Tips for blagging 'upgrades'
Discussion
Stuart70 said:
smack said:
a suitecase
When your luggage gets a room upgrade and you don't? smack said:
Haha, yeah. I can think of a few times my luggage enjoyed the nice room and view whilst dealt with a work situation until the small hours of the morning, and it was lucky if I spent 2 hours in it, 115 minutes in bed, and 5 minutes in the shower before off to the next city/office.
haha, very true. A prime example would be one upgrade I received (by virtue of being Starwood platinum) to a suite at the W lakeshore in Chicago. From rusty memory it had 2 bedrooms, a huge living room, a dining room, and amongst other things a pool table. Was probably something like 1500 sq ft all in.
Due to the purpose of the visit - ie, business stuff - I spent a total of 3 hrs in it - sleeping.
Edited by GCH on Friday 30th September 03:59
I had a BMI (Star Alliance) Gold for a while. One of the perks on BMI was upgrade vouchers which I used on flight to Barbados. The only time I got any real discretionary benefit was on a cancelled flight from Manchester to LHR. They put on coach instead. When I asked if I could wait in the lounge they apologised for overlooking my status and re- routed me on another carrier. Another time arriving late at Auckland on an Air NZ 747 in business the ground staff made a point of retrieving my bags for me, A load of jumbos had arrived within minutes of each other and baggage handling could not cope. Nice touch but pissed off the other passengers seeing two staff tasked finding my bags. But they weren't Gold!
ChasW said:
I had a BMI (Star Alliance) Gold for a while. One of the perks on BMI was upgrade vouchers which I used on flight to Barbados. The only time I got any real discretionary benefit was on a cancelled flight from Manchester to LHR. They put on coach instead. When I asked if I could wait in the lounge they apologised for overlooking my status and re- routed me on another carrier. Another time arriving late at Auckland on an Air NZ 747 in business the ground staff made a point of retrieving my bags for me, A load of jumbos had arrived within minutes of each other and baggage handling could not cope. Nice touch but pissed off the other passengers seeing two staff tasked finding my bags. But they weren't Gold!
I only ever got to use my vouchers on GLA-LHR, and then they didn't have food as they were expecting an empty business cabin! Sadly I built up all my points for bmi gold flying SAA, AC, SAS, LH, LOT... Never had any gold plated treatment like that!Mind you, recently used my BA silver card to jump security queues at Gatwick with the family. The dagger looks from the chav families was worth it.
bmi offered me a domestic choice instead of BA - something I don't have now (without schlepping around the M25 as I live on the M4)
Soov535 said:
These days it is impossible to be upgraded on a plane, unless :
1. You are a platinum or equivalent member
2. You fly A LOT, and I mean A LOT
On any given flight there will be a few people like this, and they get the upgrades.
Normal customers will not even make the shortlist.
March this year, BA flight from Newark to London, 5 adults in our 30s/40s, infrequent BA flyers (I have the loyalty but at entry level), all upgraded 2 'levels' at checkin from economy to club sitting 4+1 across the same row at the very front of the club cabin.1. You are a platinum or equivalent member
2. You fly A LOT, and I mean A LOT
On any given flight there will be a few people like this, and they get the upgrades.
Normal customers will not even make the shortlist.
No idea why, didnt ask in case they changed their mind but it IS possible for us peasants to get an upgrade :-)
yellowbentines said:
March this year, BA flight from Newark to London, 5 adults in our 30s/40s, infrequent BA flyers (I have the loyalty but at entry level), all upgraded 2 'levels' at checkin from economy to club sitting 4+1 across the same row at the very front of the club cabin.
No idea why, didnt ask in case they changed their mind but it IS possible for us peasants to get an upgrade :-)
It is, but the odds are teeny tiny sadly. No idea why, didnt ask in case they changed their mind but it IS possible for us peasants to get an upgrade :-)
Mrs Puggit had no status on Virgin, upgraded from premium economy to upper class from Sydney to Hong Kong and HK to London. The previous flight had been cancelled and she lucked out. Joining her were a couple of back-packers on the last fligts of a round the world ticket!
