Mar 12, 2015, 3:34 pm
Last edit by: Marschel
Background
From time to time, AY will make the Y traveller an offer to upgrade. This thread lists when, how and and how much the upgrade is.
Selection process is unknown, but it is likely that neither fare class on original ticket nor tier status of traveller is a selection criteria, at least not to travellers advantage. From the reports made so far, both travellers with and without FF# in the reservation have gotten offers.
Offers are likely made only when Y is oversold or nearly full. Some travellers have reported declining offer and being upgraded for free later ("op-up").
Offers are fixed price offers, either in € or in AY+points. The latter kind is only valid for members of AY+, while €-offers are directed to all kind of travellers.
Offers are made either in mail or via text message and recipient has 72 hours to repspond. Some reports says this time is now shortened to 48 hours. Text message offers typically arrive close to departure and may not state a last time to reply.
Offers in text message can be replied to and upgrade is instantly processed. Offers in mail has occasionally not cleared (said to be "sold out" when accepting offer too late).
If offer is accepted and upgrade clears, new ticket is issued in F, so a confirmed upgrade with all perks of business class included. Mileage earning is according to original fare class however.
Development
In august 2015 AY announced a trial to let travellers bid for upgrades, initially on AY89 and AY90. It is likely that bidding will affect the number of fixed price offers.
The trial has been made permanent, and the bidding for upgrade has been extended to more longhaul routes.
The program has also led to a consolidation of upgrade options to one webpage
https://www.finnair.com/int/gb/upgrade-options
where you can upgrade by bidding, by using AY+ points or by accepting last minute cash offers. The latter ("Last minute" offers) are the same as have been discussed in this thread.. Finnair still pushes those offers via e-mail and text-message, but now also shows them on this webpage.
Offers made
Here is a condensed list of offers made, processed including post #213.
Figures are in € unless otherwise stated. Each destination's offers are recorded in a single line in time order.
Longhaul
SIN-HEL 248, 348, 348
HEL-SIN 499, 499, 348, 349€
JFK-HEL 48k points, 348€, 348€, 499
HKG-HEL 248
HEL-HKG 348
BKK-HEL 298, 348, 348
HEL-BKK 48k points, 348€, 348€ (290€ on phone? Not yet confirmed)
HEL-HKT 348
NRT-HEL 498
HEL-KIX 348, 375 (12/19, 01/20)
KIX-HEL 391 (12/19, 01/20)
ICN-HEL 248, 318
HEL-PVG 298
PVG-HEL 448, 498
CKG-HEL 228
XIY-HEL 248
HEL-DEL 198
HEL-DEL 300 (4/19)
YYZ-HEL 225€, 225
Shorthaul
DXB-HEL 99
HEL-VNO 7k points
HEL-BUD 69€
BUD-HEL 69, 8k points, 69
HEL-PRG 69€
PRG-HEL ≈70€
CPH-HEL 7k points, 7k, 69€, 7k, 69€
HEL-CPH 69€, 69, 69
HEL-ARN 7,5k points, 41€
HEL-GOT 7k points
GOT-HEL 7k points
HEL-VIE 69€
HEL-CDG 69€, 69€, 69
CDG-HEL 89€
HEL-MXP 69
HEL-TXL 9k points, 9k
HEL-DUS 69
HEL-HAM 69,69
HAM-HEL 69
HEL-FRA 69€
FRA-HEL 69€, 89, 89€
BRU-HEL 69
GVA-HEL 69
HEL-GVA 69, 89
HEL-LHR 9k points
HEL-LHR 109€
HEL-MAD 89€, 9k points
HEL-SVO 69€
HEL-WAW 79€
WAW-HEL 79€
DUS-HEL 69€
HEL-OSL 42€
HEL-MUC 90 (01/20)
MUC-HEL 115€ (01/20)
From time to time, AY will make the Y traveller an offer to upgrade. This thread lists when, how and and how much the upgrade is.
Selection process is unknown, but it is likely that neither fare class on original ticket nor tier status of traveller is a selection criteria, at least not to travellers advantage. From the reports made so far, both travellers with and without FF# in the reservation have gotten offers.
Offers are likely made only when Y is oversold or nearly full. Some travellers have reported declining offer and being upgraded for free later ("op-up").
Offers are fixed price offers, either in € or in AY+points. The latter kind is only valid for members of AY+, while €-offers are directed to all kind of travellers.
Offers are made either in mail or via text message and recipient has 72 hours to repspond. Some reports says this time is now shortened to 48 hours. Text message offers typically arrive close to departure and may not state a last time to reply.
Offers in text message can be replied to and upgrade is instantly processed. Offers in mail has occasionally not cleared (said to be "sold out" when accepting offer too late).
If offer is accepted and upgrade clears, new ticket is issued in F, so a confirmed upgrade with all perks of business class included. Mileage earning is according to original fare class however.
Development
In august 2015 AY announced a trial to let travellers bid for upgrades, initially on AY89 and AY90. It is likely that bidding will affect the number of fixed price offers.
