I am flying with Malaysian Airlines from the UK to KL next week and assume the plane will be a little emptier than usual....do you have any tips on how I could beg an upgrade to business class, or are my chances slim if I don't belong to one of those frequent flier things? <BR>All suggestions very gratefully received!

I have a surefire way. When you get to the counter, hand over a credit card and say, "Please upgrade me to business class." It works every time. Just make sure you have enough available credit to pay for the business class ticket.

What an asshole! It's a reasonable question that may or may not have a reasonable answer. Why take the time to post 'me' if you have nothing valuable to say? Keep your dumb-ass comments to your self, dick.

Seriously Me, <BR>Only the moronic and or business traveler flying on someone else's dollar actually pay full price for business class tickets.Oh and frequent flyers too, but then again it's most likely business travelers on someone else' money. <BR> <BR>To answer your question Ludaparker, <BR>just ask the ticket agent politely if the plane is full. Then if it is not, ask if there are any seats in first or business class and ask how much it is to upgrade. If the price is right, go ahead. If the agent is in a good mood and wants to do something extra for the airline and keep a loyal customer instead of an empty first class seat, they'll upgrade you for free. Not only wil that give a strong impression from you of the airline, it will say "HA" in the faces of those nay-sayers like "me" who will be sitting in coach eating the pre-wrapped cold turkey sandwich.

Thanks for the advice Jay, as for 'me' -, like 'dick' says, you wonder why these people bother to post petty sarcastic comments!

Why? Because I'm tired of finding myself sitting next to trailer trash after spending MY OWN money to pay for my business class seat. I'm also tired of people who want something for nothing. Luda, I thought you said all suggestions very gratefully received. You're most welcome.

Oh I would much rather sit next to trailor trash (who fly first and business sooo frequently) than sit next to some New-Money, materialistic, elitist, and snooty, traveller like "me" . <BR> <BR>More power to those who get the upgrades. It makes those who actually pay full price for their seats look like real idiots. If I can buy my Benz for 10 grand less, I would. But according to 'me', I should pay sticker. What a sucker.

"Me" - what an angry little person you are, in today's world, its a shame there aren't less people like you about...moaning on about 'trailer trash' what makes you so great? People like you think money's the only thing that matters - there's more to life!

Hey Dick? Stop being a dick!

What's the name calling people? Underneath me's mean attitude I understand his/her point. And that point is that you really don't deserve first or business class unless you pay for it. As someone in the business, a lot of passengers really don't understand that it's not really right for you to whine or beg your way into a seat that you didn't pay for. <BR> <BR> I know how nice those seats are, you have my sympathy!

"you really don't deserve first or business class unless you pay for it." <BR> <BR>I don't really deserve to be a fat and happy American either, but you aren't going to take it away from me. I see NO problem asking to get 1st or biz class without paying. If they say no, just smile and walk away. That seat is going to Japan or New York or wherever whether sat in or not -- not a whole lot is lost by them just giving it to you. I would not, however, condone whinning or complaining if your attempt to get a freebie is rejected. <BR> <BR>P.S. Me, grow up and just be glad you can afford high dollar seats. If I'm offered something for nothing, I'm taking it.

When buying a car do you try to get a Mercedes for the price of a Pontiac? <BR> When going out to eat, do you try and get the lobster for the price of a salad? <BR> Well do ya? <BR> <BR>

Well CLJ, <BR>If you could get a Mercedes for a Pontiac, Would ya? <BR> <BR>When going out to eat if you could get a lobster for the price of a salad would ya? <BR> <BR>Would ya?

You people! Can't believe all this talk about "not deserving a seat you didn't pay for" - you think life is fair? What planet are you on! A lot of things happen to people good and bad that they don't deserve, really! So there happens to be a free seat in business class, somebody asks politely, gets it, big fucking deal! I fly business all the time and really couldn't care less whether the person next to me paid for their seat or not, all I cae about is how they behave ...something NOT directly related to the amount of money they have.

Alicia, <BR>Do you kiss your mother with that potty mouth? I wouldn't want to sit next to you anywhere.

feeling's mutual 'abc' - you've got to love these people who take the moral highground!

All you people having a go clearly have some major chips on your shoulder. If you want to have a go Luda, you do that girl. Life is about playing the system and getting the most you can from any situation. If you piss off some shallow, petty snobs who think that the cost of something is all that matters then so much the better. Their lives are clearly emptier as a result of their views. <BR>And abc, what world do you live in? Potty mouth? People haven't spoken like that for over 50 years. Get a life, how can a word offend you? <BR>Luda good luck. Hope you sit next to some of these people if it'll wind them up!!

Having picked up a number of complimentary FC upgrades -- even off the lowest-level award tickets -- I can tell you that this is an area where being polite really pays off. It is all the more true because a lot of passengers feel it is their god-given right to treat airline employees like doormats. Smile to yourself when you see this happening; these people are actually very helpful to you in meeting your goals. They lend greater weight to your understanding demeanor. It is not difficult to be a refreshing contrast to some of the jerks you will see at the counter and it is its own reward anyway, regardless of where you end up sitting. There is no need to feel manipulative about making someone's day a little brighter with empathy. You have nothing to lose by asking and sometimes, it works.