Centrair From Japan, joined Jan 2005, 3597 posts, RR: 21 Posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 2285 times:
I have only been upgraded using Worldperks back when I was flying a lot domestically in the U.S. Now I don't get upgrades unless I am really lucky.
I flew business class on JL but that was part of my job.
My wife got a upgrade on Garuda for an extra $100 becasue of a business contact.
After that NO LUCK.
I was watching an old episode of Friends, where Chandler and Monica try to get upgraded because it was their honeymoon. Could this actually work?
Any other secret ways of getting upgraded without much effort?
Yes...I am not a KIX fan. Let's Japanese Aviation!
Meteorologist From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 137 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2263 times:
Before I was elite, I always seemed to get upgraded just by being nice to the CSA when there was a flight irregularity. It's worked well for me with NW/XJ. They've treated me right in the past.
Ckfred From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 4650 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2258 times:
Try looking like you belong in First Class. Most airlines have a dress code for employees who are flying First as non-revs. You don't have to wear a coat and tie, but if you look business casual (Dockers, nice shirt, no sneakers), you probably improve your chances of getting upgraded.
Centrair From Japan, joined Jan 2005, 3597 posts, RR: 21 Reply 3, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2238 times:
Okay this is good.
Now how could this work on an airline like CX? (NGO-HKG next week)
A few years ago my wife and I tried the "Friends...its our honeymoon" approach on NW and...well they said, "Congratulations" and stuffed us in the back of the plane.
Now it is actually our honeymoon (delayed for 2 years) and we would love a little upgrade...even on a 4 hour flight.
Yes...I am not a KIX fan. Let's Japanese Aviation!
Klkla From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 803 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2218 times:
I have received every upgrade I wanted on United by doing a little research first to see what availabilty is in the class I want to updrade to. It also helps to be flexible with your travel dates and to book in advance as far as you can. Being a 1K member probably doesn't hurt either.
Case in point... I am fonfirmed on a rt from LAX-CDG upgraded to Business on a T7 next month for $672.
MarshalN From Hong Kong, joined Sep 2005, 1521 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2200 times:
Quoting Centrair (Reply 3): Now how could this work on an airline like CX? (NGO-HKG next week)
I thought that flight is often fairly full?
I know a person who schmoozes the counter agents -- depending on who's the smooth talker in your couple, pick an agent of the opposite gender. It sounds dumb, but it does help, apparently. Other than that.... I don't know, I don't have a lot of upgrades myself.
Centrair From Japan, joined Jan 2005, 3597 posts, RR: 21 Reply 8, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2189 times:
Quoting ASFlyer (Reply 4): How about buying a ticket. Now there's an original idea.
Yes. That is original. I shall have to try that next time. This time could you lend me the $4771.80 for two RT NGO-HKG Business class tickets on CX?
Quote: I know a person who schmoozes the counter agents -- depending on who's the smooth talker in your couple, pick an agent of the opposite gender.
Thank you. I think I will try that one combined with the dressing nice. My wife is powerful at talking but she is just too sweet and always plays by the rules. I think I just want to see if I can put this off. (Feeling a little...Dangerous)
[Edited 2005-09-20 07:35:46]
Yes...I am not a KIX fan. Let's Japanese Aviation!
FCYTravis From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 1191 posts, RR: 6 Reply 9, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 2172 times:
Buy tickets (or in my case, have the company you work for buy them for you), fly miles, get elite status. Works for me.
You're trying to get something for nothing. If there was a "secret" to that, we'd all be flying 777s with 75 F sleeper suite cabins, a bar and a swimming pool.
[Edited 2005-09-20 07:19:34]
USAir A321 service now departing for SFO with fuel stops in CAK, COS and RNO. Enjoy your flight.
Flyingexpat From Hong Kong, joined Aug 2005, 17 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2147 times:
1) dress business casual as others have said.
2) go to an opposite sex check in station.
3) be up front... ask them if there are any BC upgrades and smile with all your might.
This has worked probably 30% of the time, but now that i am gold with one-world, it doesnt really matter as I can just buy my upgrades with miles (capacity assuming). CX HKG-NGO might be full, as it is a business route primarily. Also, you might not get the nice J seats, just an upscaled version of economy (not worth it in my opinion) in J on some short-medium routes.
Okees From Canada, joined Sep 2005, 424 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2101 times:
Having a premium frequent flyer card helps quite a bit. My cousin got upgraded to business, and once to first class on air france because he had the frequence plus (at the time) blue card.
But upgrades mainly depend on the route, airline, and season of flight, which means its very hard to get upgraded on transatlantic and high density domestic flights.
(btw this is my first a.net post. hopefully many more meaningful/non offensive ones to come!!!)
