MilesBuzz! - Upgrades for non elite/gold/preffered/etc...?

I am an active collector of frequent flyer miles from means other than flying. I do, however, a lot of travel by other means and have built "elite" status in a couple Hotel prgrams and a car rental company's program.

I fly for business and pleasure on an infrequent basis (5-10 times/yr). I have a stretch of business travel coming up where I will be in the air 6 times in 3 months. While by this groups standard that is not much, it represents a lot of flying for me.

My question is, what is my best strategy for getting upgrades, if there is one? I will be flying Continental or its partners. I have the Preferred Gold status at Starwood, Gold VIP at Hilton, and National Emerald Club Elite Executive status. Will any of these program status' help in getting upgraded on flights?

Any strategy suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


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Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.


[This message has been edited by BLADE (edited 06-23-1999).]

Other than getting you a better hotel room, as far as I know elite/preferred/'unobtanium' status in a hotel's frequent guest program won't help you get upgraded to a first class seat on the airlines. You can convert frequent guest points to miles on an airline's FF program, but you'll probably have to burn miles to get an upgrade.

If you are a new member of Continental's OnePass (less than one year) program you can purchase the Executive Pack or the Prestige Pack. The Executive Pack gets you 5000 OnePass miles and four space-available segment upgrades to FC on Continental and America West code-share flights, while the Prestige Pack gives you six FC space-available segment upgrades and 7500 miles.

The Prestige Pack is $99, while the Executive Pack is $65. More details on them are in the Continental Airlines thread.

Another remote posiblility, if you have a cooperative travel agent, is to possibly get them to snag you a comped elite-level status. This is very rare, though.

Hope this helps.

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AlphaSigOU
Causa latet vis est notissima - the cause is hidden, the results are well-known.

AlphaSigOU says it all! Just to add that I think it may be quite difficult even with a certificate from an Executive Pack because I think they put you at the end of the line after Platinum, Gold, Silver etc! In my opinion it's because somewhat harder to upgrade in general the last few years!

If you can, go on as large a plane as possible and especially as off-peak as possible too!

If you can fly AA they have a challenge to get you to elite levels that you choose yourself, but you will have to sign up in advance and plan it well in addition to switching to AA!

Blade--you indicate that you will be flying CO and partners. If you have any choice, and will be flying full fare tickets, other airlines may guarantee you an upgrade on a full fare ticket, such as TWA and US (only some routes). Don't know CO's policy toward this issue, since I don't fly them.

CO's upgrade policy is as follows:

1) People who pay for a First Class ticket.

2) Priority upgrades. These are the folks who are upgraded for reasons of customer service (like they bumped you from an earlier flight, or royally screwed something up, and want to make it up to you).

2) OnePass Platinum Elites

3) OnePass Gold Elites

4) OnePass Silver Elites

5) Everyone else

FWIW, it's rare that they get past 3. In fact, I've had a few cases where they never even got past 1. In short, if you want to get the upgrade, and you're not a OnePass/WorldPerks/etc. Elite, you're probably better off on a different airline.

I don't have a Continental Airlines solution for you but I have a possibility you might consider with TWA. Note that this expires on June 30 so you'll have to hurry if you're interested.

The OAG Pocket Flight Guides have quarterly offers in a section they call "OAG Gateways." This one is for a discounted membership in TWA's lounge program that includes elite airline status. Here's the text of the offer.

Save $25 when you join the TWA Ambassadors Club, and take off with 5,000 miles!

Take advantage of the exclusive benefits and amenities of TWA's Ambassadors Club at a special rate. You can enjoy a one-year membership for only $175 - that's $25 off the regular price - plus you will receive 5,000 Aviator miles. Your membership entitles you access to 24 clubs in the U.S. and 4 clubs in Europe.

You'll also receive Elite status in Aviators, TWA's revolutionary frequent flyer program, after your first flight as an Ambassadors Club member. Benefits include:
* FareRewards Bonuses - One mile for every dollar spent in addition to the miles flown on B, C, or full-fare "Y" tickets.
* Unlimited upgrades on all domestic flights.
* A 25% mileage bonus based on actual miles flown.
* 1,000 mile minimum "actual" mile credit on every flight flown.
* Priority Check-in and Boarding.

Call 1-800-221-2000 today; mention code 62420 to join the Ambassadors Club and enjoy the benefits!

Offer valid through June 30, 1999. See reverse side for Terms and Conditions.

