Hi folks. I'm starting to plan my trip next year to Poland, Slovakia and Rumania. I am fairly large (6'4" and 210 lbs) so I like to upgrade to business class using my FF miles. The problem is that the coach class costs approx $1800 in order to upgrade. Have any of you found ways to take advantage of cheaper flights on either American or NW and still be able to use FFM to upgrade. <BR>Thanks in advance for your help. <BR>Arthur <BR>

Frequent flier programs sometimes have several rules for upgrades to business. For example, United requires 20,000 miles for a roundtrip upgrade from full fare coach. If you want to upgrade from discounted coach you need 40,000 miles. Check to see whether American and NW have similar rules.

Frequent flier programs sometimes have several rules for upgrades to business. For example, United requires 20,000 miles for a roundtrip upgrade from full fare coach. If you want to upgrade from discounted coach you need 40,000 miles. Check to see whether American and NW have similar rules.

I know exactly what you are experiencing. I am 6'3" and at 250 lbs find seats on most airlines in coach are very tough to handle. However, I always ask for an aisle seat and find that gives some relief. Those 12 hours flights are still tough to handle. Good Luck.

NW works the way Marija suggested. It's 10,000 FF miles each way for a one-class upgrade from full coach fare, or 20,000 each way from most other coach fares (i.e., you can't necessarily upgrade for that from a super-cheap sale fare, but you can from your normal advance purchase fare).