So I'm flying JFK>FRA next week on a V fare class on LH and don't have any status with *A. Do you think flying in a suit and tie will increase my chances of being upgraded just by talking up the ground crew or should I not even bother and fly in something which won't get as wrinkly?
Funny you mention it samtheman, we used to have an acquaintance who worked in the back office of El Al in YUL who would give us upgrades every time. Every so often we'd bring her a gift of a walkman or cd player (we're wholesalers so they cost us next to nothing) to thank her for her continuing support. How to do that again...?
When I'm sitting up front, it's amazing how many guys wearing suits do the walk of shame thru F or J to the back of the bus. Doesn't always seem to work for them.
There's a bunch of threads full of anecdotal evidence on this. For everyone who says "I wore a suit and got upgraded" (no way to find out if the suit had anything to do with it) someone else posts "I looked like something the cat dragged in and got upgraded" or "I got upgraded when they couldn't possibly have known what I looked like" (again, no way of knowing why).
If nothing else, it varies by airline. A search in your airline's forum (LH in this case) will turn up anecdotal evidence which, while still useless, has a higher chance of actually being relevant to the question.
(Posts that airline employees must dress nicely if they want to fly F on their free tickets, while often true, are also irrelevant.)
There's a bunch of threads full of anecdotal evidence on this. For everyone who says "I wore a suit and got upgraded" (no way to find out if the suit had anything to do with it) someone else posts "I looked like something the cat dragged in and got upgraded" or "I got upgraded when they couldn't possibly have known what I looked like" (again, no way of knowing why).
If nothing else, it varies by airline. A search in your airline's forum (LH in this case) will turn up anecdotal evidence which, while still useless, has a higher chance of actually being relevant to the question.
(Posts that airline employees must dress nicely if they want to fly F on their free tickets, while often true, are also irrelevant.)
I've read far more stories of travellers who were not naked, but sat in the seat that their ticket entitled them to. I think it's a rare flight where the non-elite rides up front on a coach ticket.
Save your cheap bribes for third world airlines.
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From C. Thompson's updated wisdom for the modern traveler: 1 Hang up on morons 2 Don't be that guy 3 Stop feeling so entitled
Despite the naysayers, I can assure you (speaking from the airline perspective) that it absolutely doesn't hurt.
I am managing a flight oversold in Y at LGW tomorrow morning due to an aircraft swap and all status pax/VIPs have already been pre-upgraded. We will need to pick approx. 7-10 additional pax to upgrade during the checkin process. I assure you that passengers wearing jackets and/or ties stand significantly higher chances of snagging the upgrade than someone in a T-shirt, shorts and baseball cap. It also helps if you can make the checkin agent smile by cracking a joke or just basically empathising with them. Nobody wants to upgrade the sloppy grouch who argues.
I personally tend to be partial towards retired couples traveling together as they invariably enjoy the experience and are very low maintenance for the crew. Having a title like "Doctor" or "Reverend" in front of your name is another good indicator of someone who can fit in. Of course, others have different styles and preferences.
I personally tend to be partial towards retired couples traveling together as they invariably enjoy the experience and are very low maintenance for the crew.
perhaps kids flying alone might also be good.
hmm might have to use "Dr" more
in your experience, B747-437B, has the frequency of such upgrades of "average" people fluctuated dramatically over time/your period of employment/etc?
has the frequency of such upgrades of "average" people fluctuated dramatically over time/your period of employment/etc?
The number of upgrades available is not a function of anything other than the individual circumstance.
I guess the summary of what I was saying is that while dressing up will rarely if ever create an upgrade for you, if an upgrade is already sitting around for the asking you stand a better chance of scoring it.
Through no fault of our own, my mom, daughter and I were fetched by the airport limo service far too late for comfort to get us to Heathrow! We panted up to the desk (BA) and the nice lady kinda lectured us a little bit about being almost too late for the flight! We were stunned and apologized profusely and asked what we could do to help get us to the gate ASAP? She said our seats had been "given away" and we'd have to fly up front, but my daughter (wearing shorts) would have to please keep the blanket over her legs. We didn't find THAT too hard to do!
My question is: If you get there a little late, is it possible to get an upgrade that way or is that just plain DUMB?
Wear a suit to get an upgrade?
