Bid for upgrade
Aug 14, 2018, 4:14 pm
#61
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 8
I was successful in bidding for an upgrade from economy to premium economy (ORD to FCO) at 160 euros per person.
However, we are in seats 8A and 8C on the A330, and I've heard some reports that these are very close to the bulkhead, giving very limited legroom. I'm wondering if I should switch to the middle section in Row 9 or 10 (only option available). Anyone have any experience with these seats?
However, we are in seats 8A and 8C on the A330, and I've heard some reports that these are very close to the bulkhead, giving very limited legroom. I'm wondering if I should switch to the middle section in Row 9 or 10 (only option available). Anyone have any experience with these seats?
Sep 16, 2018, 3:42 pm
#62
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SCL
Programs: LH FTL, LATAM Platinum, KL Silver, UA Premier Silver
Posts: 121
More than 72 h before departure, I have been confirmed the upgrade from Y+ to C from GRU to FCO at a price of EUR 300.00 which I found very acceptable.
I have been assigned a single seat in row 11 (the last in the C cabin and I am not able to change this online), so I could perhaps suffer some menu issues, but for me getting a decent bit of sleep is what counts in first place.
If I remember correctly, this was the lowest possible bid for this route or at least very close.
Together with the upgrade, I have now paid around EUR 900.00 for a one-way which includes an SCL - GRU leg in Y+ (on LA, but bought through AZ) and finally the short hop from FCO to NCE in Y - quite good value in my opinion.
I have been assigned a single seat in row 11 (the last in the C cabin and I am not able to change this online), so I could perhaps suffer some menu issues, but for me getting a decent bit of sleep is what counts in first place.
If I remember correctly, this was the lowest possible bid for this route or at least very close.
Together with the upgrade, I have now paid around EUR 900.00 for a one-way which includes an SCL - GRU leg in Y+ (on LA, but bought through AZ) and finally the short hop from FCO to NCE in Y - quite good value in my opinion.
Last edited by SenSCL; Sep 16, 2018 at 3:50 pm
Sep 29, 2018, 6:10 pm
#63
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Programs: KrisFlyer Elite Gold
Posts: 47
My itinerary:
9/21 LAX-FCO
9/29 FCO-LAX
Bid 650€ each way, minimum was 580€. Seemed fair since rack rate for business class on those dates was around $9k, I bought my economy round trip for $1300. If both bids would've been accepted, I would've paid ~$2700 for the round trip.
My LAX-FCO was accepted but Alitalia had an issue processing payment. They sent me an email to to update my card details and said that if there was availability, they would try to process it again. Their instructions said not to check in to the flight until I got further notice. I made the mistake of checking in before receiving those instructions. I then canceled my check in but never got my upgrade. I don't know whether it's because there was no availability or because I had checked in previously. Either way, I was stuck in economy and it was a terrible flight. My cupholder was broken and one end of my seatbelt was stuck between the seats. These planes are ancient and the entertainment system screen was maybe 4", and there's no wifi.
Luckily with my new card details, my FCO-LAX return flight later today has been upgraded! Still, I'm not expecting much with these planes being so old.
9/21 LAX-FCO
9/29 FCO-LAX
Bid 650€ each way, minimum was 580€. Seemed fair since rack rate for business class on those dates was around $9k, I bought my economy round trip for $1300. If both bids would've been accepted, I would've paid ~$2700 for the round trip.
My LAX-FCO was accepted but Alitalia had an issue processing payment. They sent me an email to to update my card details and said that if there was availability, they would try to process it again. Their instructions said not to check in to the flight until I got further notice. I made the mistake of checking in before receiving those instructions. I then canceled my check in but never got my upgrade. I don't know whether it's because there was no availability or because I had checked in previously. Either way, I was stuck in economy and it was a terrible flight. My cupholder was broken and one end of my seatbelt was stuck between the seats. These planes are ancient and the entertainment system screen was maybe 4", and there's no wifi.
Luckily with my new card details, my FCO-LAX return flight later today has been upgraded! Still, I'm not expecting much with these planes being so old.
Nov 8, 2018, 10:44 am
#64
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: VA
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 154
Bid 540 Euros for JFK-FCO this week, and it was accepted at the T-72 hour mark. Especially nice since it's a reasonably long TATL flight (compared to something like JFK-CDG), I was able to get a solid 5-6 hours of sleep.
Keith
Keith
Dec 5, 2018, 2:23 pm
#65
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Belgrade, RS
Programs: MilleMiglia, Etihad Guest, Le Club AccorHotels
Posts: 19
I find this topic full of very useful tips and a huge THANK YOU to all the participants. I will most likely travel BEG-FCO-YYZ and vice versa in late June 2019 in PE. Alitalia is the only airline to affer PE on this route just a bit under 1000 EUR.
Has anyone got any info about the biddings FCO-YYZ / YYZ-FCO?
It might be off topic, but... my one and only bidding experience (a successful one was with LH on MUC-BEG flight for 85EUR in January 2018).
