prestige upgrade
 

Hi
Am new to Flyer talk and although
this question ( or simular) might have been asked before am wondering if someone may be able to answer it?

I'm booked on a flight from YYZ to YYG
( not on a Y or M class ticket) and wondered what my chances are of getting an upgrade with Prestige status and NA certificate? So far all the seats are showing that they are all open in J class on the ITN system.
Thanks for your help
-d

Your chances are pretty much nil to none as YYZ airport agents tend to abide by the rules. You can always try but bring a few extra,make sure your travel agent doesn't upgrade you thru their system. If they book the upgrade ,you are not holding the applicable fare and your original booking class is not available,the agent may oblige you to upgrade your fare and pay the change fee. This could be very expensive and embarrasing. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif

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Just came in from MEX to YYZ in Q class and got a Prestige upgrade.
It's never happened to me leaving YYZ.
Canadian used to be more lenient.

Impossible unless the flight is overbooked and there are no E and SE on.

Nothing is impossible... but sounds like a very long shot to me.

Thanks everyone!
Will give it a try and see what happens.
Let you all know the result although I'm not too optimistic.
-d

AC would end immediately all the complaining about upgrades if they would allow same-day standby from any fare. (whilst keeping the existing V-class etc rules) I would be happy with that.

I'm not so sure. If I pay $1300 for a J class ticket and someone sits next to me who was upgraded from a $200 ticket, I might feel inclined to complain.

Maybe it would reduce complaints from the FlyerAl-type micro budget customers but, at the same time, antagonize the premium customers -- the ones who subsidize the FlyerAls.

Planettalker:

Here's a tip that sometimes worked for me when I was in your situation

Just keep asking different people. Ask at the ticket counter. Or phone reservations a few times. Ask in the MLL if you have access.

As has been pointed out to you, it is a long shot. But remain pleasant. (I sometimes just acted dumb). You may come across a new employee that doesn't understand the rules. Or you may come across someone that is close to retirement or the end of a shift and doesn't bother to enforce the rules.

It is always woth a shot. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Oh and how are you for upgades? Will you requal for either Prestige or Elite next year? I have a whole pile of coupons that exire Feb 02, and I wouldn't mind trading for next year's series.

"Premium customers"? What premium customers?? (I didn't know AC had any of those - at least not any more)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

BTW - would they antagonise these mythical passengers more than the non-frequent flier pass-holders who fly in business class for free and with no certificates? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Fly Boy (edited 10-01-2001).]

Give me a break. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe it's the "premium" customers who are the real burden on the airlines?

Every airline employee I know prefers dealing with the "micro-budget" flyers over the "premium" flyers because they tend to be less arrogant, less demanding, less self-righteous, and less likely to attempt to rip-off the airline.

I know from my own personal experiences sitting in F with my $200 "budget" ticket that the "premium" pax sitting next to me (I could always tell they're "premuim" by the boarding pass) is more likely to be unfriendly, demanding, grumpy, arrogant, rude, annoying, and complain complain complain! On the other hand, whenever I'm sitting next to an upgraded pax they're usually friendly, outgoing, respectful of airline employees and fellow passengers.

I'm not saying that all "premium" pax are bad and all "upgraded" pax are good - but I'm just stating what I've observed.

If you look at airlines with the most generous upgrade policies (Continental), airlines that don't cater to the "premium" passenger at all (Southwest), and airlines that offer premium service at lower prices (Midwest Express) - they are very profitable. Maybe there's a lesson to be learned from these airlines. Think about it.

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"You and I have the courage to say to our enemies, 'There is a price we will not pay.' There is a point beyond which they must not advance. This is the meaning of the phrase 'peace through strength.'" - President Ronald Reagan

Fly Al and FlyerBoy, I'll respond with a quote from a very wise FTer http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

AB - I hope you are joking. I dont understand why all of a sudden you and Empress lump my name with FlyerAl in posts, and also a select group of you seem to be relentlessly composing unprovoked negative posts about me. Is there more to the story here? I hadnt realised I had done something to cause so much offence to you, Empress, and a couple others on this board who seem to hate me all of a sudden.

"I know why you wanna hate me...
I know why you wanna hate me...
I know why you wanna hate me...
'Cause hate is all the world has even seen lately." - Limp Bizkit

Fly Boy, I am kinda joking. It's just funny that you two guys always seem to post concurrently. Somehow I envision you two joined at the hip. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif I guess you find being compared to FlyerAl quite insulting. My apologies - that was a pretty low blow. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

And FlyerAl ... What can one say about a guy who quotes Ronald Reagan and Limp Bizkit! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Do you really have any idea of how comical you are? And I really am mystified (and amused) by your flames directed at Fly Boy. This is someone you recently spoke of as one of your idols. You were "proud to call him a friend"; you spoke of his wit and intelligence ... and so on. What's with the sudden turnaround? Which of your heroes will you turn on next? Mike Harris? George W.? Ronald Reagan? Rambo?