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Original poster

How often do you get free upgrades?

20 replies

tepid · 05/09/2019 21:53

I've only once got upgraded from Economy to Economy+ . Can't say there was much difference. Anyone get upgraded often? I'm a nobody to airlines

OP posts:

MardAsSnails · 06/09/2019 05:05

Very very rarely, and I'm gold member with 2 airlines.

Once last year in 47 flights. And that was on a 3 hour flight only.

Peony99 · 06/09/2019 05:08

Only when I'm a frequent flyer.

Used to happen very occasionally when I flew long haul with one particular airline an awful lot. But in normal circs, never.

I still ask though. On our honeymoon we asked for a cheeky upgrade and didn't get one, but they did give us a massive box of chocolates and a glass of fizz.

bellinisurge · 06/09/2019 06:01

I've only ever had one once. Upgraded to business class for an overnight Atlantic flight because I asked at what must have been the right time and was wearing a smart coat .
It wasn't any more comfortable really but the food was served on porcelain plates and I got a nice freebie bag. This was the late 80s.

FreyaMountstuart · 06/09/2019 07:27

Once - LGW to Nice - so apart from the curtain and slightly better breakfast - no difference.

An airline once tried to downgrade me from business to premium economy!!!! I declined!

ZaraW · 06/09/2019 10:02

Three times only. That was because the flight was fully booked and ff members got upgraded to business.

Back in 1998 I flew Moroccan Air I was the only Western female on the flight they moved me to business. I didn't complain it's an awful airline. I think passengers were allowed to smoke.

SJane48S · 06/09/2019 10:58

As an unaccompanied minor as a child, often. As an adult, never! Possibly due to dressing for comfort thing/non regular use of any airline bar BA

bevelino · 06/09/2019 18:25

Getting an upgrade often depends on whether you have paid full price for your fare.

PenguinsRabbits · 09/09/2019 17:55

Only had it happen once when I was 18 - seat had been sold twice so I got moved to first class. It was only to Berlin so not a long flight and just a bigger seat and better food so not a massive difference.

sue51 · 09/09/2019 17:59

A couple of times. Last time was about 10 years ago flying London to Boston, I got upgraded to business. I'm flying to Los Angeles later this week so fingers crossed.

SteamedPotatoes · 10/09/2019 04:18

Twice - upgraded from premium eco to virgins business class from Vegas to London and from eco to bus from Moscow to Frankfurt with Aeroflot!

MoederVanEen · 10/09/2019 05:36

We've been upgraded a couple of times on short haul flights because of DH's gold status with BA, although annoyingly I was pregnant so couldn't enjoy any free champagne!

We're flying to America later this week so hoping for another upgrade, although I think it's unlikely given that we'll have DS(6mo) with us! Has anyone else been upgraded with a baby?

Seahawk80 · 10/09/2019 05:39

Sorry @MoederVanEen airlines will never upgrade an infant

Itscoldouthere · 10/09/2019 05:49

My husband flys long haul quite often and gets upgraded reasonably often, but I think it’s because his company is part of a massive group and book a huge amount of flights.
We went to Canada a few weeks ago, booked economy plus, DH was upgraded to business, I wasn’t, he did ask if we could both be upgraded but they said flight was full. DH let me have the upgraded seat, I’d never flown business before and I did have a really good sleep.

lovelyupnorth · 10/09/2019 22:57

Have been upgraded a few times years ago.

First on Royal Jordanian.
Business on Delta, BA and BD
Business on Gulf Air
Business on SAS and BA on our honeymoon

Was lucky as used to fly a lot for work and previously also used to work for airlines. Though once on BA they took my could we sit closer to the front a bit literally. And ended up jump seating from Rome to Heathrow.

Tend to fly now on cheapest fares which long haul aren’t upgradable or low cost carriers in Europe.

KennDodd · 10/09/2019 23:06

I been upgraded quite a few times, even as a family of five across the Atlantic (twice). We've been downgraded once as well though.

KennDodd · 10/09/2019 23:10

The downgrade was because we missed the flight we were supposed to be on (not our fault) so had to take the only seats available on another plane, it was a nine hour flight but we were just so happy to have any seat at all.

PegasusReturns · 10/09/2019 23:12

I get a long haul upgrade from business to first about once a year (out of 5 or 6 flights).

I get short haul upgrades a few times per year.

I'm a gold card holder and fly once a month

Nanamilly · 11/09/2019 17:09

Im a gold card holder and always fly business class but once or twice a year I get to the gate and Ive been upgraded to first.

wetpants · 13/09/2019 09:40

My DH has BA silver card, on some years it's gold depending on how many trips he has. When he flies for work he often gets an upgrade to business if he has had to buy an economy ticket.

A year ago we all as a family had BA flights to a longhaul holiday destination and were upgraded to 1st. It was awesome . This happened before we got to the airport, DH was checking us in the night before and then noticed our seat allocation had changed.

AFAIK the upgrades go to gold and silver card holders first. Apparently it also helps if you don't have special meals booked.

LuckyBitches · 13/09/2019 12:24

The only time it's happened to me is flying from Los Angeles to London - Virgin offered me a free round trip anywhere if I flew with Air Canada instead of them as they were overbooked. Air Canada then asked me if I could fly the next day instead, as they too were overbooked, and they threw in an upgrade to Business. It was lovely and I wouldn't want to get a taste for it! This was in 2004, nothing since, and I fly about 5 times a year. Norwegian long haul will allow you to bid £200+ for an upgrade, we bid £210 (again, London-LA) and it was well worth that amount.

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