Who wants an upgrade!!!!!?
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Who wants an upgrade!!!!!?
Right! - Now your all here...
How do you do it? Get an upgrade that is.
What are your tricks and tips? What has worked? What has not?
Just interested...........
How do you do it? Get an upgrade that is.
What are your tricks and tips? What has worked? What has not?
Just interested...........
Join Date: Sep 2001
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The following seem to be factors:
1) Be on a flight that is full in the class you hold a ticket for (if this isn't the case then you are very unlikely to get an upgrade)
2) Be a top-tier frequent flier member
3) Reserve a specific extra legroom seat (assuming we are talking economy to business upgrade here - push for upper deck if you mean business to first)
4) Wear a suit (if male - similar if female) - you will almost never get upgraded in jeans, particularly to first.
5) Check in very late (bit high risk this one - there's a chance you may have lost your legroom seat and all the upgrades are gone)
6) Or alternatively, particularly on very over-booked flights, check in as early as possible using online or telephone checkin - this way they know you are coming and can plan their upgrades.
7) Hold an expensive ticket. (Although on one occasion I held a super, super cheap economy ticket, used miles to upgrade to business, and then got upgraded on check-in to first - that was nice
)
But despite lots of trying I still haven't worked out a fool proof plan. I've had upgrades confirmed 36 hours before when doing an online check-in, I've had them at the check-in counter, in the lounge and at the gate. The problem is that if you worry too much about it then you get to the point when you are on a full flight with a top-tier card you get upset about not being upgraded.
1) Be on a flight that is full in the class you hold a ticket for (if this isn't the case then you are very unlikely to get an upgrade)
2) Be a top-tier frequent flier member
3) Reserve a specific extra legroom seat (assuming we are talking economy to business upgrade here - push for upper deck if you mean business to first)
4) Wear a suit (if male - similar if female) - you will almost never get upgraded in jeans, particularly to first.
5) Check in very late (bit high risk this one - there's a chance you may have lost your legroom seat and all the upgrades are gone)
6) Or alternatively, particularly on very over-booked flights, check in as early as possible using online or telephone checkin - this way they know you are coming and can plan their upgrades.
7) Hold an expensive ticket. (Although on one occasion I held a super, super cheap economy ticket, used miles to upgrade to business, and then got upgraded on check-in to first - that was nice
)But despite lots of trying I still haven't worked out a fool proof plan. I've had upgrades confirmed 36 hours before when doing an online check-in, I've had them at the check-in counter, in the lounge and at the gate. The problem is that if you worry too much about it then you get to the point when you are on a full flight with a top-tier card you get upset about not being upgraded.
Paxing All Over The World
There is NO way to be sure. You do not know if the airline is having a push TO upgrade people - so that they get the idea of what it is like - or if they are having a push to NOT allow upgrades as too many people have been getting them!
I have found that one certain way of NOT getting an upgrade - is to ask for it on check-in! It may be summed up by the words, "They have heard this one before"!
I have found that one certain way of NOT getting an upgrade - is to ask for it on check-in! It may be summed up by the words, "They have heard this one before"!
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Yeh! Paxboy and just to really wind em up I tell them when they ask on boarding " sorry you should have asked at check in."
You can see the bubbles form under their skin as their blood boils.
The wierd thing is when I bought a car last year I didn't turn up on the day of collection and demand the next model up.
My attempts in Currys to get a very large widescreen telly by buying a portable and grovelling didn't work either though they were very polite.
You can see the bubbles form under their skin as their blood boils.
The wierd thing is when I bought a car last year I didn't turn up on the day of collection and demand the next model up.
My attempts in Currys to get a very large widescreen telly by buying a portable and grovelling didn't work either though they were very polite.
mainfrog2, like it 
.
I have been upgraded a few times. I have never asked to be upgraded but I always wear a suit and turn up early (6 hours before the flight on one occasion but I was hoping to get on the earlyer flight). I am also always very polite (@rsekisser) at all stages. It is concerning however when you ge upgraded because "we need to balance the aircraft", how much do they think I weigh!.
P.S. Upgrades at Currys - easy, I always haggle and normally end up with stuff thrown in, "No that is a sales price on that vieo that has also been discounted as it is a display model so we cannot let it go for any less, oh OK we will throw in 20 (yes 20) cassettes.
