Requesting upgrades
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There are sometimes comments by a PNR which may include SFU - suitable for upgrade.
...
There may be many reasons for this though.
...
There may be many reasons for this though.
I've had a few upgrades in my time, mostly when I have been on a higher tier of a frequent flyer scheme and the flight has been pretty busy. I do remember flying QR from LGW-HKG via DOH once. A management looking type was going up to smartly dressed people in the check in queue and asking to see their frequent flyer details (if any), presumably to upgrade the right person. Unfortunately I never got asked (though I did get upgraded from DOH-HKG).
I dont expect an upgrade when I fly but it would be interesting to know how airlines decide who to give them to when they have to...
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Just for the record, at British Airways the comment SFU is usually deleted or ignored altogether. If operational upgrades are required, there are usually sufficient BA Gold or Silver cardholders or One World Alliance Emerald/Sapphires to make the required numbers.
On selected flights, an upgrade from WT to WT+ may be purchased, but now that the recession seems to be over, we are finding that we need to offer this on fewer flights.
I think Royal Protocol would consider it bad form for Prince William to accept an upgrade. As far as I am aware, members of the Royal Family always pay the properly negotiated fare with British Airways (which may or may not be discounted due to the immeasurable goodwill, publicity and tickets sales Her Majesty - God Bless Her - and her family generate for the airline on her State visits.)
As a serving soldier, I was on a number of occasions very close to members of the Royal Family while they conducted business. Of one thing I can absolutely testify - they would never take advantage of their elevated status to gain advantageous discounts or gifts. It quite simply isn't done!
Of course, as well as protecting the Royal Code of Conduct, doing the decent thing also means the gutter press have no nasty stories about tantrums being thrown by a demented diva princess being refused an upgrade, or jumping up and down screaming "Do You Know Who I Am?" Even when things go horribly wrong, most members of the Royal Family will behave with absolute charm and dignity.
For anyone who supports the anti-monarchy brigade, working closely with these lovely people will alter one's opinion.
It is the so-called and self-styled "Celebrity" - the scourge of modern life - that is most likely to buy the cheapest, non-flexible economy ticket and demand that all the stops are pulled out!
On selected flights, an upgrade from WT to WT+ may be purchased, but now that the recession seems to be over, we are finding that we need to offer this on fewer flights.
Prince William and his girlfriend always book economy or premium economy but always turn down the offer of an upgrade and prefer to keep things low key. Rather refreshing I think
As a serving soldier, I was on a number of occasions very close to members of the Royal Family while they conducted business. Of one thing I can absolutely testify - they would never take advantage of their elevated status to gain advantageous discounts or gifts. It quite simply isn't done!
Of course, as well as protecting the Royal Code of Conduct, doing the decent thing also means the gutter press have no nasty stories about tantrums being thrown by a demented diva princess being refused an upgrade, or jumping up and down screaming "Do You Know Who I Am?" Even when things go horribly wrong, most members of the Royal Family will behave with absolute charm and dignity.
For anyone who supports the anti-monarchy brigade, working closely with these lovely people will alter one's opinion.
It is the so-called and self-styled "Celebrity" - the scourge of modern life - that is most likely to buy the cheapest, non-flexible economy ticket and demand that all the stops are pulled out!
Last edited by bealine; 22nd Oct 2009 at 21:26.
Quote:
There are sometimes comments by a PNR which may include SFU - suitable for upgrade.
...
There may be many reasons for this though.
Do you know what sort of reasons they might be?
I've had a few upgrades in my time, mostly when I have been on a higher tier of a frequent flyer scheme and the flight has been pretty busy. I do remember flying QR from LGW-HKG via DOH once. A management looking type was going up to smartly dressed people in the check in queue and asking to see their frequent flyer details (if any), presumably to upgrade the right person. Unfortunately I never got asked (though I did get upgraded from DOH-HKG).
I dont expect an upgrade when I fly but it would be interesting to know how airlines decide who to give them to when they have to...
There are sometimes comments by a PNR which may include SFU - suitable for upgrade.
...
There may be many reasons for this though.
Do you know what sort of reasons they might be?
I've had a few upgrades in my time, mostly when I have been on a higher tier of a frequent flyer scheme and the flight has been pretty busy. I do remember flying QR from LGW-HKG via DOH once. A management looking type was going up to smartly dressed people in the check in queue and asking to see their frequent flyer details (if any), presumably to upgrade the right person. Unfortunately I never got asked (though I did get upgraded from DOH-HKG).
I dont expect an upgrade when I fly but it would be interesting to know how airlines decide who to give them to when they have to...
