Crosscountry From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2005, 127 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 6289 times:
Me and the future missus are flying off on our honeymoon later this year (October 5) to be precise.
We're booked on SQ, routed LHR-SIN-DPS, heading out on the 6.30pm flight...the only 777-330ER operated service of the day.
Anyhow, everyone's seen the rubbish on the TV about people turning up at check in and spouting about it being their honeymoon and getting bumped up.
Do airlines actually do this?
I'm a bottom tier FF with VS and have paid a pretty much bargain basement fare so I doubt I'd have much of a chance, but is it even worth mentioning when I reach that check in desk?
CXfirst From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2694 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (4 years 3 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 6228 times:
Not on SQ. It is extremely hard to get upgrades with SQ. They would rather have a 100% filled Y cabin and zero passengers in business, than upgrade some Y. I've even seen a case where Y class passengers were bumped rather than upgraded! (I don't know if this is a common practice or just a one-off).
If SQ do give upgrades, it upgrades the upper-tiered SQ FF members first.
In short, I can't see SQ upgrading honeymooners. However, you can give it a shot. (Y class is good on SQ anyway)
There might be some people with more knowledge than me on this topic.
SK601 From Belgium, joined Jun 2005, 975 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (4 years 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 6160 times:
I would say, it's a myth. As a former gate agent I tell you that 90% of the passengers have an excuse to be upgraded, and in their opinion a valid excuse. Besides the "I am elite FQT, so I am entitled to an upgrade", there is:
- it's my birthday
- we 're on our honeymoon
- we're on our 20/30/40 etc year anniversary
- I served in Irak/Afghanistan etc
- I missed my original flight because.....(whatever reason)
- I always travel your airline (but never applied for FF card)
- My flight is delayed
- I payed too much for this y-class ticket
- they always upgrade me when I travel with XYZ airlines
- my suitcase was lost on the way over
- I am a travel agent and sell a lot of tickets for your airline
- I just had a surgery
- I am ill
- I am pregnant (usually only asked by women)
- My collegue has a C-class ticket and I want to sit next to him/her
- the food was bad on the way over
- I had to pay for excess baggage
- I am claustrofobic
- I have a hernia
- etc etc etc.
Pe@rson From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 18830 posts, RR: 54 Reply 5, posted (4 years 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 6122 times:
Funnily enough, my parents-in-law recently flew BOS-LHR on BA coming home from their 25th wedding anniv. and got upgraded from Premium Economy to Club. The check-in person said: "Have you flown Club before?" They said no. So he upgraded them. Not bad, eh?
"Everyone writing for the Telegraph knows that the way to grab eyeballs is with Ryanair and/or sex."
SQ_EK_freak From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2000, 1583 posts, RR: 21 Reply 6, posted (4 years 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 6113 times:
Recently had a couple on one of my flights in coach that were on their honeymoon (they mentioned it to me during boarding), smiled and said congratulations. Talked it over with fellow Economy crew and told our purser - we snagged two glasses of Dom from First and offered it to them, as well as a slice of the First Class dessert - they were over the moon, it was cute how happy it made them. Also took a picture with the on board Polaroid camera with their Champagne flutes and cake. Some passengers seated around them (full flight) asked me why they were getting such special treatment, and I got worried for a minute that we'd get some snippy passengers but once I explained to them what was going on everyone started congratulating them, and on top of descent the flight deck also gave a short congrats to them (turns out our Purser relayed the message on to them) which was followed by a round of applause by the cabin and crew in the aisles at that time. Glad to see that the two were really happy (the girl was tearing up) and they disembarked saying that we were their new favorite airline by far! (they said up until then Delta was their favorite, and we were their first intentional airline experience...hmm)
APYu From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2007, 751 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (4 years 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 6103 times:
Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 5): Premium Economy to Club. The check-in person said: "Have you flown Club before?" They said no. So he upgraded them. Not bad, eh?
Traveller Plus was almost definately overbooked and the Flight Closer had probably upgraded them on the system before they even got to the desk. W to J is one of the most common upgrades on BA as W is overbooked quite often with it being such a small cabin. BA will also often move W class pax to J to make way for crew travelling non rev. They will put the non revs in W and bump up confirmed pax to J in order make room
We'd like to welcome in particular our Executive Club members and those joining us from our Oneworld alliance partners.
767nutter From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2008, 161 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (4 years 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 6001 times:
For Honeymooners definately a myth, when me and my wife arrived at Gatwick i thought i would be cheeky and try and get a free upgrade to business class, ( we were flying economy, not E+) and unfortunately at check-in no.
Tried when we boarded, the reply : 'Congratulations sir but i'm afraid it will cost you £115 each'
Didn't even get offered a seat in Economy plus! Damnit!
Ah well never mind....................................................
