Airlines upgrades question for you ....

[islandmum]

having watched many many threads with posts mentioning about people hoping for free upgrades I'd love to pose this question.....

of course - we all love something for nothing BUT...

as a purchaser of UC tickets it does annoy me when people are literally asking for free upgrades at the desk as I've paid alot of cash so why should they just swan in for free??!!

I understand the upgrade procedure with overbooked seating - but it still rankles me to see people rushing forwards into UC from PE with a huge grin on their face and me thinking about the thousands I've spent to sit where he is for less than half price!

so the question is .... much as you may really really want a free upgrade, how would you honestly feel if you'd paid for your ticket and suddenly down next to you plops the family from down the road who've been upgraded and are grinning like cheshire cats?

 

[crabbie1]

having watched many many threads with posts mentioning about people hoping for free upgrades I'd love to pose this question.....

of course - we all love something for nothing BUT...

as a purchaser of UC tickets it does annoy me when people are literally asking for free upgrades at the desk as I've paid alot of cash so why should they just swan in for free??!!

I understand the upgrade procedure with overbooked seating - but it still rankles me to see people rushing forwards into UC from PE with a huge grin on their face and me thinking about the thousands I've spent to sit where he is for less than half price!

so the question is .... much as you may really really want a free upgrade, how would you honestly feel if you'd paid for your ticket and suddenly down next to you plops the family from down the road who've been upgraded and are grinning like cheshire cats?

I said something similar to this about paying for PE as there was someone on here who had friends who apparntly told her not to bother upgrading as they just Sit in Pe seats downstairs that are availible .This caused quite a stir on here and like you I said it is annoying when people get a free upgrade when you have had to pay for it.If it is a case of over booking or a VERY special occasion then no problem -then on the other hand if we were sat in Economy and were offered a free upgrade I don't think I would say no.Its a hard one .I have heard of people being in PE and being upgraded to first class I am quite happy to fly PE as a treat and good luck to those that do get a free upgrade but people shpuld't just expect to get one.On out last flight there were loads of empy PE seats downstairs and we were on our honeymoon but we didn't get offered an upgrade.They moved a family opposite us whos son was celebrating his 6th birthday.Its the luck of the draw and well done to them (meow)

 

[tashasmum]

Good luck to them. It's not often you get something for nothing these days.

 

[alisonbestford]

Although I might be a little grumpy at first I think that I would feel that they'd been extremely lucky and good luck to them

Everyone deserves a little luck sometimes

Then again, as my kids say........I'm too soft for my own good.......

 

[wayneg]

But you have the choice yourself, nobody forces you to pay for UC. You have the right to book economy and ask yourself. Strong chances are you wont get an upgrade.
Its not the travellers fault, if the system allows for upgrades then you cant blame the traveller.
Personally I would be happy for whoever got the upgrade but annoyed with the airline.
Its exactly the same if I pay for a package holiday down to Europe and pay say £750pp then I get there and someone booked last minute and paid £250pp. I would say "wow great price but I couldn't take the risk of not getting exactly what I want"
I don't think you can blame the traveller IMHO only the system.
I would never even dare ask for an upgrade, just accept whichever class I paid for.

 

[Frances999]

We always fly Upper Class or Premium Economy and I must admit that I certainly wouldn't refuse a free upgrade from PE to UC - so I can't complain about others who get free upgrades. Even when we fly UC, I understand that free upgrades are occasionaly inevitable and that Virgin do try to allocate the upgrades to those most worthy - i.e. flying club gold members or people who paid full fare.

Personally I would be happy for whoever got the upgrade but annoyed with the airline.

That's exactly how I feel. I'm delighted for the people/family who get upgraded, but it does get on my nerves when Virgin keep doing this. You can't blame the pax for saying "yes" to a free upgrade - very, very few people would say "no".

 

[jtlover]

If you turn it around - if they have been upgraded for free they will probably like it so much but might not be in the same position as you and be able to afford to pay for it the next time

 

[paulh]

never been upgraded on a flight,but upgraded roms may times savanna view with bunk beds AKL.From a studio broardwalk to conciarge for 12 nights at christmas once,due to problem with room.
Got 10 of us moved from movies to pop as pool shut they took us and everthing for free no taxi charge
Many times if a problem with a room at a value we would ask for a fridge with no charge
Had compo for late luggage $200 came next day but was told it would be there first evening.
Cars always booked a compact but never had one.
Got new free annuals to seaworld when firworks dident go off when they oppened new part and we wasent even there to see them any way we went early.
If haveing problems always be polite but firm, never raise you voice or swear, the staff are just doing there job.If your plessent to them when you have problem the more likly to help you and might upgrade always hope for nothing,if you get it its a bonus
Paulh

 

[jockey]

To be honest I don't mind seeing people upgraded. I never think about how much I paid. I just like to see people getting a treat from time to time - it's a very rare thing these days with the airlines!

