Getting upgraded to first class ... any tips?

Genghis

So I am heading to Australia for 10 days. 21 hours non-stop. Qantas. I am there for such a short time that I simply can't tolerate jet-lag!!

Any advice on blagging my way into first class?

I'm travelling alone, will that help?

Should I ask in Dublin, or in Frankfurt?

Or - Failing that - what's your top tips for sleeping on long plane journeys?

ciaran76

I got moved to First class twice. And the only reason i can think of it was because we were first in the queue for a long haul flight and they over booked it and we were there 1st in queue so they moved us.
Other then that i don't know ,sorry !

BuffyBot

Generally airlines will upgrade only if they have to. If the flight it oversold and everyone turns up, they may look to upgrade people. Most upgrades are done before the person even turns up at the check-in desk.

The first on their upgrade lists will be passengers with status, so if you're flying with QANTAS and are a member of their frequent flyer program, you might be in with a chance - Platinum members, Gold members, Silver members then Bronze members is the order of priority. If you have status with another oneworld airline (Aer Lingus, BA, American Airlines etc) you also may strike it lucky - but again only if they need to upgrade people. If by any chance they are all out of any status frequent fliers and partner members, they'll most likely upgrade those who have paid for a full-fare economy ticket rather than a cheap and cheerful ticket.

As for the check-in desk approach, it rarely works. It's very unlikey to work in Dublin as you won't be dealing with QANTAS staff but (I'm assuming) Aer Lingus staff. You may have some luck if you are checking in seperately in Frankfurt, but if you're checked right through from Dublin, Aer Lingus won't be able to upgrade you. However, if you've been selected for an upgrade on your QANTAS flight it may tell them that.

"Blagging" your way to an upgrade rarely, if ever, works to be honest.

Benedict XVI

I appeared very early for a flight from Sydney to Auckland after being out all St. Patrick's day and night in Sydney, stinking of drink and BO and it was only whne I was on the plane did I realise that I had been upgraded to 1st Class. And I have no 'status', so you might be lucky.

Another way to try and get a more relaxing seat is ask for a exit row or bulkhead seat, more leg room, and you really apperciate it 17 hours into the trip.

Gordon

Benedict XVI wrote:

I appeared very early for a flight from Sydney to Auckland after being out all St. Patrick's day and night in Sydney, stinking of drink and BO and it was only whne I was on the plane did I realise that I had been upgraded to 1st Class. And I have no 'status', so you might be lucky.

Another way to try and get a more relaxing seat is ask for a exit row or bulkhead seat, more leg room, and you really apperciate it 17 hours into the trip.

The other passengers probably complained about you and got you to sit somewhere else!

p.pete

Taken from http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1118059384,68459,

Boost Your Chances

Be polite and friendly
Upgrades are usually at the discretion of check-in staff so a bit of flirtatious charm can go a long way.

Be subtle and discrete
Staff are unlikely to upgrade you if other customers are within earshot. “Have you got seats anywhere else on the plane?” is a rather nice way of asking for an upgrade, or alternatively request “an aisle seat next to the window!” – think about it!

Scrub up well
Staff will prioritise customers who look the part, so that rules out any jeans and beach wear - however much you’re in the mood for a tropical holiday! There’s no need to wear a full suit as this can be uncomfortable on long flights; smart trousers and a shirt should do it.

Join a frequent flier programme
If you’re a frequent flier, then you should definitely consider becoming a member. After all they’re completely free to sign up to and usually you’ll be given priority over low fare economy ticket holders when upgrades are available or necessary.

Get friendly with staff
Having friends or family who work for the airline will always help. Also, if you regularly fly on the same route, get to know the staff and they’ll be more likely to keep you in mind.

Avoid regular business hours
Flying during the working day obviously means more business people taking up seats and less opportunity for you to fill them. If possible, fly at the weekend or unusual hours to increase your chances

Fly on planes with larger first class sections
It goes without saying the more first class seats there are, the more likely it is you’ll get one. You can either check the airline’s website or use a site like www.seatguru.com to investigate a specific plane’s layout.