767nutter From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2008, 161 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 5939 times:
Quoting Brons2 (Reply 11): 115 pounds, I would have probably bitten on that if it were a long flight.
Not in my position, it was kind of commical but not at the time; on the way to the airport my car decides to break down, it cost me over £150 to get it towed to the nearest garage and to get it fixed straight away. I have yet to forgive my car for that! So if i hadn't had that problem i would have definately thought about
Crosscountry From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2005, 127 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (4 years 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 5913 times:
On the subject... I just thought... I booked my missus under her maiden name, which will be the name on her passport.
That should be alright, shouldn't it??
Ag92 From India, joined Jul 2006, 1317 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (4 years 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 5909 times:
Quoting CXfirst (Reply 1): I've even seen a case where Y class passengers were bumped rather than upgraded! (I don't know if this is a common practice or just a one-off).
Some information is probably missing, unless of course there was no PPS/KG/KS passenger on board, then likely
Highly doubt it, like many airlines SQ forgets about you once you purcahse a ticket especially at rock-bottom fares which cannot be cancelled. They only care for you during the flight, and in my eyes seeing how some people claim to have been treated by other airlines vs SQ with their premium passengers, I would say that they dont care at all about their premium pax, but then again I look at different stuff in FF rather then the exclusivity
Quoting SK601 (Reply 4): - I am pregnant (usually only asked by women)
Wow, interestng... luckily its answered already
Edit: When I mean premium, I meant frequent flyers, my mistake... sorry
TWA1985 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 636 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (4 years 3 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 5809 times:
When my dad and I went to London a few years ago on UA we upgraded to business one way. We were routed ORD-IAD-LHR.
Our plane was over an hour and a half late leaving the gate at Chicago to wait for three passengers from China.
Once we finally took off we were served dinner and then everything really went down hill. The captain said we were in a holding pattern and we circled around in thunderstorms for almost 45 minutes. We told the FA about our connection and the captain came on and said that all the international connections were waiting.
So, once we landed we rushed off and of course the connecting gate was on the other side of the airport. We got there and the jetbridge was just being pulled away. WE MISSED IT.
They told us that the LHR flight was the only flight that could not wait. BS!
So, we were stuck in DC for a night, though they did let us stay at the Hilton with free Breakfast. But, we missed out on our entire first day and missed a tour we had to book well in advance.
So, on the way home my dad talked to the woman at check in, told her the story, and she handed us each a business class ticket. Not bad at all!
Just my little upgrade story... which shows it can happen.
Sbworcs From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2005, 793 posts, RR: 5 Reply 16, posted (4 years 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 5731 times:
I gpt an upgrade on VS flying LAX - LHR last summer. Was waiting to board into Premium Economy as had "treated" myself for flight homne. Heard my name being called to the podium and given seat 7K - best flight home and ia m not FF on VS or any other airline for that matter!!
JER757 From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2006, 350 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (4 years 3 weeks ago) and read 5705 times:
Quoting TWA1985 (Reply 15): They told us that the LHR flight was the only flight that could not wait. BS!
Probably not BS! LHR is the most slot constrained airport in the world. If you miss your slot its tough cookies, you could sit there for a loooong time (especially if you're an early morning trans-Atlantic arrival).
Honeymooners, I think are one of the more deserving groups for getting an upgrade. Although people with FF status will always come first, my choice would be to upgrade the honeymooners next.
Don't ask directly for an upgrade. A casual 'we're off on our honeymoon', and the check-in agent will know exactly what you're getting at - and will be more likely to help you out.
It might also be worth getting your travel agent to put an SFU comment against your names.
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3687 posts, RR: 31 Reply 19, posted (4 years 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 5626 times:
Quoting JER757 (Reply 17): Honeymooners, I think are one of the more deserving groups for getting an upgrade. Although people with FF status will always come first, my choice would be to upgrade the honeymooners next.
Deserving? Should the caterers for their wedding give them a much more expensive champagne complimentary just because they're getting married?
I think it is contradictory when honeymooners believe they are important enough to receive a free upgrade yet it isn't important enough for them to pay for it. When I got married travelling in first class on my honeymoon was important to me so I paid for it. I mean if you can't splurge for a premium class ticket for honeymoon what more deserving occasion is there?
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
OK, perhaps deserving is the wrong word. However they are one of the groups that are more likely to receive an upgrade; above all of the other excuses that people come out with. And, unless the ground staff/crew are feeling particularly generous, they will only be upgraded where they are required to.
Quoting Fbgdavidson (Reply 19): When I got married travelling in first class on my honeymoon was important to me so I paid for it.
Believe it or not some people can't afford thousands upon thousands for a first class ticket above the cost of the rest of the wedding. What's wrong with putting newlyweds ahead of the rest of the masses? Again, in general, people will only get upgraded if it is required.
