Free upgrades... for the brazen
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Does anyone still use the (unnecessary) removable, strap-on type leg cast anymore to get better seating? Used to know a guy who claims to have used it several time on international flights. Not sure how the airline or anyone else could determine necessity for such a leg cast and call 
on it.
on it.
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Only the other week I had a 'I can't bend my knee' type passenger, who tried, and failed, to move into a J class seat prior to pushback. Pax told they had to remain in their Y class seat, on which they refused.
Five minutes later pax offloaded at the gate with his very pissed off mrs
Five minutes later pax offloaded at the gate with his very pissed off mrs
Join Date: Jan 2008
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No problems traveling with a full leg cast (and crutches), did it 4 or 6 times on BA / Qantas and the older 747's. They do ask if you will be OK medically and put you in a seat with a bit more leg room.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I fly SIA and have heard that they never upgrade, is there any truth in this? Not that I've ever tried but having shelled out of my own pocket for business class I would be mightily pissed if someone got it for nothing, and not particularly with them but with the airline.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I've only been upgraded once, flying VS from Hong Kong back to Heathrow. I consider that one to be good karma for agreeing to a work trip to Taiwan at short notice (which meant my employer had to pay for a full-price ticket). It is nice to have a seat where you can lie flat 
I was muttering about being unable to check in on-line for the flight from the hotel in Taiwan but the pleasant surprise at Hong Kong more than made up for that.
Of course, the downside is that my next longhaul was paid for by me, so it was behind the wings and a lot more cramped after the enjoyment of being up front.
I was muttering about being unable to check in on-line for the flight from the hotel in Taiwan but the pleasant surprise at Hong Kong more than made up for that.Of course, the downside is that my next longhaul was paid for by me, so it was behind the wings and a lot more cramped after the enjoyment of being up front.
Join Date: Aug 2009
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I was upgraded once on Qatar Airways. A last minute booking so just went for economy as I expected the full price so close to be prohibitive.
Second leg DOH-MNL , I queued as usual to get on. As soon as I presented my card I was told I must go with the check in agent at the side. Panic on my side, no seat??? But no a pleasant surprise, we are full tonight sir so your gold card gives you an upgrade!!
I boarded, the service as usual in business was fantastic. But, due to the fact that I hadn't paid for the ticket I only accepted the most basic of services. I didn't use the free amenities pack, pyjama's or blanket. I had the meals which are always good on Qatar whichever class, but mainly had water, rather than the wines.
Downside: the gentleman next to me was not happy with my jeans and T-shirt dress code. He had a quiet word to the stewardess, who had to come and check my boarding card. They already knew......
They had a quiet word with the gentleman, that as this was his first ever trip with Qatar and I had actually travelled with them numerous times, maybe I had more say in who I should be sat next too and that my Gold card status proved that. He deemed not to speak to me during the entire flight.
My return was in economy, and it was a fantastic service throughout both flights. I would not hesitate to fly economy with them again. But I must admit I was unsure but felt very privileged to be given the upgrade.
I would never ask for a free upgrade.
PS: anyone from Qatar airways, I visit Manila in November.....
Second leg DOH-MNL , I queued as usual to get on. As soon as I presented my card I was told I must go with the check in agent at the side. Panic on my side, no seat??? But no a pleasant surprise, we are full tonight sir so your gold card gives you an upgrade!!
I boarded, the service as usual in business was fantastic. But, due to the fact that I hadn't paid for the ticket I only accepted the most basic of services. I didn't use the free amenities pack, pyjama's or blanket. I had the meals which are always good on Qatar whichever class, but mainly had water, rather than the wines.
Downside: the gentleman next to me was not happy with my jeans and T-shirt dress code. He had a quiet word to the stewardess, who had to come and check my boarding card. They already knew......
They had a quiet word with the gentleman, that as this was his first ever trip with Qatar and I had actually travelled with them numerous times, maybe I had more say in who I should be sat next too and that my Gold card status proved that. He deemed not to speak to me during the entire flight.
My return was in economy, and it was a fantastic service throughout both flights. I would not hesitate to fly economy with them again. But I must admit I was unsure but felt very privileged to be given the upgrade.
I would never ask for a free upgrade.
PS: anyone from Qatar airways, I visit Manila in November.....
Join Date: Jun 2002
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...protested that due to lack of space on the busy flight there was insufficient room for him and so he should be upgraded to J.
