My dream is to be upgraded from Economy to Business or First class.
It has never happened....so I was wondering what techniques others use to get an upgrade.
I'm always polite etc, maybe just not "business class" material??? This could start a whole new post on "what to wear to check in"
Does the check-in person have such "god" like control over where we are placed??? What happens to the person that reminds them of someone they hate???? Cargo bay seating?

The easiest was to do this it to be an elite member of the frequent flyer club. Otherwise, it is most likely to happen if they screw up something and offer you the upgrade to pacify you. There is one other way, and you have no control over this, but in 2000 I flew BA to Greece, and on return I realized that they had mis-printed my ticket and gave me business class. This was an error on BA's part, but I quickly forgave them, and enjoyed 10 hours of champagne, chocolates, and good food. It was the only time I ever wished for a 10 hour flight to be longer

The one and only time we were ever upgraded was on British Airways coming home from London. It was a full flight and we were assigned the dreaded center seats (the two center seats in a 5-seat row.) I was traveling with my mother who was having hip replacement surgery the following week. We asked if they had anything with more legroom. They said they didn't at the moment but to check at the gate to see if we could be changed.

We didn't hold out much hope, but as the plane was boarding, we checked again and we had been moved to business class. We were thrilled! It was so much nicer than coach - and that was before BA redesigned their business and first seats - they're even nicer now!

I think it helped that when we checked in, there was a "trainee" learning the ropes. So we think the trainer was showing the trainee what could be done to accommodate passengers with medical issues.

We've tried since then to get upgraded, but to no avail. My mother always says "do you think I should take my cane" - even though she is completely recovered from her hip surgery 5 years ago!) I think your chances are better if they've over-booked the flight and have to re-arrange people. But we've never been lucky enough to get another free upgrade. It probably helps if you're a gold, platinum, etc... member of their FF program.

Upgrading people for no other reason than they want an upgrade is very unfair on those who have paid the full business/club or first fare. Why allow people who have paid the cheapest fare to fly in a premium cabin?

This is why airlines very rarely offer free upgrades when no overbooking has occured. Unless you are a member of a frequent flyer programme and in one of the top tiers, getting an upgrade will be near impossible.

A friend and I were once upgraded to Business Class on American Airlines from New York to St. Maarten. We never asked about an upgrade, but were rather asked by them if we wanted to. The reason we were given by the check-in agent was that there was no one ticketed in that class and they hated to see the seats go empty. Well, twist MY arm! I honestly think the logic was "show a few economy fliers what business class is like and maybe they'll start forking over the money for it."

We really enjoyed the comfort and ammenities, so we began pricing the class for future trips (yikes!). However, we quickly realized we'd prefer to have more spending money on our trip and suffer the four hour flight in coach.

My relative used to work for Aer Lingus and she told me that usually they would pick people out who were dressed appropiately. No Plebs! I.e. not too suity and no baseball caps and jeans but well dressed. I have tried to no avail and only asked once in a difficult situation where I would miss a connection and end up alone in Newark for a night (I was losing precious time with my parents by doing this).

Needless to say nothing I asked could make it happen. While I was polite the man befor me was an complete Jerk to the staff trying to get into the lounge free and abusive to them.

MAybe some day!

MK2 - I think you are ridiculious. You are an ejit if you may 10 times more and then complain the peasants are with you. I think you try to get the best deals like the reast of us admit it

I was upgraded once on Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Bali. I was wearing jeans at the time - but they were smart, fashionable jeans rather than daywear. I asked if there were any seats by the emergency exit for the extra legroom. When we got to the gate, they held our boarding passes and replaced them with business class seats. The flight was overbooked and I do believe that was the only reason we were upgraded, although we were chosen out of everyone on the flight to be upgraded - I would imagine because we were well turned out and polite.

And, frankly I think it is reidiculous that an airline would "pick people out who are dressed appropriately" for so-called upgrades. That's about as subjective as it gets. I don't suppose the airlines ask you if you are "dressed appropriately" when you pay for your ticket, do they?
Under this system Queen Elizabeth, if she were traveling commerical, would definitely be assigned to seats beyond the rear of coach!

I don't agree with it but they won't place you wearing shorts and a baseball cap in first class. I don't make the rules. My other half and I dress nicely when we travel. It's a bit old fashioned but when we went on a plane to Ireland from America in the early 70's it was a big deal. My mother would buy us new clothes to wear etc. I like to dress up a bit its makes the trip more special. This is purely from a woman's point of view here.

All of the US-based airlines have extensive FF programs with sophisicated database analysis and profiling, as well as well-published "Elite" status programs. Therefore, if coach of a flight is oversold, they'll award upgrades based on that predetermined priority.

If a flight is not oversold, most US airlines will award upgrade on international flights. Maybe some Caribbean, Canada or routes, but definitely not Europe, as they guard those products very tightly.

Even if a flight is totally full, coach and business/first, an airline is likely to simply give out cash coupons for about $700-$1000 for Europe flights, and rebook you in coach on another. The value of a a business class seat to Europe (regularly about $4K r/t or $2K each way), is still too high to put others on.

