How do you get a free upgrade from economy with British Airways?

Question

Is it by asking nicely and looking the part?
I know the easiest way would be to pay like everyone else but I have an 11 flight and I was just wondering if check in staff have the power to upgrade people at their discretion?

Answer 1

Free upgrades depend on several things. Firstly, the class you are in has to be overbooked with the overbookees having checked in and the class you are upgrading to must have a free seat (typically the airlines will only upgrade to the next class up e.g. if you have economy, you will be upgraded to business, not first). The people most likely to get the free upgarde are the people who have paid the most for their ticket. For example, if you have paid the full fare for an economy, you are more likely to get an upgrade than the passenger who has the cheapest most discounted ticket. Asking the check in clerk politely for an upgrade won't go amiss - I find getting a bit of banter going to help relieve the stress of the job will more likely ingratiate yourself to the clerk. Also be one of the first to check in and ask. Generally, if two people qualify for a free upgrade, the person who asked first will get the upgrade if there is only one seat available.

Answer 2

Nowadays, dressing smartly and asking nicely will have almost no effect, although you could try - it won't do you any harm.

In reality though, it depends on how full economy is, whether you are a member of their frequent flier programme (and at what level), whether you are booked in economy or economy plus, whether you are travelling alone. Even so, you will almost certainly NOT be upgraded by the check-in staff - these things are invariably decided just before boarding (hence the frequent flier / solo traveller bit) once they know how many people have checked in etc etc. Priority for upgrades, naturally, goes to high level frequent fliers. If you have all that and you're on your own, it's possible - I've had it happen a few times - but don't count on it.

It used to be that airlines overbooked and assumed that a certain percentage wouldn't turn up (some domestic US airlines still do) but that is not the norm and it tended to result in people being asked to volunteer to be bumped off, not them getting an upgrade.

Answer 3

BA are tough on upgrades for long haul. I'm a top tier frequent traveller, in their programme. I get occasional upgrades.

Most of their upgrades are because they sell more tickets per flight than seats available. Occasionally they are over-capacity at check-in, so push some travellers up a cabin type, or so. Frequent travellers get upgraded first, all things being equal.

It never hurts to ask and the staff in the frequent fliers lounge can assist with this. This excludes those who aren't at the right tier for membership level, or ticket type.

Don't ever put undue pressure on anyone. You can be marked in the system as 'suitable for upgrade' or the opposite. So if you then had asked someone else, it wouldn't happen. Alot of the selection is automatic and most don't get a chance.

Otherwise, find customer relations and be nice and ask sweetly. Gate staff can do it, but it also depends on which country you are leaving from, on your return. I have never been upgraded when I wasn't the professional business type person in appearance. Dunno if I lost any chances, but it is still a rare thing for me to get them

Good luck! Rob

Answer 4

Hardly ever happens with BA, they tend to fill planes from the top down so there very little chance of getting bumped. And it might have worked on friends but the honeymoon thing is an urban myth, BA dont overbook each flight by as much as other airlines so the combination of that and more Business/First Class passengers make it increasingly unlikely.

That said if there is a chance for you to get bumped, turn up early and be smart and polite, think about it, if you have paid a fortune extra to go Business/First Class you aren't going to tolerate sitting next to some scruffy git in torn jeans that farts a lot and smells a bit funny are you? Being smart is the only way if you're to stand any chance at all of getting bumped.

Answer 5

Trying to get a free upgrade is a lottery. The class your booked in has to be full before you check in. However, you can pay for an upgrade once on board the aircraft if there is space in a higher class cabin. This method is much cheaper than buying a higher class ticket on the BA website or travel agent.

Answer 6

Many of us would do the same if we could. But many of us don't spout the socialist stuff about wanting to see fair-play and rave against string-pulling, corruption, nods-and-winks, etc., like Blunkett does. He is a hypocrite as most of his ilk are. BA should discipline the employee who obviously wasn't looking after the interests of the company or stake-holders. One wonders what BA got from New Labour through Blunkett. The whole affair should be investigated. Clearly graft.

Answer 7

The honeymoon thing worked on Friends...

Every time i fly i just ask because what have you got to lose. If the plane is empty you might be lucky. They can upgrade you at their discretion.

Answer 8

fly with BA a lot and book economy on a busy flight

Answer 9

Dress in a suit and tie and carry a briefcase if poss ( don't know why but it seems to work ) but above all dress smartly and when you ask speak clearly and softly. It really does work

Answer 10

Are you going with someone? If so, tell them that it's your honeymoon (be all smoochy!). It's likely that they won't do anything, but it has been known that they will upgrade honeymoon couples.