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Any hints and tips would be massively appreciated - I have a trip from London to Australia this June - that's 25 hours sitting on a plane! What has worked for you in the past?
Thanks!

2007-01-20 21:16:23 · 12 answers · asked by Greg 1 in Travel Air Travel

12 answers

I love the common stories of "it worked for me"...in actuallity, its not likely to get upgraded from Economy to Business OR First on an International flight. Your cheap seat in Coach/Economy is not even close to the price of Business or First class. The first people who would get upgraded during an oversale would be anyone who is a high level Medallion Member or whatever their rewards program is called. Then if there are still seats available, they will go to passengers who paid a full fare. If they do pick random people, which is highly highly rare, it will be someone who is dressed well. They would bump people in order, move someone from Business to First and someone from Coach to Business. If coach isnt over sold, they will fill seats in Business and First with anyone flying stand-by such as employee's and their friends and family that are flying on their passes. There is no obligation to fill those seats.

There is such a common misconception that if you say you are in the travel industry you will get upgraded, maybe back in the day, but now that we have to account for and justify any upgrade or risk losing our job, those are no longer options in many cases. I never upgraded anyone if they said they were on their honeymoon, a travel agent, or even just asked for it. You'd get a little smirk and an "A" for effort, but now, they threaten your job.

Sure you can write a letter, but now they would more than likely send you a voucher for future travel or add miles to your account. Only would they upgrade someone who is a Frequent Flyer who travels a lot and is loyal to their airline and would deserve an upgrade based on that alone. If I got a bad enough story, and it was true and I could verify it...I could see it being warranted. But dont just go making up something to get what you want, kharma would come back to you on that one.

If you want the upgrade, pay for it. People always want something for nothing when it comes to air travel. If you want the comfort and convenience of a higher class, pay for it. You booked the trip, you know how long the flight is, but you paid for Economy. A gate agent has a job to do and someone begging for a seat that costs thousands of dollars more than what they paid is an insult. Most of the passengers on that plane didnt pay much for their tickets, or equivalent to pay for the fuel it costs to run the plane in the gate. So if you want something....pay for it.

2007-01-21 00:57:22 · answer #1 · answered by southrntrnzplnt 5 · 1 0

The best way to get upgraded is to pay for it, when you check-in ask about upgrading and if there is availability, they might offer you a business class seat for much less than if you had previously purchased the ticket.If the airline knows that they have empty seats in business class they sometimes will offer them at a very good price, for some airlines they feel it's better to get something rather than leave an empty seat or give it away. Otherwise, uprades are usually given to members of their frequent flyer programs, beginning with those with the most miles. Always dress well, too, they don't give upgrades to slobs. Also, get to the airport early, and let them know you would like an upgrade, at least you'll be high on the list. I don't think your chances are good, as most business and first class seats are pretty much fully booked these days, as so many people are members of frequent flyer programs. One other thing that might help is to join that airlines frequent flyer program if you haven't already. Most airlines are pretty loyal to people that are loyal to them. I think the days are pretty much over where you can BS your way into an upgrade, they've heard it all before. Good luck and have a good trip!

2007-01-20 21:48:20 · answer #2 · answered by Gerald J 7 · 2 0

Best thing is to pay for the upgrade but that is expensive. Airlines seem to have changed their policy on free upgrade over the last few years so a free upgrade is no longer gauranteed. However, you are most likely to get a free upgrade if economy has been overbooked and the overbooked passengers have checked in. There also has to be a seat available in the next class up.

Check in reasonably early to make sure you get the check in clerk in a reasonable mood. Be polite and courteous. Get a bit of banter going with the clerk. Ask for the upgrade (you definitely won't get the upgrade if you don't ask). If the above conditions have been met, and depending on airline policy, you stand a chance getting the upgrade.

It's not guaranteed but it has worked for me a number of times in the recent past.

2007-01-20 21:36:52 · answer #3 · answered by Penfold 6 · 1 0

I have travelled a great deal and only been upgraded once. If you're travelling economy you won't be upgraded to first class but to business class. They will only upgrade to first class people who have business class tickets. They won't upgrade people who are travelling with children. On the trip from London to Aus there are two legs so if you are lucky enough to be upgraded it would only be for one of those. I was lucky enough to be upgraded from business class to first on a trip from Zurich to Sydney but it was only for the leg from Bangkok to Sydney but hey, I certainly didn't complain! I recommend dress reasonably, don't look like a yobbo while in the queue and it never hurts to ask. Good luck and have a wonderful time in Australia!!

2007-01-20 21:43:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

I travelled to Australia last year believe me an upgrade would have been lovely! Tips in link.

2007-01-20 21:27:25 · answer #5 · answered by fairyb04 5 · 0 0

2 things you need to do...

1. Turn up early, most flights are overbooked so the check in staff will always be looking for someone to bump up, so get there and be one of the first to check in.

2. Dress smartly, if you walk into the check in area looking smart you'll instantly marked as an SFU - suitable for upgrade, dont turn up in ripped jeans and a brits on the piss t-shirt, if you'd paid a small fortune to sit in business/first class you dont want to sit next to some scruffy oik, the airlines know this so you've got no chance.

Worked for me, got bumped from business to 1st on a flight to San Fransisco, 13hrs of luxury :) and it really REALLY pissed the guy off that i was sat next to, he casually asked me 'hey don't you think its worth the extra to go first class'......er dunno mate I paid for business :) he wasn't impressed.

2007-01-20 21:42:51 · answer #6 · answered by thecoldvoiceofreason 6 · 1 0

Buy a business class ticket?

Or if you travel a lot, stick to one airline and join their frequent flyer schemes, once you have built up enough miles you will be eligible for a free upgrade.

2007-01-20 21:21:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

This worked for me before:

Take a short trip on that airline before you travel to Australia. Find something to complain about and then write to the airline and complain strongly - but don't be rude. Don't ask for anything, just state your case clearly.

It helps if you're a frequent flyer on that airline.

2007-01-20 21:21:06 · answer #8 · answered by TonyB 6 · 0 2

Tell them you are in the travel industry and have never had the experience of flying with their airline and would like to be able to give your clients the full scoop on their services. Works like a charm.

2007-01-20 21:25:40 · answer #9 · answered by Cherry_Blossom 5 · 0 3

sit in coach where you belong or pay for it uuugh I hate you people always wanting something for nothing and complaining when you don't get it better off don't go.. you will just be an embarassment rude *** americans allways wanting something for nothing

2007-01-20 21:53:18 · answer #10 · answered by Czech_Mark 3 · 1 3

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