Upgrades

[Linda88]

Does anyone else feel just alittle uneasy about asking for an upgrade? Any tips? Is this a British feeling perhaps?

 

[nattyk]

Before we had kids, we use to ask, and got that look, you know the one that says I don't think so!!!! we never did get upgraded even on our honeymoon!! but then if you don't ask you don't get.

Good luck,
Nathalie

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I've asked before now on Virgin and got upgraded to Upper Class seat but without just the normal Economy service and food.

Also this past Xmas I had booked a standard room but sent a fax requesting for a room overlooking the Wedding Gazebo at the Yacht Club. This I knew would be a Waterview Room and we'd have to get upgraded for it and I thought we wouldn't what with it being the holiday season and all - but lo and behold we got upgraded

 

[steven1105]

when would you ask for upgrades?? at the check in desk??? can you get upgrades on Airtours flights????

steve

 

[juliebro]

This is what I'm led to believe:

• upgrades are more applicable on scheduled rather than charter flights
• you have no chance of an upgrade if you have kids with you
• it is often down to the discretion of the check-in clerk
• you need to look reasonably smart - so you will fit in with the business people in business or first-class

I have asked for an upgrade on a scheduled flight, but was refused. However, we were offered bulkhead seats instead (lots more legroom!). I did try this on a second occasion and was refused both.

The last time we flew to Florida, we were offered an upgrade to business class (and $400 each compensation!) if we were prepared to travel the next day, as the flight was overfull. We accepted and had wonderful seats, attentive stewardesses (1 per 4 passengers!), free champagne, choice of menu, real plates etc etc.

On our return flight (for the US internal leg) we were actually upgraded to first class - without even asking!

Julie

 

[cheryl.UK]

you'rer also more likely to upgraded when the flight is very full. We got upgraded to upper class on virgin on our return flight last summer. We shpuld have been in PE but they had already filled that with economy customers so it was UC or bumping us off. We booked in fairly close to check in closing. I think we had 20 minutes to go.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I don't think it matters whether you are wearing smart clothes or not. The couple of times I've been upgraded I was just wearing the usual jeans and T-shirt, and if you look around business class you will find just as many people wearing casual clothes as you do wearing suits.

As Julie said, travelling with kids is normally the best way to guarantee you won't be offered an upgrade. You are more likely to get upgraded if there are just one or two of you. Airlines tend to only offer upgrades if they need to free up seats in the cabin that you've booked in (due to routine over-booking, which is why charter flights tend not to upgrade), and it is rarely more than a small number of seats that needs to be found.

I've always assumed that asking outright for an upgrade, even if you do it very politely, makes no difference at all (or might even have a negative effect depending on the temperament of the check-in agent). Airlines only upgrade if there is a good reason to, usually an operational reason, and if you are in the right place at the right time you might get lucky.

If I'm able to delay my flight I usually ask the check-in agent if the flight is over-sold, and if it is I will volunteer to be bumped to another flight if they need to free-up some seats. What seems to happen is that I get put on a list with the other people who volunteer - a couple of times this list has been used to bump me and once it was used to offer an upgrade to First. I think this is a better strategy than asking for a complimentary upgrade, but you do have to be flexible about changing your flight times at the last minute.

Regards

Rob

 

[uksaint]

This is what I'm led to believe: you have no chance of an upgrade if you have kids with you

Well...maybe not no chance. We got upgraded to Business on American flying back from Miami last year, and we had 2.5 yr old DS with us.

Was the perfect end to a great vacation!!

Andy

 

[Pootle]

'The bottom line is, if you are an infrequent flier, not a good customer of the airline and purchased the cheapest possible ticket you are at the bottom of the heap with about as much chance as winning the lottery. I’ve beaten those odds once in ten years. My other upgrades were because I am a frequent flier on the airline.'

This quote is taken from an air users' website, FAQs. I've been upgraded many times thanks to husband's frequent flyer status, but never when travelling without him. I know it's possible, but think the chances are slim. I also agree with Rob's point about not needing to be dressed very smartly - business class is full of folk who look just the same as those in economy

 

[juliebro]

Just bought an upgrade for the return part of our next trip. We are flying with US Airways via Philadelphia. We all joined their frequent fliers club just before our second trip, and have now collected 'dividend miles' from 2 trips. I checked yesterday and realised that I could buy some more dividend miles and have enough for us to be upgraded to business but only in one direction. So I rang them to check how much it would be - as we almost have enough, it's only costing us $120 each. For that we will have priority check-in at Orlando, use of the executive lounges at Orlando and Philadelphia and nice comfy seats, free champagne etc etc on the way home.

It may make coming home again a bit more bearable!

Julie

 

[BiGGy]

hmmmm wonder if the kids would understand if we left them in economy



BiGGY