Get bumped off
Companies often over-book flights, especially in busy times like school holidays, and hope people will cancel or not turn up. Then they’ll ask passengers to voluntarily fly on the next available flight and more than likely offer you an upgrade as well as compensation for the inconvenience. (If you’re flight has been delayed new rules mean you’re entitled to compensation, see Compensation for Delayed Flights).

Celebrate in style
If you’re celebrating a special occasion like your honeymoon always let the staff know. A good tip is to take your marriage certificate with you so you can prove it. You never know, you may get lucky!

Use Frequent Flyer Miles
If you prefer a guaranteed way to travel in comfort without shelling out, you can always use your Frequent Flyer miles to top up the flight.

Ditch the family!
It’s easier to get upgrades when you’re travelling on your own. Families and groups aren’t likely to be offered them.

Chat up the travel agent
Try and get the travel agent to annotate your booking with SFU (suitable for upgrade) or CIP (commercially important passenger), while it won’t assure an upgrade, it should increase your chances.

Marry a pilot!
It speaks for itself!

When you are talking about being bumped up-do you mean business class or first class.
Business class on most long haul is very good now with great service and fully flat bed seats but it is not "first class".

The chances of being bumped from economy direct to first class is very very slim.

Also the next class up now on most long haul journeys is premium economy or economy plus as some call it.

Its a wider seat with a separate cabin and slightly more recline with lumber support but with the same meal service as economy.
If you get bumped from economy, thats where they will put you first and then to club or on into first from club.

Status card holders will get priority in this and they will have checked the list for them first.
Here is what you get (on BA but similar on others except the poor aer lingus) on business class (club world) and its not even first class.

By comparison here is premium economy-known as world traveler plus on BA

Now jump over to the explanation of first class

It's very very unlikely that you will be bumped up to that...

In fact its certain that you wont to be honest but premium economy would be your best bet.
Club is also unlikely in the extreme.

arac

myself and my dad got 'bumped up' one time for a flight from dallas to boston, we couldn't figure it out, but it was sweet...leather seats, acres of leg room, champagne..nice

eamy

If you don't get the upgrade, see how full the plane is. The best seats are by the exit rows for more leg room, especially good if you are tall. If the plane is not full, my plan is usually ask for a aisle seat near the back. Aisle seat so you can move around, plus if you are on your own, the hope is that there will be no one beside you. Near the back because most people prefer to be near front, which means hope for more free seats. Also as you get into your seat, ask the steward if you could move seat to somewhere you can lie down to sleep. Say you didn't have enough sleep the night before, or you have to make a presentation on arrival, whatever.... And if there are any row of free seats, jump on it once they start closing the overhead locker before anyone else. It's all I can think of now, good luck!

neacy69

i got "bumped up" to business class on the way home from NYC with BA and in my opinion all you have to do is be really overly nice to the check-in lady/dude cos if ya think about they are problably getting hassle the whole day for delayed flights and people looking for upgrades so if your really nice to them they'll be really nice to you.

other than that if you tell people it's a special occasion, like if travelling with gf/bf say its your first journey together, or if wife/hubby say its an anniversary

if all else fails spin them a good old fashioned sob story....:D

Ginger

Being first in the old queues are handy.. but because you will be getting a transfer to either Heathrow or some other hub you will have to try and blag your way up from there which makes things difficult,.

I got myself and my mate upgraded from Cape Town to Heathrow because we were first in the queue and explaining it was the last flight of a world tour and originally asking for overwing exit seats.. they originally couldnt but changed us at the gate to club travel..

Its at the discretion of the flight staff and depends a lot on the flight you are taking... Having a bit of airline speak helps as well (my brother works in ops and my dad was ATC and now with IAA so have the lingo builtin! :P )

Other than that ask for overwing exit seats .. you will be getting a 747LH extended range so they have oodles of room... Because you will be booking in Dublin it might not work as they might not have access to the seating reservation system but if you have enough time when you arrive head to the BA desk and request a seat change if possible

MDTyKe

I was recently flying back from JFK New York and we arrived at 6.20 or something like that and our flight wasn't until 10. You may ask why we went so early; well it was because of the London terrorist attack, as we were going back the day after them,and there was massive security increases all over the city, but it took us far shorter than expected to get to the airport.

