How to get a First Class Upgrade
Join Date: Sep 1999
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Checked in to Economy, upgraded to Business at the gate, met by the Captain at the top of the boarding steps, moved to First Class, 8 hours later sat in the cockpit for landing in JNB...........
Sometimes it pays to work for an airline
Mutt.
Sometimes it pays to work for an airline
Mutt.
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Genolier, Switzerland
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Words?
The last few replies have been entertaining. What exact words and attitude are you using when asking?
Swissair also told me that the total number of miles ever travelled counted for upgrade prioritization, and have upgraded me a number of times on really cheap fares. I don't know whether this applies to Swiss.
KLM used to have a card that gave automatic upgrades to First on request, meaning that if you asked, you got it. It was called the "Courtesy Card", and the upgrades only worked on return trips to Amsterdam, if seats were available. Had such a card, but I don't think it exists any more. Nor do they have First any more.
Never managed to get Lufthansa to upgrade me without charge, despite long-term Senator card. Still, the Senator card gives periodic free upgrade coupons anyway, without hitting FF miles.
Momo
Swissair also told me that the total number of miles ever travelled counted for upgrade prioritization, and have upgraded me a number of times on really cheap fares. I don't know whether this applies to Swiss.
KLM used to have a card that gave automatic upgrades to First on request, meaning that if you asked, you got it. It was called the "Courtesy Card", and the upgrades only worked on return trips to Amsterdam, if seats were available. Had such a card, but I don't think it exists any more. Nor do they have First any more.
Never managed to get Lufthansa to upgrade me without charge, despite long-term Senator card. Still, the Senator card gives periodic free upgrade coupons anyway, without hitting FF miles.
Momo
Paxing All Over The World
momo (not inspired by Momix, by any chance? I think that they are Swiss?
In my 18 months of being Silver on Lufthansa - I never sniffed an upgrade. At the risk of sounding typical about this ... they executed the letter of the agreement and did so TO the letter.
They delivered a good service and I had no quibbles but never felt that I was anything other than a pax. Fair enough, I was not a big spender but if I had a choice to spend big with them?? Route dependent, of course, they would not be my first choice.
In my 18 months of being Silver on Lufthansa - I never sniffed an upgrade. At the risk of sounding typical about this ... they executed the letter of the agreement and did so TO the letter.
They delivered a good service and I had no quibbles but never felt that I was anything other than a pax. Fair enough, I was not a big spender but if I had a choice to spend big with them?? Route dependent, of course, they would not be my first choice.
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A few years ago, my boss was attending monthly board meetings in New York and regularly took Concorde out and back. Travelling to the US on holiday with his wife, they were upgraded from Y to R!
Some people have all the luck ...
Some people have all the luck ...
Join Date: Apr 2000
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PAXboy - I've always thought that airlines are more likely to upgrade their own nationals - purely subjective on my part, but I've always had more upgrades on outbound legs than returns. It's probably down to a certain "easiness" with staff at checkin, rather than any inate nationalism/favouritism. Of course Mr Schmidt, I may be completely wrong...
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I also have an LH Senator card. Over the years I've had one upgrade from Y to C on a European service which was scheduled to operate with and A321 and operated with an A320, it was totally full and presumably they had to upgrade one or more people to get everyone on - but presumably not more than four or they would simply have moved the divider. Given the real differences between Y and C in Europe, I wasn't thrilled by it and I get in C class often enough anyway.
I have been upgraded from C to F on SQ a few times, most recently three weeks ago, always when the plane has been full, presumably because the card is also a Star Alliance Gold card but I must have been in the right place at the right time because they always upgrade their PPS and Solitaire card holders first if they need to upgrade. I actually accumulate most of my mileage on SQ these days but I doubt that they can tell that from my card.
One thing I have done that has worked sometimes when flying on Star Alliance carriers other than LH is ask in the lounge if it is possible to upgrade and pay with miles. I know it isn't at the moment but sometimes they will do it for good will if you spin a story of a long and tiring business trip.
I have been upgraded from C to F on SQ a few times, most recently three weeks ago, always when the plane has been full, presumably because the card is also a Star Alliance Gold card but I must have been in the right place at the right time because they always upgrade their PPS and Solitaire card holders first if they need to upgrade. I actually accumulate most of my mileage on SQ these days but I doubt that they can tell that from my card.
One thing I have done that has worked sometimes when flying on Star Alliance carriers other than LH is ask in the lounge if it is possible to upgrade and pay with miles. I know it isn't at the moment but sometimes they will do it for good will if you spin a story of a long and tiring business trip.
Paxing All Over The World
SLF, "I've always thought that airlines are more likely to upgrade their own nationals."
