How do people get free upgrades?

[lipstadt]

I'm talking about the sort where you check in and they bump you up a class, or you're about to board and you get called over for an upgrade.

I have BA Bronze Status and may make it to Silver this year. Never have I been upgraded. People around me have, and there doesn't seem to be any sort of rule as to who gets the upgrade,

How many tier points must they have!

Or the crew themselves. I will never travel again with Virgin for this reason alone

Why?!

It happened to me once; I think it was just because economy class was full. I seldom fly and I certainly don't look posh!

DH gets upgraded on UA due to the number of miles he has. He has Global Services Status and their system rewards those with the most miles which makes sense - rewards their biggest spenders.

I've been bumped three times - I'm not a frequent flier - but I do have good manners.

I’ve been bumped up to Business a few times on Emirates flights. No idea why, I don’t ask, they just hand me a new ticket when I’m boarding. Once, when I was travelling with my daughter who was about 8 at the time. Not every time of course but still, can’t complain

O was upgraded from Barbados to London (virgin flight) about 9/10 years ago. I was in my own, and I didn’t ask. In fact I had no idea I was upgraded until I boarded the plane and she brought me to my seat. The only reason I think I got upgraded was because I waited until everyone else had checked in, I was painting my nails and didn’t want to stand in the queue 😂

I and dp were upgraded to Ba First class flying back from India. For free at check in.
At the time I was not member of BA Exec Club. Am now silver but have never benefitted in any noticeable way at all (other than lounges I suppose but they aren’t really that great).
Was bizarre upgrade which I still don’t understand (we weren’t late to the desk or particularly early etc)

Ba guy - do you want to upgrade to first class?
Me- hmm how much would that be ? (Knowing it would be impossible)
Ba- £350 each.
Me - no we’re fine where we are
Ba- what about for free?
Me- ok then.