The trial has been made permanent, and the bidding for upgrade has been extended to more longhaul routes.
The program has also led to a consolidation of upgrade options to one webpage
https://www.finnair.com/int/gb/upgrade-options
where you can upgrade by bidding, by using AY+ points or by accepting last minute cash offers. The latter ("Last minute" offers) are the same as have been discussed in this thread.. Finnair still pushes those offers via e-mail and text-message, but now also shows them on this webpage.
Offers made
Here is a condensed list of offers made, processed including post #213.
Figures are in € unless otherwise stated. Each destination's offers are recorded in a single line in time order.
Longhaul
SIN-HEL 248, 348, 348
HEL-SIN 499, 499, 348, 349€
JFK-HEL 48k points, 348€, 348€, 499
HKG-HEL 248
HEL-HKG 348
BKK-HEL 298, 348, 348
HEL-BKK 48k points, 348€, 348€ (290€ on phone? Not yet confirmed)
HEL-HKT 348
NRT-HEL 498
HEL-KIX 348, 375 (12/19, 01/20)
KIX-HEL 391 (12/19, 01/20)
ICN-HEL 248, 318
HEL-PVG 298
PVG-HEL 448, 498
CKG-HEL 228
XIY-HEL 248
HEL-DEL 198
HEL-DEL 300 (4/19)
YYZ-HEL 225€, 225
Shorthaul
DXB-HEL 99
HEL-VNO 7k points
HEL-BUD 69€
BUD-HEL 69, 8k points, 69
HEL-PRG 69€
PRG-HEL ≈70€
CPH-HEL 7k points, 7k, 69€, 7k, 69€
HEL-CPH 69€, 69, 69
HEL-ARN 7,5k points, 41€
HEL-GOT 7k points
GOT-HEL 7k points
HEL-VIE 69€
HEL-CDG 69€, 69€, 69
CDG-HEL 89€
HEL-MXP 69
HEL-TXL 9k points, 9k
HEL-DUS 69
HEL-HAM 69,69
HAM-HEL 69
HEL-FRA 69€
FRA-HEL 69€, 89, 89€
BRU-HEL 69
GVA-HEL 69
HEL-GVA 69, 89
HEL-LHR 9k points
HEL-LHR 109€
HEL-MAD 89€, 9k points
HEL-SVO 69€
HEL-WAW 79€
WAW-HEL 79€
DUS-HEL 69€
HEL-OSL 42€
HEL-MUC 90 (01/20)
MUC-HEL 115€ (01/20)
Please post your upgrade offers
Jun 16, 2015, 8:30 am
#166
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: AMEX Plat / AY Plat, BA GGL-CCR / Bonvoy Titanium (LTP)
Posts: 474
There are quite a few of them actually, and most starting with X or Z: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ilway_stations
SIA: Southend Airport railway station at London Southend Airport (IATA: SEN, ICAO: EGMC), United Kingdom
Jun 16, 2015, 8:38 am
#167
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
SIA is Xiguan airport, closed in 1994.
Jun 16, 2015, 5:42 pm
#168
Join Date: May 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat
Posts: 24
Jun 17, 2015, 1:39 am
#169
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
It seems to me that SIA is still valid as a IATA "city" code if no longer as an airport code. As I wrote earlier, it still shows up in fare rules (not just Finnair's) and even on some OTAs.
Jun 17, 2015, 4:47 am
#170
Join Date: May 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat
Posts: 24
I found out that I could bid for the upgrade, so I gave it a go with 198€
So Upgrade Bid to business XIY - HEL done for 198€. Will report how it went.
Jun 18, 2015, 1:34 am
#172
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
City-pair: HEL-VNO AY131
Price offered: 7000 points
FF tier on reservation: AY+Gold
Original ticket type: Z Basic
When the offer was made: 25 hours to departure
How the offer was made: SMS
I presume there are no needs to explain why I did not accept the offer.
Price offered: 7000 points
FF tier on reservation: AY+Gold
Original ticket type: Z Basic
When the offer was made: 25 hours to departure
How the offer was made: SMS
I presume there are no needs to explain why I did not accept the offer.
Jun 24, 2015, 8:21 am
#173
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: TMP
Programs: AY+ Plat, SK Gold, BT VIP, Radisson Premium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 794
got quite a similar offer
City-pair: HEL-TXL AY917
Price offered: 9000 points
FF tier on reservation: AY+Platinum
Original ticket type: R RBA2DE
When the offer was made: 25 hours to departure (after check in)
How the offer was made: SMS
obviously did not accept.
City-pair: HEL-TXL AY917
Price offered: 9000 points
FF tier on reservation: AY+Platinum
Original ticket type: R RBA2DE
When the offer was made: 25 hours to departure (after check in)
How the offer was made: SMS
obviously did not accept.