To summarise, it can be a lottery, because no two flights are the same, as shown by your experience LGW-DOH-HKG. Hope this helps.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Equally if people are upgraded, they expect an upgraded meal and accompaniments; therefore if there are no meals, there are no upgrades -simples.
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I am on VS23 on Sunday and DEMAND that I be moved up to First Class! Can't be doing with all that economy nightmare.
I am rich but I am too tight to pay for a proper ticket so I will willing sleep with any of the female crew to pay for the upgrade, (after all most of the Virgin crew are hot so the chance of a minger is pretty slim!), and I mean it's the only chance you trolley dollies have of bedding a stud like me and if you are really nice to me I ll even let you call me Mr. X instead of Sir.
Oh and I ll try not to embarass you by telling everyone I only paid £450 to be there as opposed to the £2k they paid. I'll not shout too much when I don't get served first or my tea is a bit stewed.
I trust I can watch some hardcore BDSM movies on my laptop whilst sipping the complimentary champers?
HTC
YES I POST IN JEST!!!!
I am rich but I am too tight to pay for a proper ticket so I will willing sleep with any of the female crew to pay for the upgrade, (after all most of the Virgin crew are hot so the chance of a minger is pretty slim!), and I mean it's the only chance you trolley dollies have of bedding a stud like me and if you are really nice to me I ll even let you call me Mr. X instead of Sir.
Oh and I ll try not to embarass you by telling everyone I only paid £450 to be there as opposed to the £2k they paid. I'll not shout too much when I don't get served first or my tea is a bit stewed.
I trust I can watch some hardcore BDSM movies on my laptop whilst sipping the complimentary champers?
HTC
YES I POST IN JEST!!!!
Sometimes it is better to leave the seats empty and pay any over booking fees thus maintaining the quality of the premium product.
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true or false
I've heard a rumour that on most (American) airlines, you can always ask the stewardess for a free upgrade to businessclass seats (if available) on transatlantic flights, since they don't mind where you sit once you're in the air.
Is this true or just a wild fantasy?
Is this true or just a wild fantasy?
Last edited by IamPAX; 23rd Oct 2009 at 10:38.
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Prince William and his girlfriend always book economy or premium economy but always turn down the offer of an upgrade and prefer to keep things low key. Rather refreshing I think
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I've heard a rumour that on most (American) airliners, you can always ask the stewardess for a free upgrade to businessclass seats (if available) on transatlantic flights, since they don't mind where you sit once you're in the air.
If you're willing to draw your credit card, paid upgrades are pretty easy to get.
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"Protecting Premium"
I once had a chat with a Virgin Captain and he said that BA actually do a fairly good job of "protecting" their premium classes whereas Virgin seem to upgrade everybody. I don't know how true this is but it does make commercial sense. If I knew that there was a realistic chance of a complimentary upgrade, why would I buy a premium ticket?
With regards to the meals, I understand that BA will not upgrade if there is no meal unless it really is an unforeseen situation.
With regards to the meals, I understand that BA will not upgrade if there is no meal unless it really is an unforeseen situation.
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Years ago (probably 1997) I got peed off with Gulf Air in Business because they gave all the freebies / toiletries bags to their staff in Business, and didn't have enough left to go around the male passengers, so I was left with a pink bag (which I gave to my gf when I got back). After a bit of whinging I got a few leftovers in a plastic bag which shut me up. It was only the 4th time I'd flown business, so I was expecting better.
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I've heard a rumour that on most (American) airliners, you can always ask the stewardess for a free upgrade to businessclass seats (if available) on transatlantic flights, since they don't mind where you sit once you're in the air.
Is this true or just a wild fantasy?
Is this true or just a wild fantasy?
On Continental, the dividing curtains between Business First and Coach are firmly closed once airborne and woe betide a coach passenger if he/she dares to try to use one of the BF toilets!
There was a hoo-hah a few years ago where a couple of Continental Flight Attendants were sacked for seating friends on "Buddy" tickets in the BF cabin after take-off (one of CO's Board members just happened to be on the flight, incognito,) So now, unless you have a paid for BF seat, or you are a bona fide upgrade holding a BF boarding pass, it's not going to happen.
For a while, I think American Airlines (like British Airways) used to upgrade on board for a small fee taken by the senior crew member (BA was £250 from Economy to Club) but that has been stopped. American Airlines might still offer an upgrade for a fee at check-in if the Business Class cabin is pretty empty - not sure though.
The pricing of the premium cabins has reduced with the recession so empty premium cabins are becoming less likely.
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I also fly around 70-80 sectors a year and was last upgraded about 3 years ago on a US Airways transatlantic flight. Occasionally fly business, but normally fly on the cheapest tickets and with different airlines so only have silver status with KLM.
