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[MSE Lawrence]

This is the place to discuss

Free flight upgrades

as part of the

How to get a flight upgrade guide

Please read the article first, and then come back here to leave feedback. Thanks

Linked Discussions

Buying Flight Upgrades
Frequent Flyer Schemes
How to get an upgrade article

[amf]

Oh god - not this again! Well, I did get an upgrade on a LHR-GLA flight last week....I used one of my free upgrade vouchers bmi gave me as a Gold Card holder. On second thoughts, this may not be completely accurate - I might have used one of the (not free) upgrade vouchers I bought from E-bay.

Now I'm confused......need to sit down!!!!!!

[MSE Martin]

An Important note to help this discussion

As it says in the Flight Upgrades guide.

If you want to guarantee an upgrade, then just jump straight to buying cheap upgrades, as...

Free or 'operational' upgrades do happen, but it's rare; if you're lucky enough to get one, consider it a privilege.

The tips can boost your chance of a free upgrade from miniscule to just unlikely, and as most are neither arduous or difficult, why not give it a go?

________________________________

So please, there's no need for posters to continually and repetitively post about the extremely slim chance of getting an upgrade. That's a given. This is a discussion about tips on how to improve those extremely slim chances to just very slim. If people continue to take this off topic, the posts will be deleted.

Thanks in advance

Martin

[richardw]

The article says

"However, there are a host of hot tips to boost your chance of a free upgrade from minuscule to just unlikely, and as most are neither arduous or difficult, why not give it a go?"

Is unlikey double the chances of minuscule or nearer minuscule I wonder.

[MSE Martin]

Thanks for the spelling notes - we made some late changes to get in under the wire. The guide is due a full proofing first thing tomorrow morning.

[richardw]

"The cheapest way to get a guaranteed upgrade is by using frequent flyer points, so it's well worth joining a scheme (See frequent flyers section, below). Even if you don't build up enough points to pay for the upgrade outright, most airlines will let you supplement the points with cash to arrive at the full amount."

The downside is that you sometimes already need to have booked an upgradeable economy ticket (MFU compatible) first and some of these are flexible tickets which can sometimes be more expensive than a discounted premium economy ticket. It is very complicated www.flyertalk.com is a great website for all of this. Also your insurance may not cover you for the value of a miles enhanced return ticket.

[Little Ettchy]

I've had more upgrades than my wife's had compliments! The last was an upgrade from economy to Upper Class on a Virgin flight to Los Angeles in July. We travel to the USA quite often and, if we have to change flights, the odds are, even if we didn't get an upgrade in England, we'd get one for the connecting flight in the US.

How? Quite simple. When you book your flights, use "Sir" or "Lord" as your title. One particular web booking agency even highlights your 'title' on the booking form. Once your 'title' is seen - especially in the US - the complimentaries come rolling in.

Yes, it's cheeky, some might say dishonest. But when it works the first time, the second, third, fourth etc just comes naturally. In March, when we flew to Las Vegas with a particular American Airline, booking through the usual web booking agency - we were upgraded to business class on the flight, had our room upgraded to a suite at the Venecian and were given a complimentary $1000 in gambling chips. On our departure, we had a complimentary limo for the ride to the airport, checked in and were immediately upgraded for the flight home.

So if you've got the gumption, go for it.

[hammy the hammer]

Originally Posted by Little Ettchy

I've had more upgrades than my wife's had compliments! The last was an upgrade from economy to Upper Class on a Virgin flight to Los Angeles in July. We travel to the USA quite often and, if we have to change flights, the odds are, even if we didn't get an upgrade in England, we'd get one for the connecting flight in the US.

How? Quite simple. When you book your flights, use "Sir" or "Lord" as your title. One particular web booking agency even highlights your 'title' on the booking form. Once your 'title' is seen - especially in the US - the complimentaries come rolling in.

Yes, it's cheeky, some might say dishonest. But when it works the first time, the second, third, fourth etc just comes naturally. In March, when we flew to Las Vegas with a particular American Airline, booking through the usual web booking agency - we were upgraded to business class on the flight, had our room upgraded to a suite at the Venecian and were given a complimentary $1000 in gambling chips. On our departure, we had a complimentary limo for the ride to the airport, checked in and were immediately upgraded for the flight home.

So if you've got the gumption, go for it.

brings back memories of a great song .............
dream , dream, dream

[Sam Bee]

Originally Posted by MSE Martin

Flight Upgrades I have deleted your post.

This is a new thread based on a new article, if you'd like to make a point about upgrades either positive or negative, that's fine.

Yet the article is one that's highly demanded with many people asking questions. We provide a balanced detailed researched article - if you think that's an april fools joke - then you've obviously come to the wrong site.

Regards

Martin

Yes, thank you, i've made many contributions, both positive and negative to the numerous threads that are started on a regular basis about Flight Upgrades. The last 5 you've started have started attracted negative comments because it's comparative to finding the 'golden ticket', in many cases it's equivilent to MSE promoting the purchasing of lottery tickets as a get rich scheme as the chances of getting an upgrade are often just as low.