.I have been upgraded a few times. I have never asked to be upgraded but I always wear a suit and turn up early (6 hours before the flight on one occasion but I was hoping to get on the earlyer flight). I am also always very polite (@rsekisser) at all stages. It is concerning however when you ge upgraded because "we need to balance the aircraft", how much do they think I weigh!.
P.S. Upgrades at Currys - easy, I always haggle and normally end up with stuff thrown in, "No that is a sales price on that vieo that has also been discounted as it is a display model so we cannot let it go for any less, oh OK we will throw in 20 (yes 20) cassettes.
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Your not that overweight under exposed but the aircraft I work on if you've only got about 10 pax on board it is fairly important where you sit so mysteriously you've more chance of an upgrade if we're nearly empty. But it is only a little one. Aircraft I mean.
Dressing smart and being polite at checkin won't guarantee an upgrade but it will put youin the frame so to speak.
Aircraft I mean.Dressing smart and being polite at checkin won't guarantee an upgrade but it will put youin the frame so to speak.
Paxing All Over The World
mainfrog2 - Yup, I have heard of the front desk telling you to ask on the a/c and then being told the opposite. 
I hope that those of us that take an interest in the airline and the staff will have the patience and politeness to wait until invited.
I think that under_exposed's example of 'expecting' an upgrade from an electrical wholesaler, is a very good way to show how pax have a perverted sense of what they have purchased.
My one serious irritation was being offerred an upgrade on a particular ticket (for a long haul sector of what was going to be around the world) and then being told that the class was full and the upgrade would be given on the next sector. When I got to that sector, they looked at the letter (from their own carrier customer service department), and promptly ignored it!
When I got back to London, I told the story and was issued with another letter for another upgrade but, as it turned out, I did not take a trip for which it could have been used, within it's 12 months validity!
<Rings call bell and asks for another brandy>
I hope that those of us that take an interest in the airline and the staff will have the patience and politeness to wait until invited.
I think that under_exposed's example of 'expecting' an upgrade from an electrical wholesaler, is a very good way to show how pax have a perverted sense of what they have purchased.
My one serious irritation was being offerred an upgrade on a particular ticket (for a long haul sector of what was going to be around the world) and then being told that the class was full and the upgrade would be given on the next sector. When I got to that sector, they looked at the letter (from their own carrier customer service department), and promptly ignored it!
When I got back to London, I told the story and was issued with another letter for another upgrade but, as it turned out, I did not take a trip for which it could have been used, within it's 12 months validity!
<Rings call bell and asks for another brandy>
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The following have worked for me:
- Full fare economy ticket on a Saturday
- Turn up a day late with FFE ticket
- ITX ticket + gold card (got mrs. m upgraded too)
I never wear a suit, but I'm always polite.
Got downgraded once, too...
- Full fare economy ticket on a Saturday
- Turn up a day late with FFE ticket
- ITX ticket + gold card (got mrs. m upgraded too
)I never wear a suit, but I'm always polite.
Got downgraded once, too...
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Well a friend of mine who travels to the far east regularly says he asks for an 'SUB'? whatever that stands for and on more than half the occasions has been upgraded to business...anyone know more about this...airlines have been Thai and Eva...
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Yeah, I think this is "Suitable for Upgrade", but I haven't heard of it recently. Apparently, they could mark your details on checkin, and then if too many people turn up, you get the upgrade. I think this was from the days when "dressing to fly" was prevalent
Volunteering to be bumped, or actually getting bumped. Worked for me a few times - as has also having a highest tier frequent traveller card and turning up in a suit and tie.
Paxing All Over The World
'SFU' worked for me once but because I DID NOT ask for it!!!!
I was doing LHR / JNB with VS and was travelling In Premium Economy. This is the Full Fare Economy. I arrived early for checkin and found that the Upper Class queue was empty but a number of people at the PE. So I stole across to Upper and asked if I could check in there, as she was not busy.
I also showed my FFM card - although lowest tier. Normal outbound journey but, when I checked in for the return, I was immediately informed that I was being upgraded to Upper. Which pleased me greatly.
I still think that asking for the upgrade is more often likely to lead to it not being given. Of course, many factors are taken into account.
