We (my brother and I - both of us mid-20's) were recently upgraded to World Traveller Plus on a BA flight from London - Cairo. We checked right through from Edinburgh, and when waiting at the gate at Heathrow, we were behind a large School Group from the American College in Cairo.

One of the gate attendants called us over from the queue, and changed our seat numbers on our boarding passes - we thought we were being moved so the group could all sit together, but imagine our surprise and delight when we found our new seats were in WTP! We whispered almost guiltily to each other, so that no-one would know we had been upgraded, but really were quite excited. It was lovely to get the extra leg room, as my brother is over 6' tall.

BTW, we were both wearing jeans (smart, though), walking boots, and smart jumpers/cardigans, but were waiting politely and quietly, so I'm not sure why we were 'chosen'!

Just wanted to add something to this following our return from Greece last week.
We were flying on Lufthansa from Athens/Frankfurt/Vancouver - it was a codeshare with Air Canada.
I was on points, and in Business Class.
My husband's ticket was economy (paid by employer). He is an elite member on Air Canada and usually gets upgrades if there are seats available in Business. This time he was quite ill and also in a window seat (he's a big guy). Lufthansa would not upgrade him, and would not even change his seat to an aisle. We asked at the gate if we could change places and have him sit up front and me in the back, and were told to wait until we were in the air and ask the crew.
We did this and were told "Absolutely not".... even though there were TONS of empty seats in business. I was told that many Air Canada people had asked for upgrades and Lufthansa refuses to do that, so we were SOL. I went back and visited my DH at onepoint and he was just in misery, but I couldn't do anything. So I sat up front in total comfort, but feeling guilty and miserable the whole flight, and was not able to enjoy the luxury at all.

FYI on the way over, I was flying to London on Air Canada, and the German family sitting next to me had been upgraded (which I think is a nice thing to do expecially if there are empty seats in business). They were pleasantly surprised, and the man said it's because of his elite status with Lufthansa!! So Air Canada is willing to upgrade its partner's customers, but Lufthansa won't do the same.

The easiest way to get an upgrade it to simply pay for it, but I often go to consolidators and get really good bus class or 1st class fares for transatlantic flights, if I know there wont be any changes to my schedule. Yes, it costs about 2-3x as much as lowest coach but I find that I get a far more productive day when I arrive. (and that is usually my way of deciding if the upgrade is worth it).

I was upgraded to Business Class flying O'Hare to Copenhagen, and I was most certainly not dressed to impress. In fact, I was wearing a very large university hoodie, capris and trainers. I wasn't even aware I'd been upgraded; no one told me, and until I glanced behind me to the back of the plane, I figured that SAS was just spectacularly roomy. I was also youngish and not at all flirty--I don't think there's a real secret; it's the luck of the draw. It hasn't happened since, and I'm confident that I'm a tad more sophisticated than I was in university. :)

I have never been upgraded.

It does not help that I get all my fares online at discounts.

One time I got my daughter an upgrade from DC to London. I was able to do that because I knew someone working at the ticket counter of the airline in question. She was the youngest person in business by a long shot.

I can recall being upgraded from cattle car to business class at least 4 times on trans-Atlantic flights, and a couple more times on intra-Europe flights. I don't know why but I don't cry when they do that to me.

Taggie, For next time, just switch boarding passes with your husband and proceed to your seats. I would never accept no as an answer if I wanted to change seats with my husband. I would be pleasant but calmly tell them, "this is my seat and I am switching." I think that sometimes people say no just so they don't have to think. Most airlines just don't want any traffic between the two classes, but if you do the switch before you get on, they shouldnt give you a problem.

By the time we arrived at the check-in counter the only seats left were singles and we were assigned ones 12 rows apart. The check-in agent suggested we ask again at the gate 5 min before boarding just in case passengers with reserved seats didn't check-in.

We asked the gate agent very nicely if there were seats available for us to sit closer together. With 2 minutes left until boarding she didn't want to waste time discussing the different seating combinations so she TOLD us we were getting the last pair of seats left - in first class. We didn't even ask. :)

I guess you just have to be at the right time, right place dealing with the right person.

Hi Wills - yes of course this would've been the way to handle this. We are too obedient! I don't think there'll be a next time, though.... unfortunately I'm likely destined to be back in cattle class for the rest of my days! But it will prompt me to write to Air Canada and cc Lufthansa (though I'm sure it'll have little result). If Air Canada treats Lufthansa frequent fliers better than Lufthansa treats Air Canada ones, then the partnership is not equal.
Also... Lufthansa's lounges sucked big time!! Not very clean, little to offer for snacks and little choice of newspapers. It's made me appreciate Air Canada much more than I did previously.

