Discussion
Just dress for comfort on the journey. Without some serious loyalty points you won’t get an upgrade in all honesty - there will be a queue of people ahead of you who do have the status..
Pay a bit more if you can to secure the exit row seats or the bulkhead seats so you can stretch out. Sometimes worth booking a specific meal as well so it gets brought out first!
I’ve been upgraded in the past from economy to business and also from business to first, but with a good loyalty status.
Pay a bit more if you can to secure the exit row seats or the bulkhead seats so you can stretch out. Sometimes worth booking a specific meal as well so it gets brought out first!
I’ve been upgraded in the past from economy to business and also from business to first, but with a good loyalty status.
Only had a free upgrade I think maybe 3 times. First time was in my 20s, during the flight I was offered champagne but I didn't have much money (could barely afford the economy ticket I'd bought) and thought it would be expensive. Obviously I must have visibly hesitated because the stewardess leaned over and whispered "it's free"!
The last time was just before lockdown, I'd paid extra to book a specific seat and was quite miffed when it turned out, at the gate, my seat number had changed. Even more miffed when the chap at the gate took me out of the queue to explain that the flight was overbooked. Was about to enter into a full and frank examination of the issues, when he concluded "so we've put you in Business". Which I did graciously accept!
So it isn't *impossible* without 'status' - just very unlikely. The highest status I've ever achieved is Bronze (BA) and - as frequent BA flyers will know - that's considered somewhere around the level of pond scum. So I think I've been very lucky.
Incidentally, if you do have points you can often use them to upgrade, sometimes works out very cost effective but the 'upgrade value' of the points varies wildly depending on all kinds of factors. Also, certainly my experience with BA, it's worth checking flight prices a long way in advance and over a period of time because it has sometimes been the case that Business has been cheaper than Premium Economy. I guess there's some sort of supply and demand algorithm at play and there aren't many PE seats available?
The last time was just before lockdown, I'd paid extra to book a specific seat and was quite miffed when it turned out, at the gate, my seat number had changed. Even more miffed when the chap at the gate took me out of the queue to explain that the flight was overbooked. Was about to enter into a full and frank examination of the issues, when he concluded "so we've put you in Business". Which I did graciously accept!
So it isn't *impossible* without 'status' - just very unlikely. The highest status I've ever achieved is Bronze (BA) and - as frequent BA flyers will know - that's considered somewhere around the level of pond scum. So I think I've been very lucky.
Incidentally, if you do have points you can often use them to upgrade, sometimes works out very cost effective but the 'upgrade value' of the points varies wildly depending on all kinds of factors. Also, certainly my experience with BA, it's worth checking flight prices a long way in advance and over a period of time because it has sometimes been the case that Business has been cheaper than Premium Economy. I guess there's some sort of supply and demand algorithm at play and there aren't many PE seats available?
We did this thread a few weeks ago https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by 4Q on Sunday 14th August 12:02
For a number of years, 94-2004, I used to regularly fly LHR-BKK-LHR with BA. I held a silver BA card at the time. I would try to check in as soon as the check in opened and would simply ask if there was any chance of an upgrade, surprisingly this worked on a number of occasions. I would also book my seat in enhanced economy as this cabin has less seats and so would fill up quicker, working on the assumption that if the flight was busy/overbooked they would put some passengers in business as this was very rarely full. I also used to choose a bulkhead seat which families with children prefer as I was told (I forget who) that BA won't seat a child next to an adult who is not on the same booking again on the assumption they would upgrade me if I had to move..
I've no idea if any of this worked or it was just that I was a silver card holder but it is a great feeling when you go to board and the ticket scanner beeps and goes red and you are told you've been upgraded. I would estimate that I used to get upgraded around 25% of the time, mainly at LHR, rarely at BKK.
I've no idea if any of this worked or it was just that I was a silver card holder but it is a great feeling when you go to board and the ticket scanner beeps and goes red and you are told you've been upgraded. I would estimate that I used to get upgraded around 25% of the time, mainly at LHR, rarely at BKK.
chardie_ph said:
is a great feeling when you go to board and the ticket scanner beeps and goes red and you are told you've been upgraded. I would estimate that I used to get upgraded around 25% of the time, mainly at LHR, rarely at BKK.
Ah, the scanner beep… while sometimes it’s a result, other times I get the beep and the staff member taps a few keys on their keyboard then says ‘thanks Mr gl20’ and that’s it!To the OP, I’ve had the odd upgrade without status but sometimes wonder if my ‘legacy status’ may have helped ie I was silver/gold for 20 years quite time and sometimes close to Gold Guest List level (ie all with BA). I think this thing of how you dress is total bull. Just don’t dress really scruffy in case they had you down for an upgrade and change their mind when you rock up.
I think chance of an upgrade is more down to you flying solo and not pre-ordering a special meal/having special dietary requirements. Also, as said above, flying Premium Economy has increased chance of upgrade simply because there are fewer passengers in that class for them to choose between.
4Q said:
We did this thread a few weeks ago https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
This all over - thought I was imagining it lol … lots of hints and tips and examples throughout itEdited by 4Q on Sunday 14th August 12:02
El stovey said:
This is totally wrong.
I work for an airline, there’s plenty of ways to get upgraded, pre check in or at the check in desk, at the departure gate or even on the aircraft. the least effective method is relying on loyalty points or status.
With virgin gold, that certainly is not the case !I work for an airline, there’s plenty of ways to get upgraded, pre check in or at the check in desk, at the departure gate or even on the aircraft. the least effective method is relying on loyalty points or status.
smifffymoto said:
I missed the other thread.