Anyway, when we got in, they practically shouted at us to rush up the stairs (Aer Lingus) and grabbed our e-ticket number, and checked us in, only for us to tell them after that we weren't meant to check in for another few hours. In the end, they ended up putting us into a nice window seat on the A333, which had about 4ft of leg room.. t'was good


Matt

Culchie

I use the 'honeymoon' story every time .... give those rings a good polish the night before.

muletide

I was on a flight to Boston with two friends and I was the only one to get upgraded. Unfortunately I couldnt work out how to use the table thingy and being the gob****e I am was too embarressed to ask for help so went without food for the whole flight - backfired

Enii

muletide wrote:

I was on a flight to Boston with two friends and I was the only one to get upgraded. Unfortunately I couldnt work out how to use the table thingy and being the gob****e I am was too embarressed to ask for help so went without food for the whole flight - backfired

Awww poor muletide. Don't be embarressed to ask something like that - we are all human!!!!!

Johnny_Fontane

I limp up, jumping on one leg as if its broken. really put it on. Its only worked once, but it was sweet. The great thing is that you get to the kevin spacey thing from the usual suspects as you are walking away with your first class tickets.

Our man in Havana

What are the chances of getting emergency exits seats if you arrive early?

pretty good Bond.
If you want to be really certain,be very early and take turns waiting at the check in desk.

Our man in Havana

Earthman wrote:

pretty good Bond.
If you want to be really certain,be very early and take turns waiting at the check in desk.

Thanks for that. Myself and Mrs Bond are flying LAX-DUB tomorrow Sunday evening and the cramped conditions on the way out were unbearable, we could use the legroom.

Ruu_Old

aye try and get the emergency exit seat if you cant flirt your way to first class try and walk around as much as you can also, take some niquil or something similar, move your feet around under the chair, etc. i went on so many trips and should have tried that on my honeymoon but we flew to germany on ryanair. they would laugh their heads off if i asked to be put in first class ryanair seats

BrianD

Try an avoid the 'exit seats' that are next to the window, Usually the door protrudes out into your leg room.

I remember the best way to blag a first class seat. Board your flight and stow your luggage in the overhead locker above your assigned seat. Then slip back up to the first class area. First class usually board first so you can spot the empty seats. What's the worst that can happen? You can shifted back to your assigned seat ... you can then saunter back and pretend nothing happened!!

Problem with that nowadays Brian is the passenger check done before they close down the doors.
They will have the print out from the check in and will do a count.
Then you are found.

Lufthanza are notorious in their European business cabins for counting the biz class meals put on board and checking them off against the numbers supposed to be in business.
If it doesnt tally, they go seat to seat untill they get you :eek:

Our man in Havana

Just in the door from my flight from LAX. Turned up mega early was first in line. No luck. Aerlingus are truly the ryanair of the transatlantic. Their excuse is that all the seats are pre asigned and there are no room to budge at all. I was uber polite and nice.

Spent 9.5 hours in a cramped space. Won't be using them again.

sharkman

Bond-007 wrote:

Just in the door from my flight from LAX. Turned up mega early was first in line. No luck. Aerlingus are truly the ryanair of the transatlantic. Their excuse is that all the seats are pre asigned and there are no room to budge at all. I was uber polite and nice.

Spent 9.5 hours in a cramped space. Won't be using them again.

Why not , you got what you paid for !

BrianD

Bond-007 wrote:

Just in the door from my flight from LAX. Turned up mega early was first in line. No luck. Aerlingus are truly the ryanair of the transatlantic. Their excuse is that all the seats are pre asigned and there are no room to budge at all. I was uber polite and nice.

Spent 9.5 hours in a cramped space. Won't be using them again.

Your expectation of an upgrade was highly unrealistic. There is approximately €1000 in the difference between business and economy on a one way flight to NYC. Do you honestly think they are going to gift you this because you happen to turn up first?