Yet official thread titles from yourself or a.n.other at MSE, and newsletter titles amongst the lines of 'This is a brand new step-by-step guide to bagging upgrades for free' or 'Flight Upgrades: Try for free' are deceptive because completely free upgrades do not exist. They are headline grabbers.

With upgrades on scheduled airlines long haul in business costing anywhere up to £5000 (rarely below £1500) you are actually giving people hope where none exists. I doubt in any other board or topic would you so frequently promote the promise of something of such high value that is not going to happen.

If you're going to continually alienate the many people who do give a lot of time, expertise and support to this particular forum, then yes I have obviously have come to the wrong site. I'd be more than happy for someone at MSE to delete my account so I can get on with my own work as opposed to looking out for someone I can provide genuine help for.

[Tojo Ralph]

Originally Posted by Sam Bee

You are actually giving people hope where none exists. I doubt in any other board or topic would you so frequently promote the promise of something of such high value that is not going to happen.

And that is exactly the issue I have with these regurgitated, rehashed, misleading and very poorly researched articles and threads and why I feel Martin needs to rethink his efforts to be a Jack of All trades and simply stick to what he knows...... IMHO.

[vanessatillett]

We flew (my husband and I and 2 children under 10) in April to America with Virgin, the agent reserved our seats for us at the time of booking and I tried to check us in on line 24hrs before but couldn't so telephoned Virgin and was told that only the adults could check in online, so I left it. When we got to the airport we were unable to self check and machine said there was a problem. When we went to the desk we were told because we hadn't checked in online our reserved seats had been released and there were no seats even in blocks of 2 that we could have. Obviously the children heard this and started to get nervous and they took ages on the phone but eventually we were upgraded to Premuim Economy. We heard on the flight that PE was full and so others from PE had been moved to 1st class! How luck were they from our misfortune!

Then a week later we flew from New York to Florida with Continetial and the flight was overbooked and they asked for volunteers and as the flight was arriving before we could check in for our accommodation we decided to go for it. We ended up flying 1st class down to Florida, given 800$ to use for another flight, had lunch paid for and even able to use their phone for a long call back home!

On our return flight home from Florida, we were'nt upgrade although we did ask!

But it make for a fab holiday!

[Cardew]

Originally Posted by Little Ettchy

I've had more upgrades than my wife's had compliments! The last was an upgrade from economy to Upper Class on a Virgin flight to Los Angeles in July. We travel to the USA quite often and, if we have to change flights, the odds are, even if we didn't get an upgrade in England, we'd get one for the connecting flight in the US.

How? Quite simple. When you book your flights, use "Sir" or "Lord" as your title. One particular web booking agency even highlights your 'title' on the booking form. Once your 'title' is seen - especially in the US - the complimentaries come rolling in.

Yes, it's cheeky, some might say dishonest. But when it works the first time, the second, third, fourth etc just comes naturally. In March, when we flew to Las Vegas with a particular American Airline, booking through the usual web booking agency - we were upgraded to business class on the flight, had our room upgraded to a suite at the Venecian and were given a complimentary $1000 in gambling chips. On our departure, we had a complimentary limo for the ride to the airport, checked in and were immediately upgraded for the flight home.

So if you've got the gumption, go for it.

Really? Really?

You are extremely lucky that US Immigration let you enter the USA.

I simply don't believe it!!!

[richardw]

Originally Posted by Little Ettchy

When you book your flights, use "Sir" or "Lord" as your title. One particular web booking agency even highlights your 'title' on the booking form. Once your 'title' is seen - especially in the US - the complimentaries come rolling in.

Yes, it's cheeky, some might say dishonest.

Always check all your airlines terms and conditions and all the immigration authorities rules and regulations of the country you are going to before doing this. Also worth checking your travel insurance to see if you are covered for any consequences whatsoever, if any, from inaccurrate information.

[MSE Dan]

Hi guys,

As Martin has already pointed out, this is a fully researched article, with help from forummers who work on airlines. To once again reiterate - Flight Upgrades are RARE... but responses on this thread already have shown that they are not impossible.

I'm also afraid I find the lottery comparison confusing, no money is needed to be spent to try for a free upgrade, whereas millions of people stump up cash to BUY a 14 million to 1 chance each week.

This thread is for discussing ways (either positively or negatively) to improve your chances of an upgrade from miniscule to unlikely, so any further offtopic posts will be deleted.

Thanks

Dan

[blindman]

Originally Posted by vanessatillett

We flew (my husband and I and 2 children under 10) in April to America with Virgin, the agent reserved our seats for us at the time of booking and I tried to check us in on line 24hrs before but couldn't so telephoned Virgin and was told that only the adults could check in online, so I left it. When we got to the airport we were unable to self check and machine said there was a problem. When we went to the desk we were told because we hadn't checked in online our reserved seats had been released and there were no seats even in blocks of 2 that we could have. Obviously the children heard this and started to get nervous and they took ages on the phone but eventually we were upgraded to Premuim Economy. We heard on the flight that PE was full and so others from PE had been moved to 1st class! How luck were they from our misfortune!

