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Some years ago, at a travel show, a representative of Continental Airlines told me that IT fares were the way to go. So, I inquired at the travel agents, when booking, and found that, simply by making our trip to the US an "inclusive tour" we got business class seats (guaranteed) at a much cheaper price. IT, in our case, meant that we had to prebook, through the agent, at least 2 nights in a hotel in the USA. It could have meant other things: car hire was one of them. We have used this since. We also got double frequent flyer points. It only seems to apply to flights to the USA, but I could be wrong. This was about 6 years ago and things may have changed.
This reduced the cost by about 40%. And the hotel rates were reduced ones, too!
Hi,
FYI, BA offers flight upgrades for a fraction of the price. I fly regularly both on business and economy. Recently I flew to Madrid on economy, I did not need a flexible flight that particular time so no point of paying premium. My return ticket cost me about £60 directly on BA site. A few days later I bought an upgrade to business. It gives me the right to change flight details up to 24 (or 48) hours before departure and I get to fly in the business section of the plane. For this benefit I paid extra £60. Not bad!
I have been upgraded on UK domestic flights - I think it helped that I was a member of the frquent flyer scheme (even if I didn't have many points), I was travelling alone and was fairly smartly dressed. I was given the upgrade at the departure gate. ( Assume economy overbooked and business had spare seats). Tip - if you do not qualify for the frequent flyer programme because your tickets are not full fare economy or higher then look at the frequent flyer programmes of affliated airlines eg Star Alliance as you may find they are more relaxed about qualifying flights.
I asked for and received an upgrade flying to Nice as I had a fully flexible economy tickets which was valued higher than the restricted business class ticket. Worthwhile to check the value of your ticket against restricted business class.
Not an upgrade but when flying within UK and relaxed about my arrival time I have recieved compention for taking a later flight. ( Flights every hour so not too much of an inconvenience). Tip - if this may be of interest to you then sk if the flight is busy when you check in. You may be told at that point that it is and they are looking for volunteers to take a later flight.
Always be polite - an upgrade is privilege not a right.
The article says "Don't pay for a short-haul upgrade; business class is rarely that different to economy."
BA has some one-way off peak upgrades on flights to/from Gatwick for about £50, if you are flying at a meal time say 7pm in the evening, you would get a good meal with good wine, so could off set the cost of the upgrade by taking account of the cost of a meal that is included. Also applies to longer sector flights so you have more time to relax.
BA has some one-way off peak upgrades on flights to/from Gatwick for about £50, if you are flying at a meal time say 7pm in the evening, you would get a good meal with good wine, so could off set the cost of the upgrade by taking account of the cost of a meal that is included.
Yes, it's £59 and I've done it several times over the last year. Well worth it for use of the lounge at Gatwick and a few glasses of bubbly to start your holiday off. And on a mid afternoon flight there was a rather nice afternoon tea provided. Not sure it's always worth doing on the way back into Gatwick - depends on the lounge facilities in the airport you're flying out of to some extent.
hi have you found detail of actual savings on flights on e bay ??
To be honest, whilst there are perhaps a dozen restrictive upgrade coupons targeted at the US market available for sale on ebaY.com, I cannot find one single, solitary flight upgrade coupon for sale on ebaY.co.uk? ..... Which begs the question, given that the articles author would have known this, why would they then choose to include an advertisement for ebaY in the article?
The MSE Dictionary Loophole - A word used to entice people to read clearly written Terms and Conditions. Rip Off - Clearly written Terms and Conditions. Terms and Conditions - Otherwise known as a loophole or a rip off.
Last edited by Tojo Ralph; 20-08-2008 at 10:18 PM..
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Please can anyone offer any advice on how to get an upgrade on Qantas to Hong Kong then on a separate flight from Hong Kong to Brisbane then on other Qantas flights?
Please can anyone offer any advice on how to get an upgrade on Qantas to Hong Kong then on a separate flight from Hong Kong to Brisbane then on other Qantas flights?
Jempetten
All you really need to know is contained within the following article.
The MSE Dictionary Loophole - A word used to entice people to read clearly written Terms and Conditions. Rip Off - Clearly written Terms and Conditions. Terms and Conditions - Otherwise known as a loophole or a rip off.
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This is not a reply to anyone but a question
I am travelling to New York with Delta airlines from Edinburgh soon and would love to get upgraded but was just wondering how much less it would cost at the airport, a rough idea would be fine or has anyone upgraded with Delta to know the exact details. I know from the reservation that only 1 seat is is taken in the first class section on this flight
I was told by someone that works check in for american that they would rather fly with less in First if it means annoying the people who have really paid full price. You either have to pay the full price of the ticket or sit in the seat you have paid for.
Saying that i was upgraded to first on an Emirates flight once on a return leg from Bangkok. I did not even realise till waiting to board it was then that i noticed my boarding card looked different to other peoples. That was a good flight, but it has cost me since. I hate to fly economy now, but also realise a flight is a means to an ends.
Has anyone tried to offer money to the check in person for an upgrade & been successful?
That is what we have been considering.
Jenpetten
Several airlines have offered upgrades for payment at check-in - it is discussed regularly on Flyer Talk.
However there doesn't appear to be any set rules and it is(normally) only when Coach is full.
I have seen American offer a one way upgrade from Manchester to Chicago for £300(might have been $300).
American also used to fly a 757 from Manchester to Boston which had USA internal first class seats(wider and more leg room but not as good as their proper FC seats) This was Coach only service and they used to sell 'upgrades' for £100.
If such upgrades to buy were made available simply by asking, who would ever buy a first class ticket for £thousands extra?
US Airways offer the "Go Envoy" service at check in on their TATL flights. It is advertised on their website, and costs $500 for envoy, each way.
there is an extra service on their A330 aircraft, where if you are in envoy, you can pay $300, to "Go Envoy Sleeper"
Flights to NYC - A Quick Guide
Direct Flight = £000 - £350 = 5* | £350 - £375 = 4* | £375 - £450 = 3* | £450 - £500 = 2* | £500 - £550 = 1* | Over £550 = 0*
Over £550 for a return flight isn't money saving, this is just a guide, and is my opinion only!
Pls be nice to all MoneySavers. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and even if you disagree courtesy helps. Take care over copyright. Use excerpts and links rather than copying long text. This site asserts copyright on all comments posted on the board.
Pls be nice to all MoneySavers. There's no such thing as a stupid question, and even if you disagree courtesy helps.
Buying Flight Upgrades discussion
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