Originally Posted by
Rolo55
My first trip is to KIX via AMS leaving on 07/02 in W. At the moment the app is showing available seats in Y and W (fewer in W), though I know this is often not an accurate reflection of the status quo.
Looking at prices today for the outward journey Y is coming out at about £100 more than W.
Are you actually booked on a W fare, or another Premium Economy fare class (e.g. A)? And are you currently booked Light or another fare type?
There are basically two ways of approaching this:
1. Do an upfare right now. You will pay the price difference between your current fare and the business class fare. If you are indeed currently on a W fare (Not just the W cabin..) the price difference may be minimal. However depending on your fare type (Light, standard, Flex, etc) there may be a change fee as well. The big advantage of this approach is that you will be upgraded right now and you will receive XP's for the business class cabin.
2. Wait for OLCI and hope for a good offer. The price is depending on availability, but even more so on your history with the airline. If you havent flown them for years the chance of getting a good offer is higher. However, you are still bound to the availability that may, or may not, exist at the time that OLCI opens. Also, you will not receive XP's for business class if you upgrade this way.
* is it worth calling KLM to ask if I can upgrade or better to wait for an offer?
* I’ve read a few things that suggest the closer to departure you wait (eg at check in or even gate) the cheaper it might be
* has anyone had upgrade experience on this route and if so, how much was it?
* If you do get an upgrade is it to business light? ie no lounge (though not real bothered as connection times are not long and I have priority pass)
I am considering paying for seats in W (£60 each) so I don’t risk being stuck in the middle seat on such a long flight. Might that up my chances of an upgrade by showing I’m prepared to pay for extras? Probably overthinking things!
Any tips for a new returner to FB gratefully received!
Calling KLM to upfare, you could do so. However this process can also be done online on the booking-management page, by selecting the "Change flight" option, and choosing the same date/flight to rebook to. Then pick the business cabin, and it should show you the price for such upfare. You could also try the "Upgrade flight" option to see if that would be more affordable, potentially (maybe) this would be available even if the fare does not allow changes. Also the change fee may be different, I have not personally tried this. I'd suggest to try both and compare pricing. Calling them likely won't give you different results, unless the website fails to provide any options for some reason.
When you upfare you stay in the same fare type. So Premium light will become business light. When you upgrade at OLCI you won't change your ticket at all (Its just a seat change). Buying a seat reservation now will not help getting a better offer and I would only do so if you are looking to upgrade at OLCI since there is a reasonable chance that you may stay in premium. If you do get an offer at OLCI please be aware that the seat selection fee is already incorporated in that price (Effectively discounting the upgrade fee).