Help me get an upgrade for my honeymoon
 

All,
So we will be going to Italy and Greece for three weeks coming up in about 10 days. What are your strategies for getting upgraded to business/first class from economy?

I figure that being on our honeymoon and all, we should have as good a shot as any. We will be flying AA (and partners) via London and I am not excited about squeezing my 6'4" frame into an economy box for 15+ hours. Thanks for the help!

AA is charging $500.00 plus 50,000 miles to upgrade from a R/T coach ticket and even then it's sometimes hard to find space available.

You could use the honeymoon gambit, if you find a romantic check-in agent, you might get lucky!

A friend who works for an airline says they hear the honeymoon (or aniversary) story every day - several times a day. Its gotten to the point they just close their ears to it.

Either payup or shutup is basically what you can do. Pay for an upgrade or sit in economy. If comfort is an issue then pay for business class but NEVER count on being upgraded - anyplace, anytime anymore.

We went to Italy on our honeymoon, and really didn't "get anything" for being honeymooners. No one seemed to care, except in Rome where we found champagne and strawberries in our hotel room. (By the way, we didn't just offer the info that we were on our honeymoon - it would come out in conversation...)

I guess honeymooners in Italy are a dime a dozen, and if everyone tried to treat you extra-special, they wouldn't be able to run their businesses profitably.

I just wanted to give you the heads-up that you probably shouldn't expect much special treatment simply as a result of being on your honeymoon.

Considering what some people pay for a wedding reception, it's too bad money isn't allocated to upgraded airfare.

Hi ksose,

We went to Italy on our honeymoon last June (2004). No upgrade, in fact we had to argue to even get seats together on one segment of our flight. Although we had bought the tickets together on one itinerary with seats together, the airline had oversold the flight and split us up. I was almost in tears, as it was the overnight 10+ HOUR segment of the flight that the airline tried to separate us on.

My advice would be to get to the airport extra early just to ensure your seats are together and forget about getting an upgrade. It has become all to common for the airlines to oversell the flights. We flew to Italy this past May and we got to the airport extra early to get our seats assigned. We were really glad we did so, as one late-arriving couple was split up. We overheard every word of their fight with the airline... this would not be a pleasant way for you to start your honeymoon!

Did you pay full fare economy or did you get discounted tix? If full fare and you have a lot of miles, as was mentioned earlier, you might be able pay $ + miles to upgrade. But if you have discounted tickets - then just pray you end up sitting together and cross your fingers for aisle and/or bulkhead seats.

HI ksose--I am afraid that ship has sailed. No one seems to get complimentary air upgrades for many years now. But I hope you have a lovely honeymoon and married life.

ksose - I think people have made valid comments about the upgrades... but on a lighter note - we were treated well on our HM in Italy.

On flight over they gave us Champagne with the 1st class people. One of 5 places we stayed left us a bottle of Spumante, one restaurant gave us a bottle and we also got one on the way home from the flight attendants (I'm guessing they didn't use their alottments in 1st class!)

So, are we just extra cute? I'd like to think so, but probably not. It does pay to mention its your HM, but don't expect anything from it. Like TA we didn't just blurt it out - example - I had emailed the Hotel to ask about a water taxi and just happened to say we would be arriving on our HM. That got me a room with tub and Spumante with no further effort.

Best of luck!

I've seen some airlines upgrade honeymooners - but they were required to show their wedding certificate. (Malaysian)

I've also seen BA upgrade honeymooners recently but only up to World Traveller Plus (they even announced over the PA on the aircraft that the couple were honeymooners).

Good luck to you on the upgrade. I hear what others say , but it is a special occasion, and if there are seats available, why not? You'll speak the praises of the airline for years to come!

"Being on our honeymoon and all..."

Sigh.

What a shock it may be to discover how unremarkable people in the travel industry consider honeymooners. I'm afraid the US wedding industry may have led you to think you are the most prized customers anyone could have. Unfortunately, you are outranked by anyone with platinum or gold FF status, anyone who paid undiscounted coach prices, any last-minute VIP, and perhaps a disabled or elderly person with a special need.

It's always worth asking, but it's NEVER worth assuming you have a good chance.

Best shot: rack up the miles so you can upgrade for your anniversary trip.

For our honeymoon to Italy last summer, we didn't get any upgrades for our flights. We got a fabulous deal on our tickets during a winter Alitalia sale and considered that to be the best upgrade we could get. However, when you book your hotels, it is worth mentioning that you are on your honeymoon. Our first stop was in Venice, and we stayed at the Locanda Barbarigo. They had a bottle of wine in our room. In Positano, at the Villa Gabrisa, they also had a bottle of wine for us, and they also sent up a bottle of wine and a plate of cheeses and tiramisu.

