Getting an upgrade on a flight
- Thread starter PureAppleJuice
- Start date
Wow, thats a great hit rate, 30 odd flights and upgraded every single time! I must be doing something wrong.
It's been a while since I did any flights of a decent length, I think things have changed somewhat as it used to be very easy.
At the moment britsh airways are over selling their lower cabins, so upgrades are happening more than they have been. As already mentioned it helps a lot to get an upgrade with BA if you are a single traveller and they pick frequent flyer members in order of status. no point in asking, you will just get a beep when checking bags in iirc. As also mentioned dress code makes no difference and you only get upgraded one class. This info is ba specific.
Luck of the draw mostly IMO - the kind of person you are, frequent flyer perks and title can help...
I think I've been upgraded once (and missed one chance coz I didn't want to wait 3 hours for the next flight) in about 30 flights and I often fly alone, always dress smartly and fit some of the other criteria... I think you have to really get the right blend of charisma to really get upgrades.
I think I've been upgraded once (and missed one chance coz I didn't want to wait 3 hours for the next flight) in about 30 flights and I often fly alone, always dress smartly and fit some of the other criteria... I think you have to really get the right blend of charisma to really get upgrades.
got offered an upgrade to upper class on the way back from la last year if we were happy to take the later flight that day.
we were so knackered wanting to get home that we didn't bother, but said if it happened again we might go for it
If it's a route that's usually overbooked/busy there's more chance of this happening.
we were so knackered wanting to get home that we didn't bother, but said if it happened again we might go for it
If it's a route that's usually overbooked/busy there's more chance of this happening.
Had that when flying out of detroit (as mentioned above) - they'd had to ground some planes earlier due to weather and were offering upgrade to first class and £750 to anyone prepared to wait for a later flight - but I had no way to contact the person picking me up at the other end - otherwise I'd have essentially got the flight free and some money in hand as I'd only paid £500 in a last minute deal.
Idiot!
You should have taken it, and then if the person picking you up at the other end complained you just bung em £100.
I have managed to upgrade a few times but the best was last year flying back from business in New York on the Friday red eye to Manchester with Delta when I went from cattle to the 1A for $50 simply through chatting with the lad on the gate about watches and such like. The plane was far from full and he gave me 3 seats together and I tipped him for his efforts (the $50). Delta had told me $4000 to upgrade to First as it was pre-booked and a company rate so I declined. Sitting in my 3 seats settling down the air hostess comes up and says Mr Housey your seat is ready, sorry for your problems!
I move to 1A, big bed etc and she winks and says "our secret". Said lad on gate is standing there, winks and gives the thumbs up! He'd sorted it, not made a big issue but had a word with the hostess and told them I was family and to look after me.
$50 well spent!
I move to 1A, big bed etc and she winks and says "our secret". Said lad on gate is standing there, winks and gives the thumbs up! He'd sorted it, not made a big issue but had a word with the hostess and told them I was family and to look after me.
$50 well spent!
Soldato
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As was stated earlier - it's more likely you will be upgraded if cattle class is full.
On our last family flight to New York on BA our whole family was upgraded and sat together without asking or suggesting anything. Stewardess just said there wasn't seats together for us in standard class (although there were quite a few empty single seats. Was very impressed with BA service.
On our last family flight to New York on BA our whole family was upgraded and sat together without asking or suggesting anything. Stewardess just said there wasn't seats together for us in standard class (although there were quite a few empty single seats. Was very impressed with BA service.
[TW]Fox;14272278 said:
All the times I have been upgraded was at the gate, the last time I got put from biz-1st, it flashed up when they scanned my boarding pass, I looked at their computer screen and it seemed to have me marked as a passenger that should be upgraded, I assume the computer does these calculations these days.