S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2084 times:
Be honest with yourself. How likely is an airline to give away a first class upgrade...Just because you want it? Agents are instructed NEVER to give freebees unless the situation requires it. Even if coach is over-sold, they ask for volunteers to bump to a later flight. If they have elites that have not upgraded, they'll upgrade them automatically. If you don't fly the miles with the airline...Be prepared for a disapointment when you smile and ask for that free upgrade. Dressing nice won't help a ton, but it might help a little. You gotta understand that free upgrades don't happen often.
I've only been given a free upgrade twice that I can remember. Once on Alaska, and once on America West. Other than that, I've always had to use miles, or use vouchers. I was upgraded one time on United, but that was because my dad and I volunteered to bump off a SFO-PDX flight that was way over sold, and take a flight to EUG, with a connection to PDX. This was before 9/11. After we volunteered for the bump, with vouchers on UA given to us as compensation, I said "Hey...since we helped you out...any chance we could get first on the Eugene flight??" At first she said no, but I just smiled and say "Awww, c'mon...Please? We're gonna have to sit here for 3 hours..." She folded, asked the supervisor. He gave his blessing...and we were off. That is typically the only time I ever ask for a free upgrade. If I volunteer to bump, I'll ask after the agent is processing my bump. It'll work some or most of the time.
777Purser From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 219 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 2046 times:
Quoting Centrair (Reply 8): Yes. That is original. I shall have to try that next time. This time could you lend me the $4771.80 for two RT NGO-HKG Business class tickets on CX?
While I understand the importance of keeping the customer happy, I also believe I have a responsability with the airline and its revenue. I do not support upgrades unless they are paid for, in money or miles. The harder it is to get a freebie, the better the chances passengers will pay. I am sure you can put it on your credit card if you really want to go in the front...ask CHASE for a credit line...
FOLOV From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 170 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1946 times:
Hum Getting Upgraded for Free Kind of Hard.
I work on a route where everyone is going on their honeymoon. here what a lil conversation will look like.
-Hi this is our Honeymoon , we were upgraded on our previous flight (2-3 hours flight usually) Can we do the same thing.
-I m sorry but this flight is full of honeymooners
-But did all of them ask you?
-HUm Half of them
-How much would it be ?
-700 per person
-about 2 for 1
-Can t do
When i first join my company, i was like Wouah 700 only , i used to charge 3000 with my previous one.
The thing about upgrade is why would we upgrade someone that may not come back on us. We have frequent flyer that flies with us on this route 5-8 times a month that s huge, a little reqard for them is great.
Of course we try to make our pax happy but it s hard. though i think we have a great configuration 2-4-2 that makes our couples happy specially the 2 seaters.
I say just ask maybe the upg price is not that bad. We usually sell all our empty seats in upper class by the end of the check-in.
on our LAX-PPT route
eco to bussiness=700
bussiness to first=900
eco to first=1600
this is realy reasonable compare to our competitor.
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3687 posts, RR: 32 Reply 15, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1796 times:
Quoting Centrair (Reply 8): Yes. That is original. I shall have to try that next time. This time could you lend me the $4771.80 for two RT NGO-HKG Business class tickets on CX?
Hey try this, walk into a Mercedes Benz dealership buy an A Class and see if they'll give you the $130k S Class.
Seriously, check-in agents hear all kinds of crappy reasons why people should be upgraded and honeymoons are one of the worst ones. CX are likely to upgrade their Diamond and Gold cardholders first before giving them away to anyone else, if they do at all. Some airlines, particularly Asian airlines, keep their premium cabins just that, premium and won't give them away to any old mug.
If it is your honeymoon and a special occassion then why not save up? If you think you deserve it then pay for it!
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
Dtwclipper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 16, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1788 times:
Quoting Centrair (Reply 8): Yes. That is original. I shall have to try that next time. This time could you lend me the $4771.80 for two RT NGO-HKG Business class tickets on CX?
Why do you think an Airline should give you their premium product for free!
Get a life! In your business, if someone came in and asked for 5 grand of freebies, what would you do?
Buy a friggen ticket, or sit in the back and shut up!!!!
I hate these "I want everything for nothing" concepts...What did your parents teach you as a child?
Airbazar From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 6863 posts, RR: 7 Reply 17, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1752 times:
Unlike some of the people who responded on this thread, it helps to be nice to the checkin agent. It never hurts to ask and I agree with what someone else said: dress like you belong in first class. Both my wife and I have received free upgrades using this method. One caveat though, it only seems to work if you're travelling alone. My father for example is 2 for 2 on BA's BOS-LHR route. I recently received an upgrade on UA trans-atlantic and my wife has gotten one on LH and AZ trans-atlantic.
Notice how all these routes are international. I don't think it is possible to get free upgrades on domestic routes unless you're an elite FF or you pay for it, simply because most domestic carriers give their FF priority and even automatic free upgrades.
