Flight upgrades forum discussion

MSE_Sarah

This thread is specifically to discuss the

How to get a flight upgrade guide.

Please read the article first, then click reply.

Thanks

jpsartre

I just knew that old "dress nicely" baloney would be on there...

budgetflyer

Tell them it's your birthday.
The airline will be so overwhelmed at you choosing them to fly on such a unique special occasion that you are sure to get upgraded.
The cabin crew may even bake a cake and sing "Happy Birthday"

Ganga

Pay for it - the only way to make sure

stevie11

jpsartre wrote: »

I just knew that old "dress nicely" baloney would be on there...

Reminds me a years ago travelling home from Phl to UK on an old US Airways 330. I booked first row seats in economy. On approaching the gate the reps were changing pax seats numbers (not mine). Got on the plane expecting to turn right I was directed left along with another Brit. Anyway we had a laugh between ourselves and took our seat number in Business. A few minutes later the other person was asked to move back into economy, I was left insitu and offered champagne and given the menu plus offered a seat nearer to the front.

Tbh I should have been asked to move back but was chancing my arm until they twigged on which never happened and enjoyed 7 hours in Business for free.

So there may be something in it I was casual smart whilst the other guy was in shorts and trainers. lol.

stevie11

Apart from paying for the privilege I would say the best chance of upgrade is being a high level elite member of the respective airline.

novelty-socks

From the (somewhat laughable) guide:

while an old T-shirt and flip-flops might be comfortable, an airline is less likely to put you in with its top-paying customers if you don't look the part.

Are we really still pushing this line? Whoever wrote this has clearly never flown in business. It's full of scruffy characters (myself included, on the odd occasion my company sends me long haul).

And in general, most airlines have a strict set of criteria that determines who gets an upgrade and in what order. On long-haul routes that are popular with people paying for business tickets, you can forget it unless you have at least gold status with the airline.

Rocking up to the airport and finding your economy seat has turned into a business class flat bed is highly unlikely for your average traveller on a cheap inflexible fare.

Nick_C

Don't waste your time or miles on short-haul upgrades... You only tend to get the flat beds and all the bells and whistles on a longer journey.

Iberia and BA use long haul planes with flat beds in Business on some London/Madrid flights.

Premium economy/executive class. Bigger seat, basic food, basic service

Premium Economy comes with upgraded meals, often a main course from the Business Class Menu. A bigger baggage allowance. And possibly a separate check in desk.

British Airways Executive Club
BA's club is the toughest of the major schemes to grab points in from a MoneySaving perspective.

Nonsense. BAEC is probably the easiest scheme in which to collect "air miles". You can collect Avios by shopping at Tesco, shopping online through the BA portal, hiring cars from Avis, converting from Mariott Rewards or Heathrow Rewards, and doing surveys (E-Rewards and Rewards for Thoughts). You can earn shed loads of Avios by taking out any Amex Membership Rewards card, and once you have one you make more points by referring your partner and friends. The Amex Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card comes with a 22000 points bonus for spending £2K in 3 months. The card is free for the first year. You shouldn't take out the BA Premium Plus card with its annual fee of £195 until you are ready to earn a "two for one" voucher.

I earned 240000 Avios last year. None of them came from flying.

it may be possible to get a massive discount on the airline's standard cash upgrade price at the ticket desk on the day of departure.

It can be as low as £200 to go from economy to business on a long-haul flight

With which airline? American used to offer upgrades at this price 15 years ago. I've not heard of anyone buying an upgrade at this price in recent years. BA will upgrade you from Economy to Premium Economy for about £200. The only way you will get an upgrade at a bargain price is if the cabin is overbooked, and they are upgrading people anyway. And then the upgrade will usually be to the next level, so Economy to Premium, Premium to Business, or Business to First.

I would say the best chance of getting a free upgrade to Business is to buy a Premium Economy ticket, and hope that economy is overbooked. People will get bumped up by one cabin.

novelty-socks

I would say the best chance of getting a free upgrade to Business is to buy a Premium Economy ticket, and hope that economy is overbooked. People will get bumped up by one cabin.

Right. On any airline with Premium Economy, there's next to no chance of an upgrade straight from economy to business.

koalakoala

And they normally just bump higher card holders.

In fact this is just another rubbish post from MSE

zagfles

I've seen number 16 work. Was on a flight were the steward was asking people if they'd move to accomodate a family sitting together - one of the people he asked gave him an aggressive rant about how he'd selected his seat well in advance and so could the family have etc...

He then asked someone further down the plane, who agreed, and just as they were walking past the aggressive bloke, the steward said "as a thank you we're upgrading you to business class"

I tried to hide my snigger :rotfl: