Thought it may be of use to have in one place the various ways of upgrading on *A.

By *A airline (ie carrier)
- types of upgrade (ie Econ->Econ+, Econ-Biz, Biz-First)
- miles
- upgrade vouchers
- freebies due to status
- op ups
- one off specials (eg UK vouchers)
- anything I've missed????

Unless otherwise specified, upgrades are subject to availability.


*A - wide specials

*A-wide upgrades

From 17 July 2006, UA included. url=http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51503,00.html?navSource=SidebarPromo&linkTi tle=Introducing+New+Star+Alliance+Upgrade+Awards&p os=1&date=2006/07/18&time=9]UA web link[/url]. Note UA isnt rolling out to all other participating airlines just yet - eg no SQ.

From 17 May 2006, OZ TG and TP included

From 2 August 2005, using Miles and More miles on NH, SQ

From 1 Aug 05, using NH miles on LH, LO, OS, SQ

Miles & More *A Upgrades
For NH, OZ, SQ, TG & TP the following booking classes are eligible for an upgrade YB in economy, CDJ in business (& Z for NH only). Mileage amount is same as mileage required to upgrade LH/LO/LX/OS/UA/OU/JP.


Adria

JP upgrades possible are econ->business

Miles ???

Vouchers ???

Freebies for status ???

Op ups ???


Air Canada

AC upgrades possible are econ->business.

Miles No opportunity to use miles to upgrade on AC (not even AC Aeroplan).

Vouchers AC Aeroplan upgrade vouchers may be used for certain fares which vary by route. Top tiers (Super Elite and Elite) may also have any fare upgrades depending on option chosen at (re)qualifying. Upgrades from full econ fares may be confirmable at ticketing or at 7/4 days depending on status.

Freebies for status ???

Op ups Regularly given to status members [editing note - what status, Aeroplan or *G or ...??] but application has been uneven. Some recent improvement reported.


Air New Zealand

NZ upgrades possible are econ->econ plus (74R and 777 only), econ plus->biz (74R and 777 only), econ->biz (767, A320 and 747 pre-refurbishment) and econ->premier business (74R and 777 only). The 747 a/c are in the process of being refurbished. Until this is complete there is the opportunity to have the old first seats with business service, when travelling in business class. These seats cannot be preallocated but are automatically assigned based on status (unless business load is light and first cabin not used).

Miles Only NZ Airpoints may be used to upgrade on NZ. Points are a per segment cost. From 1 October 2005 there is a new chart for upgrading with the new longhaul product [insert link here].

Vouchers NZ Airpoints Elite members get 1 or 2 upgrade vouchers valid for 1 year upon (re)qualification. Non-transferable. May be limited to domestic or certain routes? AKL-LHR and vv counts as 2 sectors (so twice the number of vouchers required). On the new longhaul product, econ->econ plus or econ plus->premium business requires 1 voucher, but econ->premier business requires 2 vouchers. No other vouchers usable on NZ.

Freebies for status *G have first access to forward seating. Other than old first class seats in business class, exit rows and bulkhead no difference in seating or service.

Op ups Very rare on NZ.


ANA

NH upgrades possible are intl econ->biz / biz->first, dom econ->SuperSeat

Miles Only NH miles may be used to upgrade on NH, and only from M and higher fare classes if ticket issued in US. For tickets purchased elsewhere (or is this Japan only???) H and W fares are also upgradeable, T fares are not upgradeable. Stopovers of more than 24 hours require each sector to be upgraded separately.

From 2 August 2005, Miles and More miles may also be used to upgrade on NH.

Vouchers NH vouchers may be used to upgrade (only from M and higher fare classes). 2 for intl, 1 for dom - both per sector. Vouchers provided upon (re)qualification depending on status.

Freebies for status ???

Op ups ???


Asiana

OZ upgrades possible are econ->biz.

Miles Only OZ miles may be used to upgrade on OZ. There is a 10% discount for multiple redemptions.

Vouchers None.

Freebies for status OZ top tier (Platinum) members get automatic standby upgrade.

Op ups ???


Austrian

OS upgrades possible are econ->business.

Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.

Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on OS

• Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
• Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
• Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
• One Upgrade is always only valid for the flight segment covered by one flight coupon of a ticket.
• Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).

Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on OS.

• Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
• Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
• Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
• One eVoucher is valid for the one european flight segment, two eVouchers are valid for one intercontinental segment.
• Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).

Vouchers ???

Freebies for status ???

Op ups ???


Blue 1

KF upgrades possible are ???

Miles ???

Vouchers ???

Freebies for status ???

Op ups ???


BMI

BD upgrades possible are - short haul econ->biz, long haul econ->new econ. Officially, there is no way to upgrade from The New Economy to The Business other than an op-up (or, of course, hard cash).

Miles No upgrades possible using just miles, however BD Diamond Club cash and miles may be used to effectively upgrade on BD. Miles are not earnt on the paid portion of the fare.

Vouchers BD Diamond Club Gold cardholders receive 4 Gold upgrade vouchers on qualification or renewal, which can be used for a standby upgrade from Economy on BD metal. Note that this is a one-class upgrade, so long-haul passengers go to The New Economy, not The Business. There have been reports of upgrades from The New Economy to The Business, but this is not official.

Freebies for status *G get the seat next to them blocked when they check in (subject to availability). BD Diamond Club Gold cardholders making redemption bookings on BD metal (in Economy) get a free, confirmed at time of booking (subject to availability), one-class upgrade for the cardholder and one companion.

Op ups Variable, but generally pretty rare on short-haul, due to convertible seats. I don't know about long-haul.


Croatia

OU upgrades possible are econ->business.

Miles ???

Vouchers ???

Freebies for status ???

Op ups ???


LOT

LO upgrades possible are ??

Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.

Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on LO

• Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
• Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
• Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
• One Upgrade is always only valid for the flight segment covered by one flight coupon of a ticket.
• Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).

Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on LO.

• Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
• Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
• Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
• One eVoucher is valid for the one european flight segment, two eVouchers are valid for one intercontinental segment.
• Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).

Freebies for status ???

Op ups ???


Lufthansa

LH upgrades possible are econ->biz, biz->first. Note no first on domestic or intra-Europe routes.

Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.

Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on LH

• Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
• Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
• Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
• One Upgrade is always only valid for the flight segment covered by one flight coupon of a ticket.
• Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).

UA Mileage Plus miles may be used to upgrade on LH.

• Only valid on flights operated by LH with LH flight numbers.
• Not valid on RTW fares.
• Upgrade awards can be used with booking classes C (Business to First ), Y & B (Full fares Coach to Business), M & H (Selected fares Coach to Business)
• Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
• One Upgrade is always only valid for the flight segment covered by one flight coupon of a ticket.

Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on LH.

• Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
• Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
• Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
• One eVoucher is valid for the one european flight segment, two eVouchers are valid for one intercontinental segment.
• Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).

UA Mileage Plus SWUs can be used to upgrade.

• This upgrade may be used on a standby basis, subject to availability, on the day of travel on any eligible LH flight.
• Valid in all booking classes except when booked in LH booking classes X, I, O, R, N, W and E.
• This upgrade requires a 14-day advanced notification to MP in order to print and mail the certificate for presentation to LH on the day of departure.

Freebies for status ???

Op ups ???


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