recognition upgrades
Oct 13, 2012, 8:15 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,199
On TT some have used recognition upgrades to go to Works Deluxe, which seems sub-optimal. Not sure about long haul, but I would say if you were happy to travel in PE then NZ probably wouldn't object.
Oct 13, 2012, 10:57 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 8
I have - SFO to AKL in April this year. I'd put in for the double upgrade, nothing came through; I was advised at the checkin that there were two Gold Elites ahead of me for two remaining business class seats (I'm NZ Gold) and therefore I wouldn't be getting my upgrade - but after I got to the lounge, they called me to the counter and offered me an upgrade to premium economy instead. No fuss. The only issue was that the extra upgrade wasn't re-credited to my account until I called the premium team, but from my experience that happens fairly often with any failed upgrade request anyway. Hope this helps.
Oct 13, 2012, 11:45 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Auckland
Programs: Airnz Elite
Posts: 386
upgrades
I have - SFO to AKL in April this year. I'd put in for the double upgrade, nothing came through; I was advised at the checkin that there were two Gold Elites ahead of me for two remaining business class seats (I'm NZ Gold) and therefore I wouldn't be getting my upgrade - but after I got to the lounge, they called me to the counter and offered me an upgrade to premium economy instead. No fuss. The only issue was that the extra upgrade wasn't re-credited to my account until I called the premium team, but from my experience that happens fairly often with any failed upgrade request anyway. Hope this helps.
At they do try
Does anyone know if they look at
1 time as a GE as only GE for a month (was only jade in March)
2 do they look at the status when it was requested or now (gold when requested)
Oct 14, 2012, 12:25 am
#5
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Kapiti Coast
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold RIP); Airpoints Gold Elite; Flying Blue Gold; Emirates, Gold; Qantas, Platinum
Posts: 352
When trying to use the 2 RUG's I find that NZ have always offered me a PE upgrade first. I usually have to hang around to get the BE upgrade I requested. This is on the HKG/PVG routes - the 772 makes a Y-PE upgrade pointless in my view.
Oct 14, 2012, 1:02 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Auckland
Programs: Airnz Elite
Posts: 386
upgrades
Do you wait at the check in for a decision on the BP or the lounge or the gate or in the plane ?
Do you peek in the BP section to see if there are spare seats ?
Oct 14, 2012, 1:22 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,199
Not all seats will be released for upgrade, and sometimes there are still empty seats in BP or Y+..
So it might be that there are empty seats in BP, despite your request for a Recognition Upgrade. All airlines have to manage seat inventory, and typically, they'll hold some unsold BP seats on the chance there will be a late sale, than release them for a recognition Upgrade.
So it might be that there are empty seats in BP, despite your request for a Recognition Upgrade. All airlines have to manage seat inventory, and typically, they'll hold some unsold BP seats on the chance there will be a late sale, than release them for a recognition Upgrade.
Oct 14, 2012, 2:08 am
#8
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Kapiti Coast
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold RIP); Airpoints Gold Elite; Flying Blue Gold; Emirates, Gold; Qantas, Platinum
Posts: 352
I am informed at check-in (sometimes at the transfer desk in HKG as I transfer from a domestic Chinese flight), or at the UA lounge in HKG. Last trip was PVG and I was offered PE at check-in.
I in all my cases of 2 RU upgrades (3 occasions) I have been informed at the gate as I board - the thrill of the boarding pass being rejected and having a new one proffered.
I have also been declined several times and noticed seats available in BE.
I in all my cases of 2 RU upgrades (3 occasions) I have been informed at the gate as I board - the thrill of the boarding pass being rejected and having a new one proffered.
I have also been declined several times and noticed seats available in BE.
Oct 14, 2012, 4:28 am
#9
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
Not all seats will be released for upgrade, and sometimes there are still empty seats in BP or Y+..
So it might be that there are empty seats in BP, despite your request for a Recognition Upgrade. All airlines have to manage seat inventory, and typically, they'll hold some unsold BP seats on the chance there will be a late sale, than release them for a recognition Upgrade.
So it might be that there are empty seats in BP, despite your request for a Recognition Upgrade. All airlines have to manage seat inventory, and typically, they'll hold some unsold BP seats on the chance there will be a late sale, than release them for a recognition Upgrade.
Oct 14, 2012, 4:47 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Auckland
Programs: Airnz Elite
Posts: 386
holding seats back
Not all seats will be released for upgrade, and sometimes there are still empty seats in BP or Y+..
So it might be that there are empty seats in BP, despite your request for a Recognition Upgrade. All airlines have to manage seat inventory, and typically, they'll hold some unsold BP seats on the chance there will be a late sale, than release them for a recognition Upgrade.
