Anyone ever get complimentary upgrades?
Apr 10, 2018, 2:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,648
Anyone ever get complimentary upgrades?
I'm just a Gold member but in about 100 flights in 2 years NOT ONCE have I ever received a complimentary upgrade.
Is that something AF reserves for Plat and Ultimate members?
Is that something AF reserves for Plat and Ultimate members?
Apr 10, 2018, 2:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: Flying Blue, SPG, Marriott Rewards, Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 107
I have been Gold last year and I got upgraded 4 times:
Air France (ticket bought from Air France) - Business (intra Europe)
Delta (ticket bought from Air France) - First (short 1 hour domestic trip)
Delta (ticket bought from KLM) - Comfort + (TATL flight)
Delta (ticket bought from Delta) - Comfort + (domestic transcon)
If I take into consideration that my last TATL KLM flight had seats with recline broken that they could not sell and I got a row of 3 seats for myself I can count that as a 5th upgrade
Alas, I am Gold no more.
Air France (ticket bought from Air France) - Business (intra Europe)
Delta (ticket bought from Air France) - First (short 1 hour domestic trip)
Delta (ticket bought from KLM) - Comfort + (TATL flight)
Delta (ticket bought from Delta) - Comfort + (domestic transcon)
If I take into consideration that my last TATL KLM flight had seats with recline broken that they could not sell and I got a row of 3 seats for myself I can count that as a 5th upgrade
Alas, I am Gold no more.
Apr 10, 2018, 3:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
I wish.
It’s all more complicated than it seems — I'm sure there's a thread somewhere with a number of people who had a go at explaining the algorithm behind operational upgrades. That said, I can’t really complain myself as I was lucky enough to get quite a few beeps at the gate over the years, mostly on EU flights, though, as long-haul is exclusively J and I was never lucky enough to get upgraded to the very front of the bus i.e. F
G
It’s all more complicated than it seems — I'm sure there's a thread somewhere with a number of people who had a go at explaining the algorithm behind operational upgrades. That said, I can’t really complain myself as I was lucky enough to get quite a few beeps at the gate over the years, mostly on EU flights, though, as long-haul is exclusively J and I was never lucky enough to get upgraded to the very front of the bus i.e. F
G
Apr 10, 2018, 3:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Finnair Plat, Bonvoy Titanium, National EE
Posts: 122
Yeah, you get op-ups occasionally.
If you mean something like DL does, then no.
You get upgraded only if there are no seats left in Y when there is a need for some, and not if there are any seats left in Biz.
If you mean something like DL does, then no.
You get upgraded only if there are no seats left in Y when there is a need for some, and not if there are any seats left in Biz.
Apr 10, 2018, 3:10 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
Apr 10, 2018, 7:19 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
I used to get at least one per year when I was DL silver and Gold, zero as a DL Plat since 2016.
Apr 11, 2018, 3:06 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: UK somewhere North of London
Programs: DL Skymiles, HiltonH, AA Advantage
Posts: 107
Yes, I've had a comp.upgrade on Delta from LGW to ATL. Ordinary Medallion. Some time ago now. Full plane and I was travelling alone on an economy ticket. What a difference!
Last edited by langham123; Apr 14, 2018 at 5:17 am
Apr 11, 2018, 4:49 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 453
I got one on AF maybe 3 years ago, from Y to W on a CDG-JFK. The flight had lots of empty seats in every cabin, so it wasn't because Y was full. However I had a nice talk with the check in agent and a good laugh with her, so I think that helped .
.
Apr 11, 2018, 4:55 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Cologne
Programs: FB Plat, IHG RA Spire, TK Elite+, HH Diamond, LH SEN, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 972
I get regular upgrades to J for short hops within the EU.
Whether from BHX / LHR / DUS to AMS / CDG or vica versa.
I am Plat and for shorthaul just by the cheapest Y tickets.
Whether from BHX / LHR / DUS to AMS / CDG or vica versa.
I am Plat and for shorthaul just by the cheapest Y tickets.
Apr 11, 2018, 6:54 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,741