I (*A Gold) am booked to fly LHR-CPH tomorrow. My flight shows 0 availability in all fare classes. Anybody know if checking in online would decrease my chances of a bump or an operational upgrade?
Checking in online would not hurt your chances for an op upgrade or bump because it only affects you getting a reserved and confirmed seat. Generally bumps and op upgrades are handled at the gate soon before departure. So checking in online could be compared to checking in at another airport.
As bumps are normally done at the gate, I wouldn't think that you would have any less chance to get bumped...
But as a *G your chances of an automatic bump are low... They wouldn't normally bump a *G unless you ask them to... And then it might actually speak in your favour!
For an upgrade I would think that you might have some extra luck at the *G check in if they are upgrading people...
Remember that online check-in can be quite cumbersome at LHR as you will still have to pick up the boarding card... (Not possible from self service machines)
Last edited by Point_Chaser; Jul 30, 04 at 5:39 am..
Remember that online check-in can be quite cumbersome at LHR as you will still have to pick up the boarding card... (Not possible from self service machines)
Are you saying the self service machines dont print boarding cards? When I was at LHR last week I just put my EB card in the machine and it spit out the boarding cards no problem. Or was this in reference to online checkin?
As bumps are normally done at the gate, I wouldn't think that you would have any less chance to get bumped...
But as a *G your chances of an automatic bump are low... They wouldn't normally bump a *G unless you ask them to... And then it might actually speak in your favour!
For an upgrade I would think that you might have some extra luck at the *G check in if they are upgrading people...
Remember that online check-in can be quite cumbersome at LHR as you will still have to pick up the boarding card... (Not possible from self service machines)
So is your recommendation to skip the online checkin, skip the machines, and proceed to the *G/C class check-in counter with a winning and flirtatious smile?
So is your recommendation to skip the online checkin, skip the machines, and proceed to the *G/C class check-in counter with a winning and flirtatious smile?
I would say yes, it could certainly help. Try to be well-dressed, be nice to the check-in agent and don't be pushy in any way. If they say no, just accept it straight away (things can still change at the end, nothing will be as appreciated as a bit of understanding).
One time when I was upgraded it was partly done already at check-in, I did not get a seat, instead I was told it was "seating at the gate", didn't really understand what that meant then, now I know...
Also, I fly quite often on SAS out of LHR and I know that the SAS staff rotate between check-in and gate/boarding procedures, so it could well be that the chief gate agent is actually checking you in and may keep you in mind for possible bumping at the gate if you "do well at check-in".
I have personal experience of that, a positive one...
Good luck!
One time when I was upgraded it was partly done already at check-in, I did not get a seat, instead I was told it was "seating at the gate", didn't really understand what that meant then, now I know...
I agree - i recieved "seat at gate" 4 times last year, and all of them gave me an op-up or bump. 2 at ARN, 1 at CPH and one in SAN (connecting to ORD-ARN flight).
Travelled on SAS for the first time this weekend. Ticket bought for economy class travel.
My partner's LH Senator and so am I but for some reason or other the SAS thinks I'm LH basic member.
The return flight from ARN to LHR yesterday appeared to be oversold as there were a few people on standby. We'd done an internet check in late on Saturday night so had a confirmed seat. We got to the gate around the same time as the gate agent. She logged in to the computer at the gate, did a few printouts and she left them lying on the counter in a position that I could read them... spotted my name and my partners name on the list of upgrades to business class.
I'm currently sitting in the Scandinavian Lounge @ARN, waiting for the flight to EWR. Oversold big time - I received "Seat At Gate" and my friend got an immediate u/g to C. Both EBG. Hopefully I'll join him.
Hope you had any luck with your "seating at the gate". It is normally a positive thing to be denied a seat assignment at check-in...
I have a few flights in the beginning of next week myself and three of them are very close to zeroed out (will most likely be any day now), so I'm keeping my fingers crossed...
Hope you had any luck with your "seating at the gate". It is normally a positive to be denied a seat assignment at check-in...
No problem. My name was called out by the lounge staff, and I recieved a new BP before going to the gate. They even seated me next to my friend. Thanks again, SAS! Love you!
