We are flying to US in June and we have heard that at check in, sometimes you can be upgraded for free if there is space? What is the best way to do this? Someone suggested saying we had just got engaged? Has anyone ever done this successfully, or know of a good tip or sure fire winner?
2007-05-25 06:45:52 · 13 answers · asked by SMGFAN 3 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Hmm, well are a male female couple and we are flying to Vegas for the Ricky Hatton fight so we could make that 'we're off to get married thing work', but if lots of people try it then maybe not...... Hmm not sure what to do
2007-05-25 12:13:57 · update #1
Tell them you are getting married it always works
2007-05-25 06:48:01 · answer #1 · answered by TAFF 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're not going to get a free International upgrade, no matter what advice you get in this forum. It just doesn't happen. Frequent fliers save their miles all year so they can upgrade their long-haul and International flights, and if there is an oversell situation, where coach is sold out but there's open seats in First, the airline is going to bump their frequent fliers first. The average traveller is pretty low on the pecking order.
Your best bets are:
-If you're offered an at-the-gate upgrade for a fee, take it. Usually it's around $500 each way
-See if you can get an Exit row seat instead. They can be quite comfortable.
-Save the sob stories, "we just got engaged" and all that junk. The gate agents hear this stuff dozens of times a day and they just don't care any more. Trying to wiggle your way into First class with a smarmy line will get you put on the very end of the list, for sure.
2007-05-27 11:44:33 · answer #2 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there I work for BA in check in and frankly the best way to get an upgrade is dont ask.
You have to realise that we check in hundreds of people a day every day and we get asked this question all day and the excuses are quite amusing sometimes. Please spare some thought for us check in staff and dont be pushy demanding or expect it by saying you fly with us all the time so i shud have an upgrade, im on honeymoon, ive got a bad back/leg and cant sit in economy or is the flight busy you can put me on the list for upgrade.
Just be yourself, be polite and dont dress scruffy. We would rather give the upgrade to someone who would appreciate it rather than keep asking all the time.
Hope this helps
2007-05-25 23:05:53 · answer #3 · answered by giucy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, asking is not a bad idea. If you look it, saying this is your honeymoon works very well, but you need to be a man/woman couple (airlines arent too liberal on that, Im afraid...) and probably travel to a honey-moon plausible spot. Flying to Baghdad for your honeymoon is probably not going to be too convincing.
Another good one is use an airline where you have elite status. If by any chance Coach gets full, the first people to be bumped up are the ones with the higher Elite status for that airline.
2007-05-25 11:01:51 · answer #4 · answered by EL8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will depend on how busy the flight is the best thing to do is to travel smartly dressed ask at the gate thats when they are more likley to know if there are any seats available. When i worked in a travel agent though i was never upgraded even though i had a buisness card with me and travelled smart
2007-05-26 01:22:36 · answer #5 · answered by JULIE S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone wants a free upgrade. So if something works, everyone does it. Unfortunately, saying you just got engaged almost never works. But so many people still says it anyway. You basically have many many people dressing up and asking, sometimes begging, and it seems the people who get upgraded are the people who didn't have to ask.
2007-05-25 12:05:01 · answer #6 · answered by averagebear 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The best way is to pay for it.
Airlines don't give out free upgrades unless they have too anymore. Problem is first class is often the first section of the plane to sell out, so there are almost never open seats there. You can try, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
2007-05-25 06:51:06 · answer #7 · answered by Just a friend. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are suggestions, not guarantees:
Dress your best, arrive late for check-in. It worked for me twice on a transatlantic flight. Trouble is, once you get used to the comfort business class offers, it's not easy to fly economy anymore.
2007-05-25 08:34:28 · answer #8 · answered by Prudie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is going to probable be notably troublesome to get an improve on the Transatlantic area of your flight...they are very high priced and maximum airlines sell them up till the time of departure. Then...they might improve any of their greater tiered regularly occurring fliers, before they furnish up the seats for all and sundry else. I continuously tell my passengers it cant harm to ask.The worst you may get is a no. stable success...I fly out and in of guy frequently to pass to my fiance and its considered one of my widespread airports.
2016-11-05 08:59:32 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we applied for a millage plus card with united and we got an upgrade to economy plus on our trip to san francisco, the extra leg room was great . oh and by the way its free. www.united .com
2007-05-25 08:40:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