Upgrading to First Class
 

Any suggestions on the best way to upgrade to first class for US Air? I was told that there aren't any upgrade seats available using miles, but looked at US Air's website and it appears that there are about 20 seats left for first class.

last time i flew u.s. air to madrid from phl, they were offering first class upgrades for $500 each to anyone.

Did it costs $500 for both legs of the flight? Also for you think it was worth $500 for the first class ticket? Is there that much of a difference between first class and coach.

I'm flying USAir to Rome in 13 days (not that I'm counting or anything!). I've called a couple of times to see if there are any first class seats available for a mileage upgrade, and I've been told each time that there are limited seats for miles. There could be empty seats, and they would try to sell them at the gate the day of departure, but not for miles.

I hope this makes sense.

I'd try booking in Business Class with your miles.

How I've had this happen is I've had a business class ticket. When coach is oversold, they bump high paying or high mileage frequent flier passengers into Business (had this happen too - once to China - yeah!), then people with business get bumped into First Class.

I really don't see much of a difference between business and first (not $500 worth). In First, they might have the pod-like bed seats - which are nice, but in business you have the reclining seats with footrests for sleeping and the food/drinks offered are very similar.

jgkell00,
Are you a preferred FF member?

We upgrade to US Air Envoy (Business) reguarly with miles from PHL to MAD and CDG.
In low and shoulder season, booking 4 months out, we're usually confirmed right away. For June, we need to book before Jan. to be confirmed. A return in Aug. is a hard one to upgrade, even with preferred status. When we don't book with enough lead time to be confirmed, we're put on the wait list. One of us has Silver status, the other Gold, and we've always made it on, either confirmed before departure by the very nice agent in the First Class/Envoy lounge in PHL or by the agent at the gate at either end.

Yes, U.S. Air does sell Envoy seats for $500 each way when available.

On our PHL-MAD Airbus flights in summer, there's precious little difference between Envoy and the 6 First class seats. Same champagne before take-off, same meals, same beverage choices, same snacking station, exactly the same service but pod seats that make an almost flat bed. But there's no separate compartment for First. It's just separated from Envoy by a wall in the middle on our flights.
During the winter, they fly the 767, all Envoy service.

USAirway's 767-200 to Europe has no first class. Only business class (Envoy) and coach.

On their A330-200, there are <b>six</b> first class seats.

So, I guess the OP is talking about upgrading from coach to business.

The people most likely to be knowledgeable about this..

... hang out here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=612

Best wishes,

Rex

it was probably business classs upgrades. i stand corrected.

Hi JG,

&gt;[Do] you think it was worth $500 for the first class ticket? Is there that much of a difference between first class and coach.&lt;

There is a world of difference between 1cl and cattle class.

Is it worth $500 pp ea way?

$1000 will get you one of the following:

1 night in a deluxe double overlooking the Tuiliereies at the Meurice Hotel

An unforgettable dinner for 2 at Taillevent, with wine.

A hotel room for 2 for a week in the Dordogne, and a car.

You decide.

((I))

The time I flew AA from NY to Ireland, (2002), we asked how much it would be to upgrade from cattle class to first - $3000 each!!!! Wow.