All this talk of free upgrades

jaymac_2

For quieter flights choose the 13th of the month, many people prefer not to fly then.

pin

blindman wrote:

What's the best place to change £ to $ ?

Any tips on hotels etc in

New York
LA
California

Do I need a visa for USA

What's the cheapest flight to

New York
Australia


How do I get to Eurodisney and what's the best hotel?

Any many, many, many, many, more

Yep, don't get me started on the first one of that list!

BrunoM

I do take your point that it's a very optimistic thing to "aim for"; personally it would never have occurred to me at all if Martin didn't have a whole article about it on this very site... does sound like really most successes are out of your control unless you work in the industry though!

Ronn1e_2

Free upgrades, in my experience, are rare but do happen. I've been fortunate enough to have a few upgrades the latest being December last year when OH and I were upgraded from World Traveller to World Traveller Plus on a flight from Dubai to LHR, with BA. Each time we have been upgraded it's been with BA and yet I am not a frequent flyer (only a blue card)

chivas

I also have been very lucky with free upgrades - although being a semi-frequent flyer might have helped: 3/4 upgrades out of 6/7 LH flights per year for about 3 years. For all but one of these upgrades I was travelling alone which may have made a difference.

I don't ever remember asking for an upgrade, but am always friendly and patient to the check in staff and attempt to engage them in conversation Use your loyalty card - even if it is the lowest grade one.

About half of the upgrades I've had have been at the check in desk - the rest were being asked if I would like an upgrade once already seated on the plane. (I'd imagine you have to be sitting in the front two or three rows for this)

Also, I've noticed a slightly better rate of 'conversions' when going from premium to business rather than economy to premium.

It's great when it happens, but I don't expect it and don't try for it! :rotfl:

nancypearl

I have had several free upgrades. My partner and I always first in the check in queue for budget airlines and they usually ask us if we want the emergency exit seats (as we are young, fit and healthy and do not have children) - so we get lots of leg room.

On long haul, we check in online as soon as we are able to and choose the bulkhead seats. At the airport we then wait until most people have boarded and then board ourselves. What usually happens is that people who are tall or have kids/babies want the bulkhead seats, so we get moved up a class to business class. It helps A LOT to look the part - we don't wear jeans or trainers and have expensive hand luggage (ie Mulberry or Mandarina Duck)
BA business class have seats that turn into beds. Lots of smiles and mind your P's and Q's and behave well. Act like you belong in Business class and you might just get there.

hammy_the_hammer

nancypearl wrote: »

I have had several free upgrades. My partner and I always first in the check in queue for budget airlines and they usually ask us if we want the emergency exit seats (as we are young, fit and healthy and do not have children) - so we get lots of leg room.

On long haul, we check in online as soon as we are able to and choose the bulkhead seats. At the airport we then wait until most people have boarded and then board ourselves. What usually happens is that people who are tall or have kids/babies want the bulkhead seats, so we get moved up a class to business class. It helps A LOT to look the part - we don't wear jeans or trainers and have expensive hand luggage (ie Mulberry or Mandarina Duck)
BA business class have seats that turn into beds. Lots of smiles and mind your P's and Q's and behave well. Act like you belong in Business class and you might just get there.

some very cunning strategies .