Alitalia MilleMiglia - Does AZ Sell J Seats at Check-In or a the Gate?

Curious to know, I have an AZ flight in two weeks and it still shows 11 seats open in J. Assuming this remains the case when I go to check-in, does anyone know if AZ offers these seats up and sell gate upgrades? I'm flying in Y+, but I would love to check out their new J product. :D

Not that I'm aware of...

Curious to know, I have an AZ flight in two weeks and it still shows 11 seats open in J. Assuming this remains the case when I go to check-in, does anyone know if AZ offers these seats up and sell gate upgrades? I'm flying in Y+, but I would love to check out their new J product. :D

No, Alitalia does not sell upgrades. You would be able to upgrade yourself with miles, if you have any.

No, Alitalia does not sell upgrades. You would be able to upgrade yourself with miles, if you have any.

I've got a ton of miles - unfortunately they are DL SkyMiles, so they might as well be wooden coins in this case.

I guess I can always try asking when I arrive at LAX - worse they can do is say no.

If you can confirm space ahead of time, you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Alitalia -- since you list Amex as one of your programs. Just throwing it out there :)

If you can confirm space ahead of time, you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Alitalia -- since you list Amex as one of your programs. Just throwing it out there :)

My AMEX is for DL sky pesos :(

on my return from FCO on this week, a father upgraded his two kids to J with a payment on-board - I don't believe it was shenanigans, as there was a lot of paperwork and a credit card swipe - hard to conceal if unauthorized.

if i am not mistaken, the number was about 1,500 EUR - not sure if for each or both, and from which cabin (Y or Classica plus). original boarding passes, etc, were collected and documented, so it is possible it was simply an upcharge form some high economy fare to a one-way J

i am not sure the kids got their money's worth, but i suppose sleeping for nine hours beats the economy service any day :D

on my return from FCO on this week, a father upgraded his two kids to J with a payment on-board - I don't believe it was shenanigans, as there was a lot of paperwork and a credit card swipe - hard to conceal if unauthorized.

if i am not mistaken, the number was about 1,500 EUR - not sure if for each or both, and from which cabin (Y or Classica plus). original boarding passes, etc, were collected and documented, so it is possible it was simply an upcharge form some high economy fare to a one-way J

i am not sure the kids got their money's worth, but i suppose sleeping for nine hours beats the economy service any day :D

I would say it was a regular buy-up. It is absolutely unheard-of, for me, to see this done on board.

I would say it was a regular buy-up. It is absolutely unheard-of, for me, to see this done on board.

i agree! The money involved and the formality definitely make sense :)

i had asked checkin agents at jfk if they do cash buy-ups day of departure (at a discount of course) and they shook their heads. thus, only magnifica for me, all the way :D can't take any chances with coach, especially now that i have gotten so used to the spoiling!

I found this on AZ US website. Has anyone any experience with it?

http://www.alitalia.com/US_EN/your_travel/baggage/all_optional_fees.aspx

XI. OPTIONAL PAID UPGRADE ON SELECTED FLIGHTS
Passengers with eligible tickets travelling on Alitalia operated flights, may purchase an upgrade to Magnifica class and Classica Plus on Intercontinental routes, and to Ottima on some Middle Eastern destinations. This offer is only valid on selected flights bound to Italy and out of Milan Malpensa, on specific dates and subjected to availability.

The Upgrade option is proposed at the airport during the check-in procedure from the Agent.

The Upgrade fee is calculated one way and does not include additional baggage allowance or access to the lounge. Please, see table below for all relevant details.
UPGRADE FEE USA
INTERCONTINENTAL Classica to Magnifica 350 € 459 $
Classica to Classica Plus 150 € 199 $
Classica Plus to Magnifica NOT PERMITTED
MIDDLE EAST
only Classica to Ottima 130 € 169 $

I found this on AZ US website. Has anyone any experience with it?


Now also on the Italian website.
http://www.alitalia.com/IT_IT/your_travel/class_services/classica_economy/index.aspx

Last lines.

Upgrade at check in: http://www.alitalia.com/it_it/help/popup_paid_upgrade.aspx
Upgrade on board: http://www.alitalia.com/it_it/help/Popup_paid_upgrade_a_bordo.aspx

Yes they sell it according to the seat availability.
Normally they are proposing you.
Prices as posted before me.

Now also on the Italian website.
http://www.alitalia.com/IT_IT/your_travel/class_services/classica_economy/index.aspx

Last lines.

Upgrade at check in: http://www.alitalia.com/it_it/help/popup_paid_upgrade.aspx
Upgrade on board: http://www.alitalia.com/it_it/help/Popup_paid_upgrade_a_bordo.aspx

Does this work only for direct flight to/from MXP?
I'd be *extremely interested* if this was valid also for longhaul flight ex FCO.

thank for any hint.
Rgds

Does this work only for direct flight to/from MXP?
I'd be *extremely interested* if this was valid also for longhaul flight ex FCO.

thank for any hint.
Rgds

The pre-boarding sale is only ex-MXP.

The on-board sale seems to be for all aircrafts, all longhaul routes, all stations.

The pre-boarding sale is only ex-MXP.

The on-board sale seems to be for all aircrafts, all longhaul routes, all stations.

Thanks Raistlin!
1200 for Y -> C upgrade one way seems to me exaggerated

Thanks Raistlin!
1200 for Y -> C upgrade one way seems to me exaggerated

Well, most Y fares are 600-1000, C starts from 2000... is not that much off for a roundtrip upgrade, but surely a lot for one way.

Indeed, I wonder how many they sell eah year at this price!

Indeed, I wonder how many they sell eah year at this price!

On the other hand, on a particularly full aircraft, a r/t Magnifica fare can be 3500... dunno, my gut feeling is they could have avoided doing this altogether.

On the other hand, on a particularly full aircraft, a r/t Magnifica fare can be 3500... dunno, my gut feeling is they could have avoided doing this altogether.

Yes but the people who pay €3500 get plenty of things which those getting the onboard upgrade won't. First do you mean €3500 each way? If so it should be compared to Y each way which will have already costed a lot. If return, then hard to compare a return J fare to one way Y plus one way J (or not even one way J if the flight is connecting anywhere). Plus the €3500 will include a lot of flexibility while the onboard upgrade will not change anythng to your booking conditions. Indeed, the onboard upgrade won't even get you extra luggage allowance or for that matter lounge access if you were not entitled to it by status. So all in all, I'd say that not many people are likely to find this a good deal but of course I may be wrong...

So all in all, I'd say that not many people are likely to find this a good deal but of course I may be wrong...

I concur.

Does anybody know if we earn J (like KLM) or Y (like AF) miles when we upgrade at check-in ?

You always earn the miles of your original booking, so Y miles if upgraded to J.