low cost upgrades?
 

a week or two ago i read an article in a reputable newspaper re: that some major airlines had instituted very low cost (about 40.00) fees for upgrading to business or first class. which airlines are doing this? i am flying a popular business route in about a month... i do know that the article said that full-fare coach flyers would have priority over bargain-ticket holders.. and i always dress like a professional business-woman even though i am an ER doc and my work clothes in reality are disgusting OR scrubs, bc i DO know they are not likely to put slovenly-dressed people in with the rich and famous...

Katrina,<BR>The only "major" airline I could think of is Alaska Air and it's $50.00 each way based on availibility on the day of travel. The other "major" ones, AA,UA,CO,DL,NW upgrade for much more. In most cases you're talking hundred's if not thousands more. <BR>Unless.... you have an 'Elite status' with the airline. Each airline has different rules, so I won't go into details, but if you have 'elite' status then you would know how much it is. I'm not being snobish, but that's reality.

Thanks, AA for your response. it is very possible that the airlines offering these low fares are obscure ones like Alaskan air and that is why i put it out of my mind, figuring i am not likely to fly on that airline anytime soon, given that i live in Ct. and you are right, i do not have ANY status with ANY airline, as my job does not require me to travel more than once or twice a year. I DO have 140,000+ US airlines miles bc my major credit card lets me earn US air miles, but i do not want to use these miles yet. (though i guess if it goes bankrupt i will lose the miles anyway)...easy come, easy go

Katrina,<BR>Why don't you use some of the miles to upgrade from coach to business or business to first. Usually it only takes around 10-15 thousand miles to upgrade domestically or around 25 thousand for international flight. You will have to check USAir website for details, but it's a smart way to use miles.

Hi Katrina,<BR><BR>America West (HP) were advertising "GO First" upgrades to first class in June when I was in LAS/PHX. The charge depdends on the length of the sector flown ie less than 500 miles for $50.<BR>This is subject to availability at check in and some aircraft only had a few rows of Fist class seats so you may want to upgrade with miles before departure to guarantee a FC seat.<BR><BR>Regards<BR>Gregory

Katrina: You will not "lose" your frequent flyer miles on USAir. They have not "gone bankrupt" but filed for protection to restructure the debt. USAir expects to be out of bankruptcy by the first quarter of 2003.

nottrue,<BR><BR>While I agree with you that USAir most probably will survive, I would not make a bold statement guaranteeing Katrina that she will not "lose" her miles. Although USAir is scheduled to come out of bankrupcy in 2003, there is NO guarantee that it will. Miles are owned by the airlines, and under their rules they could be given or taken without any reprecussions other than loosing their customer loyalty. But we have to realize that in desperate times we are capable of taking desperate measures, and it's the same for the corporate world. Just my opinion.