On most European and Asian carriers you have to be lucky to get any sort of upgrade, and a sure fire way of not getting one is to ask for it. Of course there are groups of people that will take priority; all the lovely Exec Club pax for example.
MANmatt From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 969 posts, RR: 6 Reply 21, posted (4 years 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 5546 times:
Quoting Crosscountry (Reply 13): On the subject... I just thought... I booked my missus under her maiden name, which will be the name on her passport.
That should be alright, shouldn't it??
That's absolutely correct. Tickets should always be booked by whatever is on the passport and not what that person likes to be called or will be called after marriage. One classic case was a chinese girl I had once going back to China who booked her ticket under some name her friends called her which was nothing like her real name! She got stung for a new ticket in business class as a result as economy wasn't selling anymore!
Back on the subject, this is one of the biggest myths going in the airline industry. I have never upgraded a couple on their honeymoon on any of my flights as this is not company procedure. I will always upgrade top-tier frequent flyers in order before looking for anyone else who may be suitable if required.
FlyingSicilian From Croatia, joined Mar 2009, 823 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (4 years 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 5545 times:
BA did give us some free champagne on a CTA-LGW flight at the end of our honeymoon
I actually cashed the miles for an upgrade for hte long haul honeymoon flights.
I also actually got upgraded by CO on a EWR-MAN flight when CO had split up a honeymooning couple in coach. They demanded to sit together so the agent bumped me up to BizFirst so those two could sit together My one and only non-paid bump on CO
Ualcsr From United States of America, joined May 2006, 482 posts, RR: 1 Reply 23, posted (4 years 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 5516 times:
Quoting SK601 (Reply 4): would say, it's a myth. As a former gate agent I tell you that 90% of the passengers have an excuse to be upgraded, and in their opinion a valid excuse. Besides the "I am elite FQT, so I am entitled to an upgrade", there is:
- it's my birthday
- we 're on our honeymoon
- we're on our 20/30/40 etc year anniversary
- I served in Irak/Afghanistan etc
- I missed my original flight because.....(whatever reason)
- I always travel your airline (but never applied for FF card)
- My flight is delayed
- I payed too much for this y-class ticket
- they always upgrade me when I travel with XYZ airlines
- my suitcase was lost on the way over
- I am a travel agent and sell a lot of tickets for your airline
- I just had a surgery
- I am ill
- I am pregnant (usually only asked by women)
- My collegue has a C-class ticket and I want to sit next to him/her
- the food was bad on the way over
- I had to pay for excess baggage
- I am claustrofobic
- I have a hernia
LOL!!! Thanks for bringing back some fantastic memories; I heard them all when I was a gate agent with UA. My most memorable one was a pax who asked for an UG because he suffered from lung problems and the air circulation in business was better than the air circulation in coach. "A" for effort, I couldn't stop laughing.
Readytotaxi From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2006, 2596 posts, RR: 3 Reply 24, posted (4 years 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 5481 times:
It did happen once, CO flying from EWR-LGW on a 767.
I had the single seat in Businessfirst and after take off there were 4 empty seats.
30 minutes into the flight just before drinks and meal service the cabin supervisor escorted a young couple to the seats next to me, he had a BROKEN ANKLE that was in plaster.
Yes they were on honeymoon to London and he had broken is ankle on the stag night. They were a bit embarrassed about the upgraded and staff only served them their Y meal, but hey its the thought that counts.
you don't get a second chance to make a first impression!
25 Flanders: Last Sunday I was supposed to fly MIA-IAD-BRU on UA. I greeted the check-in lady and handed over all the paperwork (e-ticket, passport, Miles and More
26 LNv22: For the upgrade, I don't know. But, I have a friend that was on his Honeymoon travel last year, flying BA in Y and got a nice surprise. He ordered a 0
27 Mauiman31: Enjoyed the list also. . . thanks. Showing my age. . . but when I was an FA "years ago". . . we had a lot more autonomy in bringing someone up front
28 Rsrik: Hmm.. once upgraded, I'd assume the rest of the experience (food, drinks etc) would be in-line with F or J. Why would they serve them the Y meal !? I
29 767nutter: We did say that, although at the time we were not trying to get a free upgrade, we were still worried about checking in too late! But as i said befor
30 Wingedarrow: As far as I can remember, even at AZ and AF, in case of honeymooners, we simply added a little remark on the passengers list, just to let the crew kno
31 Readytotaxi: I think they were just giving them seat space because of the ankle thing. I've been on a BA flight where the same thing happened, upgraded seat but Y
32 NWIguy: I had a similar thing on UA, I was flying SLC - ORD - LHR on my birthday, when I checked in they told me I'd receive my boarding passes at the gate,
33 IAirAllie: Sometimes it happens you have to keep in mind 90% of people who go on a honeymoon fly to their destination so it's not exactly an rare thing for agent
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