To AAFF-one can be upgraded by an agent for something such as an oversell but one cannot trade in miles at the gate at the last minute to get into business class-policy of the airline that I fly is: "you cannot be upgraded less than 24 hours for a business class seat due to security."It also encompasses trying to get the correct count of meals and staffing at the last minute!

<b>dutyfree</b>

I'm not sure what airline you fly, but I have NEVER heard of such policy.

I have been upgraded 1 hour before the flight. I have seen people upgraded at the gate, so I'm not sure why you think that it's not possible. This has nothing to do with security. If you were told that, then the airline employee was &quot;pulling your leg&quot;, it's as simple as that.

It is a possibility that the meal may not be available, but the TA or GA will simply inform you of that fact and leave the option to you. If you don't care about the meal then it's NOT a problem. Trust me! I fly a great deal and I happen to know the &quot;security&quot; business. I work for Uncle Sam. :-D

I too have been upgraded at the gate. Very happily so! So do not understand where this info came from

My son and I got upgraded to Business Class on our last UA flight to CDG from IAD in July 04 because I jokingly mentioned to the flight attendant, when she came around with the headphones, that once again I had been put in a seat with a non-working tv screen. I said something like &quot;does your computer single me out for the nonfunctional tv screen? I fly this 914 flight a lot and it seems I always get a nonfunctioning screen&quot; and she said &quot;Wait until after takeoff and I'll find something for you.&quot; Indeed, after takeoff she escorted my son and me to Business Class. It was interesting - there were only two other passengers in Business, and loads of empty seats (so why didn't they use the opportunity to get some good PR by offering those seats to the guy in a wheelchair on coach, the elderly passengers seated next to screaming kids, etc.?).
I don't know if I have extraordinary good luck or what, but I've been upgraded at no cost to business or first class on United three times in the last three years. I'm always dressed like an average traveler, I suppose - nothing fancy, but clean and neat and well-groomed. I do have a zillion miles on United that I've never cashed in, so maybe that explains it?
I'm hoping for an upgrade for my trip this coming Thursday. Maybe I'll even be so bold as to go to the counter and ask for one. Never done that before.

Dutyfree - I would seriously look at alternatives if your preferred airline gives you that as &quot;policy.&quot; I believe the techincal term for it is &quot;hogwash.&quot;

There are a number of airlines, US domestic and non-US, that allow paid/mileage upgrades at the gate. Been there, done that.

Okay GANG-I work as an international flight attendant and I am telling you that &quot;my major international airline&quot; does NOT allow one to upgrade to business class at the last minute. The agent may upgrade you for oversells,etc. but you can not walk up to the ticket counter and ask to be upgraded less than 24 hours before an international flight &quot;due to security&quot;.I work business class once a week(either going or coming) and numerous times people have asked to have an upgrade at the gate and the agents have consistently said &quot;no upgrades at the last minute on an international flight&quot;.Stop the flames!!!

Hey, dutyfree - nothing flamish/personal intended. Sorry for any offense. Kiss kiss.

Dutyfree, then I don't understand. I guess you're saying that St.Cirq and a bunch of the others are all liars? That they really didn't get upgraded at the last minute, and they're all just making up these big lies to impress us?? Hard for me to swallow.

OK admit I covet getting those upgrades - I travel all the time and the older I get the more I appreciate peace, quiet, bit of extra space. My advice - I'm nice to everyone in the travel chain - customer service people, desk clerks, ticket agents, the lady who checks my Admiral's Club card on the way in - a hearty hello, good day and a big smile always...you'd be surprised how people want to help you when you treat them with courtesy...I also ask - given that I have status and have points galore everywhere whether I might be eligible for an upgrade - I usually get them. We reap what we sow and kindness begets kindness.

I still want to know what &quot;security issues&quot; are you talking about.

You just admitted that the gate agent will upgrade during oversell, yet you seem to think it's against some rules/regulations or possibly laws to do that. So why would it be ok with &quot;security&quot; to upgrade if the airline wanted to do it, but not if the passenger requests?

I am just stating what the gate agents have said repeatedly to anyone who asks for an upgrade at the last minute. They have told crew members that it was the airline policy for security reasons.(Most of our flights are usually full in business class anyway with regulars and FF members.)Every airline is run differently with regards to their policies .I am not challenging anyone on their moveups(still cannot believe that you thought that I was calling them liars?) but just reporting on my particular carrier.AAFF-we all appreciate your travel help but please do not tell me what &quot; I think &quot; when I am telling you what I know. I was not intending to get into a verbal match but just adding my experience.Just for the record-I do not share all my airline security secrets regarding travel with the general public on an internet site.