Aer Lingus bid for Business Class

Wanderer2010 · 08-09-2018 11:12am #1

Im off to San Fran next May and ill be flying out on Sunday afternoon. Has anyone ever been successful bidding to get to 1st class? I was thinking of throwing an extra 750 euros as an offer, no more, does that sound reasonable?

I was successful before going from Boston to Dublin by offering an extra 600 euros but San Fran is a longer flight, im looking for opinions from people who travel there regularly, how busy are Sunday flights etc?

salmocab · 08-09-2018 11:15am

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Im off to San Fran next May and ill be flying out on Sunday afternoon. Has anyone ever been successful bidding to get to 1st class? I was thinking of throwing an extra 750 euros as an offer, no more, does that sound reasonable?

I was successful before going from Boston to Dublin by offering an extra 600 euros but San Fran is a longer flight, im looking for opinions from people who travel there regularly, how busy are Sunday flights etc?

I’d imagine that quite a few business people fly Sunday’s to SF for multinationals based in Silicon Valley.

nsa0bupkd3948x · 08-09-2018 11:18am

I'm on 147 a fair bit on Sundays. Always pretty busy with tech guys so would imagine the bids would need to be higher to be successful in getting an upgrade to Business Class.

I've never bid before so don't have any examples

California Dreamer · 08-09-2018 1:43pm

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Im off to San Fran next May and ill be flying out on Sunday afternoon. Has anyone ever been successful bidding to get to 1st class? I was thinking of throwing an extra 750 euros as an offer, no more, does that sound reasonable?

I was successful before going from Boston to Dublin by offering an extra 600 euros but San Fran is a longer flight, im looking for opinions from people who travel there regularly, how busy are Sunday flights etc?

I bid 550 on Orlando last year and was successful.

billy few mates · 08-09-2018 4:06pm

To be honest I would rather put the €750 towards a hotel upgrade or several nights of fine wining and dining when I got there than a BC upgrade.
But that's just me...

Locker10a · 08-09-2018 4:23pm

billy few mates wrote: »

To be honest I would rather put the €750 towards a hotel upgrade or several nights of fine wining and dining when I got there than a BC upgrade.
But that's just me...

Meh I’d go for the upgrade, if it’s a city break the hotel is only somewhere you sleep at night, the flight is somewhere you’ve to spend hours, I’d go for the upgrade especially for a day time flight where you’ll be awake, there’s great food and comfortable seats to be enjoyed, each to their own

Wanderer2010 · 08-09-2018 4:25pm

Thanks for the replies so far. I suppose my absolute limit would be 800euros for bidding for San Francisco. if they don't accept that then I will just look for a comfy seat in economy and save my money. I wouldn't be willing to go higher than that but id be thrilled if they accepted it.

billy few mates · 08-09-2018 4:41pm

Locker10a wrote: »

Meh I’d go for the upgrade, if it’s a city break the hotel is only somewhere you sleep at night, the flight is somewhere you’ve to spend hours, I’d go for the upgrade especially for a day time flight where you’ll be awake, there’s great food and comfortable seats to be enjoyed, each to their own

Like I said, maybe it's just me...

Cloudio9 · 08-09-2018 5:46pm

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies so far. I suppose my absolute limit would be 800euros for bidding for San Francisco. if they don't accept that then I will just look for a comfy seat in economy and save my money. I wouldn't be willing to go higher than that but id be thrilled if they accepted it.

In my experience if there’s a good bit of space, even a low ball bid will be accepted.

I could never get bid upgraded coming back to ireland on Thursday/Friday night but would regularly get upgraded heading west.

Van.Bosch · 09-09-2018 11:12am

Cloudio9 wrote: »

In my experience if there’s a good bit of space, even a low ball bid will be accepted.

I could never get bid upgraded coming back to ireland on Thursday/Friday night but would regularly get upgraded heading west.

Yeah, it’s not a case of what they’ll accept. Once there is an empty seat they will give it to the highest bidder above the minimum, I’d guess 750 would be enough if there were spare seats. So in reality assuming a spare seat you are against fellow passengers.

goingnowhere · 09-09-2018 3:23pm

EI are happy to fly with empty seats in business, there is a 'value' they don't want to undermine in the product by accepting low ball offers.

Wanderer2010 · 09-09-2018 4:17pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

EI are happy to fly with empty seats in business, there is a 'value' they don't want to undermine in the product by accepting low ball offers.

What range would be seen as low ball? Are we talking 300-500 as just an insult to them?

trellheim · 09-09-2018 4:41pm

EI are happy to fly with empty seats in business, there is a 'value' they don't want to undermine in the product by accepting low ball offers.

But you can fly business with Airmiles ? I've done that in the past.

California Dreamer · 09-09-2018 5:16pm

billy few mates wrote: »

Like I said, maybe it's just me...

Maybe it is.

billy few mates · 09-09-2018 5:16pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

EI are happy to fly with empty seats in business, there is a 'value' they don't want to undermine in the product by accepting low ball offers.

Do they not upgrade staff any more...?

California Dreamer · 09-09-2018 5:17pm

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

What range would be seen as low ball? Are we talking 300-500 as just an insult to them?

They generally have a lowest point and it has an indicator which shows the chances of you getting the upgrade. You won't be insulting anyone apart from a computer algorithm!!

Cloudio9 · 09-09-2018 8:02pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

EI are happy to fly with empty seats in business, there is a 'value' they don't want to undermine in the product by accepting low ball offers.

They’re happy to fly with empty seats in that they don’t upgrade frequent flyers like US airlines. However if someone is waving 400 snots under their nose they’ll grab it.

Steve · 09-09-2018 8:28pm

I only ever flew with Delta back when I was doing lots of miles.

1 in 4 transatlantics could be upgraded using miles, of the three left, generally I was given at least 1 free.

Never had to pay a penny.

Anyone frequently going to the states is nuts to even consider an Irish airline.

Third_Echelon · 16-09-2018 1:25am

Money would be better spent on the flight back to Ireland where you could actually get some sleep in Business Class.

micosoft · 20-09-2018 7:35pm

Cloudio9 wrote: »

They’re happy to fly with empty seats in that they don’t upgrade frequent flyers like US airlines. However if someone is waving 400 snots under their nose they’ll grab it.

I've found EI to be pretty good at giving free status upgrades!

Kev11491 · 21-09-2018 8:12am

If I was to bid to upgrade for a flight in February, at what stage will they let you know if you have been successful?

California Dreamer · 21-09-2018 9:46am

Kev11491 wrote: »

If I was to bid to upgrade for a flight in February, at what stage will they let you know if you have been successful?

Most likely 24 hours in advance of flight.

Cloudio9 · 21-09-2018 11:35am

If the load is light you’ll probably have confirmation 4 or 5 days in advance.

Wanderer2010 · 21-09-2018 3:04pm

Well I made my bid-800 from Dub to San Francisco early next May. That's all I can do, im not willing to go higher than that.

steve-o · 21-09-2018 8:27pm

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

Well I made my bid-800 from Dub to San Francisco early next May. That's all I can do, im not willing to go higher than that.

How much it would cost to buy a business ticket right now? This far out, business to the west coast is typically about €500 more than economy.

Cloudio9 · 21-09-2018 8:50pm

steve-o wrote: »

How much it would cost to buy a business ticket right now? This far out, business to the west coast is typically about €500 more than economy.

You must be joking!

Kev11491 · 21-09-2018 9:28pm

It was around 1000euro more one way when I was booking LA for February.

steve-o · 21-09-2018 10:33pm

Cloudio9 wrote: »

You must be joking!

Sorry, you are right. If you only go as far as LA and SF, they don't offer the really competitive business fares. But if you connect onwards to other destinations around California then the business fares are much lower.

Kev11491 · 28-09-2018 11:44am

Bid for DUB-LAX upgrade today, just wondering whats the story with avios for this? will they still give you the economy rate or put you on an increased rate?

L1011 · 28-09-2018 12:32pm

Economy tier points, don't know if you get avios on the bid price

el Fenomeno · 22-04-2024 12:41am

Apologies to bump and old thread. Partner and I are flying from Dublin to San Francisco next month. Flight is at 12:50pm on a Friday.

What's the min/max range of bidding for business class these days, and what tends to be a successful bid? I know you can't guarantee....

We both struggle with long-haul flights so thinking this might be a nice treat and worth it.

When does bidding open?

Van.Bosch · 22-04-2024 8:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122048045#Comment_122048045

only opens if there are enough unsold business class seats. So try do a business class booking and you’ll get a look at what is sold when you look at the seat map to see if there are many/few. If there are a few unsold it’s unlikely you’ll be asked to bid.

el Fenomeno · 22-04-2024 11:43am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122048255#Comment_122048255

Thanks for the info.

22-04-2024 12:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122048045#Comment_122048045

business class is nice and all that but my perspective is that when you are paying from your own pocket it’s hard to justify and I always have that niggling feeling that I need to get my moneys worth to max the benefits (arrive early, sample the drinks menu, eat all the food on offer etc).

Its nice as a novelty if not done before but I would much rather put the €1k plus into the vacation, nicer hotel room, nicer meals etc.

just remember that aer Lingus seat configuration is 2-4-2 in economy to the west coast. Travelling as a couple I find the 2 just fine and nowhere near justify probably €1k plus(for the couple) to bid to go business class especially as bidding for upgrades doesn’t entitle you to the same air miles / tiers.

el Fenomeno · 22-04-2024 12:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122049037#Comment_122049037

Thanks. We've never done it before, and the only time I've ever traveled long haul was to Mexico. And to be honest, I would have killed for a bit of extra comfort - I hate flying so I'm not totally against it.

el Fenomeno · 22-04-2024 12:44pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122048255#Comment_122048255

When I try to book business class seats (just to see what's available), it lets me book them but it says seat selection is not available and will be assigned at check in.

el Fenomeno · 22-04-2024 12:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122049037#Comment_122049037

Is it 2-4-4 or 2-4-2? If I try book an economy ticket myself, layout looks to be 2-4-2.

Conor15th · 22-04-2024 1:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122049141#Comment_122049141

It’s 2-4-2

Bogwoppit · 22-04-2024 1:38pm

it’s unlikely there will be any availability in business on that route but the time of the flight. I’m surprised theirs is availability even a month out to be honest.

kirving · 22-04-2024 1:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122048045#Comment_122048045

I've taken that flight a lot recently, next Friday will be my 7th time since November, and honestly I wouldn't pay for business out of my own money. I've taken Business enough that the novelty has kinda worn off.

In December, it was a €10k round trip DUB-SFO in Business, which I was actually entitled to for work, but I didn't pay it. I'm on it again this week, and I the minimum offer was I think €950 to Bid. You can also pay at the airport to upgrade - I've asked a few times and it's always been around €1900 flat fee.

Dublinflyer · 22-04-2024 4:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122049037#Comment_122049037

I agree and especially as the Aer Lingus business offering is okay at best, it's nothing special IMO. If you are doing the flight home from SFO then it's worth the bid, and maybe paying for it one way. What me and herself tend to do is but a loungs pass, fast track and the extra leg room seats on the way over to the US, a fraction of the cost and a nice experience.

Nigel Fairservice · 09-05-2024 12:26am

I bid for business class last year when we travelled to Chicago with Aer Lingus. We have done a lot of flying but never in business class so thought it would be nice to try it at least once. I put in a bid of €500 each for the two of us and was successful. The seat and the extra personal space was great. The food was a bit so so though. The stewards/stewardesses were absent for long periods during the flight as well. It was nice to try but don't think I'd do it again with Aer Lingus. I flew Dublin - Abu Dhabi 2 months later and was unexpectedly upgraded at the gate by Etihad to business class. Their business class was better than Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus bid for Business Class

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