So it might be that there are empty seats in BP, despite your request for a Recognition Upgrade. All airlines have to manage seat inventory, and typically, they'll hold some unsold BP seats on the chance there will be a late sale, than release them for a recognition Upgrade.
They could shift you after takeoff if the seats are empty
Oct 14, 2012, 9:33 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: BA Gold, NZ*G
Posts: 204
They know when the flight closes (just before boarding) if and where the empty seats are. That is usually the last opportunity to find out if you've gone up; at the gate when you board. There should not be any empty seats in business on departure if there are unfulfilled recognition upgrades to business. So they therefore shouldn't be shifting you after departure, because the ground staff have known since the flight closed if there was an empty seat, and if there was, you'd be in it. Also that would be pushing responsibility for processing standby recognition upgrades to the cabin crew, and that doesn't happen... it's solely a ground function.
They say that successful recognition upgrading is subject to not only space but also catering, but these days they fortunately seem to plan the catering with the assumptions that all the revenue pax will show and that everyone who has a standby recognition upgrade in place will get upgraded (to the max cabin capacity of course).
They look at your status on the day of the flight, not the day you requested it. So if you used Gold recognition upgrades at the time of the request, but are GE on the day of departure, the ground staff will assess them taking into account your GE status. Of course the opposite also applies.
They say that successful recognition upgrading is subject to not only space but also catering, but these days they fortunately seem to plan the catering with the assumptions that all the revenue pax will show and that everyone who has a standby recognition upgrade in place will get upgraded (to the max cabin capacity of course).
They look at your status on the day of the flight, not the day you requested it. So if you used Gold recognition upgrades at the time of the request, but are GE on the day of departure, the ground staff will assess them taking into account your GE status. Of course the opposite also applies.
Oct 14, 2012, 11:51 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Auckland
Programs: Airnz Elite
Posts: 386
upgrade
They know when the flight closes (just before boarding) if and where the empty seats are. That is usually the last opportunity to find out if you've gone up; at the gate when you board. There should not be any empty seats in business on departure if there are unfulfilled recognition upgrades to business. So they therefore shouldn't be shifting you after departure, because the ground staff have known since the flight closed if there was an empty seat, and if there was, you'd be in it. Also that would be pushing responsibility for processing standby recognition upgrades to the cabin crew, and that doesn't happen... it's solely a ground function.
They say that successful recognition upgrading is subject to not only space but also catering, but these days they fortunately seem to plan the catering with the assumptions that all the revenue pax will show and that everyone who has a standby recognition upgrade in place will get upgraded (to the max cabin capacity of course).
They look at your status on the day of the flight, not the day you requested it. So if you used Gold recognition upgrades at the time of the request, but are GE on the day of departure, the ground staff will assess them taking into account your GE status. Of course the opposite also applies.
They say that successful recognition upgrading is subject to not only space but also catering, but these days they fortunately seem to plan the catering with the assumptions that all the revenue pax will show and that everyone who has a standby recognition upgrade in place will get upgraded (to the max cabin capacity of course).
They look at your status on the day of the flight, not the day you requested it. So if you used Gold recognition upgrades at the time of the request, but are GE on the day of departure, the ground staff will assess them taking into account your GE status. Of course the opposite also applies.
Dec 14, 2012, 12:20 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: NZ Silver; BA blue; Velocity red; Qantas Silver
Posts: 95
I have requested a recognition upgrade to PE for the return leg of my HKG-AKL flight in January. However, there is a possibility that I might have to delay my return so does anybody know if I will lose that upgrade (assuming I get it approved) or can it be credited back and re-requested on the flight I rebook?
Dec 14, 2012, 3:21 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: BA Gold, NZ*G
Posts: 204
I have requested a recognition upgrade to PE for the return leg of my HKG-AKL flight in January. However, there is a possibility that I might have to delay my return so does anybody know if I will lose that upgrade (assuming I get it approved) or can it be credited back and re-requested on the flight I rebook?
3.2.3.1.9 Subject to clause 5.3, Recognition Upgrades may only be requested during the 12 month period starting on the date on which your applicable Tier Status became effective. Where travel arrangements are changed and a Recognition Upgrade was used in the original travel arrangements, that Recognition Upgrade(s) will be deemed to have expired if at the date of the change to the Member's travel arrangements, the Member no longer qualifies for the applicable Tier Status.
Dec 14, 2012, 4:33 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
I have requested a recognition upgrade to PE for the return leg of my HKG-AKL flight in January. However, there is a possibility that I might have to delay my return so does anybody know if I will lose that upgrade (assuming I get it approved) or can it be credited back and re-requested on the flight I rebook?