PE upgrades

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I've occasionally paid to get into the Clubhouse at LHR. I agree that UC ticketholders might feel a little agrieved if they've paid a high price for their own ticket, but most UC passengers and Gold card holders are flying on business and haven't paid for their own tickets anyway, so why would they care? IMO!

Homerdog,
Yes thats true, but I think there are two aspects to it. First of all, yes when flying on buisness the company pays, but as its my own company, its coming out of my pocket, or that's what I try to install into my managers
(actually, to be serious for one minute, if flying in Europe we all fly LoCo regardless of position)

When flying on vacation, it absolutley comes out of my personal bank account

Secondly, it's the Kudos (or snobby attitude in me ROFL!) that thinks, "This is supposed to be a perk of being loyal to one airline/Paying the big bucks to fly and they are now letting all and sundry in"

My original comment was really to show the OP who was concerned they might have upset others, we all have our little niggles that pick at us and not to worry.

I know that some people hate the fact that some airlines allow children into buisness class. Personally i would stop using that airline if they removed the ability to pay for my little 'un to fly up front with me as an example.

 

[castanea1985]

I always fly VA and book Economy and then when i get to Gatwick i upgrade there to PE if any seats are available, never not been able to yet and it works out cheeper to do it this way than book PE in the first place i know its not guarenteed but then i have never not been able to upgrade...

Malcolm,
What is the difference in price (roughly), upgrading at the desk, versus pre booking PE?
Thanks Tracy

 

[AliceGardner]

When flying on vacation, it absolutley comes out of my personal bank account

Same here - we always pay (sometimes with cash, sometimes with miles, sometimes with a mixture of the two) with our own hard-earned cash.

Secondly, it's the Kudos (or snobby attitude in me ROFL!) that thinks, "This is supposed to be a perk of being loyal to one airline/Paying the big bucks to fly and they are now letting all and sundry in"

Could always fly BA - they only let proper paid premium class passengers, card holders and partner card holders into their lounges... no way to "buy your way in" to their lounges...

I think that the worst thing with allowing more people to "buy their way" into lounges is if the service suffers for premium passengers - for example, you can't get served a quick meal before boarding a red-eye flight because too many people are in the lounge or you have problems getting a seat.

I know that some people hate the fact that some airlines allow children into buisness class. Personally i would stop using that airline if they removed the ability to pay for my little 'un to fly up front with me as an example.

I can't think of one airline that doesn't allow children/babies in First or Business Classes... a paying passenger is a paying passenger.

Alice

 

[AliceGardner]

We have been upraded many times before husband had status with BA. We have never been dressed in suits either (often in jeans or just casual clothes).

I think that getting an upgrade has more to do with being the right person in the right place at the right time than what your "status" is or what you are wearing... I always wear a pleasant smile (husband normally has a "I am on another planet" expression ), that seems to work for us.

Alice

True or False: If you want an upgrade, check in late and wear a suit.

Here's the link to the rest of the article which includes a quote from Virgin about PE upgrades: http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/essentials/article1747660.ece

As one who's received many upgrades when DH was BA gold for many years, but who travels for comfort at all times (think baggy and stretchy ), I suspect that while a few get lucky every now and again, it's as the article suggests Alas DH's BA days are over in favour of easyJet!