Requesting upgrades
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Requesting upgrades
This might be the wrong forum (apologies if it is) given my question relates to requesting upgrades at check in.
How common is it among dignitaries to book economy, yet request and expect to be upgraded to business class at the gate?
I understand that taxpayers don't want to foot the bill for business class travel, but it seems unreasonable to me to expect to be upgraded when you didn't purchase that class fare.
Overhearing a conversation at my office regarding some upcoming airtravel that my (big) boss, and (not so) big boss will be doing this weekend. He's been instructed on check-in to request an upgrade for both of them, and if he has any issues to be firm about the fact that "in XXX city they always oblige, so what's the problem here".
Is this pretty standard in the industry? Why would the airlines accomodate this request, particularly when we're talking government officials who have the budgets to book business class, yet don't want the optics of doing so.
How common is it among dignitaries to book economy, yet request and expect to be upgraded to business class at the gate?
I understand that taxpayers don't want to foot the bill for business class travel, but it seems unreasonable to me to expect to be upgraded when you didn't purchase that class fare.
Overhearing a conversation at my office regarding some upcoming airtravel that my (big) boss, and (not so) big boss will be doing this weekend. He's been instructed on check-in to request an upgrade for both of them, and if he has any issues to be firm about the fact that "in XXX city they always oblige, so what's the problem here".
Is this pretty standard in the industry? Why would the airlines accomodate this request, particularly when we're talking government officials who have the budgets to book business class, yet don't want the optics of doing so.
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This type of "blackmail" is used every day at check-in, you hear the same thing
ABC airlines always allow me access to their lounge
DEF airlines never charge me for xs baggage
GHI airlines always through check me on a seperate ticket
JKL airlines always let me change restricted fares free of charge
etc etc etc.,
Upgrades usually happen in overbooked situations and even then it is in a controlled way starting with own airline frequent flyer golds then silver, followed by alliance carriers golds etc.
If he asks for an upgrade at check-in using the phrase you quoted I would sit him in a middle seat in last row of Y
LOL
LOL
ABC airlines always allow me access to their lounge
DEF airlines never charge me for xs baggage
GHI airlines always through check me on a seperate ticket
JKL airlines always let me change restricted fares free of charge
etc etc etc.,
Upgrades usually happen in overbooked situations and even then it is in a controlled way starting with own airline frequent flyer golds then silver, followed by alliance carriers golds etc.
If he asks for an upgrade at check-in using the phrase you quoted I would sit him in a middle seat in last row of Y
LOL
LOL
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I remember reading here somewhere that members of the Royal family fly economy and are upgraded by the airline.
This is the kind of thing I'm talking about, as opposed to nobodies like me.
Still, of anyone, they are the ones who can most afford to pay the business class fare to begin with.
This is the kind of thing I'm talking about, as opposed to nobodies like me.
Still, of anyone, they are the ones who can most afford to pay the business class fare to begin with.
N4790P
Interestingly I’ve only twice seen upgrades demanded. Once in Brussels by an MEP and once at Gatwick by an MP (both identified themselves as such).
A bit rich as I’m sure they both claim for business class fares anyway.
Both were upgraded BTW!!
A bit rich as I’m sure they both claim for business class fares anyway.
Both were upgraded BTW!!
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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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SLF question on upgrades
I fly a lot. I pay my own way and scour the net for the best rate. This means my loyalty factor to most airlines is low, but even I have my standards (read comfort zone) and is usually spread out amongst 3 airlines in domestic and about the same number internationally. Therefore I have a Star alliance and a sky team and a Jet airways card as well as Kingfisher card. Sky team and KF are both Gold level currently
I am sure my tickets are always booked in the cheapest class of travel as i ensure advanced planning.
I have never ever been upgraded in my life ever!!!!!!!!!!!! this is after 20 years of regular travel (upto 3 times a month domestic and at least 4 trips international).
I smile at check in, have never really made much noise and take what gets doled out. Whenever requested to pay for excess baggage I do (though i must say most let me off lightly especially when traveling with the entire family).
I have the frequent flyer cards of most alliances. I have never redeemed miles as each time I try there is some blackout in place so in one of my FF accounts I have over 600,000 miles (surely this shows on check in, including that i have always earned it on the cheapest class of travel ever).
So why am I never upgraded ever? Am i doing something wrong.
PS: In case anyone from Jet is here I am flying tommorrow night DEL HKG...........If you can please
.............make my night!
I am sure my tickets are always booked in the cheapest class of travel as i ensure advanced planning.
I have never ever been upgraded in my life ever!!!!!!!!!!!! this is after 20 years of regular travel (upto 3 times a month domestic and at least 4 trips international).
I smile at check in, have never really made much noise and take what gets doled out. Whenever requested to pay for excess baggage I do (though i must say most let me off lightly especially when traveling with the entire family).
