Originally Posted by
LY Insider
Originally Posted by
mikebg
There seems to be a major difference in the case of pre-paid upgrades: Whereas before, to get into First one would need to PAY for I or C class and then use the voucher to get an A class ticket issued, now it seems that the original ticket needs to be issued in I or C class AND then to apply the upgrade to get A class. As I understand it, if I/C are full then you will not be able to get into First via the pre-paid upgrade route, even if there is availability in A.
These were always the rules, Carmel couldn't restrict this from happening and the agents learned.
That is simply not true. I quote from the EL AL website:
(
http://www.elal.co.il/ELAL/English/M...Guaranteed.htm)
Using an upgrade voucher, you can upgrade M, S, Y class tickets to Business Class.
Tickets in C and I classes can be upgraded to First Class.
... ... ... ...
If you would like to upgrade your flight ticket from Economy Class to Business Class, reservations should be made in D or Z class.
If you would like to upgrade your flight ticket from Business Class to First Class, reservations should be made in class A.
The new system is very strange, as it means that if someone wants a First Class ticket they must take one I and one A seat. The current system only uses the A seat. The number of I seats available is not reduced. I can book the A class (for example) 6 months ahead without making any difference to the I seats available (but the number of A seats will be reduced, of course).