Tips for blagging 'upgrades'
Discussion
BA Bronze, don't fly for business anymore thank God.
Done a few recent flights with BA across to the USA in Club, but having to mess around with Ex EU flights to make the cost sensible.
This year, I have flown twice with BA for the positioning flight to Dublin and both times was upgraded to Club Europe, but not the rest of my family. The second time I politely refused the upgrade, which caused them all manner of logistical issues. Both times I was one of the last to get on the plane (I don't like flying much so get to the gate early, but wait until the plane is full before going through), as my ticket was scanned the machine double beeped, the gate staff looked at the screen and were as surprised as me when it said I'd been upgraded.
So almost no status, 10 odd BA flights a year and upgraded on the only economy flights we did. Perhaps the short haul system for upgrades is completely automated in the case of overbooking and being amongst the last passengers, worked in my favour.
Done a few recent flights with BA across to the USA in Club, but having to mess around with Ex EU flights to make the cost sensible.
This year, I have flown twice with BA for the positioning flight to Dublin and both times was upgraded to Club Europe, but not the rest of my family. The second time I politely refused the upgrade, which caused them all manner of logistical issues. Both times I was one of the last to get on the plane (I don't like flying much so get to the gate early, but wait until the plane is full before going through), as my ticket was scanned the machine double beeped, the gate staff looked at the screen and were as surprised as me when it said I'd been upgraded.
So almost no status, 10 odd BA flights a year and upgraded on the only economy flights we did. Perhaps the short haul system for upgrades is completely automated in the case of overbooking and being amongst the last passengers, worked in my favour.
cashmax said:
... but wait until the plane is full before going through),
I used to do that until the 3rd time in fairly quick succession I found people in my seat. I now board as soon as I can. On one of the flights in the US, the guy in my seat was on the wrong plane! The other two had been assigned the same seat as me, and one of the planes was looking alarmingly full.
Edited by Sheepshanks on Friday 30th September 22:00
gl20 said:
Had probably 7-10 flight upgrades in my time and I've never been more than Silver with BA Exec club. That said, it's a while since the last one so may be it is getting tighter. A couple of observations:
- Your chances increase on tourist routes ie as above I don't have Gold status but Silver was sufficient for an upgrade from Tampa to Gatwick on one of the first flights after 9/11 - the flight was always going to be rammed, probably 100% tourists and so less competition from other club card holders versus, say, an NYC flight.
- I think where there is still a bit of leniency is where you've been let down and where you remain polite in those circumstances. I scored a First upgrade coming back from Chicago to LHR then transiting straight to Amsterdam. They cancelled my first flight and knew I'd likely not see my bag make the transit so perhaps that's why I was one of the lucky ones to get the upgrade. The fact I didn't have a hissy fit about it might have helped. Similar thing with an overbooking going through Zurich a few years back
In NYC right now and, for the first time ever, going to be doing a return from JFK on Friday evening. That's notorious for overbooking so interested to see what happens there...
At airport now... And just been upgraded. It does work then and I only just got up to bronze on outward flight so hardly a frequent flyer- Your chances increase on tourist routes ie as above I don't have Gold status but Silver was sufficient for an upgrade from Tampa to Gatwick on one of the first flights after 9/11 - the flight was always going to be rammed, probably 100% tourists and so less competition from other club card holders versus, say, an NYC flight.
- I think where there is still a bit of leniency is where you've been let down and where you remain polite in those circumstances. I scored a First upgrade coming back from Chicago to LHR then transiting straight to Amsterdam. They cancelled my first flight and knew I'd likely not see my bag make the transit so perhaps that's why I was one of the lucky ones to get the upgrade. The fact I didn't have a hissy fit about it might have helped. Similar thing with an overbooking going through Zurich a few years back
In NYC right now and, for the first time ever, going to be doing a return from JFK on Friday evening. That's notorious for overbooking so interested to see what happens there...
Having a higher tier frequent flier/hotel user card helps a lot, but it depends on the airline/hotel group.
I was gold with Radisson and got upgraded almost every time.
With SAS I used to get frequent upgrades, BMI now gone I think, used to give four annual upgrades to their gold card holders, KLM still give free upgrades from economy to economy comfort to platinum holders.
One thing that has worked several times has been getting our daughter to contact the hotel and tell them we are booking in and that it is our anniversary, wife's birthday etc and the hotel has sent a bottle of wine, sometimes bubbly and often a cake.
I am told, but haven't tried it (yet) is to book into hotels as Rev Tosser or Dr Tosser and this increases the changes of upgrades.
I was gold with Radisson and got upgraded almost every time.
With SAS I used to get frequent upgrades, BMI now gone I think, used to give four annual upgrades to their gold card holders, KLM still give free upgrades from economy to economy comfort to platinum holders.
One thing that has worked several times has been getting our daughter to contact the hotel and tell them we are booking in and that it is our anniversary, wife's birthday etc and the hotel has sent a bottle of wine, sometimes bubbly and often a cake.
I am told, but haven't tried it (yet) is to book into hotels as Rev Tosser or Dr Tosser and this increases the changes of upgrades.
gl20 said:
At airport now... And just been upgraded. It does work then and I only just got up to bronze on outward flight so hardly a frequent flyer
I hate people like you. I have never received an upgrade... Never... I've been gold, I'm now silver. One day it will happen, I keep telling myself. One day...