Has anyone got any info about the biddings FCO-YYZ / YYZ-FCO?
It might be off topic, but... my one and only bidding experience (a successful one was with LH on MUC-BEG flight for 85EUR in January 2018).
Dec 6, 2018, 1:45 am
#66
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
Dobar dan, @darusazrs.
A very warm welcome amongst us here on FlyerTalk and I hope all well down in Београд
Concerning the bidding process: I am relatively sure you would already be able to see the minimum offer following the link below (and inputting your booking code etc. needless to say) –
https://upgrade.plusgrade.com/offer/Alitalia
A number of reports from other users suggest that the minimum bid is often accepted but you could also do some 'homework' at some point (i.e. say 2/3 months before your flight) and see how busy the cabin is (I'm sure you've heard of ExpertFlyer).
Please let us know in case of any further questions and, again, welcome to FlyerTalk!
G
A very warm welcome amongst us here on FlyerTalk and I hope all well down in Београд
Concerning the bidding process: I am relatively sure you would already be able to see the minimum offer following the link below (and inputting your booking code etc. needless to say) –
https://upgrade.plusgrade.com/offer/Alitalia
A number of reports from other users suggest that the minimum bid is often accepted but you could also do some 'homework' at some point (i.e. say 2/3 months before your flight) and see how busy the cabin is (I'm sure you've heard of ExpertFlyer).
Please let us know in case of any further questions and, again, welcome to FlyerTalk!
G
Dec 22, 2018, 1:05 pm
#67
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: OW/AA, DL, UA; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,936
Amex Travel, Last minute
2 Questions:
Is one eligible to bid on an upgrade if the ticket is issued by alitalia but purchased through AmEx travel? (IME, tickets purchased through AmEx travel are still issued by the operating carrier)
Does the Bid for Upgrade window "close" at 72 hours pre-departure? (Would look to upgrade from PE to Biz which doesn't seem to be possible on tge Checkin/At the airpirt
Is one eligible to bid on an upgrade if the ticket is issued by alitalia but purchased through AmEx travel? (IME, tickets purchased through AmEx travel are still issued by the operating carrier)
Does the Bid for Upgrade window "close" at 72 hours pre-departure? (Would look to upgrade from PE to Biz which doesn't seem to be possible on tge Checkin/At the airpirt
Dec 22, 2018, 2:25 pm
#69
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
2 Questions:
Is one eligible to bid on an upgrade if the ticket is issued by alitalia but purchased through AmEx travel? (IME, tickets purchased through AmEx travel are still issued by the operating carrier)
Does the Bid for Upgrade window "close" at 72 hours pre-departure? (Would look to upgrade from PE to Biz which doesn't seem to be possible on tge Checkin/At the airpirt
Is one eligible to bid on an upgrade if the ticket is issued by alitalia but purchased through AmEx travel? (IME, tickets purchased through AmEx travel are still issued by the operating carrier)
Does the Bid for Upgrade window "close" at 72 hours pre-departure? (Would look to upgrade from PE to Biz which doesn't seem to be possible on tge Checkin/At the airpirt
PNR/055 ticket, which can be used to initiate the bid for upgrade process via the airline’s website (note: such reservations made through third party providers would not trigger the usual e-mail from Alitalia asking whether indeed you wish to place a bid).
I hope this helps.
G
Dec 22, 2018, 5:24 pm
#70
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
I’m booked in PE in January, LON-FCO-GRU. Minimum bid to go to J was EUR260; following advice elsewhere on FT I have bid EUR265. I’ll keep you posted; in the meantime is anyone here able to do a load check? J looks empty by the seat map but I know that’s not always the full picture.
Dec 22, 2018, 11:59 pm
#71
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
I’m booked in PE in January, LON-FCO-GRU. Minimum bid to go to J was EUR260; following advice elsewhere on FT I have bid EUR265. I’ll keep you posted; in the meantime is anyone here able to do a load check? J looks empty by the seat map but I know that’s not always the full picture.
G
Dec 23, 2018, 12:52 am
#72
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: OW/AA, DL, UA; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,936
Yes to both questions. A reservation through Amex Travel will generate a standard Alitalia’s
PNR/055 ticket, which can be used to initiate the bid for upgrade process via the airline’s website (note: such reservations made through third party providers would not trigger the usual e-mail from Alitalia asking whether indeed you wish to place a bid).
I hope this helps.
G
Looks like upgrading from PE to biz long haul may not be possible on a last minute purchase ( within 72 hours) as the bidding window will have "closed", and the Alitalia website link upthread seems to read possible/available via checkin/at the airport port option.
Dec 23, 2018, 3:54 am
#73
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
Dec 23, 2018, 6:00 am
#74
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
G
Dec 25, 2018, 6:34 pm
#75
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Essex, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club, AZ, VS, AA, UA
Posts: 602
Thanks G - it is indeed a pretty bad website, mobile app pretty poor too. I think BA’s site, by comparison, is excellent and easy to navigate. Not seen many worse than AZ. I hope they are able to invest in improving it soon.