Originally Posted by
Henry82
I read on various tips/tricks blogs and articles that it is sometimes possible to get a discounted, last-minute upgrade at the airport. It is said that upgrades arranged this way are far cheaper than the cost difference to the higher class ticket. I was hoping people could share their experience on this, particularly with China Airlines (CI).
Please try to cover the points:
- coach to business? business to first?
- upgraded at check-in counter or gate?
- what did you say to the CSR?
- FFP status
- cost?
TIA!
I haven't taken a CI flight since December 2010, so unless something has changed in the last 6 months, there are no unpaid or discounted upgrades on CI, no matter what your membership level or class of ticket. The only exception to this is when you are an elite member (Paragon, Emerald, and sometimes Gold), and your ticketed cabin is completely full, you may get an upgrade to the next cabin class up, in order to get more people on the plane without bumping anyone.
At the counter upgrades can be done, but you will have to redeem the full amount of miles to get that upgrade, with no discounts. Now, sometimes they do promotions where you can upgrade for less miles, but those are announced in advance, as opposed to something you can get by wheeling and dealing at the counter.
There is an elaborate system of checks and balances in place to make sure that nobody gets a free or discounted upgrade outside of the above mentioned overbooking scenario. This is likely because of past abuses by those who happened to know ground agents or cabin crew. To get a free upgrade, would take a coordinated effort between the check in counter staff, the gate staff, and the cabin crew, and everyone in that chain who would possibly find out has to agree to it.
As for using cash to buy an upgrade at the airport, I've not had any experience with this scenario, so no comment there.