How to get a free upgrade to 1st class or business??

2007-07-09 20:40:38

#1

Hurricane: Banned; +1,153|7101|Washington, DC

Alright, on Wednesday I leave on a trip to Chile for 1.5 weeks. First it's a flight from DC to Miami (which I don't care about the class as its 2 hours long), but then an arduous 8-10 hour (depending on weather and such) flight from Miami to Chile.

So, my fellow fliers of BF2s, I come to ou in search of tips on how to get that upgrade. I've heard things ranging from faking a limp to just being straight up front "Are there any upgrades available?" (in addition to being courteous). What would / has worked best for you? Do I ask for an upgrade at check-in where they take the non-carryon luggage or at the gate?

D=

edit: I've got nice slacks, nice button shirts, a nice belt, and a nice jacket (not quite a blazer but not quite a dinner jacket) if needed. I also know how to make my hair look groomed.

Last edited by Hurricane (2007-07-09 20:41:17)

2007-07-09 20:42:40

#2

Cybargs: Moderated; +2,285|7187

Remember it's winter in Chile.

https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png

2007-07-09 20:45:08

#3

russ)=spetsnaz: Banned; +131|6927|the guy in the hind on gator

why not just pay for a first class ticket, i dont know how much more it is so sorry if i sound dumb

2007-07-09 20:45:58

#4

Liberal-Sl@yer: Certified BF2S Asshole; +131|6927|The edge of sanity

My sis got upgraded cause there were no seats left in regular class

2007-07-09 20:46:11

#5

Hurricane: Banned; +1,153|7101|Washington, DC

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:
why not just pay for a first class ticket, i dont know how much more it is so sorry if i sound dumb

I would but they're so expensive. So evilly, cruelly expensive.

And apparently the 767 doesn't even have a real first class, just a business class I wish American still had 747s.

edit: Yeah lib, but I don't want to just rely on overselling

Last edited by Hurricane (2007-07-09 20:46:32)

2007-07-09 20:47:20

#6

cowami: OY, BITCHTITS!; +1,106|6761|Noo Yawk, Noo Yawk

Hurricane wrote:
russ)=spetsnaz wrote:
why not just pay for a first class ticket, i dont know how much more it is so sorry if i sound dumb
I would but they're so expensive. So evilly, cruelly expensive.

And apparently the 767 doesn't even have a real first class, just a business class I wish American still had 747s.

edit: Yeah lib, but I don't want to just rely on overselling

American had 747s?

Wow.

Maybe if you're lucky, it'll be a 777. That plane is BIG.

2007-07-09 20:48:38

#7

russ)=spetsnaz: Banned; +131|6927|the guy in the hind on gator

a little bit of topic, but i live in Everett washington where the biggest boeing in america is, and as i was driving by last night, i saw the new 777. Damn those airplanes are big

EDIT: ha 18 seconds difference talking about the same thing

Last edited by russ)=spetsnaz (2007-07-09 20:49:08)

2007-07-09 20:50:22

#8

chittydog: less busy; +586|7306|Kubra, Damn it!

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:
why not just pay for a first class ticket, i dont know how much more it is so sorry if i sound dumb

First class tickets can be two to four times as expensive as a coach seat.

The best thing I can recommend is to ask for it nicely as early as possible. Your chances are slim since most international flights are pretty full these days and the people with frequent flyer miles get first dibs on upgrades in the slim chance that there are a few open. It's still worth a shot, the worst they can do is say no.

2007-07-09 20:53:44

#9

TGMaverick: Member; +16|6701

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:
a little bit of topic, but i live in Everett washington where the biggest boeing in america is, and as i was driving by last night, i saw the new 777. Damn those airplanes are big

EDIT: ha 18 seconds difference talking about the same thing

The new Boeing's are 787, not 777.

2007-07-09 20:56:14

#10

cowami: OY, BITCHTITS!; +1,106|6761|Noo Yawk, Noo Yawk

TGMaverick wrote:
russ)=spetsnaz wrote:
a little bit of topic, but i live in Everett washington where the biggest boeing in america is, and as i was driving by last night, i saw the new 777. Damn those airplanes are big

EDIT: ha 18 seconds difference talking about the same thing
The new Boeing's are 787, not 777.

Well, yes, but I think he was talking about the 777.

The Boeing 777 was built for long-range international hauls, and I believe it has greater range than some of the older 747s (don't quote me on that, though).

The new 787, however, is built to appeal to the shorter, mid-range hauls between medium-sized airports. Boeing is hoping that this versatility will encourage more buyers than Airbus's A380, which will, of course, focus on international trips.

/aircraft geek

2007-07-09 20:56:48

#11

[FHF]MattyZ: What the Deuce?; +29|7133|Washington

What airline? The first thing you should do, is at 23 hours and 50 minutes before your flight leaves, check in online and switch to the best seat possible.
Second, when you check your luggage in, ask the ticket agent if there are any first class seats available, and what the difference in price would be.
Third, when you get to the gate, check with the counter and ask again if there are seats in first class available, if they are all checked in, you have no chance. If there are seats available, ask what the fee would be to upgrade. Normally if there are seats available, they go to the frequent flyers of that airline that are on standby for the upgrade, if there is no one on standby, they might sell you that upgrade for a cheaper rate. Check ebay for first class upgrades for that airline also.