Most of the time, business class subsidises the flight with economy passengers providing the profit. By moving economy passengers into business for no good reason endangers this cash cow. They are happy to have a few empty seats to preserve the price point. I think upgrades on long haul routes are few and far between and you only likely to get them on short haul flights e.g. within Europe or within the States. On the one time I got an upgrade flying from Prague via London (because I was late checking in) I only got the benefit of the seat and none of the trimmings.

Our man in Havana

BrianD wrote:

Your expectation of an upgrade was highly unrealistic. There is approximately €1000 in the difference between business and economy on a one way flight to NYC. Do you honestly think they are going to gift you this because you happen to turn up first?

Most of the time, business class subsidises the flight with economy passengers providing the profit. By moving economy passengers into business for no good reason endangers this cash cow. They are happy to have a few empty seats to preserve the price point. I think upgrades on long haul routes are few and far between and you only likely to get them on short haul flights e.g. within Europe or within the States. On the one time I got an upgrade flying from Prague via London (because I was late checking in) I only got the benefit of the seat and none of the trimmings.

I was not looking to be upgraded at all nor did I request any upgrade, just some better seats than the ones preasigned by the website when you book, of which you have no control over at all.

It seems what ever seat they assign by aerlingus.com is it and tough. No room to budge. Seems bad to be honest. They had grannys sitting in exit rows which would be no use in an emergency situation.

At least with BA and the other better operators you would get a choice of seats.

Enii

Bond-007 wrote:

It seems what ever seat they assign by aerlingus.com is it and tough. No room to budge. Seems bad to be honest. They had grannys sitting in exit rows which would be no use in an emergency situation.
.

A granny is just as entitled to sit in the sit as you are. The only stipulation to sitting in that seat is that you would be able to open the door in an emergency situation and then will not block other passengers exit (someone with a broken leg would not be suitable for this seat). The checking in agent and then the boarding agent and also the flight attendant would all assess the suitablility of the person assigned to these seats and would move them if they felt they could not act appropriately in an emergency situation.

Our man in Havana

That as it may be but to deny a choice of seat is wrong imho. If you fly a premium operation you would get a choice of seat.

Without being blunt
They must have been on a bad day .
The two times,I flew EI from New york to Dublin,I got the exit seat no problem.

I dont fly transatlantic with EI anymore though as the product has been allowed to fall way behind its competitors.
No premium economy and a vastly inferior business class
Staring at a distant screen to watch a tv vs BA having one on the seat...
No contest.

BrianD

Bond-007 wrote:

That as it may be but to deny a choice of seat is wrong imho. If you fly a premium operation you would get a choice of seat.

Perhaps I misunderstood you. Are you talking about an upgrade from economy to business class or being able to select your seat within the class you're in?

AL allow you select your seat online (I think), through your travel agent, on the echeck in and at the desk. Perhaps all the exit seats were already "bagged" before you got to the airport.

When I flew from Boston in October I was able to select my preferred seat.

tabatha

i as upgraded to business class with my husband on a ba flight from london to miami. we were on our honeymoon and asked if there was a chane. they were so friendly and went out of there was to get one for us. even toasted us with champagne!

Ruu_Old

i only choose AL because they fly direct to Chicago. I dont really like going through Heathrow the way BA do, but BA had nicer staff and yeah the tellys in front of you, although some of the AL planes have that too.
you cant choose what seat you want online with AL, but you can choose if you want a window or an aisle. Afaik, other airlines allow you to choose your seat online, but not AL.

daveg

We have 11 flights to take in January. 5 of them longhaul. I'll trying to blag my way into first class on all flights using the excuse "it's our honeymoon" which will be true. Hopefully one of the airlines will upgrade us (B.A, Qantas, A.L. & A.A).

sharkman

daveg wrote:

We have 11 flights to take in January. 5 of them longhaul. I'll trying to blag my way into first class on all flights using the excuse "it's our honeymoon" which will be true. Hopefully one of the airlines will upgrade us (B.A, Qantas, A.L. & A.A).

