Hints for getting an upgrade????
 

I am booked in coach for a flight from Chicago to London in two weeks. I would love to get upgraded to first class if possible. I have heard that sometimes you can just ask nicely and if there are seats you might get upgraded for FREE! Anyone ever done this? What is the best way to go about asking? Any hints to share? It would be SO cool to ride in the front in those big roomy seats so I really want to do the right thing to get an upgrade.<BR><BR>Thanks to all!

Dream on kid....you will be competing againg a zillion frequent fliers. Not only that but the elite frequent fliers who get complimentary upgrades..<BR>Dream on kid

It will never happen. The airlines get people to use up a lot of frequent flyer miles to upgrade. And there are a lot of people who also want to travel in first class, so they will use their FF miles to upgrade.<BR><BR>Never will you get to do it for free.<BR><BR>Maybe a long long time ago, but not nowadays.

Last May my dghtr, her husband, and I were flying to CDG from PIT the eve of his b-day; the agent checking us in noted it and said she should tell crew to sing Happy B-Day to him at midnite. I jokingly (ha,ha) said wouldn't it be nice to celebrate by giving us all an upgrade, pointing out that my own b-day had been 2 days earlier. She laughed and said something like "Sure, give you $5000 seats for what you've paid; I don't think so!"

Macy, It's even tough to get exit row seat these days, let alone an upgrade! Those with large FF accounts get preferred treatment while the rest are sardine class.

You have to be positively nuts if you think anyone here is going to give you "hints". Lets see, there are ten times as many "coach" seats as first class. And, you want to get upgraded to first class for FREE?

We use a travel agency who meets us at the gate and tries to get us an upgrade. Alot of times it works, but we haven't tried it post 9/11.

September 20 last year my wife and I were to travel Air France ATL-CDG tourista. AF changed equipment due to the downturn caused by 9/11. We had bulkhead seats reserved on the scheduled 747 (long legs) but couldn't get same on the 767. I gently lamented this circumstance to the woman at the gate and (to my amazement) she printed out biz elite tickets and initialed them. Pleasant trip.

My husband and I were flying to Italy to get married last March. I mentioned to them that we were getting married and asked them to consider us if they had to upgrade anyone. The woman at the desk didn't seem to pleasant and we were sure we had been dismissed until they called our names. Guess who got to fly first class. It was great. I tried it on the way back mentioning that we were coming home from our wedding but no upgrade. We did get a bottle of champagne though. I totally think that it depends on the person, the way that you ask and the special circumstances. Good luck

.<BR>1) <BR>http://www.airlineslounge.com/site/travel_tips/air_travel.htm<BR><BR><BR>2)<BR>Call your airline and ask if they offer discounted upgrades when you check in for your flight. About a month ago, I'd read something that Delta & American would sell you an upgrade on domestic flights at very reasonable prices --- ~$80, should there be availability. It didn't mention transatlantic flights. Certainly worth checking into.<BR>

If the airline has inconvenienced you in any way recently, be sure to mention it. It could get you an upgrade.<BR><BR>Last year, I got stuck overnight in Chicago on my way from Indianapolis to L.A. because the plane in Indy apparently hit a mechanic on the ground while pulling away from the gate. They said the mechanic was o.k., but that reports needed to be filled out for the FAA so we were delayed several hours and I missed the last flight to L.A.<BR><BR>When I got to the counter in the morning for my Chicago to L.A. leg I explained the situation, asked for first class (aim high!) and was given business class without any problem.<BR><BR>It can never hurt to ask, but unless you have something going for you (FF status,etc.) or at least a good story, its unlikely especially now that most airlines have cut down their flight schedules.

Macy:<BR>Your best bet is with the ticket agent at check-in. The flight crew will be absolutely no help.<BR>I have had no luck on international flights but have had a good deal of luck on domestic flights. Depends on the passenger load. I always ask. All they can do is say no.

1) book a series of flights that are delayed and cancelled due to bad weather at all points.<BR>2) when a hoard of angry Belgian tourists scream at the gate attendants for letting the last flight depart without them, ask them (in bad flemish) to take it easy since the airline employees don't make weather.<BR>3) get an upgrade on the next transatlantic flight, and a $60.00 charge for delaying your return flights by one day so you don't loose a day of touring, uprgaded as well.<BR><BR>It worked for me. I'd have gladly bought the Belgians a beer...

