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How do you go about getting flight upgrades?
Posted on 5/26/16 at 8:39 pm
Posted on 5/26/16 at 8:39 pm
Figure this would start a good discussion. Let's do this assuming you aren't loyal to a carrier and have a ton of miles.
6
Posted on 5/26/16 at 8:52 pm to jmarto1
1) pay for upgrade. Some airlines will let you bid on upgrades in an email in the few days leading up
2) Buy with cash upgrade with points. But this is poor value
3) Apart from that, literally no other legitimate way. Too many high level elites these days
2) Buy with cash upgrade with points. But this is poor value
3) Apart from that, literally no other legitimate way. Too many high level elites these days
This post was edited on 5/26/16 at 8:53 pm
Posted on 5/26/16 at 10:27 pm to jmarto1
If you are on a delta flight with me I can put you as a companion and you are upgrade eligible (doesn't happen often).
If you have a flight delay you can ask to be upgraded on the rebooked flight if it is severe enough and due mechanical (slim chance but possible).
You can get bumped from one flight for a later flight and negotiate it in (decent but still unlikely)
If you have a flight delay you can ask to be upgraded on the rebooked flight if it is severe enough and due mechanical (slim chance but possible).
You can get bumped from one flight for a later flight and negotiate it in (decent but still unlikely)
Posted on 5/26/16 at 10:59 pm to jmarto1
American:
Free upgrades as Gold, Platinum, EXP on flights under 500 miles. Flights over 500 miles elites use stickers. Two stickers for flights 501-1000 miles, three stickers 1001-1500 miles, etc. Any friends/family booked on a reservation with other status members can put in for an upgrade with that member (he/she must be traveling as well). When you book your ticket is your timestamp for the upgrade in comparison to other golds, plats, EXPs. Can request these domestic upgrades online. If all the elite members are processed for the flight, American can sell upgrades to general members.
International flights require SWUs if you're an EXP, or miles + cash if you're platinum, gold, or a general member. Must call in to request these upgrades.
Free upgrades as Gold, Platinum, EXP on flights under 500 miles. Flights over 500 miles elites use stickers. Two stickers for flights 501-1000 miles, three stickers 1001-1500 miles, etc. Any friends/family booked on a reservation with other status members can put in for an upgrade with that member (he/she must be traveling as well). When you book your ticket is your timestamp for the upgrade in comparison to other golds, plats, EXPs. Can request these domestic upgrades online. If all the elite members are processed for the flight, American can sell upgrades to general members.
International flights require SWUs if you're an EXP, or miles + cash if you're platinum, gold, or a general member. Must call in to request these upgrades.
This post was edited on 5/26/16 at 11:01 pm
Posted on 5/27/16 at 12:10 am to jmarto1
Really is all status these days. No more saying, "hey wife and I are going to Europe, any chance for an upgrade". I heard all those stories growing up, but have never actually met anyone who had success
Posted on 5/27/16 at 6:06 am to jmarto1
As little as 3 years ago I would get upgraded 70% of the time on Cont/United with a gold or platinum status. These days it is less that 10% of the time and their service sucks. I have transitioned my business travel to Southwest for this reason.
Posted on 5/27/16 at 6:09 am to CuseTiger
OP excluded loyalty upgrades..
Posted on 5/27/16 at 6:41 am to LSUShock
quote:
Really is all status these days.
Actually the opposite. Airlines are holding back more upgrades to allow for people to pay for them. I'm rarely upgraded at the 72 hour window on Delta anymore. Mainly at the gate.
Posted on 5/27/16 at 8:49 am to Golfer
I don't fly enough these days to warrant going after a status. Last time I went to DC I got an upgrade by email to first class for $100.
Posted on 5/27/16 at 10:03 am to jmarto1
quote:
I don't fly enough these days to warrant going after a status. Last time I went to DC I got an upgrade by email to first class for $100.
You may want to stick with flying Delta or United then. I've heard that the united elites have had their chances of upgrades drop dramatically because management thinks it's better to sell an upgrade to a general member for $100 rather than give one for free to their elites. I think Delta sells upgradeable fares as well for not much more than regular economy tickets.
Example: Flying home from Buffalo after the Syracuse game last September, flew Buffalo-Newark-Nola on United. The 3 hr flight from Newark-Nola was only $90 to upgrade to first, meanwhile getting a seat in economy plus was $75... Had the opportunity from immediately after booking the ticket to the day of departure to upgrade. Seemed rather easy to get an upgrade to First class on United for a general member
Posted on 5/27/16 at 10:29 am to CuseTiger
quote:
I think Delta sells upgradeable fares as well for not much more than regular economy tickets.
They do. And it benefits the non-status passenger too. $100 upgrade one way? Well if they're checking two bags they now have those free and would have paid $50-$60 in the first place. So the net cost to them is $40. Not a bad deal for a more comfortable seat, free drinks, snacks, priority boarding and security.
Posted on 5/27/16 at 10:51 am to Golfer
I almost booked a one-way Delta ticket for PHL-ATL-BTR last christmas because of exactly the situation you mentioned. Would have had to check 2 bags and the fare difference between first and economy was something dumb like $80. Plus during IRROPs they actually help out the first class passengers, economy gets the 150 person line 
Posted on 5/27/16 at 10:56 am to jmarto1
Its highly unlikely you're going to get upgraded on the big airlines without status, unless you pay for it. Even at that, you have to check in super early or they will have already assigned those seats to the highest tier of travelers.
Posted on 5/27/16 at 11:09 am to MEANGREEN65
I'm completely ok with paying for it. Will actually be glad to do it.
Posted on 5/27/16 at 11:57 am to MEANGREEN65
Don't expect any upgrades unless you have top tier status with the airline. AA EXP is awesome and so is AS 75K. Having said that, I have heard repeatedly that DL treats its top tiers the best. But have had no first hand experience with this.
You guys are absolutely right about airlines selling those upgrades now instead of giving them away. But top tier status is what you want. My goal is to fly 3 million miles with AA to get lifetime EXP. Big reason for sticking with OW when someone else is footing the bill. Nowhere close yet
You guys are absolutely right about airlines selling those upgrades now instead of giving them away. But top tier status is what you want. My goal is to fly 3 million miles with AA to get lifetime EXP. Big reason for sticking with OW when someone else is footing the bill. Nowhere close yet
This post was edited on 5/27/16 at 12:00 pm
Posted on 5/27/16 at 12:12 pm to AmeriKop45
I do have a decent amount of points I can transfer from my chase sapphire to pretty much anyone. Probably not a top tier status though.
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