It got me thinking - how often DO people do this? I remember always seeing the ads on the screens at CVG where DL would say something like "upgrades available for $500" or some such. Granted, this was a few years ago when mainline was much more prevalent, but I do wonder how many who don't upgrade online do at the gate.
Schweigend From United States of America, joined Jun 2010, 495 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (2 years 10 months 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 2705 times:
So far as I know, upgrades at the gate are based on status only--elite upgrades. And maybe necessity too if they have an overbooking situation in Coach.
Money upgrades must be done at the front counter in the ticketing hall, at the airline's airport customer service center, or online--even if paying with a credit card. Gate agents do not deal with money transactions really, yet.
Upgrades using FF miles must generally be confirmed in advance, not at the airport, but I'm aware of people who have organized FF mile upgrades on the day of departure--over the phone and with difficulty.
Flyer732 From Namibia, joined Nov 1999, 1334 posts, RR: 27 Reply 3, posted (2 years 10 months 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 2675 times:
Delta still to this day sells upgrades at the gate using a credit card. So does AirTran and several others. When I was working for AirTran we'd have daily contests to see how many we could sell...I did like 30 one day if I remember correctly.
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21495 posts, RR: 24 Reply 4, posted (2 years 10 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 2635 times:
Quoting Schweigend (Reply 2): Money upgrades must be done at the front counter in the ticketing hall, at the airline's airport customer service center, or online--even if paying with a credit card.
It's becoming common now to be offered a paid upgrade when you check in at an airport self-check in kiosk.
Dl767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (2 years 10 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 2601 times:
Maverick623 From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 4744 posts, RR: 6 Reply 7, posted (2 years 10 months 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 2588 times:
Probably not the greatest answer; but it really does vary day by day and flight by flight. I've seen 3 people purchase a $250 dollar upgrade (out of 4 possible open seats) on a red-eye PHX-JFK on one night, and a few weeks later nobody took up the offer.
Quoting Schweigend (Reply 2): upgrades at the gate are based on status only--elite upgrades.
I can only speak for US with certainty, but while customers with status get upgrades at sometime between 7 days before up til check-in (depending on status), if there's open seats up front day of departure they'll offer the upgrade for purchase.
Quoting Schweigend (Reply 2): Money upgrades must be done at the front counter in the ticketing hall, at the airline's airport customer service center, or online--even if paying with a credit card. Gate agents do not deal with money transactions really, yet.
US gate agents can process CC transactions to pay, but if paying in cash one would need to go to the ticket counter.
Schweigend From United States of America, joined Jun 2010, 495 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (2 years 10 months 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 2545 times:
My bad for not specifying that I know only of CO and old-NW procedures. At the gate elites who have not been upgraded in advance are standing by for F, maybe nonrevs too, but you can't purchase an upgrade there. Don't know what UA does now, or whether the new UA will start selling upgrades at the gate. With UA/US/CO partnered, maybe this will be harmonized.
I am a little new to Anet and will try to be more precise--
mckvakk From Norway, joined Mar 2010, 81 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (2 years 10 months 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 2495 times:
Does anyone know if BA does this? I would very much like to upgrade (mostly on the way home though) on LHR-EWR-JFK-LHR. But my fare doesn't allow me to do this online..
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8771 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (2 years 10 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2450 times:
Quoting Dl767captain (Reply 5):
Is there a set amount for the upgrade for delta?
Delta upgrade fees:
0 to 500 miles $50
501 to 1,000 miles $75
1,001 to 1,500 miles $100
1,501 miles and up $150
To Hawaii from Atlanta or Cincinnati $250
To Hawaii from Los Angeles or Salt Lake City $200
These are only offered when there are more F seats available than Medallions waiting to clear the upgrade list (thus, a general member on a flight where there are 30 Medallion waiting for an upgrade will not be offered the opportunity), and the customer must be on a Y/B/M/H/Q/K fare - L/U/T fares are not eligible.
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