Make sure you have joined the relevant Frequent Flyer Programmes to increase your chances .

ambro25

Make a scene at the check-in desk

it worked for my wife and I a few years back (Manchester airport) - our first hol together in years, going to New England, we were checking in *big* transatlantic flight (Delta), got at airport early, we'd been in queue for easily an hour +, and then they tell us to start queueing on another desk beside that they'd just opened. The guy checks the couple in front of us (just the one after opening desk), then closes the desk :eek: and we have to go back to end of other queue :eek: :mad:

Needless to say, we eventually get back to the desk we were about 4 from reaching before the above happened, and amongst last to check in: "can't seat you together anymore" :mad: :mad:

Well, I just about f*cking tore the poor girl's neck off at the counter to sh*t down her neck. I went just this side of berserk that they did call the machine-gun equipped security - for anyone who's been to Manchester Airport, you could hear me from one end of the big hall to the other. Eventually calmed down and made way through customs - then PA annoucement "could Mr ambro25 come to boarding gate no.X?" - got there: "can I have your boarding tickets, please? You've been upgraded to 1st Class" - Result

sharkman

ambro25 wrote:

Make a scene at the check-in desk


Well, I just about f*cking tore the poor girl's neck off at the counter to sh*t down her neck. I went just this side of berserk that they did call the machine-gun equipped security -

Yeah , you do that in any airport these days and you will be refused travel and probably arrested for Air-Rage . Its not just on the aircraft that these powers apply .

ambro25

sharkman wrote:

Yeah , you do that in any airport these days and you will be refused travel and probably arrested for Air-Rage . Its not just on the aircraft that these powers apply .

Good job it was before the Anti-Terrorism Act or samesuch, is all I'll say

HarryD

I fly with malev alot who always seem to overbook.
I've been bumped up 3 times with them and bumped off once.
Loadsa friends/family have had same experience with them.
My tips:
- Frequent flyer card (silver/gold if poss)
- Check in late - if there are no more seats in ecomony due to overbooking
they'll stick you in first/business
- Present yerself well at checkin (shave..etc)
- Smile
- Try get opposite sex check-in person

Our man in Havana

It would seem that EI don't overbook. The penalty is too great for them.

not_sure

My sister is crew for British Airways and nobody not even off duty crew on consessions are allowed into First class. The only person who can make it in is a business class passenger whom the crew pick at their pleasure.

If you are in Economy you might be really lucky and get moved up into World traveller, then a World traveller gets put into business and so forth. But first class is out.

Me? I travel business. (On consession)
Sorry

Oh yea and pilots are automitacally put in First as long as there are seats available. They get priority on all airlines.

not_sure

not_sure wrote:

My sister is crew for British Airways and nobody not even off duty crew on consessions are allowed into First class. The only person who can make it in is a business class passenger whom the crew pick at their pleasure.

Yeah I kinda pointed that out earlier.
Some people think business class is first class though -it is not.
That said club world on BA is pretty impressive.

The only exceptions that I know of are Virgin and EI.
EI only have 2 classes, economy and premier.
Premier used be their first class and they never had business.
So if you get upgraded on aer lingus, its to premier which is like a 1970's style first class.You might get bumped up to premium economy on Virgin-or if you are in premium Economy, you might be bumped up to their excelent upperclass suite-its got a bar and a masseuse for you to make use of during the flight

If you are in Economy you might be really lucky and get moved up into World traveller, then a World traveller gets put into business and so forth. But first class is out.

Thats world traveller plus-known as premium economy on most airlines including virgin.

Me? I travel business. (On consession)
Sorry

you mean on an airmiles upgrade or an I class ticket.
The club world tickets to new york can cost €3000 or more return per person.But if you get a special offer I class ticket, its about €1100

Our man in Havana

The club world tickets to new york can cost €3000 or more return per person.But if you get a special offer I class ticket, its about €1100

Are these tickets available to anyone?

Dodge

Bond-007 wrote:

It would seem that EI don't overbook. The penalty is too great for them.

