Is there such a thing as a “BUP” (I guess I really meant CUP, or JUP...) type fare for international travel – I know that some carriers offer a full coach (or reduced/adv. purchase coach) upgrade type fare domestically, and I’m wondering if any carriers offer a business class fare that provides an upgrade to first class.

I understand that the “top-tier” carriers wouldn’t have a vested interest in doing this, but you’d think that the “second-tier” carriers might consider offering such a fare type since:

--Their first class fares may be lower than top tier carriers’ business class fares anyway [e.g., SFO-PVG American (4194-5617 for J), Philippine Airlines (4788 for F), China Eastern (5344 for F)

--Many business travelers are restricted to Business Class (v. First) for international travel.

Mind you, I’m not planning on go via Manila to go to Shanghai anytime soon, but I’m still curious if any carriers have launched something of the sort.

I'm not trying to make the case the First Class on some of the second-tier carriers is necessarily better than Business on the big boys so don't assault me on that front...I'm just curious if there are any fares of the sort out there.


[This message has been edited by snorkmaster (edited 02-24-2003).]