View Full Version : Getting an upgrade
I'm travelling over on my own in a week or so, and thought I would ask if there was any chance of an upgrade. Never done this before, so I would like to know where and when is it best to ask? i.e. at check-in, or at the gate, or both?
I'm going with United, has anyone ever had an upgrade with them?
Thanks!
ShirleyD
27-10-2007, 16:02
You can always ask, but don't hold your breath! Airlines don't just give away upgrades for no reason, it is normally done when they have overbooked the economy section and need to move people forward.
They look for smartly dressed people and normally choose those who are regular flyers with them or who have paid high fares depending on their policy.
My son (19)who was travelling on his own last Christmas got a free upgrade, as he is so tall and they took pity on him. They have quite a large section called Economy Plus which has 5 extra inches of legroom. I have no idea what your chances are of a free upgrade, but travelling on your own is sometimes an advantage if they have one spare seat. There are about 11 rows of Economy plus seats.
Robert5988
27-10-2007, 16:33
United have the same policy as most airlines these days for what is termed 'Op Ups' (Operational Upgrades). They have tightened up a lot because of the controversy this has caused in the past - Gate Attendants upgrading 'friends'.
As Shirley states:
Firstly economy must be overbooked.
Then those with the high category flexible economy ticket(which often cost more than a business ticket) are next in line.
Then the elite Frequent Flyers- with the top categories first.(this includes those in their alliance with other airlines)
Airline employees on the flight come after those categories - but if there are still upgrades available they can be allocated an upgrade.
If it is discovered that Gate Attendants have ignored these rules, they can find themselves in trouble. The Frequent flyers have various ways of finding out and file formal complaints.
Well my son was flying on the cheapest level of ticket, and was not dressed in designer clothes so he must have been very lucky - both ways!:D But he was not grumbling, and he was upgraded on check in!
i usually travel on my own and the chances are very slim sorry even though i always travel with virgin i have looked into this through clubs and forums and so if you can afford it upgrade
Mo Green
27-10-2007, 19:25
Amanda you could always ask first at check-in if the flight is full. If it is not then there is no point in asking for an upgrade.
Being a single traveller may be an advantage. A friend was flying back recently on her own with BA but she was not a frequent flyer member. She passed through check-in but her name was called at the gate. It seemed that a husband and wife had checked in at the last minute following the sudden death of a parent back in the UK. Naturally they wanted to fly back together and there was only one seat left in economy and one in 1st class. My friend was delighted to hear she was upgraded to 1st!
Mo
ShirleyD
27-10-2007, 19:45
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ellie
Well my son was flying on the cheapest level of ticket, and was not dressed in designer clothes so he must have been very lucky - both ways!:D But he was not grumbling, and he was upgraded on check in!
[/quote]
Ellie there are always exceptions, due to the 'human factor' I should have added it pays to be polite and chatty with a nice smile [msnwink] and when I say smart, many airline members still have a thing about jeans, maybe going back to the days when people used to dress up to travel [msneek]
Those were the days Shirley[msnwink]
Lynne
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ShirleyD
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ellie
Well my son was flying on the cheapest level of ticket, and was not dressed in designer clothes so he must have been very lucky - both ways!:D But he was not grumbling, and he was upgraded on check in!
[/quote]
Ellie there are always exceptions, due to the 'human factor' I should have added it pays to be polite and chatty with a nice smile [msnwink] and when I say smart, many airline members still have a thing about jeans, maybe going back to the days when people used to dress up to travel [msneek]
[/quote]
Well, Shirley, he has been known to charm the birds off the trees, so maybe it was that which paid off![msnwink]
Most of the time I honestly believe if you are not a very regular traveller with the airline then its more a case of not what you know but who you know, although of course there are always exceptions to every rule[msnwink]
florida4sun
28-10-2007, 01:27
Agreed, we have family who are airline staff with BA and virgin and upgrades are not usually a problem. Otherwise they do give preference to frequent travellers. Also asking for an upgrade is a sure way not get one.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mach 2
Most of the time I honestly believe if you are not a very regular traveller with the airline then its more a case of not what you know but who you know, although of course there are always exceptions to every rule[msnwink]
[/quote]
ShirleyD
28-10-2007, 01:46
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
Agreed, we have family who are airline staff with BA and virgin and upgrades are not usually a problem. Otherwise they do give preference to frequent travellers. Also asking for an upgrade is a sure way not get one.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mach 2
Most of the time I honestly believe if you are not a very regular traveller with the airline then its more a case of not what you know but who you know, although of course there are always exceptions to every rule[msnwink]
[/quote]
[/quote]
I think that comes under the 'human factor' [msnwink]
bargainqueen
28-10-2007, 02:03
A few years back the 3 of us were called to the Virgin desk at the gate and found that we had been upgraded to Premium Economy. Apparently a family wanted to sit together.
We've added to Virgin's profits since as we paid $300 to fly back PE and have been booking that since then.
We have only ever had a free upgrade once and that was due to a “plane change” The new plane had 50 fewer seats and we were picked because all 4 of us are frequent flyers with Virgin. However if you don’t ask you don’t get, BIG SMILE.
[msnsmile2]
Nic
Katys Grandad
28-10-2007, 14:57
The only foolproof method is to call the airline, ask what the First/Business class fare is, give them your credit card number and they put you in a seat in the front. It works every time.
There really isn't any other reliable way and anybody that tells you there is doesn't know what they are talking about. Being upgraded by dressing smartly, asking/not asking, claiming to be the Archbishop of Canterbury etc, etc, etc... have virtually no effect and are myths.
You can get lucky but luck is usually all it is.
andrewmckay5
28-10-2007, 15:58
Our experience backs this up.Admittedly it was 2003 so things may have changed but we were flying PE with Virgin using air miles so had not paid full fare. Our daughter was 14 months old and my parents were with us so 5 in all; Dad was dressed in his "comfortable" clothes ie scruffy.Only the normal red card flying club so not frequent flyers. All 5 of us were upgraded to 1st class; actually 4 seats as at 14 months Sabrina did not have her own seat. I was amazed that we were upgraded with a baby!!
My advice for the future would be just to collect as many air miles with your preffered air line and use them.
andrew
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
There really isn't any other reliable way and anybody that tells you there is doesn't know what they are talking about. Being upgraded by dressing smartly, asking/not asking, claiming to be the Archbishop of Canterbury etc, etc, etc... have virtually no effect and are myths.
You can get lucky but luck is usually all it is.
[/quote]
I have only ever been upgraded twice on BMI flights as I am a frequent flyer with them. I suppose if you have a full paying economy ticket you would be the first they would move if they had the need to.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:
They look for smartly dressed people
[/quote]
Better leave the shell suit behind this time then[msnwink]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by online
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:
They look for smartly dressed people
[/quote]
Better leave the shell suit behind this time then[msnwink]
[/quote]
Shell suit! That brings back memories, Sue and I haven't worn ours since our wedding day[msnsmile2]