Does anyone have any tips on getting an upgrade on long haul flights without paying exorbitant amounts.. please? We have no air miles or loyalty points or frequent flyer discounts of any kind. We would like to go business class from London to New Zealand. Thanks

Sorry, you're asking for something that is almost impossible to achieve. "Exorbitant" is a relative term of course. Keep searching for fares, being mindful that time of year is important, as is your willingness to travel on indirect routes, e.g. with plane changes in China etc., but don't expect miracles. Also look into various "premium economy" offerings, which offer more comfort at a reduced cost from regular business class.

It's difficult to get upgrades even with frequent flyer air miles because there are so many people competing for a small number of seats.

I'm afraid your best bet is to follow Gardyloo's advice.

I am lifetime Gold status on AA and I find it nearly impossible to upgrade on any flight.

I think gardyloo overstates the possibility of you getting an upgrade when he says "nearly impossible"

Agree, the times when it might have been possible to upgrade without miles or paying "exorbitant" fees are long gone. I have about 250,000 miles with BA and for the past two years have been unable to upgrade to Club Class even with flexible dates. It's not only "nearly impossible," without miles or large fees, I'd say it's absolutely impossible.

Lots of people have lots of miles and/or status. Gone are the days when just because a coach passenger was dressed nicely or the person in front of them in line was rude, would the passenger get an upgrade. Certainly London-NewZealand in coach would be cramped, but there are no budget miracles.

>>Does anyone have any tips on getting an upgrade on long haul flights without paying exorbitant amounts.. please? We have no air miles or loyalty points or frequent flyer discounts of any kind.<<



Not being snarky . . . but no way, no how . . .

Watch for a sale (Delta has biz class specials from time to time) and hope the dates/cities work for you.

If any portion of your trip is on Air New Zealand, look into their One Up program - they allow you to bid on upgrades to the next class of service if there are empty seats - I've been quite successful using this program in the past.

Otherwise, suggest you look into Premium Economy, but this will of course depend on which airline you're flying on.

http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/oneup-upgrades

PS -

Air NZ is currently offering a sale on flights from London-LAX - not sure if you'd go this way, but if so:

http://www.airnewzealand.com/london-special-offer

Would I be showing my age to say that I remember a time when showing up at the gate, dressed well, making conversation with the gate agent might get you "chosen" for a complimentary upgrade? Wow! Those were the days, my friends. LONG gone!

With elite status, over a million miles and traveling on full fare Y tickets....upgrades, even on domestic flights, are successful only about half the time. International....never.

I think the best the OP can hope for is an aisle seat in coach.......providing they haven't all been blocked for the airlines elite clients.

Air New Zealand Premium Economy is worth a look, esp. if you get first row with only FC in front of you (plus the galley items when they are serving).