Foreign airlines often have less extensive FF programs, and fewer members. And their policy maybe different. If flying business on coach fare is your "goal", I'd try flying them instead of US airlines.

If it's a short flight I'll go economy, I can cope with the people for an hour or so. However, for transatlantic voyages, a smaller more comfortable cabin is required, when I've paid considerably more for this I would feel insulted if economy passengers, who have paid far less are offered the same cabin and services.

As for bargains, everyone loves them, but I'm afraid you really do get what you pay for. Did you sort out your 1000EUR hol by the way?

As proved by my recent trip to Brussels, true five star deluxe hotels never offer rooms at rates that are a quarter of the normal prices.

In Barcelona I've now changed my reservation three times: Claris to Ritz to Arts. The Claris has special offers, the Ritz on reflection looks tired and staid, Arts looks a little posey and American, but with excellent service.

Siobhan is correct about appearances helping with an upgrade. Last September we were upgraded on Aer Lingus. I'm pretty sure the reason was overbooking in coach but an Aer Lingus employee was "walking" the waiting area and approached my husband and me. Asked if we were traveling "alone" (not on a tour) and then took our boarding passes and changed them. We were wearing the dreaded jeans but they were neatly pressed and other than that we were fairly well turned out---nice jacket and scarf for me and good handbag, husband in a "real" shirt with a good jacket. Sadly, I have to say many others in the waiting area looked like they were going to the beach (shorts, flip flops). I know this annoys some but it is a fact of life.

I'm with MK on this one. If I paid good money to fly business or first class, I would be more than a tad miffed if I saw plebs from economy being upgraded when there was no good reason for them to be upgraded (ie flight overbooked). I think that is probably one of the reasons that the airlines choose people who are more likely to blend in with the business/first class passengers, so they don't annoy those that are willing to pay extra for comfort and service.

There is a time and a place for everything. Beachwear at airports isn't one of them, even if it is by Celine.

All this talk of dressing to fit in made me laugh.

When we flew first to Italy (using frequent flyer awards)..most of the people in first class were wearing jeans.

On their way to my wedding, my entire family- mom, dad, sis, bro-in-law, grandma, aunt and uncle, were upgraded just because they were going to a wedding, and the gate agent thought it was sweet or something. They filled the first class cabin.

My then fiance and I were on a separate flight. We asked if we could get an upgrade(I'm a gold member btw) as the bride and groom. No chance.

My wedding gown, however, did get to fly in the first class closet, so that's something, I guess.

Overbooking is the reason to be upgraded without "purchasing" the seats via FF miles, no doubt about it. I've seen international flights go off with half-filled or less first/business class. In days with heavy booking, that certainly changes.

We've been told there are many factors that go into who gets "the seats." We were among The Chosen one time, and we later asked (meekly) why. First, all four of us were on one of the preferred levels of Frequent Flyers for the company; two of us had one of the higher, though not the highest,levels. Second, there were four seats available--they just had to change one party and the job was done. Third, we had been nice to the gate agent. Just regular nice--didn't ask for anything. Fourth, we were dressed appropriately.

The thing we didn't understand is that two members of our group were kids. Nice kids, behaved kids, but still kids. We didn't question it, but...

Anyway, there's something to be said about, "Once they've tried it, they'll..." We may not have purchased First or Business Class afterwards, but we were sure as heck willing to spend our FF miles on it in the future!

What was really great was that our youngest was sick with some sort of flu on that trip--one of those kinds that just saps your energy and gives you an endless headache. She spent most of her time "resting" in Paris cafes and then spent her trip home in First Class drinking fluids.

What a way to recover!

I have been upgraded twice: once when travelling from KL to Sydney (Malaysian) and the other time travelling from London Gatwick to Dallas (BA). On both occassions I was wearing trackpants and trainers and suspect my good fortune was down to overbooking rather than my appearance. That said on the latter occassion the recently engaged check-in lady was very excited about my own engagement ring. I think the fact that I was travelling on my own helped as well - I guess it is easier to seat one person. Always be polite but don't ask for an upgrade.

Cailin thats exactly what my cousin stated about who they choose. You would not know if they were upgrades or bought 1st class.

MK2 - Thanks for asking and yes I did decide on a holiday for €1000 for 2. We are going to the Tattoo in Edinburgh and saving the rest for NYC (My old hometown) and the Gulf Coast of Florida in the Autumn.

Usually I don't worry if It's the right kind of place to go or stay in. Most holidays I want to relax and can't afford the Ritz. Nothing wrong with that and personally I prefer to stay in more unusual places that an uninteresting sterile 4 star.

Your travel style is a bit more upmarket than your average Fodorite so I am not sure why you constantly make snide comments. If it makes you feel like a bigger person its sad.

I will dress up and hope to be chosen for 1st class in Nov !

On a trip to France with my daughter and her husband, the ticket agent noticed that my son-in-law would be having a birthday en route; I pointed out smilingly that my own b-day had just been 2 days before, and couldn't we get upgraded. The agent smilingly replied something about,"not with what you paid for these seats!" We were nicely dressed, but that was that!

Observation: when I go thru first or business class to schlep back to coach, I notice that many in those pricey seats are not well dressed at all.