WA727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 172 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1879 times:
I can't help think of the classic Seinfeld episode where Elaine sneaks into First and gets busted by a F/A. I had a friend try a similiar thing years ago on HP and was sucessful by saying to one F/A that another F/A said it was OK. He was called on it when the two F/As talked to each other toward the end of the flight. They rightfully scolded him upon arrival.
The best way to get upgraded is to earn it or to be very pleasant with the gate agents and F/As. When there is an overbooking problem or a family that wants to sit together, offer to be 'moved to a better seat'. This worked for me once on TW to LHR and I ended up in Ambassador Class. Another time on AA domestic, I volunteered to bump, and instead of getting a free ticket and wating, they said I had to board, but had given me a better seat in First Class. Other than that, dress appropriately, be polite, and don't expect them to hand out free upgrades if you're a non elite status person like me. And don't try to sneak like Elaine!
Gigneil From United States of America, joined Nov 2002, 16215 posts, RR: 88 Reply 3, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1870 times:
This is a pretty well discussed topic. There was even the recent one about people stealing first class seats.
Flyertalk is the place to go for conversations like this.
Jetdeltamsy From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 2984 posts, RR: 8 Reply 5, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1808 times:
here's an idea.....pay for it.
upgrades obtained through non-"sneaky" channels are filling up the front cabin. last minute at the gate upgrades are not always possible these days.
Worked for too many airlines to list. Banktupcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy.
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3688 posts, RR: 31 Reply 6, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1784 times:
The dreaded upgrade threads!
I'd say the most likely people to be rolled forward are:
1) Those on overbooked fligts for starters
2) Top tier elites in airlines own FFP
3) Travelling alone
4) THOSE WHO DON'T ASK!
DoctorKO From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 8 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1704 times:
Actually, Delta did the right thing when they had equipment problems on a flight from PBI to LGA. It was supposed to be a 757, but that aircraft had problems and was grounded at CVG. An MD-80 was sent instead, and therefore, Delta personnel asked if people would voluntarily change to a later flight. Considering I was in Palm Beach, the weather was beautiful, I'm single and couldn't care less, I moved past the complaining passengers, smiled at the girl behind the desk and said no problem. I was given a voucher for 400 Delta dollars, and a new ticket. I didn't realize until two JD & Cokes later that my ticket was a first class ticket. I don't know if it was because I voluntarily bumped, or because I was nice to her!
Jonty From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2004, 226 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1646 times:
Well I asked at the Air China desk in T4 at LHR when it was my birthday n they wouldn't! Worth a try I suppose! But my mum who went a few days before was allowed into business class coz everyone else she was with was upgraded coz they gave her the last seat in economy, but she explained to the f/a on the plane and she said it was ok for her just to go and sit with her friends for the flight! maybe being a woman helps!
Speedbird2155 From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 847 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1596 times:
Quoting Jonty (Reply 8): Well I asked at the Air China desk in T4 at LHR
KITH From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 359 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1544 times:
Try slipping the agent a crisp $50. Can work, worst case they say no. It's illigal to bribe a cop, but a gate agent? -Matt in KITH
FlyTheFlag From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1534 times:
Quoting KITH (Reply 10): Try slipping the agent a crisp $50. Can work, worst case they say no. It's illigal to bribe a cop, but a gate agent?
Actually on some airlines you can buy an upgrade for $50 at the gate anyway.
As an elite tier FF who gives my loyalty to a carrier in exchange for upgrades (as miles are essentially worthless in the overall scheme of things), I dislike it when somebody is given a freebie they aren't entitled to.
Manu From Canada, joined Dec 2004, 402 posts, RR: 8 Reply 12, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 1484 times:
The only time I've been bumped to Business was when Canadian airlines was owned by, but not fully integrated by AC. I was talking with the Canadian gate agent and asked how they're being treated by the merger. She was telling me of how AC were being very difficult with seniority. She held me back when we were boarding and gave me 1A.
A pleasant surprise and I definitely was not looking for an upgrade. Being my first experience in business, needless to say I loved it! Considering I was going to a job interview in Texas I sure loved the room to relax.
WA727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 172 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (8 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 1309 times:
DoctorKO's story reminded my of a very similiar one of my own. On a cancelled TW flight PHX-STL, continuing to JFK in the late 80s, pax were lined up at the gate desk after being told the L1011 wasn't going anywhere. There were many people going all the way east, but I was connecting at STL to MSP. The pax were quite rude (raised voices, banging fists) with the gate agents, being rerouted and rebooked on red eyes, since PHX didn't have much service that late in the day to the East coast. I knew of a a N/S NW flight to MSP in about an hour in another terminal. When I approached the desk, I politely requested that I be put on that flight and that I would high tail it from T2 to T3. She called NW, confirmed a seat, and I made it to T3 with time for a cocktail. I didn't realize I'd been put in First Class until I looked down at the ticket and saw I was seated in row 2. Nice steak dinner and smooth flight on a B727. It may of just been luck in that there were no more coach seats, but I will always approach a gate agent informed, polite, and calm.
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