hovering by the bar area, and heard the conversation from "dispatch" point of view. Thing is, "dispatch" happened to be another member of crew, merrily playing along with the farce. Truly a pathetic display, but as staff, we decided not to complain. I just hope such a situation doesn't occur when paying passengers have been bumped due to status etc. Maybe not the right thread to air this, but staff travel is a privilege that I believe shouldn't be abused, and is part of an earned benefits package; giving your mates a jolly at someone else’s expense narks me more than a little.
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Originally Posted by Cyrano
So for this problem scenario to happen, Mr Foxile and Miss X have to buy tickets (in their unmarried names) sometime before the wedding, and then Miss X has to stop off at the Passport Office en route from church to airport to replace her Miss X passport with a new "Mrs Foxile" passport (which she needs a marriage cert to obtain). 
Alternatively, she can travel with a ticket in her maiden name and not change her passport - there is no requirement to do so.
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But if they're after blagging a gratis upgrade based on it being their honeymoon it's giong to look less dodgy if they've both got the same surname. Also less bother from immigration I'd imagine.
