Mar 9, 2015, 6:33 am
Last edit by: Gnopps
*** MOD NOTE: Please do not remove ***
A friendly reminder that Flyertalk is not a marketplace, and nothing may be offered (or solicited) for sale or barter within the general forums - which includes offering vouchers for free. For those with sufficient posts and length of membership, trading/exchange is allowed solely within Coupon Connection, and then only in accordance with the specific rules of that forum.
Please do not attempt to solicit, sell or trade upgrade vouchers within this forum. Posts will be deleted and the members concerned potentially subject to disciplinary action. **Please note that this includes directly using the PM system to do so without first posting in Coupon Connection**. Thanks for your co-operation.
A friendly reminder that Flyertalk is not a marketplace, and nothing may be offered (or solicited) for sale or barter within the general forums - which includes offering vouchers for free. For those with sufficient posts and length of membership, trading/exchange is allowed solely within Coupon Connection, and then only in accordance with the specific rules of that forum.
Please do not attempt to solicit, sell or trade upgrade vouchers within this forum. Posts will be deleted and the members concerned potentially subject to disciplinary action. **Please note that this includes directly using the PM system to do so without first posting in Coupon Connection**. Thanks for your co-operation.
Criteria
- You must be travelling on A3 or OA metal - codeshares are not included.
- The original ticket must be issued on either A3 (390) or OA (050) ticket stock.
- Only revenue (paid) tickets, in fare classes other than U, P & T on a GoLight fare basis, can be upgraded, but not redemption tickets.
- All flights on the ticket must be on A3 or OA metal.
- There must be award availability in I-class for the upgrades to clear. You can check this by logging in to M&B then going to https://en.aegeanair.com/milesandbon...t/spend-miles/ The results page will initially be a calendar. To see Business availability, you have to click through to the next step. (You can also use a free or paid tool such as ANA website, UA website (looking for saver award space), Aeroplan, AwardNexus or ExpertFlyer to check for availability.)
- One coupon per person per journey leg is required - so, for example, TXL-ATH-SKG and return via the same route would require four coupons per person.
- Anyone can be upgraded using the coupons - you do not have to be travelling on the same booking or even the same plane.
Procedure
- Call A3 to request the upgrade. The phone numbers are listed at https://aegeanairlines.custhelp.com/ (most of them should go to the same call centre in Greece).
- If successful, a new ticket will be issued (with a new number). The PNR will remain unchanged.
- You are liable for any extra taxes applicable to Business Class (e.g. APD from the UK). Sometimes this gets charged, sometimes it doesn't - if it's due and you're not charged because the agent forgets, you've just been lucky.
- If there's no immediate I-class availability, you can ask to be waitlisted for upgrade. The ability to waitlist was reported to have been removed in August 2016, but was again possible in September. Check with the agent - option available on May 2018.
- in case you requested to be waitlisted for upgrade and want to check if the customer care agent made the changes on your booking you can check the reservation on checkmytrip.com (click here), the leg you requested the upgrade will be shown here as ”Waitlisted”.
- If you wish to upgrade one segment of a multi-segment trip (e.g. XXX-ATH-YYY) and there is availability on the leg you wish to upgrade, you may still have to be waitlisted due to married segment issues. The process of clearing the waitlist is somewhat confusing and may result in frustration due to the availability seeming to disappear but in reality, this may mean that the segments have been "unmarried" and the availability has been allocated to your reservation. See post 2272 and the update in post 2294 for more details.
Benefits
- No matter what the fare basis of the original ticket, you receive full Business Class benefits after upgrade.
- This includes lounge access (useful if you're upgrading someone other than yourself who has no status, or if you've run out of Silver lounge vouchers) and full baggage allowance (it applies for first leg as well, in case you are upgraded only on the 2nd leg of your trip - confirmed on the etix).
- Because the ticket books as a redemption, the free car hire is not included.
Mileage/segment earning
- You will earn at the underlying rate of your purchased ticket in economy, not at a business class rate. Because status miles are awarded, this also counts as a segment for re-qualification purposes.
- The flights may credit automatically, but may take longer to credit than tickets that have not been changed. They may also credit as 0 miles, and later change to the correct rate. If the flights have not credited properly after a few weeks then calling A3 will rectify this rapidly.
Expiry
- The vouchers expire at the end of your membership year - they do not carry over, even if status is retained. A new set is issued every year.
- It is the date when you use the voucher that matters. It can upgrade a flight that takes place after expiry as long as you apply the voucher before.
- On upgrade from Silver to Gold, any remaining Silver upgrade coupons expire, but they are replaced by four Gold ones which expire at the end of the Gold membership year.
