How to get a First Class Upgrade
Paxing All Over The World
Slim-slag, I think that is one way to look at it and one can 'get lucky'. For me, the airline's saftey record and previous personal experience count first.
Secondly is price and FFM scheme, as well as direct/interconnect but sometimes these priorities have to get swopped around.
However, there are some airlines on which I would never fly for reasons of saftey or dislike of the airline's way of doing business. The saftey category is, of course, mainly 2nd and 3rd world carriers.
Secondly is price and FFM scheme, as well as direct/interconnect but sometimes these priorities have to get swopped around.
However, there are some airlines on which I would never fly for reasons of saftey or dislike of the airline's way of doing business. The saftey category is, of course, mainly 2nd and 3rd world carriers.
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Slim-Slag I was only putting forward a different perspective to this thread.
As frequent flyers, I as an employee I am only too pleased to see this rewarded with an upgrade for their loyalty which putting bluntly pays my wages and for which I'm always grateful for.
There have been many different ways pointed out to 'gain' an upgrade but politeness I feel will go a long way with check-in staff.
I often get asked at the door on boarding for an upgrade as the passenger as been declined this on two or three attempts in the terminal.This is always very difficult as generally there are many people listening in, especially the first couple of rows who have paid for their seat and also we do not have the catering to provide the correct service.I have to decline the request however tell them I can upgrade for an increase in fare via their credit card
and still inform them I may not be able to obtain a last minute meal for them.
In the years I have been flying I think two people have taken me up on the offer!!.
The one request I feel is a little unfair on the check-in staff or crew is when a passenger turns up with a club ticket with wife,girlfriend,mistress or (secretary)! i tow,who is on a free milage ticket and then asks if they can sit together,again the only option to this is if they both want to sit in economy.
You are of course correct airlines do overbook in economy and in fact in all cabins and the reason is there is an average no-show
on most flights of between 10-15%, as this is the case if we booked to the exact number of seats we would always have many
empty seats which as we all know is not good business practice.
Many US carriers for years have offered many upgrades and very good FF Miles programmes but I now wonder if they have been too kind for their own good with so many in or facing Chapter 11.
I was not pointing the finger at the passenger for this problem and yes our 'great leaders' within the industry only have themselves to blame.I can see both sides of the argument here
however I felt I must fight for my own corner on this one.The whole world understands many airlines are in deep trouble and have been for a few years before 9/11 and need to get back into profit and giving too many upgrades only drives the yeild down and with this goes your share price and overall is not good for business.
If every upgrade led to the purchase of a full fare ticket in that cabin by that passenger for their next flight it may make sense
but in reality one upgrade justs leads to a request for another
one.
Whatever flight you book and in whatever cabin I wish you all a good flight and if it's myself on the aircraft I'll make sure you get it because you deserve it.
Thanks to you all for your business to all of us in the industry,we certainly need it and we all apriciate it.
Happy New Year to you all and I look forward to seeing you on board.
NJR.
('fly to serve' no longer on the tail but still in the heart.
)
www.worldairlinephotography.co.uk [
As frequent flyers, I as an employee I am only too pleased to see this rewarded with an upgrade for their loyalty which putting bluntly pays my wages and for which I'm always grateful for.
There have been many different ways pointed out to 'gain' an upgrade but politeness I feel will go a long way with check-in staff.
I often get asked at the door on boarding for an upgrade as the passenger as been declined this on two or three attempts in the terminal.This is always very difficult as generally there are many people listening in, especially the first couple of rows who have paid for their seat and also we do not have the catering to provide the correct service.I have to decline the request however tell them I can upgrade for an increase in fare via their credit card
and still inform them I may not be able to obtain a last minute meal for them.
In the years I have been flying I think two people have taken me up on the offer!!.
The one request I feel is a little unfair on the check-in staff or crew is when a passenger turns up with a club ticket with wife,girlfriend,mistress or (secretary)! i tow,who is on a free milage ticket and then asks if they can sit together,again the only option to this is if they both want to sit in economy.
