Econ in AF, KLM or Alitalia? Upgrade?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Virtuoso, DL Plat
Posts: 47
Econ in AF, KLM or Alitalia? Upgrade?
I have to fly econ with the family (four of us total) from MIA-VCE and have three connecting options. Here are the choices:
MIA-CDG on AF 777-300
MIA-AMS on KLM A330-300
MIA-FCO on Alitalia A330
They are all on V class, super low economy. I'm Plat with DL. I haven't flown in the back in quite a while. Any thoughts on which might be the best option for comfort. Any chance for purchasing upgrades with miles on any of these?
And input is appreciated.
MIA-CDG on AF 777-300
MIA-AMS on KLM A330-300
MIA-FCO on Alitalia A330
They are all on V class, super low economy. I'm Plat with DL. I haven't flown in the back in quite a while. Any thoughts on which might be the best option for comfort. Any chance for purchasing upgrades with miles on any of these?
And input is appreciated.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 26,957
I have to fly econ with the family (four of us total) from MIA-VCE and have three connecting options. Here are the choices:
MIA-CDG on AF 777-300
MIA-AMS on KLM A330-300
MIA-FCO on Alitalia A330
They are all on V class, super low economy. I'm Plat with DL. I haven't flown in the back in quite a while. Any thoughts on which might be the best option for comfort. Any chance for purchasing upgrades with miles on any of these?
And input is appreciated.
MIA-CDG on AF 777-300
MIA-AMS on KLM A330-300
MIA-FCO on Alitalia A330
They are all on V class, super low economy. I'm Plat with DL. I haven't flown in the back in quite a while. Any thoughts on which might be the best option for comfort. Any chance for purchasing upgrades with miles on any of these?
And input is appreciated.
However if going to be stuck in economy I would go with AZ, then AF, and finally KLM. However AZ can be more expensive usually.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Virtuoso, DL Plat
Posts: 47
Off chance, would you know the range of miles or cash that they typically offer upgrades for on DoD? It's probably better to connect in FCO than CDG anyway. It was a mess when I was there a couple of weeks ago.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,106
Here's a whole thread on upgrading for cash on AF:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-f...s-cash-af.html
In short, keep in mind there is a W cabin between Y and J, and and by DoD it's quite possible there won't be 4 seats together or at all in the cabin you want to upgrade to.
Here's AZ bidding program.
If you're upgrading with miles, are you trying to use Skymiles (which would typically be difficult to apply in this situation), or do you have miles available in each program?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-f...s-cash-af.html
In short, keep in mind there is a W cabin between Y and J, and and by DoD it's quite possible there won't be 4 seats together or at all in the cabin you want to upgrade to.
Here's AZ bidding program.
If you're upgrading with miles, are you trying to use Skymiles (which would typically be difficult to apply in this situation), or do you have miles available in each program?
#6
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat 100/LT Gold, Marriott Plat, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,988
OP - I have had horrible experiences getting AZ to put me in their "extra legroom" or whatever they call it seats. Their call center in Albania is awful and most agents rude. Whatever you do, try to avoid AZ ticket stock at least.
AZ will assign the seats to you at the airport for free, if any are left. I called maybe 10 times to get seats ahead of time and was shot down every time. Those super kind agents also left notes every time, so the Supervisor at check in at JFK thought it funny to mention the notes they left. Ugh. Got 3 of 4 extra legroom seats for my party; 1 person sat in a normal seat.
AF and KLM are happy to assign seats ahead of time. Service is similar to AZ. Greater chance of free upgrade on AF (to W). And forget about any sort of DoD upgrades on AZ - they asked for 1800 EUR per seat at the gate for a lie flat seat when I was on a V fare.
AZ will assign the seats to you at the airport for free, if any are left. I called maybe 10 times to get seats ahead of time and was shot down every time. Those super kind agents also left notes every time, so the Supervisor at check in at JFK thought it funny to mention the notes they left. Ugh. Got 3 of 4 extra legroom seats for my party; 1 person sat in a normal seat.
AF and KLM are happy to assign seats ahead of time. Service is similar to AZ. Greater chance of free upgrade on AF (to W). And forget about any sort of DoD upgrades on AZ - they asked for 1800 EUR per seat at the gate for a lie flat seat when I was on a V fare.
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,335
Other things being equal, AMS would be the easiest connection and generally most pleasant airport experience.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,309
for a party of four, an A330 with the 2-4-2 layout is probably a better option in terms of coach seating, particularly if you can get two pairs in adjacent (or nearby) rows
if the AF 773 is 3-4-3 the center group is a reasonable option, but of course the seats would likely be narrower than in 3-3-3
if the AF 773 is 3-4-3 the center group is a reasonable option, but of course the seats would likely be narrower than in 3-3-3
Last edited by jrl767; Dec 5, 2016 at 6:19 pm Reason: fat thumb, no reading glasses ... thx JClasstraveller
#9
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK/FR
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 886
AZ has terrible performances on some flights with regular delays. Their IT is terrible and I confirm for the seating. Also, they seems to never use anything else than buses for their short/medium haul flights.
The food and coffee is nice though.
The food and coffee is nice though.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
AF upgrades are not always offered, and not offered on a first come, first serve basis. Yesterday I was flying with three other passengers on an AF flight. Those of us with status (DL PM, DL Gold) were not offered an upgrade, while those without a FQTV number on their PNR received an upgrade offer.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SPG LT Gold, DL PM 1MM
Posts: 692
I'd go with KL.
+ AMS is definitely the easier to connect through.
+ Any odds of getting an upgrade (if you want to go after an op-up I would actually split your ticket from the rest of your family's ticket), at least get you from economy into business.
+ 2-3-2 beats 3-4-3 any day
- food on AF is typically better
+AZ I wouldn't consider reliable enough + FCO not that easy to connect through
+ AMS is definitely the easier to connect through.
+ Any odds of getting an upgrade (if you want to go after an op-up I would actually split your ticket from the rest of your family's ticket), at least get you from economy into business.
+ 2-3-2 beats 3-4-3 any day
- food on AF is typically better
+AZ I wouldn't consider reliable enough + FCO not that easy to connect through
#13
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 916
for a party of four, an A330 with the 2-3-2 layout is probably a better option in terms of coach seating, particularly if you can get two pairs in adjacent (or nearby) rows
if the AF 773 is 3-4-3 the center group is a reasonable option, but of course the seats would likely be narrower than in 3-3-3
if the AF 773 is 3-4-3 the center group is a reasonable option, but of course the seats would likely be narrower than in 3-3-3
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 26,957
AF upgrades are not always offered, and not offered on a first come, first serve basis. Yesterday I was flying with three other passengers on an AF flight. Those of us with status (DL PM, DL Gold) were not offered an upgrade, while those without a FQTV number on their PNR received an upgrade offer.
#15