BEWARE
- Once you have upgraded your seat, your ticket will be reissued. Suddenly, this ticket may be VERY expensive to change. If, for instance, you later decide to travel on a different date, you will probably be required to rebook into Business, even if Economy was available for new bookings. A3 will charge you the difference from your original Economy fare to a NEW Business fare. Plus fees, taxes and whatnot. Update 18/08/2021: this appears to no longer be the case, as an upgraded ticket was changed and the underlying Economy fare was used for the upgraded segments. The coupon was "removed" from the old dates and "reapplied" to the new dates.
- Coupons will not be returned/reinstated. Once a coupon is applied, it is gone for good (the T&Cs printed on the coupons allow for date and time changes, but not route changes).
- If you want to provide your coupons to upgrade a friend's travel, it is advisable to call in yourself. Your friend can call in if they know your name, birthdate, M&B-number and the email address associated with your account. That means: Anyone who knows these particulars can use your coupons without your knowledge. They do NOT need the coupon numbers.
- Crediting upgraded segments to another program will likely fail, as it will be reported as I-class. It may be possible to retro-claim the miles.
Seat upgrade coupons
Jan 27, 2017, 11:16 am
#1306
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: BSL
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 62
A strange issue emerged when I tried a seat upgrade award lately. I don't think that it was previously mentioned here:
If you have a coupon-upgraded segment, you cannot upgrade any other segment under the same ticket using miles.
My return flight segment was eligible for seat upgrade award spending miles (Flex, S) and there was available award space. But since I had already another segment coupon-upgraded, the A3's agent told me that I could have more upgrades only using coupons.
I'm not sure if the above rule is applicable vice versa, having first an upgrade award by miles.
If you have a coupon-upgraded segment, you cannot upgrade any other segment under the same ticket using miles.
My return flight segment was eligible for seat upgrade award spending miles (Flex, S) and there was available award space. But since I had already another segment coupon-upgraded, the A3's agent told me that I could have more upgrades only using coupons.
I'm not sure if the above rule is applicable vice versa, having first an upgrade award by miles.
Jan 28, 2017, 10:37 am
#1307
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
A strange issue emerged when I tried a seat upgrade award lately. I don't think that it was previously mentioned here:
If you have a coupon-upgraded segment, you cannot upgrade any other segment under the same ticket using miles.
My return flight segment was eligible for seat upgrade award spending miles (Flex, S) and there was available award space. But since I had already another segment coupon-upgraded, the A3's agent told me that I could have more upgrades only using coupons.
I'm not sure if the above rule is applicable vice versa, having first an upgrade award by miles.
If you have a coupon-upgraded segment, you cannot upgrade any other segment under the same ticket using miles.
My return flight segment was eligible for seat upgrade award spending miles (Flex, S) and there was available award space. But since I had already another segment coupon-upgraded, the A3's agent told me that I could have more upgrades only using coupons.
I'm not sure if the above rule is applicable vice versa, having first an upgrade award by miles.
Jan 29, 2017, 11:57 am
#1308
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: BSL
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 62
I actually called two times. In my first call, a night shift agent (2 am) wasn't aware of such issue but faced an "unknown error with the miles", while she was trying to arrange the seat upgrade award. She asked me to call again after 9 am, to speak to another agent from the Miles+Bonus department, "specialised in miles" to resolve the issue.
So I did, and the second agent stated me the above rule, as some sort of conflict.
So I did, and the second agent stated me the above rule, as some sort of conflict.
Feb 2, 2017, 1:01 pm
#1309
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Is there any real advantage to waitlisting as opposed to periodically checking for availability myself?
Also is there any realistic chance that I class will open up if ATH-LHR is currently selling for £400 and there is no award space that entire week?
Also is there any realistic chance that I class will open up if ATH-LHR is currently selling for £400 and there is no award space that entire week?
Feb 2, 2017, 1:55 pm
#1310
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Paris, France
Programs: A3*G, Accor ALL Gold
Posts: 597
Yes, I booked CDG-ATH and ATH-CDG, 2 PAX. Only one I class seat available on ATH-CDG. We were waitlisted. Within 2 days, all seats were upgraded. Happy customer :-)
Feb 3, 2017, 10:09 pm
#1311
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MEL, land of Oz
Programs: QF Plat & LTG; A3*A Gold; Avianca LM; Velocity; IHG Platinum, Accor All
Posts: 421
Yes, there is a significant advantage to waitlisting. Upgrades are often confirmed quite quickly after W/L, and sometimes where it seems unlikely they will be. Certainly no harm to give it a try.
Feb 7, 2017, 1:23 pm
#1312
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: A3*G, AC, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 1,604
Sadly, my 2017 plan of all my A3 flights at once is not to be. Looks like it's just the two now, hopefully another two in the fall.
HOWEVER. Phoned up today not five minutes after booking (expedia.fr) and was put through to an agent who confirmed my CDG-ATH had no seats but she could waitlist me. ATH-WAW, on the other hand, was available and no additional charges. Good news all around.