I would agree with that. When I went out to MUC, knowing that I was going to be there for 18 months, I had to decide whether it was going to be BA or LH. I chose LH as I was irritated by BA.
In the end, about 90% of the trips were on LH, a few on BA (price/time/usual reasons) and two trips on GO. I also had one - but one only! - trip with DebonAir .....
Overall, I had no complaints and used the mileage last year to go LHR ~ MUC ~ JNB return in C, so that was OK.
I would agree with that. When I went out to MUC, knowing that I was going to be there for 18 months, I had to decide whether it was going to be BA or LH. I chose LH as I was irritated by BA.
In the end, about 90% of the trips were on LH, a few on BA (price/time/usual reasons) and two trips on GO. I also had one - but one only! - trip with DebonAir .....
Overall, I had no complaints and used the mileage last year to go LHR ~ MUC ~ JNB return in C, so that was OK.
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Upgrading "nationals"
I've always thought that airlines are more likely to upgrade their own nationals - purely subjective on my part, but I've always had more upgrades on outbound legs than returns. It's probably down to a certain "easiness" with staff at checkin, rather than any inate nationalism/favouritism.
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Momo - in answer to your last, (1) unlimited charm coupled with (2) slightly frosty irritation at failure to warn me of 4 hour delay. Difficult combination to get right. Plus (3) the ability to speak enough Spanish...
But flying IB next time, probably not so easy as I put all my miles on my BA card rather than the IB one, so don't suppose they'll feel they owe me anything! Fair one, I guess.
I have no pride, will do anything for a flat bed on overnight flights!!
But flying IB next time, probably not so easy as I put all my miles on my BA card rather than the IB one, so don't suppose they'll feel they owe me anything! Fair one, I guess.
I have no pride, will do anything for a flat bed on overnight flights!!
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First ever upgrade on long haul was Emirates flight from DXB to MAN. Being a silver card holder (and smartly dressed) I went to the business class checkin and asked about the possibility of 'paying for an upgrade' - the reply ''well you can, but I wouldn't do that if I were you Sir, your flight is overbooked and you stand a good chance of getting upgraded for free' - What a nice lady she turned out to be - she told me that upgrades would be allocated once the checkin had closed and to ask the gate staff. As I got to the gate a heavily pregnant lady travelling alone (who also turned out to be a silver card holder) was in front of me and asked about her upgrade, which was politely declined. I told them without much hope that 'One of their colleagues had mentioned the possibility of an upgrade' - gate agent just smiled and changed my seat number to 2A...! and said "Need to sit you a bit nearer the front sir" I was very pleasantly suprised.
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I've only had one upgrade and didn't even ask for it. Had a longhaul from MAN to KUL2 via SIN. Was in cattle class all the way to SIN (i'm 6ft 2in so it wasn't much fun...) then inexplicably as I was boarding plane from SIN to KUL2 a charming stewardess looked at my boarding pass, smiled and directed me to business class. Thumbs up to SIA! Shame it was only for the short hop...
Wicked Moderator
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Question
Ok, now I know my question is going to cause a bit of a hell ...
But ....
There is something I really really would like to ask ...
If you are so kind about travelling in first class/business class,
why don't you buy such a ticket?
But ....
There is something I really really would like to ask ...
If you are so kind about travelling in first class/business class,
why don't you buy such a ticket?
Title? What title?
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Upgrade
A few months ago, I turned up at LHR with my Virgin ticket to LAX only to be told by an apologetic check in lady that she was going to have to upgrade me to Upper Class (If this counts as genuine 1st, I leave up to you but I was over the moon). My uniform - leather jacket, jeans and no trainers. Imagine my suprise when on my return, again with an economy ticket, I was called to the departure gate 20 minutes before we boarded and had my economy boarding card exchanged for an Upper Class boarding card. My uniform - leather Jacket, Jeans & no trainers.
I have no idea why I was so lucky - I didnt ask, I didnt exactly meet the 'uniform' and I followed no angry passenger to check in.
Thanks Virgin - (now my automatic choice of long haul carrier providing the cost difference isnt too much)
I have no idea why I was so lucky - I didnt ask, I didnt exactly meet the 'uniform' and I followed no angry passenger to check in.
Thanks Virgin - (now my automatic choice of long haul carrier providing the cost difference isnt too much)
Join Date: Jan 2001
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If you are so kind about travelling in first class/business class, why don't you buy such a ticket?
LHR-LAX-LHR next month on BA.
Economy class £250.
Business class £5000
First class £7500
One is great value but a miserable experience, two are rather nice but total rip offs.
'nuff said
LHR-LAX-LHR next month on BA.
Economy class £250.
Business class £5000
First class £7500
One is great value but a miserable experience, two are rather nice but total rip offs.