They do. My girlfriend and myself were flying back from JFK to Dublin in Dec 03 and were one of the first to check in. They told us they had overbooked the flight. There was no problem with our booking but they were looking for "volunteers" to fly with American Airlines to Paris and then on to Dublin with Aer Lingus. We'd be an extra 90 minutes travelling but would receive compensation of US$400 each. Think it worked out about €700 (and we were paid by euro cheque drawn on irish bank)

We asked about upgrade but no joy. We took the money and went via paris. Paid for our original flight cost and more...

Our man in Havana

Well done.

They had to do that or you could claim serious cash off them!

Dodge

No, they said we'd be on the flight no problem (as we were one of the first to check in) but obviously that way is cheaper than forcing others to do it. BTW would recommend American Airlines for people looking leg room.

Joe_Soap

Earthman wrote:

The only exceptions that I know of are Virgin and EI.
EI only have 2 classes, economy and premier.
Premier used be their first class and they never had business.
So if you get upgraded on aer lingus, its to premier which is like a 1970's style first class.

Actually, the premier cabin on Aer Lingus is business class, not first class.

Darren

not_sure wrote:

My sister is crew for British Airways and nobody not even off duty crew on consessions are allowed into First class. The only person who can make it in is a business class passenger whom the crew pick at their pleasure.

If you are in Economy you might be really lucky and get moved up into World traveller, then a World traveller gets put into business and so forth. But first class is out.

Me? I travel business. (On consession)
Sorry

Oh yea and pilots are automitacally put in First as long as there are seats available. They get priority on all airlines.

Erm, you're wrong. BA can and do upgrade their staff to first.

Bluehair

Darren wrote:

Erm, you're wrong. BA can and do upgrade their staff to first.

Erm, he's not wrong.

BA policy is no concession travel in First except for certain managerial levels and pilots etc.

Travel in Club World or World Traveller Plus is not a problem however.

(now while that's the official policy it's not unheard of, though rare, for someone to be shifted up to First rather than be left behind but if there's seats further back they definately won't be in First)

Darren

Bluehair wrote:

Erm, he's not wrong.

BA policy is no concession travel in First except for certain managerial levels and pilots etc.

Travel in Club World or World Traveller Plus is not a problem however.

(now while that's the official policy it's not unheard of, though rare, for someone to be shifted up to First rather than be left behind but if there's seats further back they definately won't be in First)

I've travelled in first on a 54A/M47. LAX-LHR, Not a manager, not a pilot.

Plus, my understanding is that somebody travelling on a long service concession with J eligibility should be upgraded into First if club is full and then into wtp if first is full and then into World traveller.

Joe_Soap

Joe_Soap wrote:

Actually, the premier cabin on Aer Lingus is business class, not first class.

To clarify:
Well Afaik its only available on US flights now and that was and technically is EI's "first class"
It used have a limousine transfer to the airport for instance something which was more akin to first class and not business.

Of course Virgin now do the limousine for their upperclass which is basically a first class business seat.

EI's premier trans atlantic service for years up untill say the last 8 or 9 years was the equivalent of many an airlines first class without the flat bed.
It's very much the poor relation now as it has a relatively poor seat recline albeit with a flexible reading light more room, a personal tv screen and china plates for your dinner.

Though now gone,the Euro and GB premier EI service was always just the equivalent of business class on other Euro routes on other airlines.

Bluehair

Darren wrote:

I've travelled in first on a 54A/M47. LAX-LHR, Not a manager, not a pilot.

:rolleyes: There is no 54A on BA long haul unless you meant 64A which would be the upper deck Club World seating. On BAs 747s rows 1-5 are First and the 777s are rows 1-4.

Darren wrote:

Plus, my understanding is that somebody travelling on a long service concession with J eligibility should be upgraded into First if club is full and then into wtp if first is full and then into World traveller.

Again with respect your understanding is incorrect. Unlike many of the American carriers BA protect their First class cabin to a huge degree. Having said that what is BA policy and what occurs in practise can differ but they tend to be pretty strict about First.