free upgrades

[patrixcia]

i have been told that free upgrades to business or 1st class travel are available at check in if plane isn't to busy. can anyone tell me if this is true.

[mkt]

It is possible to get upgraded free of charge or for a vastly reduced fee at check in subject to availability. Also it'll depend on whether you def have to all sit together as there may be seats but not next to each other. You'll also have to be reasonably smartly dressed and basically just pleasant as being abrupt will get you nowhere. We've always found that checking in early has been helpful to us........a lot of the time it just depends on whether the person checking you in is in a good mood!

[dzug]

To be honest, it's more likely if the plane is very busy - overbooked in economy but with space higher up.

[SteveD]

If the flight is not fully booked, why should they upgrade you?

The airline tries to fill every seat in order to gain maximum revenue. To do this, they often over-book, knowing from past experience that there are some passengers who simply just don't turn up. Usually, this works but sometimes everybody turns up and they have more passengers than seats per class of travel.

In this case, they will upgrade passengers, giving priority to members of their frequent flyer programme. After that, they may upgrade passengers based on fare paid, people travelling alone and other criteria such as being smartly-dressed etc. However, don't count on it - it's not likely to happen!

I used to travel a lot and was only very, very rarely upgraded. Although it didn't work very often, my plan was to make sure that I had the seat I wanted (you can often do this on line) and arrive at check-in not late, but close to the deadline (so that, by that time, they would know whether they were overbooked or not).

Good luck!

[luckystrike]

My wife and I got free upgrades from BA World Traveller (economy) to BA Club Class (Business) free of charge on New Year's Day last year from New York to London, and it was fantastic! All we did was ask nicely!

[patrixcia]

thank you all for your help,much appreciated

[whiskeysheri]

How do you put it when asking? Sorry to hijack your Q, patrixcia x

[patrixcia]

that's ok whiskeysheri i don't mind

[luckystrike]

I simply smiled and asked if BA were considering anyone for a complimentary upgrade today, and if so, would it be possible if we could be considered!

I ask on every long haul flight, and have only been lucky the once, however, you never know. As far as I see it, there's no harm in asking, and if they say 'no' then I just smile and make a little joke out of it.

If you do ever get upgraded, you will understand why I ask every time - it's amazing. FULLY FLAT BEDS, champagne after take off, a wine list, main courses actually served to you on your plate, a selection of newspapers and magazines, etc, etc. And that was only business class. I would love a crack a flying BA First class.

Good luck!

[auntiebertie]

you will only get upgraded if the flight is full, they will not upgrade on an empty flight [as another ABer said - they have no reason to]

Do not ask at check in - they have no power to upgrade - the people to ask are in the little room where you congregate before you go down onto the plane. Dress smartly, ask nicely...it may work. FYI Asian carriers [like Cathay, Thai etc NEVER upgrade so don't even bother asking]. Another tip is to book BA World Traveller Plus - I have booked this 4 times and have never actually flown in this cabin as I have been upgraded every time to Business Class.

Become a frequent flyer of the Airline - that always helps. And yes...BA 1st class is Fantastic!!!!!!!

[Binky]

One of the best things about travelling by air first class is actually before you get off the ground! The Lounge at Heathrow is great - lots of free drink, food, newspapers, crashing out space and very few children!

My husband asked for a free upgrade on a flight with Virgin Atlantic New York recently, only to be told, embarassingly that there was only one grade on the flight and that was economy.

I manage do bag a free upgrade at the check in counter in Nice once on the basis that I had actually flown in on business class but was booked economy on the return.

[jno]

I have occasionally asked for one and never got one. On the other hand, I've been given a few - at check-in - without asking. Beats me. But the overbooked-economy is the likeliest scenario.