Full Fare (Y) upgrades to First Class
Dec 8, 1998, 2:00 pm
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 778
Full Fare (Y) upgrades to First Class
I have noticed over the past few months, that certain airlines on certain routes will automatically upgrade Y-class fares to A-class at time of ticketing. I am told that this varies by airline and market served.
The two flight segments that this has happened on are UA LGA/IAD and US PHL/ORF.
Last week, I flew NW Richmond, Va to Detroit, and asked the gate attendant for an upgrade, and I got it. I ask from time-to-time, but this was the first time I got it for asking.
I wonder what others' experience is on upgrades w/o elite status.
John
The two flight segments that this has happened on are UA LGA/IAD and US PHL/ORF.
Last week, I flew NW Richmond, Va to Detroit, and asked the gate attendant for an upgrade, and I got it. I ask from time-to-time, but this was the first time I got it for asking.
I wonder what others' experience is on upgrades w/o elite status.
John
Dec 8, 1998, 2:11 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Niceville, FL, USA
Posts: 2,793
I have no experience with that situation personally, but I think it is a really good idea for the airlines.
Whenever I get upgraded (due to elite-level) and see empty first class seats (not often, but it does happen on occasion), I always wonder if there aren't some Y fare passengers, or just Joe Averages with a discounted ticket back there who would be thrilled and appreciative of an unexpected upgrade.
It would be great PR for the airline. What do you think?
Whenever I get upgraded (due to elite-level) and see empty first class seats (not often, but it does happen on occasion), I always wonder if there aren't some Y fare passengers, or just Joe Averages with a discounted ticket back there who would be thrilled and appreciative of an unexpected upgrade.
It would be great PR for the airline. What do you think?
Dec 8, 1998, 2:38 pm
#3
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: CNF/LAX/HKG/PVG
Programs: AA EXP, Lifetime PLT, Silver EK Skywards
Posts: 748
It has happened once to me on an AA flight to Brazil (MIA-GIG). I was on regular coach back there and once we landed in Rio, the F-A came to me and asked if I wanted to sit in the front- I said sure and she gave me seat 1A in First. Quite a treat to tell you the truth. Too bad my connecting flight was very short. I'm not sure if that was a random act of kindness on her part, but I surely did like it.
Dec 8, 1998, 5:00 pm
#4
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Chicago, IL (2 miles from ORD)
Posts: 660
The flight attendants got to know me too and on a Europe to USA flight, the head flight attendant gave me a friendly upgrade from coach to first - but I think it was because coach was oversold, not sure though.
Jan 9, 1999, 5:53 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 238
TWA has a Y-up full coach fare that can be upgraded to first class regardless you're a TWA FF or not. You can be upgraded to first class at the time you book your flight.
The only catch I can see is that there are a limited number of Y-up fares available. There are additional Y fares, but you have to be a TWA FF to upgrade these to first class at the time of booking.
And as EMD says, you can have access to the Ambassador's Club on the day(s) you fly on any TWA Y fare, even if you're not a member.
The only catch I can see is that there are a limited number of Y-up fares available. There are additional Y fares, but you have to be a TWA FF to upgrade these to first class at the time of booking.
And as EMD says, you can have access to the Ambassador's Club on the day(s) you fly on any TWA Y fare, even if you're not a member.
Jan 11, 1999, 10:22 am
#11
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,041
on UA the class bonus for upgraded full-fare Y depends:
2-class-flight: upgrade to first = 50% bonus
3-class-flight: upgrade to business = 25 % bonus.
2-class-flight: upgrade to first = 50% bonus
3-class-flight: upgrade to business = 25 % bonus.
Jan 11, 1999, 3:08 pm
#13
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Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,041
that's the normal procedure as far as it happened to me, but I am not very experienced in this, as I normally fly on visit-usa-fares in US and Canada.
Jan 11, 1999, 5:06 pm
#14
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 778
>>> Will UA upgrade full Y fares to business (or first) class without upgrade certificates?
Yes, but only on certain routes, and subject to availability. There must be an "A" class ticket available. You can check on www.biztravel.com, or www.easysabre.com. If available, ticket will be issued as FIRST CLASS, no standby.
On the other hand, you stand a very low chance of being upgraded at the gate if your ticket is "Y" with coach seating.
John
Yes, but only on certain routes, and subject to availability. There must be an "A" class ticket available. You can check on www.biztravel.com, or www.easysabre.com. If available, ticket will be issued as FIRST CLASS, no standby.
On the other hand, you stand a very low chance of being upgraded at the gate if your ticket is "Y" with coach seating.
John
Jan 11, 1999, 7:14 pm
#15
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 238
TWA Aviators does provide a class of service upgrade for YUP fares in the form of bonus mileage equivalent to the price paid for the ticket (their Fare Rewards program).
This bonus mileage is given regardless of whether you're in first class or coach... and it applies to all F, C, and full-fare Y classes. Therefore, unlike some other airlines, you will not be penalized if you pay full-fare but do not get an upgrade into first class.
So, depending upon the price of the ticket, the mileage bonus should be somewhere between an extra 100% up to significantly more.
The dollars you spend on full-fare TWA tickets can also raise your elite level faster, since FF level advancement can be measured by the accumulated values of fares in a one-year period of time. Spend $5,000 - you're Elite; Spend $10,000 - you're Elite 1; and Spend $20,000 - you're Platinum.
Also, there is a standard 50% class-of-service bonus for an F or C fare in TWA business or first class on top of the above.
This bonus mileage is given regardless of whether you're in first class or coach... and it applies to all F, C, and full-fare Y classes. Therefore, unlike some other airlines, you will not be penalized if you pay full-fare but do not get an upgrade into first class.
So, depending upon the price of the ticket, the mileage bonus should be somewhere between an extra 100% up to significantly more.
The dollars you spend on full-fare TWA tickets can also raise your elite level faster, since FF level advancement can be measured by the accumulated values of fares in a one-year period of time. Spend $5,000 - you're Elite; Spend $10,000 - you're Elite 1; and Spend $20,000 - you're Platinum.
Also, there is a standard 50% class-of-service bonus for an F or C fare in TWA business or first class on top of the above.