To be honest, I don't really care which airline I fly with or what class, and certainly wouldn't pay for business out of my own pocket. A lie flat bed can be nice, but I never sleep anyway, don't really want to eat onboard and can't be bothered with the inflight entertainment.
I do appreciate easy transfers and quick boarding which I get with my KLM silver card anyway.
To be honest, I don't really care which airline I fly with or what class, and certainly wouldn't pay for business out of my own pocket. A lie flat bed can be nice, but I never sleep anyway, don't really want to eat onboard and can't be bothered with the inflight entertainment.
I do appreciate easy transfers and quick boarding which I get with my KLM silver card anyway.
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I took my BA new club world last night and agree with Strake that the seat is excellent, a big improvement on old club world, which was very good; I did not try the AV, as I slept for 4.5 hours out of a 6 hour flight.
That allowed me to go to my hotel, check in, shower, take breakfast and then work a full day.
I also see where Strake is coming from on First, which looked frankly tatty as we deplaned.
That allowed me to go to my hotel, check in, shower, take breakfast and then work a full day.
I also see where Strake is coming from on First, which looked frankly tatty as we deplaned.
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That allowed me to go to my hotel, check in, shower, take breakfast and then work a full day.
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Strake
Thanks for the tip, I have an 'awkward hour' before I can check in to my hotel on arrivel, so this will be a good opportunity to experience the arrivals lounge.
Believe it or not, I'm coming back to London to do some work on Wednesday and am then returning to the same city in the middle east early Thursday morning, this time with Swiss (as I was concerned about the chances of a BA strike when I booked this journey.)
the Arrivals lounge is the one oasis of excellence left both within British Airways and T5
Believe it or not, I'm coming back to London to do some work on Wednesday and am then returning to the same city in the middle east early Thursday morning, this time with Swiss (as I was concerned about the chances of a BA strike when I booked this journey.)
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Well today was a bit of a letdown.
The actual lunch food on the aircraft was not per the menu (e.g. a salmon salad on a flight nearly 7 hours long, the chicken curry that I had chosen was not available, nor the steak) and there was nothing I fancied, but as I had a decent breakfast, thought I would wait and eat in the arrivals lounge, which was advertised as being open until 2pm, with food available.
When I got there at 1255, the 'food' was a selection of fruit, a couple (literally) tired looking cold cuts of meat, 5-6 pieces of cheese and a random selection of a few bread rolls; hot food apparently stops at 1230.
I called the duty manager, who said she was surprised, but then came back to say that this was normal. The catering manager did offer to make me some scrambled eggs, but I was so disillusioned by this time that I thanked her (for I appreciated the offer), left the lounge and then went to M&S Simply Food downstairs for a decent sandwich, leaving my silver card with the duty manager along with a request to close down my executive club membership.
That's it for me with BA, I've used up most of my miles and will stick to Star Alliance in the future, should be able to reach senator level soon.
No single event has brought me to this place, just a series of small niggles and service reductions since the Gate Gourmet problem that have cumulatively persuaded me that BA is no longer near the top of the list and that I can manage without their services (for there is no sense in cutting off your nose.....)
The actual lunch food on the aircraft was not per the menu (e.g. a salmon salad on a flight nearly 7 hours long, the chicken curry that I had chosen was not available, nor the steak) and there was nothing I fancied, but as I had a decent breakfast, thought I would wait and eat in the arrivals lounge, which was advertised as being open until 2pm, with food available.
When I got there at 1255, the 'food' was a selection of fruit, a couple (literally) tired looking cold cuts of meat, 5-6 pieces of cheese and a random selection of a few bread rolls; hot food apparently stops at 1230.
I called the duty manager, who said she was surprised, but then came back to say that this was normal. The catering manager did offer to make me some scrambled eggs, but I was so disillusioned by this time that I thanked her (for I appreciated the offer), left the lounge and then went to M&S Simply Food downstairs for a decent sandwich, leaving my silver card with the duty manager along with a request to close down my executive club membership.
That's it for me with BA, I've used up most of my miles and will stick to Star Alliance in the future, should be able to reach senator level soon.
No single event has brought me to this place, just a series of small niggles and service reductions since the Gate Gourmet problem that have cumulatively persuaded me that BA is no longer near the top of the list and that I can manage without their services (for there is no sense in cutting off your nose.....)
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When I got there at 1255, the 'food' was a selection of fruit, a couple (literally) tired looking cold cuts of meat, 5-6 pieces of cheese and a random selection of a few bread rolls; hot food apparently stops at 1230.