I fly a ton and try my best for the better seats. In fact, I flew today from Portland to Oakland first class because of a free upgrade.

2007-07-09 20:57:58

#12

SEREMAKER: BABYMAKIN EXPERT √; +2,187|7039|Mountains of NC

when you get up to the ticket stand and you see a beautiful looking woman behind the counter, hit on her; make her feel sexy ..... if its some 60 year old woman ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, hit on her; make her feel sexy .................................................. if its some dude ,,,,,,,,,,,,, unbutton the top 4 buttons {make sure yo're not wearing an undershirt} and hit on him; make him feel sexy

Last edited by SEREMAKER (2007-07-09 20:58:25)

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2007-07-09 20:58:46

#13

russ)=spetsnaz: Banned; +131|6927|the guy in the hind on gator

TGMaverick wrote:
russ)=spetsnaz wrote:
a little bit of topic, but i live in Everett washington where the biggest boeing in america is, and as i was driving by last night, i saw the new 777. Damn those airplanes are big

EDIT: ha 18 seconds difference talking about the same thing
The new Boeing's are 787, not 777.

thats the one

2007-07-09 20:59:31

#14

cowami: OY, BITCHTITS!; +1,106|6761|Noo Yawk, Noo Yawk

originally written by SEREMAKER wrote:
..... if its some 60 year old woman ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, hit in her;

ROFFEL.

2007-07-09 21:10:42

#15

OrangeHound: Busy doing highfalutin adminy stuff ...; +1,335|7120|Washington DC

Some of this has been said, but I'll summarize my understandings of things ...

(1) The person you want to work with is the Agent at the gate. He/she has the power to assign the upgrades. Flight attendants do not generally have the authority to move you to first class, and may risk losing their job by doing so.

(2) You can ask to be upgraded, but you need to have a reason: (a) you are a frequent flier, (b) you have an upgrade coupon (these can be purchased on eBay), (c) you are willing to pay for an upgrade, (d) you were bumped from a previous flight - it would be in their records - and would like consideration for your inconvenience, or (e) you are a person who is a decision maker for a large corporation that might bring lots of business to the airline.

(3) If the flight is overbooked, you can volunteer to go stand-by for consideration with first class ... more likely, you will miss your flight, however.

(4) Once on a full plane, a flight attendant may move you to first class if your seat is broken or the passenger next to you is obviously a problem (e.g., they keep groping your privates).

By the way, I've only been successfully upgraded based on (2-b) ... it is by far the best option.

2007-07-10 00:52:04

#16

theDude5B: Cool member; +805|7222

Yeah always ask when checking in as they will know if there are any free spaces in first class. Best chance you are going to get is if the flight you are on is a popular route so there might be people looking for flights at the last minute. The airline has a better chance of selling off the cheaper seats first, so they will upgrade some people to first/business class just so they can sell the cheaper seats.

was surprised to find that there were 5 empty seats in business class flying back from Florida last thur/fri.

2007-07-10 00:55:02

#17

M.O.A.B: 'Light 'em up!'; +1,220|6694|Escea

Hire a Cessna with leather seats that vibrate and go for it.

Note this plan would only work if you could fly a Cessna and had a large fuel tank.

2007-07-10 02:15:26

#18

kylef: Gone; +1,352|6964|N. Ireland

Just sneak in if you notice there is a vacated seat. The worst they will do is shout at you and send you back to your seat (oh noes!). My brother sneaked in for around 5 hours and only after that did someone notice. He was with a friend too, so both of them stayed there for like 5 hours!

2007-07-10 03:13:09

#19

mikeyb118: Evil Overlord; +76|7070|S.C.

Liberal-Sl@yer wrote:
My sis got upgraded cause there were no seats left in regular class

Check in later on to do this, however if the entire plane is overbooked you risk getting bumped onto a later flight.

2007-07-10 03:14:30

#20

..teddy..jimmy: Member; +1,393|7120

Get double-booked..

2007-07-10 03:17:47

#21

mikeyb118: Evil Overlord; +76|7070|S.C.

or Have a family member that works for the airline, with some airlines you get free flights and then if available free upgrades. I've been to NY and back onboard Virgin Pacific from Gatwick in business class twice on my dad's old job. Not to mention several holidays to florida.

2007-07-10 09:02:26

#22

Hurricane: Banned; +1,153|7101|Washington, DC

Alright I think I'm just gonna dress nice, be nice, and ask for an upgrade. OHound I don't fly frequently but my family has a frequent flier membership...

2007-07-10 09:07:57

#23

Lucien: Fantasma Parastasie; +1,451|7124

charm 100 pts for 35 secs on touch, tbh.

BF2S Forums How to get a free upgrade to 1st class or business??

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:

Hurricane wrote:

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:

TGMaverick wrote:

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:

TGMaverick wrote:

russ)=spetsnaz wrote:

originally written by SEREMAKER wrote:

Liberal-Sl@yer wrote:

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