Definitely be sure that you have already received seat assignments for your flights. If you book online and it doesn't give you the option of selecting your seats, call the airline directly. The sooner the better! At least then you can be sure you will sit together, and you never know - the agent might be nice and put you in the bulkhead seats.

Here is the strategy I would use: instead of 3 weeks honeymoon I'd cut it to 2 weeks to get more expensive air tickets, not to depend on anybody.

I'll readily admit I may be off base here, but it seems to me that at one time the Honeymoon trip was a major extravagance. The travel industry courted honeymooners as they were the ones who really splurged and often traveled only first class all the way. But today from what I hear, everybody spends all their money on the reception and the ceremony and then pinches pennies from beginning to end to be able to take a honeymoon at all. No wonder the travel industry's eyes don't light up when they hear the word "honeymoon".

And by the way, while I use miles to upgrade or get free business class seats to Europe, I can't remember the last time I didn't see disappointed frequent flyers willing to pay for the upgrades but none were available and they had to remain in coach. The likelihood of an empty seat in business or first that isn't already being wait listed by someone with more clout than you is pretty slim.

wow, thanks for all of the congratulations but you really didnt have to...

now that i have been sufficiently lectured, i should inform you that i am not some money grubbing millionare huddled in a corner devising schemes to live a life of luxury at the expense of the masses. i have never been to europe or flown first class before and since my fiancee and I are planning and paying for our own wedding, we certainly dont have the funds to pay for first class. an upgrade using points is out of the question--you cant rack up that many on two weeks of vacation a year. the only way we got the tickets in the first place was as a gift from her parents who got the tickets as a reward from a business credit card.

i dont expect anything from anyone and i didnt come here with tears in my eyes expecting to get some sympathy points--i thought that with all of the trips people take here, you would probably have some friendly tips.

sorry to ruffle your feathers. would still appreciate any FRIENDLY tips.

Hi K,

Have a happy honeymoon.

Friendly advice: Mention that you are on your honeymoon at every opportunity.

Don;t expect anything other than congratulations.

((I))

sorry for that rant, some of you are being quite nice and helpful.

Hi ksose,

I'd still try to get to the airport extra early so that you don't get split up... I can't say enough how <b>not</b> fun that was dealing with on our honeymoon!
Also, definitely tell your hotels that it is your honeymoon. Our hotel in Rome left a bottle of champagne in our room with a congratulations note. I think little gestures like this actually are somewhat likely to occur and they make the trip quite special.

One possible option: UA is now offering a deal whereby you buy a one-year membership in their Economy Plus program. The membership is good for yourself and one guest and allows you to buy seating with extra leg-room. Up until now the Economy Plus seating has been reserved for frequent fliers and sometimes disabled people who really need the extra space.

Ksose,

I was surprised to see such harsh reaction to your question and assumptions about your motives and/or priorities. Although it's been 11 years, when my husband and I arrived at the AA ticket counter to leave on our England/Scotland honeymoon, the ticket agent acknowledged and congratulated us on our marriage (must have been our travel agent who placed a notice on the booking). We boarded a crowded plane where we found our coach seats occupied. My husband was upset that we were going to get bumped, but was politely told to wait in the service area. A few minutes later, a flight attendant came over to us and said, &quot;Mr. &amp; Mrs. Davis, come with me&quot; and sat us in business class and brought us champagne. He addressed us and Mr. &amp; Mrs. the whole flight, and brought us a bottle of wine to take with us once we landed.

It appears that the airlines don't do this anymore. But do let hotels and restaurants and others know about your good news. You may not get an upgrade, but chances are you'll get a better table, a better view, and a little special attention. I think that most conscientious businesses (and good people) want their customers to have a good experience. Plus, there are still a few romantics out there! Have a great honeymoon.

Ksose,

Sorry you didn't like the dose of reality that you got, but I think people just gave you the facts of life. Being a honeymooner is not a big deal anymore...simple fact of life.

Now, if it was your 50th wedding anniversary, that might be worth noting by the airline...but honeymoons...not such a big deal.

Just enjoy your honeymoon and well...suffer like the rest of us who fly coach. :)

Hi ksose--I hope you did not take my comments to be harsh or unkind, b/c all I meant is that times have changed re:airline upgrades...All the best!! :)

ksose,

Congratulations. &quot;Expect nothing and then be pleasantly surprised when good things just happen&quot; -- that's good advice for a honeymoon and life.

Texas Aggie mentioned it, but I'm curious: Have you called the airline to nail down your seat assignments yet? That might help you avoid being split up or bumped on departure day.

You can get an idea of the seat layout for your flight by practice booking it on Orbitz. There you will get a floor plan of exactly what seats are unassigned. If you're in one of those 2x4x2 seaters, try and get one of the middle-section aisle seats near the rear of the plane precisely where the middle section transitions from four-wide to three-wide. Those haven't yet been designated as &quot;premium&quot; seats.