Whether or not you are able to wrangle an upgrade depends on what airline<BR>you're flying, how many elites are on board, whether coach is overbooked,<BR>and the mood of the person you deal with. The check-in agent is likely to be the one who makes or breaks it for you.<BR><BR>United out of Chicago would probably be tough because they issue SWU certs<BR>to their elites (system-wide upgrades). If you're flying another airline, maybe you have a better shot; it would vary by the carrier. The nature of overseas flights is that anyone who takes more than a couple each year is probably an elite class flyer and that would tend to give them an edge. <BR><BR>I recently picked up a complimentary upgrade from Paris by checking in early and noting that I thought coach was probably overbooked, "so if you need my seat, I'll trade it to you for a business class". The gate agent laughed, but put me on the waitlist and I received the upgrade (I'm elite, but that doesn't convey complimentary<BR>upgrades on international flights). <BR><BR>The thing is that it's typical for coach seats to be overbooked and<BR>biz/first class to be underbooked (that's just the nature of the travel<BR>slow-down right now). When that happens, SOMEBODY is going to be upgraded and it's going to be done very discreetly. If you are traveling solo, I think your chances are probably better. It's worth a try because the difference really is night and day -- it is NOT like domestic first class at all. <BR><BR>Good luck!<BR>

Yikes. We booked two tickets on NW airlines for a trip to Rome in November. It was a good price but not sold as being on sale. Then we tried to use FF miles to upgrade to Biz Class and they sorta laughed in our faces. They won't even let us use our own FF miles to upgrade, so forget getting it for free! Although we were upgraded on an international flight for free in the mid 80's!

Sheepishly, I admit to a ploy I used in the past. <BR><BR>I had been skiing in Utah, it was glorious, and I met a girl. I threw all caution to the wind, and stayed an extra day, even though the airline told me on the phone to not even go to the airport the next day to try for stand-by. No way I was told.<BR><BR>Well, at the time I was skiing with a bulky knee brace. I brazenly strapped it on over my jeans once at the airport. When I limped up to the counter, not only did I not stand in line, they put me on the flight, in first class! Oh, the things we do for love (or even just a little hanky-panky).

Five years ago we went to Paris on a Continental Airlines vacation special. Arriving at our gate in Houston early, I good-naturedly volunteered for an upgrade to business class "if they needed someone" (the flight happened to be overbooked in coach. Voila! Our names were called shortly before departure--and we both enjoyed the comforts of business class. And the story gets better. Tried the same tactics on the return from Paris--and got upgraded again! It never hurts to ask. Jinx Hoover

Join the clergy. On a number of transAtlantic flights I have seen a clergyman quietly taken from steerage and ushered up to business class. I suppose this happens when too many people are booked in coach and not enough in business, like the other poster said.

My friend, who is a well dressed, trim, middle aged British lady, was asked by a stew. on a flight to England if she would mind sitting in business class. She was told it was because she was dressed so "sharp" and they needed the room in coach.

So is that what it's come to now? Maybe many of us should buy nun's habits and priest's vestments. Then we may be able to get a good seat!

Worth a try, on a flight from France to NY I put on my eye shades after we took off while I was sitting next to a white minister, when I took off the shades a little later, I was sitting next to a black businessman. I didn't even know that they had upgraded the minister while I was resting. <BR>I was confused for a bit, for the changed seat was next to the window and I was sitting on the aisle and didn't even know the switch had happened.

PS: I said to the businessman, didn't you used to be a white minister? He laughed and said, I wanted to try the other side for a while.<BR>Then he told me he had been seated next to a crying baby and wanted to change seats.

Might be a bit risky posing as a priest, as all the kiddies will be screaming when they see you coming and all the mums and dads will be giving you the evil eye the whole flight!

Coming back from London in July, I asked the ticket agent if he could seat my travelling companion and I together, since we'd been far apart on the flight over. He made a phone call then upgraded us to Premium Economy (this was on Virgin Atlantic.) Random acts of kindness, I guess. I was thrilled because this had NEVER happened to me before (the best I ever hoped for was a bulkhead seat.) When we got to the gate the agent changed our seat numbers again, with no explanation. We were upset because we were sure she had downgraded us back to coach. When we got on the plane and found our seats they were even better! Front row with about eight feet of empty space in front of us. I've never had a more comfortable flight. It was a great way to end our trip!

What airlines, in your opinions, are willing to give upgrades without hesitation? Virgin Atlantic, based on the previous poster's comments, seems like a very thoughtful and customer service oriented airline. Do you think Lufthansa would give an upgrade? I've read their customer service leaves alot to be desired so maybe not?

Back up for the answer to the last question.

<BR>I've been upgraded twice flying from the UK to the US. The first time was with Virgin, second time with British Airways. I just asked VERY nicely at check-in, where I was told on both occasions that the plane was full so there was no chance, but on the first occasion, my name was called at the waiting area and I was informed of the good news, and on the second occasion, I was told when I got to my seat and found there was already someone sitting there! Both experiences were fantastic, and I really appreciated all the extras, especially the room, the comfort, and the superior food. I even got a head, neck, and shoulder massage on the Virgin flight.<BR><BR>On one of my return flights from the US to the UK, I also did exactly the same thing, just asked very nicely, only to be met with a VERY curt, "And how do you propose to pay for that, madam?" I did not object at all to the content of that question, but to the extremely rude way it was put to me, although I kept my mouth shut at the time. All the assistant needed to say was something like, "No, we have no spare seats in first class today", or "We have spare seats, but we request that you pay extra if you want one".<BR><BR>I wonder if there's more chance of an upgrade from the UK to the US in general, or if this has just been my personal experience.

it does happen. i was upgraded along<BR>with 2 family members from coach to<BR>first class on olympic airlines flying<BR>from ny to athens. this was only because our seats were taken in coach,<BR>but what a nice flight!! i was much<BR>more rested than when flying coach.