Then a week later we flew from New York to Florida with Continetial and the flight was overbooked and they asked for volunteers and as the flight was arriving before we could check in for our accommodation we decided to go for it. We ended up flying 1st class down to Florida, given 800$ to use for another flight, had lunch paid for and even able to use their phone for a long call back home!

On our return flight home from Florida, we were'nt upgrade although we did ask!

But it make for a fab holiday!

So in a nutshell

Virgin Flight
Circumstance beyond your control got you an upgrade (this is in OP Upgrade)

Continental
You took advantage of a situation beyond your control (Bumping) as it was convenient and it was favourable upgrade and ca$h

Florida return
You asked for an upgrade but didn't get it.

Bottom line
As in life, being in the right place at the right time can be lucky

Getting an upgrade on a flight is virtually impossible if you use your own circumstances (asking, pretending you're Sir , Going on Honeymoon...)

I agree with Sam Bee and Richardw this thread only raises the hopes of individuals akin to buying a lottery ticket and "Get Quick rich" schemes.

This site is about Moneysaving not perpetuating myths

[JMG4321]

Anecdotal only I'm afraid but we wangled a free upgrade a couple of months ago on Virgin from Heathrow to New York.
We'd bought the cheapest economy ticket but the trip was to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. I had quick word with the lady at the customer services desk (not the check in) just to say that I knew that it was really unlikely, but if they were looking to upgrade anyone, we'd love to be considered as it was our anniversary. She was very sweet and said she'd see what she could do.
At the final gate check-in, we'd been upgraded to premium economy (loads of legroom, leather seats, great food). When we sat down, we were also surprised to see that premium economy was full so it was very kind of them.
I suspect we were extremely lucky but it proves that it's not impossible...

[Whatty]

Free upgrades are available AND to families. We have twice been upgraded, as a family on transatlantic flights from economy to "upstairs" club. The first time was because we were "smart casual" and friendly towards the check in assistant. We shared a few humourous moments regarding the man trying to check in at the next desk. He had a number of firearms and started to get stroppy when (armed) Police began to involve themselves. It was Feb 2000 - just before school half term and there were eight spaces in "upstairs" club. We, and another familiy of four, discovered at the gate that the check in assistant had "earmarked us as "suitable for upgrade" because of how we presented ourselves and because our children were well behaved. This provided 8 extra seats in economy and only cost BA 4 lavish meals - the children were given "ordinary food".

The second time was Feb 2007 after a misguided decision (by me!) to fly with Delta left us with a litany of lies and deceipt and two nights on the departure lounge floor. We transfered to BA, got bumped off and put on standby. Two flights later I was called to Customer Services and given boarding passes to travel club class. You can appreciate I'm a bit of a BA fan now. I have been upgraded to 1st Class with BA as well (from cattle) but only because I was travelling with a colleague who asked nicely for himself and me to be upgraded - oh and he did have a BA Exec Gold Card!

[MSE Martin]

As noted earlier, I have deleted a number of off topic or repetitive posts.

To answer the question "where does martin says its thoroughly researched." I don't say this anywhere in this article or any I write - nor have I ever seen it written in the Times or the FT as part of their articles.

I'm a professional journalist and am very lucky that I also have a professional team backing me up. This article, like all articles was based on research from a number of sources, some for anecdotal evidence did indeed come from this forum, other info came from travel experts, the airlines press offices as well as general source and data research. When we do an article, we work hard to make it as accurate and authoritative as possible.

I do hope the small number of posters who seem intent to disrupt this thread will please let it be. It's a pointless waste of our time and yours to repeat the same issues again and again.

Martin

[Cardew]

Those who follow the Frequent Flyer(FF) forums with interest will know that the subject of getting upgrades means more to some people than any religion.

All the airlines have very strict rules about the priority for awarding upgrades and it simply is not up to the discretion of the gate attendant. That is not to say that some might 'bend' the rules, but it is a disciplinary offence if it is discovered and it is quite easy to check up at a later date.

The rules are extremely complicated and vary from airline to airline. However class of ticket(e.g full fare flexible economy etc) is high on the priority list.

With a few exceptions, it is mandatory that Coach must be full. At the top of the list for 'Operational Upgrades' are then the 'elite' frequent flyer members.

On the FF forums there are many businessmen who have travelled 100,000+ miles a year for 20 or more years and have never had an international Op-Up upgrade.

I have flown over 50,000 miles a year every year for some years with the One World Alliance(BA and AA in my case) and have been Platinum(OW Sapphire) all that time. I have had one transatlantic Op Up.

I have never read of a single child ever being upgraded, yet we have families of 8 people upgraded, because they were 'smart casual' and the children well behaved, at the discretion of a Gate Attendant. I wonder how the poster knows that was the reason?

Not saying it didn't happen.

[Cardew]

Originally Posted by MSE Martin

To answer the question "where does martin says its thoroughly researched." I don't say this anywhere in this article or any I write
Martin

I believe that this quote from MSE Dan in post #14 was the cause of confusion:

MSE Dan
Hi guys,

As Martin has already pointed out, this is a fully researched article,