BA upgrades at check-in

Clum

Clum

Clum

Soldato
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Off to the Maldives next month. Currently going world traveler plus, business upgrade is ridiculous. Has anyone ever upgraded at the check-in desk and can say what sort of money they asked for? Obviously will depend on the particular flight, but have heard stories of 500 quid upgrades on long hauls.
 
BA wanted £1.2k for economy to business at the check-in desk on a flight from Chennai to London. I think it can vary a bit depending on how booked out the flight is.
 
Ah that's a shame. Definitely more important things in life that money could be used for right now so had hoped the check-in legend was true! Another time. Thanks guys
 
Clum said:
Ah that's a shame. Definitely more important things in life that money could be used for right now so had hoped the check-in legend was true! Another time. Thanks guys
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Always ask politely and even try when onboard, you never know, I’ve got lucky a couple of times. Not often, always worth politely asking.
 
Clum said:
Ah that's a shame. Definitely more important things in life that money could be used for right now so had hoped the check-in legend was true! Another time. Thanks guys
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Be happy you’re on a flight to Male - we went in Jan 2023 and used air miles to go Business with BA so we could spend a lot more on the resort.

It’s an amazing destination whichever resort you choose.

We did book to go back the same time in 2024, but the OH ended up pregnant and we had to cancel.

I’m still holding it against my 15 month old…
 
Penfold101 said:
Be happy you’re on a flight to Male - we went in Jan 2023 and used air miles to go Business with BA so we could spend a lot more on the resort.

It’s an amazing destination whichever resort you choose.

We did book to go back the same time in 2024, but the OH ended up pregnant and we had to cancel.

I’m still holding it against my 15 month old…
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Ahah yeah this is our overdue honeymoon and first anniversary, curteousy of our toddler!!!

Definitely looking to spend a bit of money before the second circus comes into town, but 4kmore than economy hard to justify!
 
Jimbeam3678 said:
Always ask politely and even try when onboard, you never know, I’ve got lucky a couple of times. Not often, always worth politely asking.
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Will do, thanks. Defo not looking for a free upgrade (although wouldn't refuse!). Will have a bit of money aside and ask at check in just incase we can get a goood rate.
 
Clum said:
Ahah yeah this is our overdue honeymoon and first anniversary, curteousy of our toddler!!!

Definitely looking to spend a bit of money before the second circus comes into town, but 4kmore than economy hard to justify!
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Yeah it’s not worth that amount of money I agree - what resort are you going to?
 
Clum said:
Ahah yeah this is our overdue honeymoon and first anniversary, curteousy of our toddler!!!

Definitely looking to spend a bit of money before the second circus comes into town, but 4kmore than economy hard to justify!
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The price difference between economy and business is sometimes enough for another two holidays, absolute madness and money wasted unless that amount of money is nothing to you!
 
Went to Maldives back in 2018 with Qatar Airlines and got email from them allowing me to bid for upgrade from economy to buisness class, I can't remember how much, but a lot cheaper than buying from start. Also got upgrades on way back to Heathrow.
Going back next year flying out with BA and returning with Qatar.
 
I treat the upgrade as part of the holiday costs. The holiday for us starts at the hotel the night before the flight. The last thing I want is a fantastic holiday but the last few days thinking dang that flight home is going to be horrible...
The mrs is also really good at finding deals. Booking on tuesdays seems to be the winner for some destinations.. An insider said thats because all the rich folk get their PA's to book stuff when they get in on monday mornings....Might be true??

Virgin upper class from Heathrow a couple of years back was fantastic. Our own checkin desk, Felt like our own security too. Straight through and straight to the lounge. We remember that more than some of the holiday....
 
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I remember getting a couple of upgrades before - 1st class from business class. Nice but to be honest the biggest is getting the lounge access with showers for interconnecting long distance with business class.
 
mattyg said:
An insider said thats because all the rich folk get their PA's to book stuff when they get in on monday mornings....Might be true??
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It depends. When I met my Mrs she was the PA for a group CFO. She'd get a message on the Sunday for flying on the Monday.. so booking was on the Sunday.. Wasn't his money so it didn't matter in his view..

Rich will go whenever they feel like it. Rich on a budget will get their PA to look for the cheapest flights in advance..
 
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My first business class flight was on a 747, and being BA it meant being upstairs which was a very different environment to a normal aircraft.

Glad I got that in before BA scrapped them all.
 
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