Getting an upgrade on a flight

PureAppleJuice · 12 Jun 2009 at 15:49

Hi there,

I'm flying to New Zealand tomorrow via Hong Kong and I just wondered how easy it was to get a free upgrade on the flight when someone in first class doesn't turn up etc.

I guess the most obvious thing would be to dress smart? But I was just wondering if anyone has any insight into this.

Cheers.

PureAppleJuice · 12 Jun 2009 at 15:58

Yeah i've prebooked seats and everything and am indeed flying on my own. So do you think I should just ask at the check in point whether there are any upgrades going?

Quite a few years ago I was actually offered £300 to fly a different route to NZ... it meant an extra 6 hour wait in some country in the middle east but I was only 16 and scared, oh what a fool I was.

PureAppleJuice · 12 Jun 2009 at 16:04

Well by me going 'smart' I was going to wear a shirt, black smart looking jeans and proper shoes, though I'll probably give up on that and wear converse

At least the weather will be a lot better for you in January, i'm sacrificing what looks like a reasonable summer here for a mild winter in NZ

PureAppleJuice · 12 Jun 2009 at 16:15

Hmm intriguing - the flight was booked on behalf of me by my dad who is part of the Air New Zealand frequent flyer club thing, though I don't know if that'll be reflected in my booking. Well cheers for the tips guys, i'll just turn up tomorrow and see how it goes

And re: dressing smart, yeah i'm taking casual stuff in my bag in case it fails haha.

PureAppleJuice · 12 Jun 2009 at 16:51

howsertrading said:
I think upgrades tend to happen when cattle class is filled up, rather than there being free seats in business/first class.

Ah ok, I must confess I don't really have an understanding of how it all works ahah.

PureAppleJuice · 12 Jun 2009 at 20:34

Well it turns out that i've been upgraded to business class on the Hong Kong to New Zealand leg now so now it's just winging an upgrade on the flight from London to Hong Kong

PureAppleJuice · 12 Jun 2009 at 20:45

Raymond Lin said:
Did you do that over the phone?

My dad did it for me as he booked the flight for me - he had some airmiles to use or something, I didn't really understand to be honest. Though there's a chance that it is indeed too short notice to change that so might just do it on the way back from NZ in August. I'll find out in the morning if i've been upgraded.