I've been upgraded twice in hotels for no apparent reason. The first time was in Holland I was staying Monday to Friday in a hotel that appeared to be all business type people rather than holiday makers. On arrival we were informed we had been upgraded and we had a penthouse with sauna in the bathroom!
I decided there was 2 possible reasons for this upgrade, I have a name of a famous actor or cheap rooms were in demand that week and not the expensive ones.
The second time was in Dublin for a 2 night weekend break. On arrival again I got you'll be pleased to know you've been upgraded. We had a penthouse suite with a huge rooftop terrace overlooking the whole of the city.
Again no reason as to why we're upgraded.
I decided there was 2 possible reasons for this upgrade, I have a name of a famous actor or cheap rooms were in demand that week and not the expensive ones.
The second time was in Dublin for a 2 night weekend break. On arrival again I got you'll be pleased to know you've been upgraded. We had a penthouse suite with a huge rooftop terrace overlooking the whole of the city.
Again no reason as to why we're upgraded.
Puggit said:
ChasW said:
I had a BMI (Star Alliance) Gold for a while. One of the perks on BMI was upgrade vouchers which I used on flight to Barbados. The only time I got any real discretionary benefit was on a cancelled flight from Manchester to LHR. They put on coach instead. When I asked if I could wait in the lounge they apologised for overlooking my status and re- routed me on another carrier. Another time arriving late at Auckland on an Air NZ 747 in business the ground staff made a point of retrieving my bags for me, A load of jumbos had arrived within minutes of each other and baggage handling could not cope. Nice touch but pissed off the other passengers seeing two staff tasked finding my bags. But they weren't Gold!
I only ever got to use my vouchers on GLA-LHR, and then they didn't have food as they were expecting an empty business cabin! Sadly I built up all my points for bmi gold flying SAA, AC, SAS, LH, LOT... Never had any gold plated treatment like that!Mind you, recently used my BA silver card to jump security queues at Gatwick with the family. The dagger looks from the chav families was worth it.
bmi offered me a domestic choice instead of BA - something I don't have now (without schlepping around the M25 as I live on the M4)
I also used the Avis hire car upgade vouchers in the US. My last tranche of points I used to pay for my daughter to go to Aus when she finished Uni. Got her on Singapore Airlines business class on the way out on one of their early A380s. She was blown away as she had no idea. I told her she was in economy!
Floptimus Prime said:
Truckosaurus said:
In cultures where tipping is popular eg. USA then I believe slipping the desk clerk $20 when enquiring about upgrades does the world of good.
This worked for me in Vegas.
ecsrobin said:
I've been upgraded twice in hotels for no apparent reason. The first time was in Holland I was staying Monday to Friday in a hotel that appeared to be all business type people rather than holiday makers. On arrival we were informed we had been upgraded and we had a penthouse with sauna in the bathroom!
I decided there was 2 possible reasons for this upgrade, I have a name of a famous actor or cheap rooms were in demand that week and not the expensive ones.
The second time was in Dublin for a 2 night weekend break. On arrival again I got you'll be pleased to know you've been upgraded. We had a penthouse suite with a huge rooftop terrace overlooking the whole of the city.
Again no reason as to why we're upgraded.
Had similar, but in each case we had booked directly with the hotel in question rather than through the likes of Expedia, which will make a difference if they are looking to move anyone around.I decided there was 2 possible reasons for this upgrade, I have a name of a famous actor or cheap rooms were in demand that week and not the expensive ones.
The second time was in Dublin for a 2 night weekend break. On arrival again I got you'll be pleased to know you've been upgraded. We had a penthouse suite with a huge rooftop terrace overlooking the whole of the city.
