Does AF limit the number of times a passenger can be upgraded?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: USA
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum For Life, M&M Senator, UA Premier, Accor Club Platinum
Posts: 20
Does AF limit the number of times a passenger can be upgraded?
During my latest flight, AF upgraded me (a rare occurrence, despite AF Red / FB Platinum status for 15+ years) since the flight was full. I forgot how the conversation started but a pair of flight attendants told me that AF actually limits the number of time a passenger can be upgraded per year. They couldn't remember if it was 2 or 3 times per year. This sounds odd. I never heard anything like that before. Can anyone confirm?
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Location: EUR
Programs: FB Plat./BA Gold (thanks BD)/A3 *Gold/HH Diamond/A Club Gold
Posts: 918
I've heard that said before - and certainly my upgrades have only ever been once in a blue moon, never twice in a blue moon....
I do believe that it is part of the infamous algorithm.
I do believe that it is part of the infamous algorithm.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,901
Yes it's true and it's part of the famous mysterious algorithm. It's certainly not 2 or 3 times a year. It can be more than that. Nobody really knows at it depends on many factors.
It's not that odd when you think about it. One shouldn't always rely on an upgrade to travel in the upper class. Otherwise, where's the incentive to book the upper class ? Now, this being said, does AF reward sufficiently the status in their algorithm ? Certainly not IMHO.
Same for the paid upgrades at check-in : you cannot benefit from that all the times.
It's not that odd when you think about it. One shouldn't always rely on an upgrade to travel in the upper class. Otherwise, where's the incentive to book the upper class ? Now, this being said, does AF reward sufficiently the status in their algorithm ? Certainly not IMHO.
Same for the paid upgrades at check-in : you cannot benefit from that all the times.
#4
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,333
Good point. Perhaps one should refrain from adding their FF number to the booking until after (online) check in. Presumably they wont be able to correlate the flights/upgrades in that case..
#5
#6
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
It's still very likely they know exactly who you are because of browser cookies, tracking, passport information, credit card used, etc...
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,540
This is normal commercial behavior nowadays. I understand that the airline database on internet connections is gigantic and algorithms to treat t are highly sophisticated.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
Oddly enough, I had 4 upgrades so far this year, 2 of them were on the same route (CDG-DTW, W→J) in the space of not even 2 weeks and the other 2, again, on the very same route (WAW-CDG, a packed to the brim's A318 on both occasions). So far, my personal best with AF
G
G
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,901
Oddly enough, I had 4 upgrades so far this year, 2 of them were on the same route (CDG-DTW, W→J) in the space of not even 2 weeks and the other 2, again, on the very same route (WAW-CDG, a packed to the brim's A318 on both occasions). So far, my personal best with AF
G
G
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
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I don't think it's 'limiting' per se but indeed, the algorithm includes previous upgrades information, so when you have had some you fall drastically in the priority list. Rumour has it that Platinum/Platinum Ultimate and especially having been there for years does not boost your upgrade likelihood nearly as much as being a low but progressing user (e.g. someone who has qualified for silver or gold for the first time).
#11
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
I don't think it's 'limiting' per se but indeed, the algorithm includes previous upgrades information, so when you have had some you fall drastically in the priority list. Rumour has it that Platinum/Platinum Ultimate and especially having been there for years does not boost your upgrade likelihood nearly as much as being a low but progressing user (e.g. someone who has qualified for silver or gold for the first time).
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,361
I tend to yo-yo among levels from year to year and I have never been upgraded in my Plat years nor in my ivory years. It has always been when Gold or Silver, although usually on the way down rather than the way up. Instances are too few, however, to attempt to discern any pattern from this.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,009
I tend to yo-yo among levels from year to year and I have never been upgraded in my Plat years nor in my ivory years. It has always been when Gold or Silver, although usually on the way down rather than the way up. Instances are too few, however, to attempt to discern any pattern from this.
Yet, on the CDG-BCN route and I have been upgraded twice this year, both times when the plane was overbooked. What I cannot say is whether I as gold was prioritized over a plat.