You are of course correct airlines do overbook in economy and in fact in all cabins and the reason is there is an average no-show
on most flights of between 10-15%, as this is the case if we booked to the exact number of seats we would always have many
empty seats which as we all know is not good business practice.
Many US carriers for years have offered many upgrades and very good FF Miles programmes but I now wonder if they have been too kind for their own good with so many in or facing Chapter 11.
I was not pointing the finger at the passenger for this problem and yes our 'great leaders' within the industry only have themselves to blame.I can see both sides of the argument here
however I felt I must fight for my own corner on this one.The whole world understands many airlines are in deep trouble and have been for a few years before 9/11 and need to get back into profit and giving too many upgrades only drives the yeild down and with this goes your share price and overall is not good for business.
If every upgrade led to the purchase of a full fare ticket in that cabin by that passenger for their next flight it may make sense
but in reality one upgrade justs leads to a request for another
one.
Whatever flight you book and in whatever cabin I wish you all a good flight and if it's myself on the aircraft I'll make sure you get it because you deserve it.
Thanks to you all for your business to all of us in the industry,we certainly need it and we all apriciate it.
Happy New Year to you all and I look forward to seeing you on board.
NJR.
('fly to serve' no longer on the tail but still in the heart.
)www.worldairlinephotography.co.uk [
Last edited by nojacketsrequired; 31st Dec 2002 at 00:50.
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nojackets,
I bet you have heard them all! Personally I don't ask and never expect an upgrade. If I get one, I always thank the person who gives me one. Airline employees have recently started thanking me for flying them, especially on United, and I think that is sweet too.
I had to fly Aeroflot a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't actually worried about their safety, but certainly was worried about their economy class. So I paid for an upgrade out of my own pocket - and I never do that. Plenty of decent vodka on offer, but little else. Must have been fun in the back
My following flight was in Economy class on Thai, which was a substantially better experience. Then I got upgraded on a transatlantic flight, which was not much better than economy class in Thai.
The best way to fly long haul is to take a sleeping tablet
I bet you have heard them all! Personally I don't ask and never expect an upgrade. If I get one, I always thank the person who gives me one. Airline employees have recently started thanking me for flying them, especially on United, and I think that is sweet too.
I had to fly Aeroflot a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't actually worried about their safety, but certainly was worried about their economy class. So I paid for an upgrade out of my own pocket - and I never do that. Plenty of decent vodka on offer, but little else. Must have been fun in the back
My following flight was in Economy class on Thai, which was a substantially better experience. Then I got upgraded on a transatlantic flight, which was not much better than economy class in Thai.The best way to fly long haul is to take a sleeping tablet
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Flew ORK-LHR-YYZ lately [BA online ticket]
FF status is BA EC Blue with pathetic no of miles due to online ticket fare = 1/4 miles, but two previous Canada trips on it.
At EI ORK check-in handed seat row 18 for YYZ [744] which turned out to be W [WT Plus]. Nice extra legroom and a few extra video channels. Didn't ask for it. Thanks muchly.
At YYZ it had been snowing and I had been trying to contact BA from Ottawa to find out if I should travel to Toronto or not [bealine if you're listening, perhaps someone could put a service rep on 1800-AIRWAYS, as Pearson wouldn't/couldn't let me talk to anyone at BA there at 1100 EST.] Took the chance and headed down.
On arrival, having got to the head of the largish queue, a delay ensued in printing out my boarding card - the check-in agent was very reassuring, made a quick phone call and handed me a row 14 seat [777] and quietly said "I have a business class seat for you" [I am in long blue coat, jeans, Roots boots]. "Thanks very much" said I. Much nicer than the stupid cow to my left berating the hapless agent about having to be seated with hubby and sprog as sprog was disruptive!
As all my flying is personal and I don't make that much, it may be my first/last J seat for a while so thank you once again BA
Finally, as we departed late, we were all assured that our onward connections were sorted - a 7 hour wait in the circle of hell that is T1 Gate 80-90 ensued, but that's not BA's fault!