Jun 29, 2015, 12:39 pm
#175
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
I got operationally upgraded on ARN-HEL. Funnily, I did not receive an SMS upgrade offer (that I would not have taken anyway). My neighbor had taken a point upgrade (she did not specify if it was on SMS or manually) 
Jun 30, 2015, 11:59 pm
#176
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AY+, SK EB
Posts: 2,958
City-pair: CPH - HEL
Price offered: 69€
FF tier on reservation: AY+Silver
Original ticket type: Basic
When the offer was made: 4 days to departure
How the offer was made: Email
City-pair: FRA - HEL
Price offered: 69€
FF tier on reservation: AY+Silver
Original ticket type: Basic
When the offer was made: 10 days to departure
How the offer was made: Email
I got these offers for every flight to Finland for quite some time, but never from Finland. Maybe because my journeys start in TKU not HEL.
Price offered: 69€
FF tier on reservation: AY+Silver
Original ticket type: Basic
When the offer was made: 4 days to departure
How the offer was made: Email
City-pair: FRA - HEL
Price offered: 69€
FF tier on reservation: AY+Silver
Original ticket type: Basic
When the offer was made: 10 days to departure
How the offer was made: Email
I got these offers for every flight to Finland for quite some time, but never from Finland. Maybe because my journeys start in TKU not HEL.
Jul 6, 2015, 11:07 pm
#177
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AY+ Plat
Posts: 10
- City-pair and/or flight number: HEL-LHR / AY831
- Price offered: 9000 points or voucher
- Flight date: 8 JUL 2015
- FF tier on reservation: AY+ Plat
- Original ticket type: Value
- When the offer was made: ~24 hours to departure (after check-in)
- How the offer was made: SMS
Jul 10, 2015, 5:05 pm
#178
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Flight: ICN-HEL
Price Offered: 318 €
Flight date: 2015-07-17
FF tier on reservation: Lowest on BA
Original ticket type: Value Corporate
When the offer was made: Three days before
How the offer was made: E-mail
I am seriously considering taking the offer even though my company probably will not pay because I need something to look forward to during my trip. And I have never tried AY J-class.
P*ssed because:
It is vacation time and I need to go to meetings in Korea
My boss cancelled his reservation because of vacation, three days before the trip. So I am on my own.
My boss promised to help me with preparations for the meeting, he helped 10 mins (It took me 4 days, and I am still not done. Weekend work ahead, lots of fun...).
My girlfriend is angry because I have not been home for a few days because of work preparing for the meetings, and me going away in the middle of the summer (again...).
i HATE sales meetings! I am an engineer...
I do not think the meetings will turn out well anyway so it is a waste. And if they turn out well, my summer vacation is as good as dead.
My first post, wiee.
Price Offered: 318 €
Flight date: 2015-07-17
FF tier on reservation: Lowest on BA
Original ticket type: Value Corporate
When the offer was made: Three days before
How the offer was made: E-mail
I am seriously considering taking the offer even though my company probably will not pay because I need something to look forward to during my trip. And I have never tried AY J-class.
P*ssed because:
It is vacation time and I need to go to meetings in Korea
My boss cancelled his reservation because of vacation, three days before the trip. So I am on my own.
My boss promised to help me with preparations for the meeting, he helped 10 mins (It took me 4 days, and I am still not done. Weekend work ahead, lots of fun...).
My girlfriend is angry because I have not been home for a few days because of work preparing for the meetings, and me going away in the middle of the summer (again...).
i HATE sales meetings! I am an engineer...
I do not think the meetings will turn out well anyway so it is a waste. And if they turn out well, my summer vacation is as good as dead.
My first post, wiee.
Jul 11, 2015, 12:34 am
#179
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,294
Welcome to the FT, CrilleE! And if you decide to take the offer, at least you'll finish the trip with something a better than Y!
Jul 11, 2015, 2:07 am
#180
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,172
Indeed, let me chime in on the Welcome to FT CrilleE!
I guess a lot of folks here can relate to your situation. And those of us who fly at our own will are kindly reminded how fortunate we are.
Anyway, this upgrade system is probably perfect for you - on a corporate econ-ticket, controlled by a strict travel policy. First time I've seen a report of an upgrade offer directed to a corp ticket, though. If you decide to take it, you can always try to get reimbursed. "I understand we can't buy business class tickets at 2500€, but I manage to get an upgrade for only 300. Perhaps the company can reimbubrse me this as an travel expense?"
And a personal note - while an engineer at a sales meeting may feel like a fish out of water, remember this: If you can master both trades, you will either be a great asset to many companies or a great asset to yourself one day you found your own.
I guess a lot of folks here can relate to your situation. And those of us who fly at our own will are kindly reminded how fortunate we are.
Anyway, this upgrade system is probably perfect for you - on a corporate econ-ticket, controlled by a strict travel policy. First time I've seen a report of an upgrade offer directed to a corp ticket, though. If you decide to take it, you can always try to get reimbursed. "I understand we can't buy business class tickets at 2500€, but I manage to get an upgrade for only 300. Perhaps the company can reimbubrse me this as an travel expense?"
And a personal note - while an engineer at a sales meeting may feel like a fish out of water, remember this: If you can master both trades, you will either be a great asset to many companies or a great asset to yourself one day you found your own.