Which airlines still allow upgrades on the cheapest fares?
Dec 30, 2003, 8:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold / Million miler
Posts: 297
Which airlines still allow upgrades on the cheapest fares?
I'm sure this topic has been covered in the recent past, so I apologize in advance.
I THINK Alaska will still allow it, even when they double their upgrade mileage requirement in about a week; but I'm trying to get from L.A. to N.Y. every couple of months or so, and L.A. to N.Y. via Seattle is such an inefficient way to go.
I'd feel like I won the FF lottery if I could find just one airline that would allow me to upgrade a RT ticket for 20,000 miles on their cheapest ticket and had upgradeable seats that weren't impossible to get, AND flew (more or less) in a straight line between LAX and Newark.
Is anyone NOT rolling on the floor laughing now?
And speaking of seats that are IMPOSSIBLE to get, (to cities you'd actually like to visit) anyone wanna buy 854,624 Globalpass miles? (I won't take more than $8.54 because I wouldn't want to overcharge you!)
Thanks for your time, and I again apologize for most assuredly repeating a topic.
Happy N.Y. !!
-MJ
I THINK Alaska will still allow it, even when they double their upgrade mileage requirement in about a week; but I'm trying to get from L.A. to N.Y. every couple of months or so, and L.A. to N.Y. via Seattle is such an inefficient way to go.
I'd feel like I won the FF lottery if I could find just one airline that would allow me to upgrade a RT ticket for 20,000 miles on their cheapest ticket and had upgradeable seats that weren't impossible to get, AND flew (more or less) in a straight line between LAX and Newark.
Is anyone NOT rolling on the floor laughing now?
And speaking of seats that are IMPOSSIBLE to get, (to cities you'd actually like to visit) anyone wanna buy 854,624 Globalpass miles? (I won't take more than $8.54 because I wouldn't want to overcharge you!)
Thanks for your time, and I again apologize for most assuredly repeating a topic.
Happy N.Y. !!
-MJ
Dec 30, 2003, 11:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,005
I second AA. Any published fare.
8x 762 LAX-JFK / day
2x 763 & 1x 752 LAX-EWR / day
Personally, if choosing between domestic F on the 763 to EWR and "flagship" J on the 762 to JFK, I'd take the 763 every time. They are the nicest 2-class plane (up front, at least) in AA's inventory.
The upgrade from discounted coach will run 15k miles each way though, iirc. Or five stickers.
[This message has been edited by elCheapoDeluxe (edited Dec 30, 2003).]
8x 762 LAX-JFK / day
2x 763 & 1x 752 LAX-EWR / day
Personally, if choosing between domestic F on the 763 to EWR and "flagship" J on the 762 to JFK, I'd take the 763 every time. They are the nicest 2-class plane (up front, at least) in AA's inventory.
The upgrade from discounted coach will run 15k miles each way though, iirc. Or five stickers.
[This message has been edited by elCheapoDeluxe (edited Dec 30, 2003).]
Dec 31, 2003, 8:07 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Since we're asking the impossible here, let's take it a step further. Are there any airlines that allow international upgrades off low fares? I would even be willing to burn extra miles.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Dec 31, 2003, 9:17 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
[QUOTE]Originally posted by mikeef:
[B]Since we're asking the impossible here, let's take it a step further. Are there any airlines that allow international upgrades off low fares? I would even be willing to burn extra miles.
LH does! Just one more reason I love their program!
[B]Since we're asking the impossible here, let's take it a step further. Are there any airlines that allow international upgrades off low fares? I would even be willing to burn extra miles.
LH does! Just one more reason I love their program!
Dec 31, 2003, 10:34 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 7,579
To answer the question more accurately:
AA upgrades are 30,000 miles r/t and anyone can request them. CO upgrades are also 30,000 miles roundtrip - elites can request them on all fares, non-elites can only request them from selected fares (starting right now at $623 - pretty high).
I can tell you that CO domestic mileage upgrades are virtually always no problem for elites. I also have had good success with AA mileage upgrades as an elite.
UA also flies this route, but I have never upgraded it.
I prefer upgraded CO to AA on this route, but, as discussed, CO can be an expensive upgrade for a non-elite.
AA upgrades are 30,000 miles r/t and anyone can request them. CO upgrades are also 30,000 miles roundtrip - elites can request them on all fares, non-elites can only request them from selected fares (starting right now at $623 - pretty high).
I can tell you that CO domestic mileage upgrades are virtually always no problem for elites. I also have had good success with AA mileage upgrades as an elite.
UA also flies this route, but I have never upgraded it.
I prefer upgraded CO to AA on this route, but, as discussed, CO can be an expensive upgrade for a non-elite.
Dec 31, 2003, 10:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 5 Mil, UA Global Services, BA Gold, DL Diamond, SPG Plat75, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,231
As earlier posters have suggested, many airlines still allow domestic and international upgrades on cheapest fares. AA is one of the largest carriers that is a good example. I am, however, not aware of 20,000 mile upgrades for transcon on AA, CO or any other major carrier. Availability is a different issue altogether.
I fly AA a lot - "A" inventory on transcon routes is usually hard to find these days on convenient schedules (since there are paying pax for YUP fares). EXPs do get upgraded almost all the time but anyone with a status less than an EXP has to face a lot of uncertainity. Sticker upgrades do work for PLATs but on Fri and Sun/Mon and other busy flts EXPs take all the remaining upgrades.
I fly AA a lot - "A" inventory on transcon routes is usually hard to find these days on convenient schedules (since there are paying pax for YUP fares). EXPs do get upgraded almost all the time but anyone with a status less than an EXP has to face a lot of uncertainity. Sticker upgrades do work for PLATs but on Fri and Sun/Mon and other busy flts EXPs take all the remaining upgrades.
Jan 2, 2004, 4:21 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Posts: 665
AA has never given me a problem upgrading on the any fare including the 'netsaver' (N/L fares). I booked in Feb to fly in Nov for $196 to LHR from DFW via JFK and request upgrade to biz and got them right away. Flight from DFW to JFK was in F and then biz to LHR. Got to use the arrivals lounge at LHR (shower/breakfast) and the use of Admirals clubs at DFW, JFK and LHR even though I'm not a member. You can use the Admirals clubs flying biz or F on international flights. Even got coupons for free drinks.
Booked a MR to ATL in Dec for flights on Jan 1 and got F class also. Breakfast going and Dinner returning all for $159 netsaver fare and DOUBLE miles promotion.
Booked a MR to ATL in Dec for flights on Jan 1 and got F class also. Breakfast going and Dinner returning all for $159 netsaver fare and DOUBLE miles promotion.