And I wouldn't try a DIY upgrade on the plane. Also new Gate Systems (eg. ALTEA) have an on-load priority list. The system decides according to various criteria who will be upgraded and who will be off-loaded. Over-riding the system is difficult and very "noisy" and the back-doors of previous systems are bolted shut. On the aircraft, the senior cabin crew are sent electronic passenger lists on their tablet computers and are charged with ensuring passengers are sat where they are meant to be.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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I boarded, the service as usual in business was fantastic. But, due to the fact that I hadn't paid for the ticket I only accepted the most basic of services. I didn't use the free amenities pack, pyjama's or blanket. I had the meals which are always good on Qatar whichever class, but mainly had water, rather than the wines.
If the airline chooses to give you a free upgrade then enjoy it, you might never get another chance.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Hi,
My wife and I are flying from LHR to MEL via KUL on Malaysian later on this year. Would I be wasting my time asking at check-in for a free upgrade and what do you experienced guys think our chances are?
My wife and I are flying from LHR to MEL via KUL on Malaysian later on this year. Would I be wasting my time asking at check-in for a free upgrade and what do you experienced guys think our chances are?
Join Date: Aug 2002
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My wife and I are flying from LHR to MEL via KUL on Malaysian later on this year. Would I be wasting my time asking at check-in for a free upgrade and what do you experienced guys think our chances are?
By all means ask if they're selling upgrades ... some carriers will sell off excess capacity at discounted rates. But just turning up and saying 'ello luv'.... got any freebies going ? know what I mean ? nudge nudge, wink wink... say no more ..." won't get you anywhere.
I've also heard rumours that Malaysian have quite strict capacity management and so chances of upgrades are minimal anyway. I've had an upgrade with Malaysian, but that was down to status alone.... the girl at checkin made it clear to me that was the case without me asking. Didn't get an upgrade on other occasions, so even status is no guarantee.
Rounded to the nearest % I would say...... 0%
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Pal of mine and his wife fly Qatar out to Thailand quite often. They dress to impress, are quietly spoken, are polite to the check in girls and my pal is one of those guys that can get even a check in girl smiling. I would say they are upgraded to business about 50% of the time. The times they have actually bought business class tickets they have been upgraded to first class. But they have never, ever asked.
If you want an up-grade it is very simple - pay for it!
I have been up-graded a few times when I was an occasional [not frequent] pax, and whilst it was very nice of BA, I would certainly never expect it.
After all, would you go into Tesco and ask to change your bottle of Asti Spumante for a bottle of Krug for no cost just because you have a nice tie!
I have been up-graded a few times when I was an occasional [not frequent] pax, and whilst it was very nice of BA, I would certainly never expect it.
After all, would you go into Tesco and ask to change your bottle of Asti Spumante for a bottle of Krug for no cost just because you have a nice tie!
Join Date: Jan 2008
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About 1969, I was booked to fly Thiefrow to Glasgow (B E A, iirc,)
Arrived late and got bumped.....next flight an hour later presented boarding-card and was told to "turn right"...I didn't realise it was First,despite the big seats, free newspapers, drinks.....
Talk about naive provincial kid from the sticks!
Benbecula, Stornoway, Wick, folowed and finally a limousine from Dundee to Edinburgh.....rejoined the cattle there, to find we were fogged-in.....a convoy of coaches across to Glasgow, enlivened by one of the luggage doors opening and depositing a few cases on the road...eventually, we got a BAC 1-11 to Gatwick......then boarded the train for London, but it was going the wrong way.......finally got home early hours of the morning, having been woken and turfed out by the cleaners at line-end.....about a mile walk, dragging a really heavy case full of spare parts, plus a carry-on with my clothing/toiletries.
Rookie to seasoned-traveller in 5 days
Arrived late and got bumped.....next flight an hour later presented boarding-card and was told to "turn right"...I didn't realise it was First,despite the big seats, free newspapers, drinks.....
Talk about naive provincial kid from the sticks!
Benbecula, Stornoway, Wick, folowed and finally a limousine from Dundee to Edinburgh.....rejoined the cattle there, to find we were fogged-in.....a convoy of coaches across to Glasgow, enlivened by one of the luggage doors opening and depositing a few cases on the road...eventually, we got a BAC 1-11 to Gatwick......then boarded the train for London, but it was going the wrong way.......finally got home early hours of the morning, having been woken and turfed out by the cleaners at line-end.....about a mile walk, dragging a really heavy case full of spare parts, plus a carry-on with my clothing/toiletries.
Rookie to seasoned-traveller in 5 days