I have the frequent flyer cards of most alliances. I have never redeemed miles as each time I try there is some blackout in place so in one of my FF accounts I have over 600,000 miles (surely this shows on check in, including that i have always earned it on the cheapest class of travel ever).
So why am I never upgraded ever? Am i doing something wrong.
PS: In case anyone from Jet is here I am flying tommorrow night DEL HKG...........If you can please
.............make my night!
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This means my loyalty factor to most airlines is low
scour the net for the best rate
Of course staying loyal to one airline or alliance would have cost you more in the long run, in which case any upgrade you may have gotten would have been "paid" in higher fares throughout your travels.
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I think a demand for an upgrade would be met with the derision it deserves. Asking nicely for one might work if the loadings were right for you on the day but more likely is an automatic upgrade for a premium card holder.
Having said that, I recently flew back from the States in First on BA. There were five free seats and later I noticed Club was full so upgrades did not seem to have been offered. However, given the standard of First these days, it may have been because BA did not want to embarass itself by having someone refuse to leave Club to go into First
But that's another story....
Having said that, I recently flew back from the States in First on BA. There were five free seats and later I noticed Club was full so upgrades did not seem to have been offered. However, given the standard of First these days, it may have been because BA did not want to embarass itself by having someone refuse to leave Club to go into First
But that's another story....
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it may have been because BA did not want to embarass itself by having someone refuse to leave Club to go into First
I'll be doing a club world on Friday, once again the first for a while, I'll be interested to see how it stacks with my memories.
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F3G
Sorry to thread drift...New Club seating and AV is excellent. Vittals ain't what they used to be but then they aren't on any airline these days...
I was shocked with First. Way out wasn't too bad because the a/c was quite modern. On the way back it was an older 777 with the 12 channel entertainment system and the tiny screen. If your last First (!) experience was mid-nineties then you would be sorely disappointed. Food, wine and the special ambience that was always there has just gone. Cheap little menus with truly the worst food I have ever tasted on an aeroplane, in any class. To be honest, unless BA do something, First is going to go the way of American domestic First Class...just a points upgrade cabin.
I'll be doing a club world on Friday, once again the first for a while, I'll be interested to see how it stacks with my memories.
I was shocked with First. Way out wasn't too bad because the a/c was quite modern. On the way back it was an older 777 with the 12 channel entertainment system and the tiny screen. If your last First (!) experience was mid-nineties then you would be sorely disappointed. Food, wine and the special ambience that was always there has just gone. Cheap little menus with truly the worst food I have ever tasted on an aeroplane, in any class. To be honest, unless BA do something, First is going to go the way of American domestic First Class...just a points upgrade cabin.
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Loyalty
Hey Callbell
Not fair. I have gold status on 2 so it does not mean I am that disloyal. However if the airlines post good fares and I plan in advance that should not be a reason to not pamper me once in a while.
Maybe it is an IT issue. Check in should show entire travel history of person on screen at a click and empower check in person to give upgrades.
Anyways will try tonight again with a nice smile. Hopefully get that sleeper for a change
Not fair. I have gold status on 2 so it does not mean I am that disloyal. However if the airlines post good fares and I plan in advance that should not be a reason to not pamper me once in a while.
Maybe it is an IT issue. Check in should show entire travel history of person on screen at a click and empower check in person to give upgrades.
Anyways will try tonight again with a nice smile. Hopefully get that sleeper for a change
Paxing All Over The World
Wannabe
In many discussions in PPRUNE, we have heard how all airline staff (ground/air) have had flexibility reduced in the last 15 years. This is to save money. If staff are empowered to make changes to routine for the benefit of customers, just think how much they would give away? So this is not going to happen.
The big days of complimentary upgrades are long gone and I find it amusing to hear/watch other people ask for it at check-in or even, last month, on board. I was in a full BA WT+ cabin and CW was only half full. The bloke behind me asked for an upgrade. I think that the relatively short period of upgrades (no more than 15 years start to finish?) has stuck with many people as being 'normal'.
... empower check in person ...
The big days of complimentary upgrades are long gone and I find it amusing to hear/watch other people ask for it at check-in or even, last month, on board. I was in a full BA WT+ cabin and CW was only half full. The bloke behind me asked for an upgrade. I think that the relatively short period of upgrades (no more than 15 years start to finish?) has stuck with many people as being 'normal'.
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I have had a few upgrades, but for the passenger it is hard to tell whether the upgrade is complimentary or operational. One upgrade was for politely waiting in the "premium member" lane while the check-in agent was handling a family with cardboard boxes... a few other times I received an upgrade without apparent reason, never asked for it! 
Can I assume that Airline employees have some discretion in handing out operational upgrades?
Can I assume that Airline employees have some discretion in handing out operational upgrades?
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However if the airlines post good fares and I plan in advance that should not be a reason to not pamper me once in a while.
At the end of the day, it will be for operational reasons only ( overselling or change of aircraft), and the days of upgrading as a way of "thank you" seem to be well and truly gone.