GeorgiaAME From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 867 posts, RR: 6 Reply 19, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1722 times:
Have Elite Status in your pocket (Gold is better than Silver, etc.), book your flight on a very heavily booked flight, full if possible (there are multiple web sites that show availability), dress like a mensch (hairy legs in sandals with matching tank top, and a day's growth of beard won't make it), ask nicely, and offer to pay with your frequent flyer miles.
One of the reasons Delta is bankrupt is that I book code share tickets for the lowest Delta price possible, and ask politely. Works like a charm. Oh, in Italy, I usually speak only Italian to the check in people, which they seem to love.
This obviously won't work for everyone, but I haven't flown stearage across the Atlantic in over a year.
"Trust, but verify!" An old Russian proverb, quoted often by a modern American hero
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4117 posts, RR: 37 Reply 20, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1713 times:
A non basic membership of their program always helps. I regularly got upgraded seats with my Silver cards of United (a few years ago) and KLM (now) even while flying on a cheap ticket and silver is not that big a deal no more.
Not looking too shabby helps as well. I travel alone, maybe if you are together they are worried you will chitchat too much spoiling the peace for the paying business pax. Same reason you can forget it if you have a baby.
Being nice to the staff helps but in a casual natural way. Don't go being slimy, they know your actual agenda ! I got upgraded once when I had to wait at check in due to a minor private problem of the check in attendant which he had to discuss by phone, and I didn't show any frown or so about it. Helps much more then complimenting his hair while he knows it's actually nasty hair.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
Whiskeyhotel From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2004, 224 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1685 times:
Sometimes you can get a airline branded credit card for an airline not based in your country that can bring with it elite frequent flyer benefits. For example, Continental markets a credit card within mexico/central america (Different from the Chase Mastercard offered to American residents) that offers as one of its benefits CO Silver Elite status (read this on FlyerTalk). Elite Status on an airline is about the only semi-reliable way to get a one-class op-up. It even works within alliances. For example, I was recently flying IAH-CDG on AF, the flight was overbooked in Y and I'm a CO Plat...I was dressed nicely and had a good idea of what was about to occur when someone else turned up at my seat with an identical seat assignment on their boarding card (fairly good sign you're going to get the op-up, at least on CO and AF). I called over an FA who took a look at my boarding card (which had SkyTeam ElitePlus printed on it) and she promptly returned with the purser who moved me to a window seat in business (unfortunately not the NEV Business they're rolling out...will be using miles to try that out once the 773 is plying IAH-CDG in Nov).
So, in summary, elite status is key to getting the op-up, followed by using an ITN travel tool (Check the links section on FlyerTalk) to check availability for overbooked flights...anything zeroed out in coach is good, but these tools aren't always wholly reliable). Lastly, make sure you're dressed well and look like you belong in business class. These strategies have netted me 4 op-ups in two years of being a plat (2x LGW-IAH CO, EWR-GLA CO, IAH-CDG AF)
Work is the curse of the drinking classes - Oscar Wilde
Airbazar From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 6863 posts, RR: 7 Reply 22, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1679 times:
Quoting ARGinLON (Reply 18): It's like going to your local supermarket, buying cheap instant coffee and then ask at the counter "Can I upgrade this to a Lavazza coffee for free?"
Not exactly the same thing. Every seat that goes empty is lost revenue for the airline. So if cattle class is overbooked but business and/or first has empty seats, someone will likely get upgraded. I sure hope you don't work for an airline
Dtwclipper From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1644 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 22): Not exactly the same thing. Every seat that goes empty is lost revenue for the airline
We are talking about two different things here. Yes, I was once upgraded on SR from Biz to First, but only because the flight was oversold, not because I felt I deserved it or employed tricks to get it!
That is the difference, people think they should get something for free these days.
CanadianNorth From Canada, joined Aug 2002, 3371 posts, RR: 10 Reply 24, posted (7 years 8 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1595 times:
1) dress like you belong there
2) be really nice and really polite
3) don't argue
4) if something gets lost/delayed/cancelled etc keep smiling and just go with it instead of getting mad
5) don't expect it.
CanadianNorth
What could possibly go wrong?
25 BCAL: More like, taking your wife/girlfriend or husband/boyfriend back and asking if they would trade her or him for Paris Hilton or Matt Damon for free!
26 Alphascan: Its easier to attract a bee to honey than to vinegar. http://www.dalecarnegie.com/
27 DFORCE1: I see Air Canada upgrade certificates on sale on E-Bay all the time. But is their certain criteria for using them? Like, if I just have regular Aeropl
28 Sampa737: Chiming in on the others: 1) Dress like you belong in First Class 2) Don't say, "You wouldn't happen to have any freebies, would you?" 3) Be polite 4)
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