Originally Posted by
ILS2
I'm getting close to my first year EBG anniversary, and this is my experience:
- Intercontinental op-ups have been frequent, and if not, I've always been able to use points. My favourite moment was when flying ORD-ARN in M, and requesting upgrade at check-in/lounge for me and my girlfriend (EBB at the time) - being totally ready to spend 60k points for M --> C. Ended up getting it for free for both of us. The flight was totally packed, so that explains it. However, I was pleasantly surprised that SAS didn't fall for the temptation of taking my points regardless of the fact that they were overbooked. I know LH does that, but maybe I just got lucky this time?
I have been gold for a year too and have been regularly upgraded both on SK and LH on IC flights. Never had to use points if when asking for it... Usually a little sentence such as "I flew 4 times in C-class OSL-IAH the past year but now because of the downturn it is Economy only - you sure you don't have a seat in C left?" works wonders. (saying: "if you do upgrade people due to overbooking or if there are some empty seats in C once the door is closed, please consider me, I will be seated in XXX" is a good last resort as well)
But you do need to ask at check-in, in the lounge, at the gate, once boarding the plane or even to the "plane manager" (the person managing the manifest).
All of those persons can make it happen so just keep on asking them :-)
PS: I'm 26 and wears jeans, tshirts and sneakers - so any more respectable looking person should have an even easier task than me