It makes not one bit of difference to me as I always travel with family.
I got upgraded on a flight recently with all my family (5 of us) on an airline where I had no status or loyalty points. Just by asking at the gate and then when I boarded. It makes not one bit of difference to me as I always travel with family.
Airline employees and particularly aircrew, like most people in the travel or hospitality industry, want to help people and have an easy life, upgrading people costs them nothing and they’re usually empowered to do all sorts of things on an aircraft with seating/upgrades/free stuff etc
I’m sure most of us can do all sorts to help people out in our own jobs if we wanted. An airline is just the same.
On flights when I’ve been working I see people get upgraded all the time, it’s not about loyalty or status at all.
The most common upgrades on board I see are when people help out the crew with seating issues. Obviously knowing people on the crew or who work for that airline can help massively also (depending on the company)
El stovey said:
This is totally wrong.
I work for an airline, there’s plenty of ways to get upgraded, pre check in or at the check in desk, at the departure gate or even on the aircraft. the least effective method is relying on loyalty points or status.
Happy to be wrong - do tell more!I work for an airline, there’s plenty of ways to get upgraded, pre check in or at the check in desk, at the departure gate or even on the aircraft. the least effective method is relying on loyalty points or status.
As a frequent flyer, there's an awful lot of clickbait that google (un)helpfully pushes into my news stream exactly along the lines of the OP's question: "Air stewardess reveals tricks to guarantee upgrade to business class" and similar BS.
Booking into Premium Economy / WT+ cabin likely increases your chances of an upgrade, as the cabin is typically quite small and can be popular on some routes. In the past I've had a decent rate of "op-ups" from this cabin, at the gate, at the checkin desk, and at T-12 or so with my e-boarding pass automatically changing.
Re status, I think that's a bit hit and miss. Over the past decade I've gone from BA Executive Club Blue through Bronze, Silver, Gold and have been Gold Guest List since mid-2019. Almost all the above "op-ups" were when I was blue/bronze. Almost all my flying for the past 5 years has been in Biz or occasionally First, and when I've been in the latter cabin it's always been paid, not a free upgrade (sometimes the difference between Biz and First can be just £200 which I'll gladly pay for the better rest on a short TATL). The only exception was a recent flight to the Western US, when my GGL resulted in getting all 5 of us into the First cabin after an equipment switch to a 4 class 777 on a 3 class route.
Ultimately the only sure-fire way of getting the upgrade is to pay for it when you book the ticket.
Booking into Premium Economy / WT+ cabin likely increases your chances of an upgrade, as the cabin is typically quite small and can be popular on some routes. In the past I've had a decent rate of "op-ups" from this cabin, at the gate, at the checkin desk, and at T-12 or so with my e-boarding pass automatically changing.
Re status, I think that's a bit hit and miss. Over the past decade I've gone from BA Executive Club Blue through Bronze, Silver, Gold and have been Gold Guest List since mid-2019. Almost all the above "op-ups" were when I was blue/bronze. Almost all my flying for the past 5 years has been in Biz or occasionally First, and when I've been in the latter cabin it's always been paid, not a free upgrade (sometimes the difference between Biz and First can be just £200 which I'll gladly pay for the better rest on a short TATL). The only exception was a recent flight to the Western US, when my GGL resulted in getting all 5 of us into the First cabin after an equipment switch to a 4 class 777 on a 3 class route.
Ultimately the only sure-fire way of getting the upgrade is to pay for it when you book the ticket.
Another upgrade route is , 'not complaining'.
There needs to be an issue in the first place but I've has several upgrades simply by not complaining.
Air France - San Fran to Paris - delays resulted in me missing the Friday flight.
The next day they were so apologetic, they re-scheduled all of my connections and upped me from Business to First.
At the time, I did think that my high status with a competitor airline had some influence though.
There needs to be an issue in the first place but I've has several upgrades simply by not complaining.
Air France - San Fran to Paris - delays resulted in me missing the Friday flight.
The next day they were so apologetic, they re-scheduled all of my connections and upped me from Business to First.
At the time, I did think that my high status with a competitor airline had some influence though.
El stovey said:
I got upgraded on a flight recently with all my family (5 of us) on an airline where I had no status or loyalty points. Just by asking at the gate and then when I boarded.
The most common upgrades on board I see are when people help out the crew with seating issues. Obviously knowing people on the crew or who work for that airline can help massively also (depending on the company)
Working for an airline doesn't half help when it comes to the upgrade game though doesn't it! The most common upgrades on board I see are when people help out the crew with seating issues. Obviously knowing people on the crew or who work for that airline can help massively also (depending on the company)
My brother and his husband get upgraded often and have 'tricks' that make me cringe a bit, but work, often!
They always wear shoes,shirts and jackets at check in, and that is sometimes enough. They also buy a box of chocolates in the airport and give them to the crew as they board. This has led to them being upgraded whilst on the plane, and also being given champagne they didn't actually purchase.
To be fair, they are very friendly people persons, so i suspect it's the resulting conversations that get struck up with crew, rather than the chocolates themselves. And so probably not as cringey as it sounds.
They always wear shoes,shirts and jackets at check in, and that is sometimes enough. They also buy a box of chocolates in the airport and give them to the crew as they board. This has led to them being upgraded whilst on the plane, and also being given champagne they didn't actually purchase.
To be fair, they are very friendly people persons, so i suspect it's the resulting conversations that get struck up with crew, rather than the chocolates themselves. And so probably not as cringey as it sounds.
Edited by covmutley on Monday 15th August 23:48
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