I will be flying once again in April and am already checking BA.com for fares! A very happy customer, so I am.
FF status is BA EC Blue with pathetic no of miles due to online ticket fare = 1/4 miles, but two previous Canada trips on it.
At EI ORK check-in handed seat row 18 for YYZ [744] which turned out to be W [WT Plus]. Nice extra legroom and a few extra video channels. Didn't ask for it. Thanks muchly.
At YYZ it had been snowing and I had been trying to contact BA from Ottawa to find out if I should travel to Toronto or not [bealine if you're listening, perhaps someone could put a service rep on 1800-AIRWAYS, as Pearson wouldn't/couldn't let me talk to anyone at BA there at 1100 EST.] Took the chance and headed down.
On arrival, having got to the head of the largish queue, a delay ensued in printing out my boarding card - the check-in agent was very reassuring, made a quick phone call and handed me a row 14 seat [777] and quietly said "I have a business class seat for you" [I am in long blue coat, jeans, Roots boots]. "Thanks very much" said I. Much nicer than the stupid cow to my left berating the hapless agent about having to be seated with hubby and sprog as sprog was disruptive!
As all my flying is personal and I don't make that much, it may be my first/last J seat for a while so thank you once again BA
Finally, as we departed late, we were all assured that our onward connections were sorted - a 7 hour wait in the circle of hell that is T1 Gate 80-90 ensued, but that's not BA's fault!
I will be flying once again in April and am already checking BA.com for fares! A very happy customer, so I am.
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Hi Mark D
As far as I'm aware, 1-800 Airways is supposed to be manned 24/7. I'll certainly let our marketing boys know!
(For the uninitiated, 1-800 AIRWAYS is a toll-free reservations and customer service telephone line available in the USA and Canada directly to British Airways. The technology means that you may be routed to our offices in New York, Delhi or Newcastle depending on how busy the phone networks and our offices are, but you should always receive a response)
"Non-Rev" Airline Staff travellers, take note of that phone number - very useful if you want advance notice of whether or not a service is viable!
As far as I'm aware, 1-800 Airways is supposed to be manned 24/7. I'll certainly let our marketing boys know!
(For the uninitiated, 1-800 AIRWAYS is a toll-free reservations and customer service telephone line available in the USA and Canada directly to British Airways. The technology means that you may be routed to our offices in New York, Delhi or Newcastle depending on how busy the phone networks and our offices are, but you should always receive a response)
"Non-Rev" Airline Staff travellers, take note of that phone number - very useful if you want advance notice of whether or not a service is viable!
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bealine
the touchtone options given on 1800 AIRWAYS weren't very helpful. A "press 0 for operator" was what I was looking for, as I didn't want to book a flight or a holiday flight. Maybe I should have talked to the sales rep who might have put me on somewhere but I had visions of a sales call centre somewhere in the world rather than someone who could contact BA Heathrow or Toronto... oh well, no harm done!
the touchtone options given on 1800 AIRWAYS weren't very helpful. A "press 0 for operator" was what I was looking for, as I didn't want to book a flight or a holiday flight. Maybe I should have talked to the sales rep who might have put me on somewhere but I had visions of a sales call centre somewhere in the world rather than someone who could contact BA Heathrow or Toronto... oh well, no harm done!
I say there boy
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A few years ago now, the missus and I got upgraded from the cheapest of cheap bucket ticket to C on CX HKG-BKK.
Bearing in mind that we were both backpacking, wearing the most casual of casual clothes and were checking in our rucksacks whilst we were upgraded, I guess that it can happen to anyone.
Bearing in mind that we were both backpacking, wearing the most casual of casual clothes and were checking in our rucksacks whilst we were upgraded, I guess that it can happen to anyone.