HOWEVER. Phoned up today not five minutes after booking (expedia.fr) and was put through to an agent who confirmed my CDG-ATH had no seats but she could waitlist me. ATH-WAW, on the other hand, was available and no additional charges. Good news all around.
Feb 7, 2017, 2:45 pm
#1313
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
I had the following experience:
I had a flight, with a total of 2 passengers, which we wanted upgrading. I used a friend's coupons. I called up and asked for the upgrade, they, reserved the I class seat,and this showed in Myflightsapp.com and I think they even asked for the credit card details for the additional taxes IIRC. I don't remember if they took money from the card.
Anyway, a few days later, I checked the M&B account,and the vouchers were not used. So I used them to upgrade another flight.
A few days later I call A3 to ask about the first tickets, they say, it has not been e-ticket issued, because no vouchers were available. They said I must call back with new M&B account with vouchers, or iot will be downgraded.
Now it is 3 months later, I called back last night, they said why did you not phone until now, and now Myflightsapp shows the ticket as downgraded back to economy.
I had a flight, with a total of 2 passengers, which we wanted upgrading. I used a friend's coupons. I called up and asked for the upgrade, they, reserved the I class seat,and this showed in Myflightsapp.com and I think they even asked for the credit card details for the additional taxes IIRC. I don't remember if they took money from the card.
Anyway, a few days later, I checked the M&B account,and the vouchers were not used. So I used them to upgrade another flight.
A few days later I call A3 to ask about the first tickets, they say, it has not been e-ticket issued, because no vouchers were available. They said I must call back with new M&B account with vouchers, or iot will be downgraded.
Now it is 3 months later, I called back last night, they said why did you not phone until now, and now Myflightsapp shows the ticket as downgraded back to economy.
Last edited by benberg2013; Feb 8, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Feb 8, 2017, 2:24 am
#1314
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,374
I had the following experience:
I had a flight, with a total of 2 passengers, which we wanted upgrading. I used a friend's coupons. I called up and asked for the upgrade, they, reserved the I class seat,and this showed in Myflightsapp.com and I think they even asked for the credit card details for the additional taxes IIRC. I don't remember if they took money from the card.
Anyway, a few days later, I checked the M&B account,and the vouchers were not used. So I used them to upgrade another flight.
A few days later I call A3 to ask about the first tickets, they say, it has now been e-ticket issued, because no vouchers were available. They said I must call back with new M&B account with vouchers, or iot will be downgraded.
Now it is 3 months later, I called back last night, they said why did you not phone until now, and now Myflightsapp shows the ticket as downgraded back to economy.
I had a flight, with a total of 2 passengers, which we wanted upgrading. I used a friend's coupons. I called up and asked for the upgrade, they, reserved the I class seat,and this showed in Myflightsapp.com and I think they even asked for the credit card details for the additional taxes IIRC. I don't remember if they took money from the card.
Anyway, a few days later, I checked the M&B account,and the vouchers were not used. So I used them to upgrade another flight.
A few days later I call A3 to ask about the first tickets, they say, it has now been e-ticket issued, because no vouchers were available. They said I must call back with new M&B account with vouchers, or iot will be downgraded.
Now it is 3 months later, I called back last night, they said why did you not phone until now, and now Myflightsapp shows the ticket as downgraded back to economy.
Also, as an aside, did you say YOU called up to upgrade the flights with your friends' vouchers? If so, surely they should have checked with your friend before they processed the upgrade.
Feb 8, 2017, 5:49 am
#1315
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
Unless I've missed something (re: your own vouchers or your friends' being used) it all sounds pretty fair to me. You tried to upgrade two more flights knowing full well that you'd already used the coupons and that the system somehow hadn't been updated. Did you expect to get two additional free upgrades? Apologies if I have misunderstood.
Also, as an aside, did you say YOU called up to upgrade the flights with your friends' vouchers? If so, surely they should have checked with your friend before they processed the upgrade.
Feb 8, 2017, 7:24 am
#1316
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SIN 5 days out of 7
Programs: BD*G, A3*G, BA-S, Accor Gold, IHG Amb
Posts: 5,505
I call A3 to ask about the first tickets, they say, it has now been e-ticket issued
If the latter that changes the context a bit.
Feb 8, 2017, 3:06 pm
#1317
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
Feb 9, 2017, 1:38 am
#1318
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Paris
Programs: Miles&Bonus *G
Posts: 318
I've done this as well, when traveling with a colleague, and they had no problem processing it. We were, however, on the same booking code, so perhaps that had something to do with it (in fact, I hope it did, otherwise anyone can call up and use others' vouchers!).
Feb 9, 2017, 1:41 am
#1319
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MAN,TLV
Programs: Silver:BA,VX,AB, QF. Gold:A3,RJ,AZ,GF, EY,SPG,Marriott,Choice, Carlson. Dia/Plat:HH,IHG,BW,Accor
Posts: 1,965
Feb 11, 2017, 4:03 am
#1320
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344