'nuff said
Wicked Moderator
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So get what you can afford
As CC it seems to us very *@]+ when Y pax try to be doggy to get upgraded! You can believe what people are able to make up once on board!!! in 16 years flying I have heard them all!!!
.... and it doesn't work with me I am afraid
... Last I have to deal with (full A/C in Y) was a Y pax seating on lx part, he said that he couldn't fly on lx part, but only on rx, therefore he wanted to be upgraded to be on rx part
... And by the way ... I'd love to drive a Ferrari, but I am afraid can only afford a VW
As CC it seems to us very *@]+ when Y pax try to be doggy to get upgraded! You can believe what people are able to make up once on board!!! in 16 years flying I have heard them all!!!
.... and it doesn't work with me I am afraid
... Last I have to deal with (full A/C in Y) was a Y pax seating on lx part, he said that he couldn't fly on lx part, but only on rx, therefore he wanted to be upgraded to be on rx part
... And by the way ... I'd love to drive a Ferrari, but I am afraid can only afford a VW
Last edited by Xenia; 20th Dec 2002 at 16:52.
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So get what you can afford
Ah, you are obviously too busy running around on those long tedious flights to read those mags found in the seat back pocket. Big advertiser is a Dr Chester Karrass, flogging his negotiating seminars. As he succinctly says
Sums it up quite nicely (and life in general too).
Ah, you are obviously too busy running around on those long tedious flights to read those mags found in the seat back pocket. Big advertiser is a Dr Chester Karrass, flogging his negotiating seminars. As he succinctly says
You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate
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Great to see so many positive comments about the different carriers who do and don't upgrade.
Do some of you actually base your decision about who to fly with
on the best chance of an upgrade?.
Personally I would choose on reliability and safety.
I got a basket of shopping last week at Tesco's and did'nt expect
to be given the chance to fill a trolley for free!!!!.
Have a look at your favourite airlines on:-
www.worldairlinephotography.co.uk
Merry Xmas to you all and SAFE flying.
NJR.
Do some of you actually base your decision about who to fly with
on the best chance of an upgrade?.
Personally I would choose on reliability and safety.
I got a basket of shopping last week at Tesco's and did'nt expect
to be given the chance to fill a trolley for free!!!!.
Have a look at your favourite airlines on:-
www.worldairlinephotography.co.uk
Merry Xmas to you all and SAFE flying.
NJR.
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nojackets
Personally I would choose on reliability and safety.
I don't think there is much to differentiate carriers here. Pretty much all are incredibly safe, and reliability is much the same too. I can think of a few 'unreliable' carriers, but the ones I have in mind don't fly long haul where the upgrade really counts.
Do some of you actually base your decision about who to fly with
Yep, I do. To be honest, it doesn't make a vast difference, but some airlines/alliances are better than others. Put all your miles in one account and get top tier status. There are other significant benefits, like lounge access, check-in without the queues, better seats in economy if you don't get an upgrade, upgrade certificates, etc etc etc.
I don't think the 'MacDonalds' and 'Tesco' analogies hold water. These businesses have never held out the expectation of upgrades by providing them, the airlines have. The airlines only have themselves to blame for this. For instance, airlines deliberately overbook their economy seats so either have to pay compensation or upgrade. As people know they sometimes upgrade because it's cheaper, you cannot criticise them in the slightest for trying to increase their chance of receiving that upgrade by the harmless action of asking for it.
If Tesco started giving extra ham to those who asked for it, you can bet your bottom dollar that people will start asking. If you want to find fault with this, don't point your finger at the customer
Personally I would choose on reliability and safety.
I don't think there is much to differentiate carriers here. Pretty much all are incredibly safe, and reliability is much the same too. I can think of a few 'unreliable' carriers, but the ones I have in mind don't fly long haul where the upgrade really counts.
Do some of you actually base your decision about who to fly with
Yep, I do. To be honest, it doesn't make a vast difference, but some airlines/alliances are better than others. Put all your miles in one account and get top tier status. There are other significant benefits, like lounge access, check-in without the queues, better seats in economy if you don't get an upgrade, upgrade certificates, etc etc etc.
I don't think the 'MacDonalds' and 'Tesco' analogies hold water. These businesses have never held out the expectation of upgrades by providing them, the airlines have. The airlines only have themselves to blame for this. For instance, airlines deliberately overbook their economy seats so either have to pay compensation or upgrade. As people know they sometimes upgrade because it's cheaper, you cannot criticise them in the slightest for trying to increase their chance of receiving that upgrade by the harmless action of asking for it.
If Tesco started giving extra ham to those who asked for it, you can bet your bottom dollar that people will start asking. If you want to find fault with this, don't point your finger at the customer