 

[AlanUK]

I'd probably feel a bit envious that it hadn't happened to me previously but at the end of the day I can't say it would bother me that much as I'd be flying UC anyway and as such wouldn't have been disadvantaged in any way.

If I was a regular UC passenger I'd probably strike up a conversation with them once they were seated explaining all the extra benefits that they would get and share in the excitement with them :

 

[Amyrlin]

When we pay for PE or UC then we have the pleasure of knowing how we will be flying and we have paid for that guarantee. I feel no resentment and do not feel upset when people are upgraded. I think it is great, being nice to people should happen more often,.

The only time I have ever had a problem was when a family was upgraded and placed directly in front of us (this was not Virgin), they made the journey very unpleasant, they thought it was great that they had the extra room as it mean they could change the babies nappy on the seats, sharing the smell with everyone else. Needless to say the flight crew all disappeared. I know nappies need changing, but this seemed to take forever and occurred several times and shouldn’t real take placer on the seat or the floor of the cabin. Even if it did then change it quickly, (there was more to it that just this, but I won’t go on). There were two crying children and the mother really did not give a d***, she was not trying to calm them down or keep them occupied, only screamed at them to ****** shut up (the eldest looked about 3! However, I would have felt just the same had I been in economy and they behaved this way.

(By the way I am a mother and am very tolerant of children, they cannot help it id they are scared or upset, the irritating part was the parents behaviour).

 

[wayneg]

never been upgraded on a flight,but upgraded rooms may times

When I wrote my 1st post I was thinking I had never been upgraded on a flight, then you mention rooms, and yes its no different. I have had upgrade at the Krasnapolski hotel in Amsterdam twice, once to a suite other time to an appartment. Also had upgrade from inside cabin on Disney cruise to a cabin with Verandah. Upgrades are part of life, as long as no-one goes with the attitude thinking they have a right to a free upgrade I can't see the problem.
Mr Branson if your reading this I fly 2nd Aug from Manchester, I am a good frequent flyer, pleeez.

 

[wils]

DH lives in hope of an upgrade as he is Dr. Wils but I think the chances are slim with the kids in tow. Actually, thinking about it I imagine he hopes for an upgrade just for him (leaving me with the kids in economy )

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We got a free upgrade but only while we were in the air. We were seated in Economy and I happened to notice that there were 3 seats together not taken in Virgin PE. So once in the air I asked the cabin supervisor if we could take the seats, I offered to pay but she said we could have them for free. It was very nice trying them out. Joshua fell asleep for 5 hours. We have been hooked ever since.

This is Julie not Johnny

 

[islandmum]

Actually, thinking about it I imagine he hopes for an upgrade just for him (leaving me with the kids in economy )

LOL!! I think thats what all the husbands dream of! my dh hardly ever flies with us - mainly because he says for us to take longer vaca and he'll join us half way through. I know its because he just cant bear the flight with them the coward!!

 

[Amyrlin]

DH lives in hope of an upgrade as he is Dr. Wils but I think the chances are slim with the kids in tow. Actually, thinking about it I imagine he hopes for an upgrade just for him (leaving me with the kids in economy )

I have the same title. I have often had a ticket marked as suitable for upgrade, but its not ever happened, only PE and UC is when it has been paid for.

 

[wils]

LOL!! I think thats what all the husbands dream of! my dh hardly ever flies with us - mainly because he says for us to take longer vaca and he'll join us half way through. I know its because he just cant bear the flight with them the coward!!

We got a free upgrade but only while we were in the air. We were seated in Economy and I happened to notice that there were 3 seats together not taken in Virgin PE. So once in the air I asked the cabin supervisor if we could take the seats, I offered to pay but she said we could have them for free. It was very nice trying them out. Joshua fell asleep for 5 hours. We have been hooked ever since.

This is Julie not Johnny

Hi Julie - nice to 'meet' you I can imagine the potential of 5 hours sleep for Joshua is well worth the extra! Molly slept for 20 minutes outbound last trip - she dropped off as we were descending

I have the same title. I have often had a ticket marked as suitable for upgrade, but its not ever happened, only PE and UC is when it has been paid for.

I'll keep that to myself and let him live in hope!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

DH lives in hope of an upgrade as he is Dr. Wils but I think the chances are slim with the kids in tow. Actually, thinking about it I imagine he hopes for an upgrade just for him (leaving me with the kids in economy )

Well...........
I have just got my BIL his girlfriend and my BIL's two children (5 & 10) upgraded from PE to UC LGW-MCO in August, so it does happen...

 

[crabbie1]

Well...........
I have just got my BIL his girlfriend and my BIL's two children (5 & 10) upgraded from PE to UC LGW-MCO in August, so it does happen...

Ah but you know all the right people in the right places Did you get them for free!!!!

 

[Amyrlin]

Ah but you know all the right people in the right places Did you get them for free!!!!

I work in the wrong industry, I need to make some freinds in the right places!