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Worth presenting the frequent flyer card of a different airline at check-in and asking nonchalantly "do I get any miles for this?". (Theory being they will fall over trying to get you to try THEIR service). Did this with CX gold card at Orlando on BA flight to Gatport Airwick and wad upgraded to 1st. Mind you that was a few years ago.
Different airlines, and different airports, have varying social/cultural assumptions.
For instance, Qantas staff focus on giving Qantas staff the upgrades. Pax can get lost. BA staff focus on OpUps., not freebies, and USA staff are focussed on getting money from pax for upgrades.
Then, you'll find that the practice varies between locations. What works in Sin doesn't necessarily work in Hkg.
For instance, Qantas staff focus on giving Qantas staff the upgrades. Pax can get lost. BA staff focus on OpUps., not freebies, and USA staff are focussed on getting money from pax for upgrades.
Then, you'll find that the practice varies between locations. What works in Sin doesn't necessarily work in Hkg.
This obsession with airline upgrading never ceases to amaze me.
Would you go into your local car showroom, pay out for a basic Ford and expect (or ask for) a fully-specced Audi?
Would you expect your local supermarket to allow you to go and take 50% more off the the shelves for nothing when you reach check-out, just because you've chosen to shop with them?
I will agree that the airlines made it worse for themselves when they started upgrading many years ago to cope with overbookings, but pax still think it's the norm, and no, in most cases the hapless check-in person has no control over it whatsoever. The world today is run by bean counters, and as others have correctly pointed out the standard pecking order for upgrading is gold, silver loyalty card, price paid for ticket, etc.
Don't forget too, that there's an issue with meals. Airlines pay caterers ridiculous amounts of money for food, which is why so much of it is no longer available on shorter flights. Therefore, ordering say 7or8 more Business (or First Class) meals for each flight and then not using them is simply wasting a lot of money. Equally if people are upgraded, they expect an upgraded meal and accompaniments; therefore if there are no meals, there are no upgrades -simples.
If you're that keen to know what's it's like to turn left at the entry door, pay for it! Otherwise be content with what you've paid for.
Would you go into your local car showroom, pay out for a basic Ford and expect (or ask for) a fully-specced Audi?
Would you expect your local supermarket to allow you to go and take 50% more off the the shelves for nothing when you reach check-out, just because you've chosen to shop with them?
I will agree that the airlines made it worse for themselves when they started upgrading many years ago to cope with overbookings, but pax still think it's the norm, and no, in most cases the hapless check-in person has no control over it whatsoever. The world today is run by bean counters, and as others have correctly pointed out the standard pecking order for upgrading is gold, silver loyalty card, price paid for ticket, etc.
Don't forget too, that there's an issue with meals. Airlines pay caterers ridiculous amounts of money for food, which is why so much of it is no longer available on shorter flights. Therefore, ordering say 7or8 more Business (or First Class) meals for each flight and then not using them is simply wasting a lot of money. Equally if people are upgraded, they expect an upgraded meal and accompaniments; therefore if there are no meals, there are no upgrades -simples.
If you're that keen to know what's it's like to turn left at the entry door, pay for it! Otherwise be content with what you've paid for.
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Just to be clear--I'm not personally asking for an upgrade. I've been upgraded twice in my life. Once because the connection was missed to to a flight delay and they had to jam us all in to the next one. Me and 1 other guy were the last to make the gate, and me and the other guy were upgraded, and once because a friend arranged it (he was the manager for the airline at the airport we were departing from).
My question would relate more to dignataries--say, royalty, heads of state, judges, or whatever. They book economy, but expect and ask for upgrades.
I would expect airlines to tell average joes like me to GFY if I requested an upgrade. I just wonder why they don't do it for the above as well.
My question would relate more to dignataries--say, royalty, heads of state, judges, or whatever. They book economy, but expect and ask for upgrades.
I would expect airlines to tell average joes like me to GFY if I requested an upgrade. I just wonder why they don't do it for the above as well.
Fair enough, but the subject comes up very frequently on these boards, and is also media-driven, at least on this side of the Atlantic.
I would never upgrade anyone just because of their position. I believe most heads of state would travel at the front anyway, not least for security reasons. Members of Parliament in the UK generally travel in Business anyway, certainly on long-haul. I agree they're hard-faced enough to ask - they wouldn't get to be MPs otherwise!
There are sometimes comments by a PNR which may include SFU - suitable for upgrade. This is a subtle way of saying that, all other things being equal, they should be upgraded. There may be many reasons for this though.
I would never upgrade anyone just because of their position. I believe most heads of state would travel at the front anyway, not least for security reasons. Members of Parliament in the UK generally travel in Business anyway, certainly on long-haul. I agree they're hard-faced enough to ask - they wouldn't get to be MPs otherwise!
There are sometimes comments by a PNR which may include SFU - suitable for upgrade. This is a subtle way of saying that, all other things being equal, they should be upgraded. There may be many reasons for this though.