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It is really in the way that people ask, well for me anyway. Take the example of svo-lhr. 2 top tier card holders, invol upgrades. as they board, one gives me "we've been split up, it's disgusting, what a way 2 treat us, blah blah blah...." quite abrupt. no mention of - we were lucky getting upgraded, any chance u could get us seats together as well PLEASE! i said 2 him, like i would 2 NEone, i'm sorry, take ur allocated seats, and i will do my best 2 get u seated 2gether. when i say it, i mean it 2. they enjoyed the flight sat next 2 each other due 2 an accomodating fellow SLF.
what a way 2 ask. did he think i didn't know he was invol u/g? did he think it would make a difference either way? did he think being abrupt would make me more likely 2 act?
the only difference it made was that i thought, how rude. he still got a good service, but my opinion of him was lower. so, if u get upgraded, but split from ur partner, no need 2 lie, or b abrupt. just ask nicely. it's hard work being nasty. that's y i'm nice 2 all my SLF. i'm lazy. being nice takes less effort!
what a way 2 ask. did he think i didn't know he was invol u/g? did he think it would make a difference either way? did he think being abrupt would make me more likely 2 act?
the only difference it made was that i thought, how rude. he still got a good service, but my opinion of him was lower. so, if u get upgraded, but split from ur partner, no need 2 lie, or b abrupt. just ask nicely. it's hard work being nasty. that's y i'm nice 2 all my SLF. i'm lazy. being nice takes less effort!
Last edited by Golden Runways; 23rd Apr 2003 at 20:10.
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Having worked for a short time in check-in for BA - the rule is anyone who asks/hints/mentions upgrade DOES NOT GET.
If the flight is overbooked in economy the supervisors will watch from above and ring individual check-in desks and inform you who to offer upgrades to.
My advice, remain pleasant but do not ask.
p.s. great if you know someone at check-in as they will upgrade you too.
If the flight is overbooked in economy the supervisors will watch from above and ring individual check-in desks and inform you who to offer upgrades to.
My advice, remain pleasant but do not ask.
p.s. great if you know someone at check-in as they will upgrade you too.
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pinni
I've often thought that too, never expect, never ask, am always polite, am always delighted when it happens...
I reckon I used to get upgraded one in 5 or 6 sectors when gold, about 1 in 10 when silver. Last trip JFK=>LHR bypassed WT+ completely and went straight to a flat bed, wonderful!
I've often thought that too, never expect, never ask, am always polite, am always delighted when it happens...
I reckon I used to get upgraded one in 5 or 6 sectors when gold, about 1 in 10 when silver. Last trip JFK=>LHR bypassed WT+ completely and went straight to a flat bed, wonderful!
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Asking BA does work!
There are times when asking BA for an upgrade does work...
New Years Day 2002 - I'm travelling BA with my wife and a mutual friend JFK-LHR having spent a very chilly night the night before "enjoying" the New Year celebrations in Times Square.
All three of us are travelling on a dirt cheap (booked just post 9/11) e-ticket.
Arrive at check in with just a print from the web-site. The gent on check in looks slightly quizzically at the print and quick as a flash the mutual friend says that we are all more than happy to be upgraded "if that makes things easier for him!"
Thus follows a bit of banter about how the pilot will be delighted to hear of our magnaminous nature etc etc whilst the boarding passes were issued. Then, check-in man picks up the phone, makes a call and afterwards tears up the passes and bumps all three of us up to business. Top bloke.
If he's a ppruner and he's reading this - Thanks very much!
New Years Day 2002 - I'm travelling BA with my wife and a mutual friend JFK-LHR having spent a very chilly night the night before "enjoying" the New Year celebrations in Times Square.
All three of us are travelling on a dirt cheap (booked just post 9/11) e-ticket.
Arrive at check in with just a print from the web-site. The gent on check in looks slightly quizzically at the print and quick as a flash the mutual friend says that we are all more than happy to be upgraded "if that makes things easier for him!"
Thus follows a bit of banter about how the pilot will be delighted to hear of our magnaminous nature etc etc whilst the boarding passes were issued. Then, check-in man picks up the phone, makes a call and afterwards tears up the passes and bumps all three of us up to business. Top bloke.
If he's a ppruner and he's reading this - Thanks very much!
Paxing All Over The World
I think you'll find that he is running the gif on his own web site. The page is then simply referenced in the post above.