Again no reason as to why we're upgraded.
hoegaardenruls said:
ecsrobin said:
I've been upgraded twice in hotels for no apparent reason. The first time was in Holland I was staying Monday to Friday in a hotel that appeared to be all business type people rather than holiday makers. On arrival we were informed we had been upgraded and we had a penthouse with sauna in the bathroom!
I decided there was 2 possible reasons for this upgrade, I have a name of a famous actor or cheap rooms were in demand that week and not the expensive ones.
The second time was in Dublin for a 2 night weekend break. On arrival again I got you'll be pleased to know you've been upgraded. We had a penthouse suite with a huge rooftop terrace overlooking the whole of the city.
Again no reason as to why we're upgraded.
Had similar, but in each case we had booked directly with the hotel in question rather than through the likes of Expedia, which will make a difference if they are looking to move anyone around.I decided there was 2 possible reasons for this upgrade, I have a name of a famous actor or cheap rooms were in demand that week and not the expensive ones.
The second time was in Dublin for a 2 night weekend break. On arrival again I got you'll be pleased to know you've been upgraded. We had a penthouse suite with a huge rooftop terrace overlooking the whole of the city.
Again no reason as to why we're upgraded.
Vandenberg said:
I doubt its still the case now, but 20 years go I used to book a lot of travel for the Professors I worked with, and the Asian and Far Eastern airlines would often upgrade them as long as their Prof title was included in the booking.
My sister got upgraded on a flight to Japan from the US (where she lives). Don't know exactly why, but suspect it might have helped having the title Professor Doctor...paul789 said:
Travelled with a few colleagues to Brazil with BA.
One of us, known for continually pushing things with timelines but never managing to get caught out turned up very, very late for check-in and was bumped up from business to first.
Not in any way jealous.
That is one of the routes to do it - however, extremely risky. Just as likely to be bumped down or OFF the flight! One of us, known for continually pushing things with timelines but never managing to get caught out turned up very, very late for check-in and was bumped up from business to first.
Not in any way jealous.
Puggit said:
paul789 said:
Travelled with a few colleagues to Brazil with BA.
One of us, known for continually pushing things with timelines but never managing to get caught out turned up very, very late for check-in and was bumped up from business to first.
Not in any way jealous.
That is one of the routes to do it - however, extremely risky. Just as likely to be bumped down or OFF the flight! One of us, known for continually pushing things with timelines but never managing to get caught out turned up very, very late for check-in and was bumped up from business to first.
Not in any way jealous.
Soov535 said:
These days it is impossible to be upgraded on a plane, unless :
1. You are a platinum or equivalent member
2. You fly A LOT, and I mean A LOT
On any given flight there will be a few people like this, and they get the upgrades.
Normal customers will not even make the shortlist.
There also seems to be a way depending on who you book though. We took over a firm who used Amex Corporate travel to book their flights and the guys reckoned 50% of the time they'd get upgraded on transatlantic flights. 1. You are a platinum or equivalent member
2. You fly A LOT, and I mean A LOT
On any given flight there will be a few people like this, and they get the upgrades.
Normal customers will not even make the shortlist.
Also the son of some friends of ours works for the Government and he always gets upgraded. He booked his honeymoon flights (short haul with BA) through the agency and got upgraded both ways.
paul789 said:
Travelled with a few colleagues to Brazil with BA.
One of us, known for continually pushing things with timelines but never managing to get caught out turned up very, very late for check-in and was bumped up from business to first.
Not in any way jealous.
I've done that a few times (not on purpose) and it's never worked. On one trip through San Francisco I was delayed coming in from Hawaii and ran from one terminal to the other with 20 mins before departure. The staff just laughed but when I said my baggage was transferring tappity tappity and I was on the flight. Just shows what they can do if they want to.One of us, known for continually pushing things with timelines but never managing to get caught out turned up very, very late for check-in and was bumped up from business to first.
Not in any way jealous.
The odd thing was the seat I was assigned was in the two's at the back of a 747 - next to me was an old guy who'd checked in 4hrs before and was upset as he'd been told his wife couldn't sit next to him.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff