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getting upgraded at the airport - fact or myth!?

sarahkay68627444

306

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:00

DH has taken 11 flights on business this year - excluding short haul

people are always giving advice
'arrive early'
'wear a suit'
'always use the same airline' blah blah and you will get an upgrade.

tomorrow he is off to UK and is planning to wear on a rugby shirt, pantaloons and flip flops explaining to me that the theory of getting u/gs is b******s

just wondering if he's right
<em>edited by sarahkay686 on 07/11/2011</em>

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2937

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 16:08

It's worth remembering that generally upgrades are done only when economy is full, so if your flight's not full down the back you ain't going nowhere! I was cabin crew for a while and I only ever came across a handful of upgrades where cattle wasn't overbooked (and they were upgraded because of previous stuff-ups or such-like). That's only with one airline, though. Perhaps other airlines have other rules and sucking up to ground staff might work :D. And edited to add; even if you've already checked in online, your seat can be reallocated to another passenger while you're upgraded. <em>edited by DubaiCat on 07/11/2011</em>

1403

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 09:53

Speaking from experience as the person doing the airline check in, when we needed to upgrade people (Emirates), firstly we'd upgrade the Gold/Silver card members, failing that, we'd do it this way... throughout the check in process we'd look out for nicely dressed people on the economy line (nicely dressed, as in no thongs and no faded blue denim) and people with no kids. But mostly we'd do it toward the end of the check in process. It can work any way, early at check in or late at check in. You just have to be in the right place at the right time and not look scruffy. For a 'chance' of an upgrade I would never NOT check in online if it was a long haul flight. I simply would not take the risk of getting stuck in a middle seat for that long.

146

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 09:29

I have been upgraded once on emirates when I was a blue skywards member, because I was on a flight to Sydney, the flight was way over booked and the guy at the counter asked if he could bump me. I'm sure they're used to people screaming at them and making a fuss, but I was pretty cool with it, and just said no prob let me know I'll hang around until you have an answer. Anyway they had a free seat in business class, so they upgraded me. A friend of mine is a gold skywards member and is upgraded all the time, without asking just gets upgraded. They do give priority to their gold members. If you're already checked in its more unlikely that you'll be upgraded though. I don't think clothes make a difference any more really...

341

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 01:03

That's why !! Lol ! Try BA !

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:56

GB ! Always lots of room on a night flight we never book in and most times get upgraded - I always let Dh do the talking as he seems to have a way with the ladies ! ;) we always head to the business check in as most time he flies bc Lucky-the last night flight we took to GB was jam packed -and it was mid week and not during a holiday period either BA ?? No-Emirates

341

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:51

GB ! Always lots of room on a night flight we never book in and most times get upgraded - I always let Dh do the talking as he seems to have a way with the ladies ! ;) we always head to the business check in as most time he flies bc Lucky-the last night flight we took to GB was jam packed -and it was mid week and not during a holiday period either BA ??

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:50

GB ! Always lots of room on a night flight we never book in and most times get upgraded - I always let Dh do the talking as he seems to have a way with the ladies ! ;) we always head to the business check in as most time he flies bc Lucky-the last night flight we took to GB was jam packed -and it was mid week and not during a holiday period either

3901

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:47

DH has taken 11 flights on business this year - excluding short haul people are always giving advice 'arrive early' 'wear a suit' 'always use the same airline' blah blah and you will get an upgrade. tomorrow he is off to UK and is planning to wear on a rugby shirt, pantaloons and flip flops explaining to me that the theory of getting u/gs is b******s just wondering if he's right edited by sarahkay686 on 07/11/2011 Think he might regret the flip-flops when he gets off at the other end !!! lol

341

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:45

GB ! Always lots of room on a night flight we never book in and most times get upgraded - I always let Dh do the talking as he seems to have a way with the ladies ! ;) we always head to the business check in as most time he flies bc

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:38

Get to know a pilot from every major airline ! That always helps lol I think arriving early is a major yes and also don't book in online prior to travelling that way you are unallocated and stand a better chance of being upgraded .. And being nice and friendly to the counter lady always helps ! Don't know what route you fly but flights to Australia alwaus seem full and if you didn't check-in on line you risk being stuck in the middle of a centre row down the back by the toilets-wouldn't take that risk on a long flight on the off-chance of an upgrade.....

269

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:37

DH and I have been upgraded thrice.. We never were wearing anything too fancy, but yes we were early!!

341

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:33

Get to know a pilot from every major airline ! That always helps lol I think arriving early is a major yes and also don't book in online prior to travelling that way you are unallocated and stand a better chance of being upgraded .. And being nice and friendly to the counter lady always helps !

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 07 November 2011 - 00:21

Only been upgraded once and that was for the two of us-weren't dressed to the nines but we did arrive very early at check-in and BH has a gold card-but in reality I think it was more they needed our paricular economy seats to allow a group to sit together so we were probably just plain lucky

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