For obvious reasons of storage capacity, Capt Pprune (doffs cap, "A thousand comfortable sectors on your name, oh Exalted One.") will not allow personal graphics that appear in the margin under your user name and other images to be stored locally.
If you have a web site. Set up a page with just the image/graphic that you want displayed, nothing else. Then insert a link to that.
For obvious reasons of storage capacity, Capt Pprune (doffs cap, "A thousand comfortable sectors on your name, oh Exalted One.") will not allow personal graphics that appear in the margin under your user name and other images to be stored locally.
If you have a web site. Set up a page with just the image/graphic that you want displayed, nothing else. Then insert a link to that.
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The easiest way to get a upgrade is to join the airlines frequent flier program.
With the carrier that I fly HKG-LHR. the last 6 trips with them, 5 have been upgrades the business class.
I can probabaly guess a typical airlines policy is as follows.
If Y class is overbooked, they upgrade their frequent fliers first.
As for asking for upgrade openly, that will never work.
With the carrier that I fly HKG-LHR. the last 6 trips with them, 5 have been upgrades the business class.
I can probabaly guess a typical airlines policy is as follows.
If Y class is overbooked, they upgrade their frequent fliers first.
As for asking for upgrade openly, that will never work.
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My Upgrades
I am a skint student (also trying to be a pilot, logged 1hr and 20mins to date!!) so I stick to Easyjet so not much chance of an upgrade. Travelled twice on a īproperī airline and have and luckily been offered upgrades 2 out of 2!
First was some pissed Leeds fan wanted to get back quickly so BA asked if I could get the next flight in an hour in exchange for 50 quid and an upgrade to Business class and the Lounge so I happily said yep. Wait wasnīt so bad tasting the bites in the lounge.
Second time I got a dirt cheap flight to Germany to visit my brother, I am stuyding in Liverpool so got overnight train to London for early morning flight. Was similing away in checkin queue at my bargain flight (while hearing other had paid 4 times as much as me) on a decent airline when I suddenly realised I left my passport in my other coat (doh!!!!!!!!!!) so wasted all the money I saved bombing back to Liverpool on train to get my passport and down again in time for the last flight that evening.
The rather attractive young lady felt so sorry (while trying to keep a straight face) for me she changed me onto the last flight for free and a nice upgrade! So I happily helped reduce the bar stock of a few wiskeys and beers.
First was some pissed Leeds fan wanted to get back quickly so BA asked if I could get the next flight in an hour in exchange for 50 quid and an upgrade to Business class and the Lounge so I happily said yep. Wait wasnīt so bad tasting the bites in the lounge.
Second time I got a dirt cheap flight to Germany to visit my brother, I am stuyding in Liverpool so got overnight train to London for early morning flight. Was similing away in checkin queue at my bargain flight (while hearing other had paid 4 times as much as me) on a decent airline when I suddenly realised I left my passport in my other coat (doh!!!!!!!!!!) so wasted all the money I saved bombing back to Liverpool on train to get my passport and down again in time for the last flight that evening.
The rather attractive young lady felt so sorry (while trying to keep a straight face) for me she changed me onto the last flight for free and a nice upgrade! So I happily helped reduce the bar stock of a few wiskeys and beers.
Paxing All Over The World
Welcome aboard Busmmart, two very fine bits of good fortune! The chances of repeating them are slender.
That said, a friend of mine travels DTW~LHR with BA once or twice a year. She gets up to Biz more often than not - that is 50% of the time, even when travelling on redemption tickets.
Scandalous!
She fits the standard requirement of middle aged woman, travelling alone, smartly dressed. Even she does not know how it happens as it is different staff and check-in points that make the upgrades for her.
That said, a friend of mine travels DTW~LHR with BA once or twice a year. She gets up to Biz more often than not - that is 50% of the time, even when travelling on redemption tickets.
Scandalous!She fits the standard requirement of middle aged woman, travelling alone, smartly dressed. Even she does not know how it happens as it is different staff and check-in points that make the upgrades for her.