I think that most of you here are just cheapskates. I travel and have elite status. I spend $$$$ every year with the airlines. Why should YOU get special treatment. Why don't you just cough up the money or fly more often.

Randall you are a pompous ass. I strongly suspect that the money you claim to be spending is actually company expense money, not your own. I too have traveled extensively in both first and business class, and I always had a ticket that was paid for, but I am the first to admit that I was only there because my company was paying for it. So, shut your mouth.

I do not ever ask for upgrades because I do not need them, as I always travel first class. I would not even consider riding in coach with that great sweaty, smelly, blabbering throng of low class sub-humans. I find that the patrons in first class are always of the finest stock and appreciate the finer things in life. We all smell good, dress sharply, and have impeccable manners. We are of course superior to thise in coach and we expect to be treated as such. The one thing that really, really irritates me is when some coach person-thing wanders up to first class and uses out PRIVATE toilet facilities. HOW DISGUSTING to think that that poorly dressed, uncouth, uneducated thing actually peed or worse in the same toilet that we use! It just makes me ill to think of it. I think the airlines should install locking doors between first class and the rest of the plane to keep the riff-raff back there where they belong. It would also keep those disgusting odors that come from coach from drifting up into our pristine space. <BR><BR>Thank you for your time,<BR>Elizabeth

So it was YOU, Elizabeth, that poked out my eye when I was peering into first class through the curtain.

<BR><BR>Elizabeth is right. Keep those coach lackeys in their place.<BR><BR>Let them eat cake.<BR><BR>Be content to have a seat in coach. If you think you have it bad just remember how our ancestors, Ellis Island bound, survived steerage with its straw mattresses, seasick induced vomit, dirty diapers, ethnic food aromas laced with garlic, in poorly ventilated quarters. <BR><BR>The next time some obese person takes the seat beside you...just remember 10 days being rocked and rolled on the Atlantic from Southahmpton or Hamburg to the Statue of Liberty and you'll realize you never had it so good.<BR><BR>Consider yourself lucky just to tread through first class on the way to your seats in coach. <BR><BR> It is where you belong.

I think it works on the plane ONLY. If there are empty seats in business class (no one is going from coach to first unless it is an overcrowding situation and then the airlines take the most FF fliers), and I don't mean an empty seat, but various, you may ask to speak to the lead flight attendant and very politely ask if there is any way at all that you could be accomodated, if not, no problem. We got stuck on a terrible flight full of screaming teenagers (10 hours) on a school trip and I told the lead flight attendant that she simply had to control them (hanging over the seats, blocking the aisles, etc.) and we were immediately upgraded to business class.<BR><BR>I also agree about being well dressed. If you look sharp and you don't make a fool of yourself carrying on too much hand luggage, and you SMILE BIG at all the flight attendants, you stand a good chance at being moved if they need to move someone. I am glad to hear they move clergy...those people work 7x24 and they deserve it.

PS. Sometimes it can work with the gate people. However don't even attempt it if the plane is crowded, overbooked, if they are being hassled or if you are not dealing with the person IN CHARGE of the gate. Actually I always ASK but I have had thousands of flights to get down the routine. I don't ask when OTHER PASSENEGERS are listening. I whisper or I wait for a discreet moment when no one else is at the counter. I always start by saying I am sure it is NOT Possible and I completely understand however if I look like their best friend from high school or some other unknown magic key, sometimes it works. Don't brown nose, though. When it works best is when the flight is delayed or cancelled and you are sent on ANOTHER flight. If you control yourself, your temper and wait patiently you can work wonders. Whatever you do, don't drink first, then ask! No one is going to give an upgrade to someone with liquor on their breath. Flight attendants have had enough problems with drunks and the last thing they want is a drinker in a free booze section.

Elizabeth<BR>That was me trudging up to the 1st class biffy on your last flite.Sorry,but the thong I had been wearing for 6 weeks while filming &quot;Survivor&quot; was just too raspy.And I needed some relief.I forgot to say thanks for the butt pinch!<BR>Jason

There is a huge lawsuit pending right now between a leading airline and a First Class passenger who got blind drunk and smeared his own feces all over the walls of the cabin when he was asked to stop drinking. First Class is no guarantee of classy passengers. Bus. Class are all tired business people who just want to sleep. The nicest people on any flight are in coach. If only the seats were a tiney bit bigger with a tiney bit more space, and if only they all had their own trayback tv screen monitors, coach would be fine. There are so many lawsuits pending now against the airlines for people who suffer in coach (too fat, seated next to too fat, thrombosis, etc.) that I forecast a big change in coach coming in the next 12-18 months in order for the airlines to remain in business.

Hey Ned, <BR><BR>Some people's ancestors had an even less pleasant boat ride here.