Free Upgrades with airlines?

[Indy's Girl]

I have been reading so much about lucky people getting free upgrades at their Disney resorts that I have started to wonder if this sort fo thing happens in the airline world as well? Is anyone ever upgraded for free to 1st or business class from coach? We are flying SW for our honeymoon, and so I was wondering if it would be worth it to even ask if there was an "upgrade" available? Does SW even have 1st class? Thanks for your help, I know I must sound like a total dweeb!

 

[Jestocost]

SW only has one class of service, so in you case it won't be an option. On airlines that do have multiple classes of service, any free upgrades are typically available to elite frequent fliers who have paid the highest fares. Frequent fliers also "earn" upgrades that they can use to upgrade. I don't think I've seen an empty first class seat in ages.

 

[Indy's Girl]

Thanks! That is kind of what I was thinking. Oh well, we are going to Disney, who cares how we get there

 

[CarolA]

And remember these boards are MISLEADING. The boards lead you to think "everyone" gets a free upgrade at thier resort. NO!!! Most people get what they paid for but don't post that. So the boards have a tilt towards good and/or bad not normal!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Is anyone ever upgraded for free to 1st or business class from coach?

Almost never these days, except for elite frequent flyer members.

Of course, as noted, SW is only one class.

 

[DebbieB]

And remember these boards are MISLEADING. The boards lead you to think "everyone" gets a free upgrade at thier resort. NO!!! Most people get what they paid for but don't post that. So the boards have a tilt towards good and/or bad not normal!

I've been to WDW 25 to 30 times and never got a room upgrade.

 

[dreamcometrue]

the only time I got upgraded from economy to first class was 11 years ago when I travelled by myself with a 6 months old infant. We boarded the plane, and when we got to our seats, there was someone already sitting in them! Some computer glitch caused the same 2 boarding/seat numbers to print out twice. The rest of the flight was booked so they could not move us anywhere else, but there were 2 seats in first class that they gave us!

 

[ducklite]

And remember these boards are MISLEADING. The boards lead you to think "everyone" gets a free upgrade at thier resort. NO!!! Most people get what they paid for but don't post that. So the boards have a tilt towards good and/or bad not normal!

Very true indeed! In all of my WDW trips, I think I only got a free upgrade at check-in once--and even that was only a partial upgrade, because we paid for an upgrade and they gave a double upgrade for free.

The only times I've been upgraded on a plane were when I took a bump or got the upgrade through my FF status.

Face it, thousands of couples get married and fly off on their honeymoon to WDW a week. Neither WDW or the airlines can or does give everyone an upgrade or comp. Pay for what you'll be happy with, and expect nothing more. Be happy and surprised if some magic does happen.

Anne

 

[TiggerificTigger]

Just as a side note with SW and honeymoons . . .

DH and I flew SW on our honeymoon. The day before we left we printed our boarding passes at home, so we were fine on the flight out. But, on the flight home, we could not get boarding passes until be arrived at the airport. We thought we had arrived with enough time to get into group A, but Hurricane Jeanne had different ideas. I think we were in group C. My DH sat in the front of the plane and I sat in the back. Didn't really bother me because I can sleep during a flight (comes with traveling for work), but DH can't. If you can print your boarding passes before the airport, do it.

And, congrats and have fun!

 

[digman6]

We were heading to Olrando in SPring there was no bad weather on our end and we had alot of delays that would cause us to miss thenext flight. we were suppose to get into Orlando at about4pm and we arrived at 11pm! We had 2 very young kids with us to boot!

the lady in the we spoke to said if we miss our Orlando connection when we hit Texas we will be there for the night! . We were one of the last ones on the plane when we got there. She woman said sit here in first class. The kids recieved warm cookies and we had the warm mixed nuts. drinks were in real glasses not plastic etc. comfy seats and roomy too. mad the final plane ride to Orlando very nice the kids could sleep a bit.

If your offered it for no cost to you take it!

it was great until my luggage was not there and then when we got it the suit case was very damamged. they said it was to heavy but it was within the weight limit they required!

I now fly any airline but them only because of all the trouble I had and they would not do anything for my luggage. when we got home our luggage was missing and then they had to deliver it to me.

 

[bavaria]

on United upgrades are only given to First/Business for elites WHO USE an upgrade instrument - cash, miles, or certificates. There are no free upgrades, even for the elites.

Upgrades from Economy to Economy Plus for non-elites are only with cash.

As to the previous poster, frankly it sounds like the airline did all that they could to try and get you out during bad weather. Just because there is no bad weather where you are doesn't mean that flights aren't delayed. And on top of that, they upgraded you to First/Business.

I assume that the airline was United based on the warm nuts comment.

Your luggage was delayed, not lost - that does happen especially during irregular operations. We see a lot of 'I won't fly XYZ again' but it sounds like other than the delayed luggage, XYZ DID try and help you as much as they could.

 

[Jestocost]

I assume that the airline was United based on the warm nuts comment.

American also gives warm nuts in 1st (sometimes). Plus, AA allows free upgrades (no instrument required) to elite flyers travelling on their two highest tier fares.

I lost my elite status (temporarily) and now can only use my electronic upgrade certificates when travelling on those top tier fares. Very annoying.

 

[digman6]

on United upgrades are only given to First/Business for elites WHO USE an upgrade instrument - cash, miles, or certificates. There are no free upgrades, even for the elites.

Upgrades from Economy to Economy Plus for non-elites are only with cash.

As to the previous poster, frankly it sounds like the airline did all that they could to try and get you out during bad weather. Just because there is no bad weather where you are doesn't mean that flights aren't delayed. And on top of that, they upgraded you to First/Business.

I assume that the airline was United based on the warm nuts comment.

Your luggage was delayed, not lost - that does happen especially during irregular operations. We see a lot of 'I won't fly XYZ again' but it sounds like other than the delayed luggage, XYZ DID try and help you as much as they could.

Actually it was not United it was American. Actually it was told to us "its missing someplace". They were not sure were it was at they could pick Dubuque Ia, Ill or Texas pick one! So when you they finally located it , it was actually going Back to ILL! then had to return to Orlando so to me thats lost when you say it is and have no idea what state it is in.

I know there can be delays because its on other areas no argument there at all. the killer was damamged luggage and then blaming me for it. then on the ride home same thing no delays just did not have my luggage AGAIN.


I may try them again someday but I will not until my kids are older. I am sure it happens on all airlines but I just don't want to chance it again that was total you know what!

 

[Gary M]

I'm an elite member with Northwest Airlines and was upgraded to first class on both my flights to MCO last winter. On one of the flights, I paid the low fare of $117 r/t. In my cases I was upgraded even though my fares were low. The planes were very full.

 

[bavaria]

NWA and US Air do free upgrades subject to availability for their elite members. Other airlines (like United) do not. It varies by airline

 

[Indy's Girl]

Thank you all for the answers. I NEVER expected to get an upgrade, by the airline or our resort (we paid for what we wanted) so it was more of a question of if it was even worth asking. I know these boards are misleading when it comes to "freebies" at WDW and have advised others of the same before, but I am still of the camp that believes the worst answer you can get is no, so you might as well ask. Just wanted to know if SW even had more than one class and if it was even worth the asking. Thank you again for all of the insight into how upgrades work in the airline business!