Upgrades

[wingnut1]

Please can someone tell me how to get an upgrade.  I've read several things over the past couple of years such as turn up really early or really late, dress smartly or simply ask. Every time I fly I see people in a queue at the gate having their tickets upgraded so there must be a knack to it - I'm a tall person who hates flying cattle class but can't afford business or first class!  Thanks.

[SteveD]

They will give priority to members of their frequent flyer programme so join the programme of the airline/s you use most frequently.

 

When you book your ticket, reserve your preferred seats (that way you have nothing to lose).  Check in close to the closing time.  They will then know if they are overbooked and if they need to upgrade people to get everyone on board.  If you have had no luck at check-in, stay near the departure gate so you can hear if they call you.

 

Miracles do happen: my wife, our two children and myself were once upgraded transatlantic and I was travelling on a free ticket!

 

[sddsddean]

Never had it happen to me, but one of my mates and his missus were coming back from New York and were asked if they minded being upgraded due to a technical fault on their aircraft. No problem they said. Were they surprised when they walked aboard Concorde!!

[bob101]

Ask, dress well, no kids... Sometimes turning up late, being charming (not smarmy)...

[archbishop]

A title helps as well.

[Bangkok]

I get upgraded a lot because I fly a lot with a limited number of airlines and I ask politely at check in if they are upgrading.  Normally business is full on long haul, so most upgrades are Business to First, and very few are Economy to Business (economy passenger get bumped instead).  The time you turn up is less important that the way you look, the frequency of your flying and the airlines view on the potential of you booking the higher class next time. 

 

[becks]

My mum is a senior CSA at BA and believe me, being charming or having a title will make no difference. Turning up late CERTAINLY won't get you an upgrade, more likely you'll miss check in or worse still your flight, sorry steve but checking late won't mean the carrier knows if they have overbooked - they always overbook, and they'll know before check in.

There's nothing you can do really, it's a luck/chance thing - and i'm surprised that you seem to see people getting upgraded EVERY time you go - in fact i would hazard a guess that these people are either friends with the check in staff or relatives.

 It drives my mum crazy seeing articles like "how to get an upgrade" in newspapers or magazines as it just causes more hassle for the check in staff. Steve is right however when he mentions the frequent flyer thing - they do upgrade you in preference to any old random if you;ve shown customer loyalty.

The best thing for you to do as a tall person is to ask for the emergency exit seats as they have a door next to them and extra legroom, but even then it'll probably depend what mood the check in girl is in...

[SteveD]

becks, I bow to your mother's inside knowledge.  I suggested checking in near to the latest check-in time - not checking in late.

 

I was under the impression that airlines overbook because there are usually some passengers who, for whatever reason, do not turn up.  It is when more passengers turn up than there are seats in the aircraft that the problems start.  How can they know this until near the end of check-in?

 

Surely, when check-in closes, if they have empty seats in Business and more passengers than seats in Economy, someone (starting with the Frequent Flyers) will get upgraded?

 

 

[apricot2]

I fly mostly with BA and always ask, with a smile, if there is any chance of an upgrade.  I often travel alone, which helps, and always look as though I could afford a Club Class ticket.  I have been upgraded on transatlantic flights many, many times and have always been very, very grateful.  I still don't think it's worth paying the extra for Club Class although I have used my BA Miles for World Traveller Plus.  I always ask and what's the worst they can do?  Say, sorry but no.