&quot;sorry to ruffle your feathers. would still appreciate any FRIENDLY tips.&quot;

Huh? I re-read every post and didn't find any rude ones. A couple are a tad sarcastic but nothing bad at all. And most are quite sympathetic.

You HAVE recieved all sorts of friendly tips . . . . . .

Ksose,

I can't help but weigh-in here. I just stumbled on this thread while searching for some advice for my own upcoming honeymoon in Italy and was hoping to get some good answers to your fair question. I think you're rant was absolutely called-for. maybe I'm just an oversensitive honeymooner-to-be also but I was shocked at some of the responses I read. &quot;you're a cheapskate to boot&quot;??? that's just plain rude. obviously you and I now know that we shouldn't expect any extravagant treatment on our honeymoons. I guess the best we can hope for is a warmer reception than the one you got in this thread.

congrats and have a great trip.

p.s. this thread does not seem representative of my experience on these boards. I think somehow you must have stumbled into the &quot;Bitter Travler&quot; section.

ksose, I think my post was one of the less friendly ones, and I probably owe you an apology -- my excuse: the protracted North Carolina summer heat and my indirect annoyance at the airlines who treat pretty much everyone like cattle. Sorry!

Congrats, hope you love Italy and Greece (best choice IMHO for a honeymoon), and just be pleasantly surprised if someone does something nice for you as a newlywed.

Congratulations on your honeymoon - I hope you have a wonderful time (you will love Italy and Greece).

That being said, you are sadly the lowest of the low. Not only did you fail to get mileage tickets by flying - you got them off of credit card miles. The airlines will (rightly, I think) upgrade those people flying business with fairly high priced tickets that fly frequently. They will never make it to the category of people that are flying on miles - no matter the event.

But don't let this ruin your time. Go on the web site now and select the best coach seats that are currently available (if you wait to get seating, you will perhaps not even sit together). Then have a great time and realize that what you lack in love from the airlines - you make up for in love for each other.

Have you considered having your bride wear her wedding dress to the airport?

Sadly I think many posters appreciate only the comments they wanted to hear, and find any that weren't the answer they were hoping for to be rude and unwanted.
I'm not just referring to this thread, but it seems to be an increasing trait.

What I understand from all the posts; Turkey would still pamper you as honeymooners. However Greece might do the same. Hoteliers usually are charming. Let them now with an e-mail and request politly if any vacancy for an upgrade as you are on honeymoon. But keep the letters small.
Congratulations and have a lovely honeymoon weather with or without an upgrade. getting merried is already an upgrade isn't it ?

Happy Travelling,

Murat from Turkey ;-))

looks like a crowd came to the scene of the commotion. thanks for the messages of support and help from many of you--i too find this board of great use and almost all posters very friendly.

i think i will be checking the seat assignments when i get home tonight.

ksose,

Don't pay no mind to the naysayers. Number One, they're envious that they are not going to Italy on a honeymoon -- YOU are.

Number two, they're probably still grousing about an urban legend they heard from a friend of a friend who supposedly watched as some newlyweds got taken out of line and bumped into First Class -- and THEY didn't.

So there...

bajafresh, I think brides look absolutely beautiful in their wedding gown and should be encouraged to wear the gown as many times as possible ;;) This is from a mother who saw her daughter married in June and thought she looked like a dream. I wish I could see her in that dress every day for a year she looked so lovely. I think a person just naturally smiles when they see a bride and groom.
ksose, enjoy every moment of your honeymoon and all the time thereafter, Deborah

ksose,
Here's another tactic that can't hurt to try. I don't know where you're leaving from in the U.S. but assuming there is a flight to London after yours, go to the gate agent early and ask him if your flight is overbooked. If so, tell him you're willing to give up your seats if they can put you up front on the later flight.

It probably won't work, for all the reasons everybody else mentioned but it never hurts to try.

Good luck.

Your best hope is for what is known as an &quot;operational upgrade&quot; or op-up: one made for the convenience of the airline when coach is oversold and they need to move some people forward.

I know you are traveling on AA, but study this link from the flyertalk UA board, and note particularly &quot;The Speech&quot; (adopt its tone and adjust the content to your own circumstances).
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328066

That said, an op-up is like funding money in the street: it's nice when it happens, but not something to plan on. It's harder to upgrade 2 people than 1, and high-level frequent fliers (EXPs and PLATs on AA) are often preferred over the regular folks.

Good luck.

Well done! This has to be one of the better trolls on this board. Only further advice is to tell them that not only are you honeymooners, but you are AMERICAN honeymooners! And tell'em loudly! It'll work every time.