I'm thrilled that you've finally admitted that spending like a Liberal government is destructive! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Mind you, not spending, like a Harris PC government, is also destructive.

Sorry, I don't wan't to drag this thread off track but I couldn't resist.

[This message has been edited by Academic (edited 07-17-2001).]

I've received 4 comp upgrades this year so far, and used 6 certs, for a total of 10 upgrades on 31 segments as Prestige...only 1 'M' fare and no 'Y'

3 of the 4 comp's were due to full Y, however UA gave me one on MEM-ORD last month for no particular reason at all. I asked at check-in if I could use AC certs to upgrade, he said that he couldn't. I walked 8 steps with my boarding card, and he called me back, gave me 1A. The flight was half full.

I'm not giving anything away, except to say don't waste your time asking for anything in YYZ...your trying to squeeze water from a rock.

In '98 my first ever flight on AC (HKG-YVR-YYZ-ORD), I was upgraded to C on the trans-Pacific - this on the strength of a TG gold card and a *very* oversold flight.
That sort of got me hooked.
Since then have received usually around 5 or 6 complimentary upgrades a year, both as E and more recently as SE. (usually, but not always because of oversold flights).
I'm not partiularly well dressed; am always flying on Int'l tickets and usually ask at the gate - ideally a single gate agent that doesn't look too harassed.
"I seem to have a touch of Dyslexia this morning; I'm not sure if it's contagious" seems to work well on Q & L's...

Don't know why I'm so lucky, but I frequently receive comp upgrades simply by asking politely. This works on both AC and UA. I am most successful out of YVR, ORD and LGA.

I am least successful out of YYZ, where I find the gate agents in general to be amongst the rudest and most ambivalent about their job of any in North America.

I have been lucky enough to receive a few comps.
Cases have included:
YYZ-YEG: Get to the gate(30 min before flight CNX from ALB), hand her my boarding pass, the GA says "Mr. XXX" we have been trying to page you. Hands me an upgraded BP.
YYZ-YEG: Waiting in the MLL, waiting for my flight(AC Metal) look at the departure screen see the flight cancelled replaced by a CP Metal (3XXX) flight. Talk to lounge agent says nothing can be done Y seat lost, but promises to look into the matter. Get a page 5 min later hands me a J boarding pass.

Last year -- YYZ-FRA: Check in early, find my boarding pass has "Gate" listed for seating assignment. The guy at the kiosk assures me "No problem" you will get a seat(TM). Talk to friendly Counter Agent. Explain I am meeting my girlfriend who is flying in from BOS. Taps aways the keyboard and hands me a J boarding pass(Neat considering I had no status at the time.) Though flight is delayed to the elephant not getting on board http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by AlmostThere (edited 07-18-2001).]