I was doing LHR / JNB with VS and was travelling In Premium Economy. This is the Full Fare Economy. I arrived early for checkin and found that the Upper Class queue was empty but a number of people at the PE. So I stole across to Upper and asked if I could check in there, as she was not busy.
I also showed my FFM card - although lowest tier. Normal outbound journey but, when I checked in for the return, I was immediately informed that I was being upgraded to Upper. Which pleased me greatly.
I still think that asking for the upgrade is more often likely to lead to it not being given. Of course, many factors are taken into account.
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Well all very interesting people. May I say that asking the crew for a upgrade is a sure fire way NOT to get one however.
But you are all quite right in saying that you can be flagged as suitable for upgrade. But this does not gurantee you one.
May I say that a friend of mine often travelled Europe an claims to have been upgraded 50% of the time. His recipie for success was to flirt with the check in girl and when asked on where he'd like to sit said "in club!!" with a cheeky smile. Believe me even though you may have had **** day - taking it out on the check in staff and throwing your toys out of the pram is not going to get you that isle/window/bulkhead seat or upgrade. Be nice to them - it may get you a more comfortable ride home.
But you are all quite right in saying that you can be flagged as suitable for upgrade. But this does not gurantee you one.
May I say that a friend of mine often travelled Europe an claims to have been upgraded 50% of the time. His recipie for success was to flirt with the check in girl and when asked on where he'd like to sit said "in club!!" with a cheeky smile. Believe me even though you may have had **** day - taking it out on the check in staff and throwing your toys out of the pram is not going to get you that isle/window/bulkhead seat or upgrade. Be nice to them - it may get you a more comfortable ride home.
Check-in staff rarely have authority to upgrade. Best to try at the gate. However, these days of tight budgets there are no spare Business Class meals available unless there are no-shows (I'm talking European flights here). To be honest, on the short flights I just don't bother anymore - I prefer the sandwich! And, as far as some conmpanies go, I prefer a row to myself in Economy than a MIDDLE SEAT in BUSINESS!
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Interesting ... Mmmmm...
Yes I fly a lot - mainly in Business (C) but with discounted tickets (D,J) and not that often in Eco (Y) - but on the occassions when I have really wanted and tried to get the upgrades (long haul) I have been lucky sometimes.
Tips:
As previously indicated - Lots of FF status - for me Blazer & tie if possible or at least chic.. depending on where I've gone.
Having an RTW helps I think, or a mega-leg ticket.
If you want, or need it, always - suggest that you would appreciate it if any upgrades were available - both on check-in (where the SUB or PAI tag is added) and later. Go to the gate ASAP and 'ask what the chances are'? The standard answer is doesn't look good, which is the perfect opening to the reply with the reason why it would be appreciated - this is my second long leg back to back, they killed my kneecaps on the last flight in eco (helps being 6'3), have to walk off this long haul straight into a meeting, or whatever.
Never demand
, never ask directly, don't be pushy. Always smile, chat (but only if they have time) and just be a gentleman... why ... with 2 on equal chances or status, or where the airline employee can choose, they will always choose the perceived 'nicer' of the 2.
Good luck - and stay away from my flights pls.
Yes I fly a lot - mainly in Business (C) but with discounted tickets (D,J) and not that often in Eco (Y) - but on the occassions when I have really wanted and tried to get the upgrades (long haul) I have been lucky sometimes.
Tips:
As previously indicated - Lots of FF status - for me Blazer & tie if possible or at least chic.. depending on where I've gone.
Having an RTW helps I think, or a mega-leg ticket.
If you want, or need it, always - suggest that you would appreciate it if any upgrades were available - both on check-in (where the SUB or PAI tag is added) and later. Go to the gate ASAP and 'ask what the chances are'? The standard answer is doesn't look good, which is the perfect opening to the reply with the reason why it would be appreciated - this is my second long leg back to back, they killed my kneecaps on the last flight in eco (helps being 6'3), have to walk off this long haul straight into a meeting, or whatever.
Never demand
, never ask directly, don't be pushy. Always smile, chat (but only if they have time) and just be a gentleman... why ... with 2 on equal chances or status, or where the airline employee can choose, they will always choose the perceived 'nicer' of the 2. Good luck - and stay away from my flights pls.
