Airline Workers: Top Upgrade Tips Please

extrolleydolly

I agree with a previous post. It's like going into a shop and wanting to buy a cashmere jumper but only being prepared to pay for polyester.

As ex cabin crew I was asked on numerous occasions for upgrades and it was very annoying!!!

However my top tips would be:

ALWAYS be nice to the check in staff, if the flight is oversold, they can add a code SFU (suitable for upgrade) to your details on the computer. If you are rude they will add (NSFU)!! Always dress smartly, no jeans etc. If you are travelling with kids, make sure they aren't running all over the terminal, the other passengers and crew in business don't want nightmare children in the cabin!

Final tip ASK at the gate or ask the dispatcher if you see them (they tend to wear a red cap).

If you don't ask you don't get!!

qwerty123456

helenbee wrote: »

Stuart07970, airlines certainly do upgrade people without the lower grade being overbooked. I flew by BA in business class on a longhaul flight last year and when everyone was seated (therefore no overbooking) the stewards went back to economy and chose three people to upgrade to fill empty seats in business class. They chose elderly, smartly dressed people. I watched them do it and all they did was go and invite these people to move forward. The people concerned hadn't even asked for an upgrade. Business still wasn't full so obviously they weren't just trying to fill it up.

I will put every penny on these three people being BA staff. As BA staff myself I know the routine well. "52E, Sir I believe you're in the wrong seat. Follow me." :T

StaffsSW

Getting on to a flight back from the US, I happened to mention that I work for GE (they make Aircraft engines amongst other things, but I work for a different division), and I had already paid for extra legroom seats as I am 6' 8" tall.

Once everyone was in their seats, I was approached by a cabin cre member and asked if I would like to move to the Premium cabin as there would be more legroom than in the bulkhead seat I was sat in. Like I needed to be asked twice...!

On the way to the seat, he mentioned that we "always like to make a good impression to our suppliers"

Sue81

I think a point to note is for airlines which do a premium economy class, same cabin but extra services, if you have booked late you may not realise you have bought a premium economy ticket and are therefore entitled to lounge access or other extras.

qwerty123456

sdestinyp wrote: »

A couple of years ago, I flew out to the States on British Airways. As I was getting married, I treated myself to an upgrade in World Traveller Plus.

Apart from the additional leg-room, it was definitely not worth the extra money I paid. The cabin staff were rude and the service, such as it was, was non-existent and I said 'never again'. I wrote to BA about my experiences and they could not have cared less.

Their loss as I now fly to the States several times a year and if I use BA, I travel cattle class as there is no difference.

BA don't promote WT+ as a better service, you simply get 7in more legroom, that's why the premium over economy is so small, usually between £200-£400 each way.

For a flat bed and better service you need to pay for Club or First.

richardw

If you paid the cheapest price for an economy seat for a flight in this aircraft

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/British_Airways/British_Airways_Boeing_747-400_C.php

isn't it highly likely that there will be others that are much more likely to get upgraded than yourself?

meester

smala01 wrote: »

After logging a number of frequent flyer points (bmi star alliance) i decided it was a good time to redeem them for a "free flight".

Well after taxes, fuel surcarges, security supliments my free flight with points suddenly because MORE expensive than simply paying for a flight in cash based on a best buy table. (£219 to New York on points, Vs £203 paying in money)

So IMHO the "cheapest" way to upgrade and get best value from your points is to use your frequent flyer miles to upgrade from economy to business/first.

This is almost certainly true, of course you have to fly enough to make it worthwhile, but there is more than one Economy class in price, and it's common that only the top one will be upgradeable, so you may end up paying £400 more for your economy flight to be eligible for upgrade in the first place.

Fearsome_Dame

cjt105 wrote: »

BA were kind enough to post their policy on the FlyerTalk forum http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=803509

In summary, the prioritise their own Executive Club card holders (Gold, Silver then Blue) who have checked in online.

Checking in online is a good idea anyway, since at least with BA you can now select the emergency and bulk-head seats.

As a BA Gold card holder I can confirm that I have a very good success rate for upgrades - perhaps 50% of the time on long-haul flights

A couple of other key tips:

• Never book a special meal - they won't have a low salt kosher vegetarian etc meal avaliable in your upgraded cabin
• Travel on your own - it's much easier to upgrade one person than a whole family
• Don't expect an upgrade on short-haul. Most airlines can convert seats from business to economy at the press of the button in shorthaul planes.

Incidentally, I dress comfortably for flying (often jeans and t-shirt) and often drag myu luggage around in an aging backpack - it makes no difference to your upgrade likelihood.

Cheers,


Chris.

Yes, I do work for British Airways and most of the above is true.

1/ Definitely, dress smartly and be pleasant and courteous to any of the "check-in staff" you meet. That on it's on it's own is not sufficient for a free upgrade but if you are rude, you will certainly NOT be upgraded.

2/ It is true that the Executive Card holders are considered first and the policy of the moment is to select those that have checked-in on-line. This is to encourage on-line check-in.

3/ Do not asked to be upgraded. It is a case of we will find you, if we if we are looking . . .

4/ Free upgrades do occur on shorthaul/European flights - they get oversold too. Free upgrades do not occur on Domestic flights - there is only one class.

5/ If you have been mishandled on a previous flight, a free upgrade is sometimes authorised by Customer Relations as a sweetner.

6/ Passengers who have ordered special meals are not upgraded. Only exception is from World Traveller to World Traveller Plus (same catering).

7/ Lastly, let's be honest, if you do know someone who works for the airline . . . . .

Good Luck.

richardw

meester wrote: »

there is more than one Economy class in price, and it's common that only the top one will be upgradeable, so you may end up paying £400 more for your economy flight to be eligible for upgrade in the first place.

Exactly, no point paying more if you don't really need the features of a higher price economy ticket.

GentleGiant_2

At least if you get upgraded by BA, it will be compensation for them losing your luggage