Puggit said:
I hate people like you. I have never received an upgrade... Never... I've been gold, I'm now silver.
One day it will happen, I keep telling myself. One day...
Never mind when you do it will be from ET to CE on BAs shortest route!! One day it will happen, I keep telling myself. One day...
I've only had 1 so far this year so feel a bit hard done by too.
At least with BA I think it's done algorithmically with a piece of software called DUT (discretionary upgrade tool). I strongly suspect that part of the algo looks for people to tempt with the 'crack' of a premium cabin. If you are a gold paying for club seats, then why bother, they have you hooked already? I had a few upgrades before joining baec, 1 as a bronze, 1 as a silver and sweet fa in the past couple of years as a gold.
Yes, I've wondered if something similar happens with hotel rooms. It often seems to me they when I visit a hotel for the first time I get a particularly nice room. Then I go back and keep going back but it often seems they move you to more regular rooms once they've snared you.
On my upgrade last night - I have just changed jobs and with the new place our policy for under 8 hours is a premium
hence upgrade yesterday was to Club not First. I did wonder if this increase chances of upgrade as my default cabin may have more tourists than regular, gold card holding business travellers as you find in Club. Or may be I was simply lucky.
On my upgrade last night - I have just changed jobs and with the new place our policy for under 8 hours is a premium
hence upgrade yesterday was to Club not First. I did wonder if this increase chances of upgrade as my default cabin may have more tourists than regular, gold card holding business travellers as you find in Club. Or may be I was simply lucky. I travel a lot. A real, proper, lot. So far this year, I've flown 42 sectors over 6 hours all in J or F and god knows how many short hops down the back of the bus. I hold loyalty with a couple of airlines and occasionally get an upgrade. I never travel in anything other than jeans and t-shirt. It really makes no difference to airline upgrades. If the flight is full and you hold a decent level of loyalty, you may get an Op Up, but never go expecting one and you won't be disappointed.
Hotels, I'll generally choose the Marriott brands when going to the Americas and Shangri-La when going to Asia and have loyalty with them both. I'll generally book a club room (basically because it's cheaper to pay for the executive lounges up front than it is to buy breakfast every day and you get the added bonus of cocktails every evening!). I'll generally get upgraded to a suite. Again, I'll never ask and never expect, so I'm never disappointed.
For me, whilst it's nice to travel well, it's a means to an end and I look forward to being at home no matter what class I'm flying and how plush my room is.
Hotels, I'll generally choose the Marriott brands when going to the Americas and Shangri-La when going to Asia and have loyalty with them both. I'll generally book a club room (basically because it's cheaper to pay for the executive lounges up front than it is to buy breakfast every day and you get the added bonus of cocktails every evening!). I'll generally get upgraded to a suite. Again, I'll never ask and never expect, so I'm never disappointed.
For me, whilst it's nice to travel well, it's a means to an end and I look forward to being at home no matter what class I'm flying and how plush my room is.
Having a friend who works for the airline, works absolute wonders.
With such links, i have been fortunate enough to get an upgrade to First on KLM from Amsterdam to Beijing for Mrs Diesel and me, on our honeymoon. Also, myself and 4 mates got bumped into Business from the cheapest fare in Economy, for a £50 bung per head to a friend for London to Melbourne. Lastly, a Economy up to First on London to New York, again for the £50 per head.
A caveat is that the most recent of these was over 10 years ago and I can only guess that it would be an awful lot more difficult now.
With such links, i have been fortunate enough to get an upgrade to First on KLM from Amsterdam to Beijing for Mrs Diesel and me, on our honeymoon. Also, myself and 4 mates got bumped into Business from the cheapest fare in Economy, for a £50 bung per head to a friend for London to Melbourne. Lastly, a Economy up to First on London to New York, again for the £50 per head.
A caveat is that the most recent of these was over 10 years ago and I can only guess that it would be an awful lot more difficult now.
I've had one in all my years of flying.
Tried it with Emirates to Maldives last year on honeymoon and got a bottle of champagne instead.
Again with Emirates this year to the Maldives but instead they upgraded our accommodation on the island, gave us 2 free candle light beach dinners worth £250 and 2 bottles of Moet champagne.
Tried with BA to NYC this year and got an upgrade for the first part leg of the journey - Aberdeen to London........ I just asked at the check in and they said "yep there are upgrades available" and that was that.
I booked NYC and Maldives for next year and Emirates have given us 2 x free lounge passes for the journey which is pretty cool.
BA wanted silly money for the NYC trip again.
Tried it with Emirates to Maldives last year on honeymoon and got a bottle of champagne instead.
Again with Emirates this year to the Maldives but instead they upgraded our accommodation on the island, gave us 2 free candle light beach dinners worth £250 and 2 bottles of Moet champagne.
Tried with BA to NYC this year and got an upgrade for the first part leg of the journey - Aberdeen to London........ I just asked at the check in and they said "yep there are upgrades available" and that was that.
I booked NYC and Maldives for next year and Emirates have given us 2 x free lounge passes for the journey which is pretty cool.
BA wanted silly money for the NYC trip again.
TheHighlander said:
Tried with BA to NYC this year and got an upgrade for the first part leg of the journey - Aberdeen to London........ I just asked at the check in and they said "yep there are upgrades available" and that was that.
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