And on the reverse side (no, don't look at the back of your monitor):

Terms and Conditions

* Applicant must be at least 21 years of age.
* Membership not available to airline or airport employees.
* Dues are non-refundable.
* Services may vary at some locations.
* Details of fees, hours, services, and clubroom locations are subject to change without notice.

1. Pay for it
2. Marry a flight attendant
3. Get adopted by the CEO
4. Become a diplomat
5. Sit in your coach seat and dream
6. Bring along a modest quality meal, and several dollars to by drinks.

After all the hoopla about the Peru prez. we can probably rule out #4

OK, based on the responses it sounds like it is not even worth trying. Should I even bother to ask the agents about an upgrade? Or will they laugh in my face or at least have a nice chuckle after I leave the counter.

My orgional though is that I could mention that I have not flown CO much in the past, but was begining a stretch of many flights and was looking for a reason to make CO my airline of choice. Adding that I am "elite" status in all these other programs. What do ya think? Worth a try? Just a pipe dream?

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Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.

Every now and then, I've gotten upgraded - at the ticket counter (NEVER at the gate) (on TWA) just for asking - I've been told that I have a cute smile, and I suppose that has helped. I think that may be your only option at this point.

Nowadays, with a lot more elite members on airlines, it is very hard to get 'complimentary' upgrades. Although I don't know about CO, I am an elite level at CP and sometimes have trouble upgrading. But it doesn't hurt to ask, you never know.

Depending where you are flying, if there are several flights between thise cities, pick one with less passenger load. Just look at the flights that you are planning to book on with website such as travelocity.

Hope this helps,

Regards,
Empress

I used upgrades from the privelege pack to fly 1st from DC to New Orleans via houston last week. Got to the airport 2 hours early and they upgraded me no problem. Even some empty seats in 1st!

About a year ago I purchased first the Executive Pack, and then followed it up with the purchase of the Prestige Pack from Continental. I was able to use the upgrade coupons about half the time. The key is to get to the airport as close to the two hours before scheduled departure (but not before the two hours) as possible. I used up all the upgrade coupons by the fall of last year, by which time I was Silver Elite and didn't need them any more.

Good Luck!

Todd

Upgrade coupons, stickers, whatever are provided by most(all?) airlines as a reward for your loyalty(read:air miles). So you should not expect to get upgraded because you have a lot of miles in your account. BTW, I applaud you for accumulating so many non-flying miles.
Some of the suggestions here are worth trying. My understanding of Continental and TWA is they give "unlimited" upgrades to their elites. My guess is this serves to limit opportunities for everyone but the top levels. Try wrting to the marketing department for the program and make your case for elite status.

Believe it or not, I got upgraded on my HP flight last night on the return red eye from the first in a series of conferneces.

It was not, however, because of my status in any other program (hotel, car, etc...). The gate agents said that none were available and that I needed to duscuss upgrades for non-elite "with this airline" directly with the FF program people anyway(been there, done that to no avail).

Rather it was becuase the aisle seat I was assigned in coach was falling apart (seat cushion would not keep from slipping forward off the support brace) and I said something about it.

The flight was so full there were offering voluteers coupons. So I was not hopeful. But when I mentioned the problem the FA took one look at the seat and said "that just wont do, we can't fly like that." I then casually asked if they had any seats up front mentioning that I had tried to upgrade at the gate, but was told none were available and wondered if they now might have an open one due to a no show.

Sure enough, one seat was available. Guess it is better to be lucky than smart sometimes. For the future, I will be looking into many of the suggestions mentioned on this thread.

Thanks agian for all the input.

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Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do.

http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Not exactly a complete upgrade, but close. A few weeks ago I was supposed to be flying from PIT-LGW via EWR in coach (Q class). Combination air traffic problems, delays, and balky baggage doors caused me to miss a VS flight from BOS-LGW they tried to route me to, and sent me to AF BOS-CDG-LHR instead. Needless to say I was exhausted by this time (BOS-CDG was stand-by, so I had to claim and recheck my luggage). When I finally checked for the CDG-LHR leg, the check-in agent invited me to proceed to the business class lounge.

It seems that with the rerouting my ticket was rewritten from class Q to Y, and on the short European flight Y was considered by AF as 'Tempo Chalenge' class. While it wasn't quite FC--front 2/3 of the plane, and still 6 across on a 737--it did provide lounge access and a better meal.

The moral of the story: if your ticket is Y class, you might have a chance.

Good going BLADE and chalf.

EMD- You must have some killer smile!