Does NH offer upgrades at the counter?
 

I'm booked on a mixed class and carrier route trip ticket PVG-NGO-PVG on CA ticket stock.

I know it's just a short flight, but to complete the trip, the return is on NH. Last couple times I've flown NH was all already in J, but this time the return is on Y. My outbound is in J with CA.

I'm curious does NH offer counter upgrades?

Sorry I tried doing a search, but it kept giving me errors.

Generally no. Or at least if they do, it will be the full fare difference between the ticket you have and the seat they have available. There will be no bargain price for the upgrade.

I wish there was. I would love to upgrade some of my upcoming NH long haul segements :)

I was offered an upgrade once for $500 USD from Y to C once at checkin at IAD. I was told that that Y was overbooked.

Yep, I had a similar upgrade from Y to C for 300 GBP, LHR-NRT. It was offered to everyone irrespective of the original fare paid. I guess this only happens if they are overbooked though.

Clever, selling what they will have to give for free otherwise. I would probably take it though if it was offered to me. Never happened to me though.

+1.

I have also been asked the same thing. At least they were honest about it. The agent said "the flight is overbooked in coach and you can buy an upgrade to business class for a low upgrade fee of $500, or we will most likely end up having to give the upgrade to someone for FREE..." :) IIRC, nobody took the bait and they did end up having to give away the free upgrade.(and no, not to me :( )

I know I've posted these experiences elsewhere but am not sure where that thread is buried... somewhere around here undoubtedly.

Generally I pre-confirm my upgrades with miles or upgrade points, 95% of the time C to F, and a few times Y to C. I have never done same day upgrades with upgrade instruments.

I have a couple of data points to add to the discussion.

1.) Perhaps 3 years ago in Shanghai, I was offered a buy up (when I asked) at the ticket counter from Y to C on a flight to Narita. I am not 100% sure on the cost these days, but I want to say $200-$300. Pulled the trigger. I am not sure if Y was oversold, but that may explain it....

2.) Because on another occasion I tried to pull the same thing at the ticket counter in PVG and was told I'd need to buy a whole new ticket and waste my existing one. And I was on a bloody Y fare. No go. I sat in Y. This was also a few years ago.

I have never, once, seen NH offer any upgrades for any class of service at the gate @ SFO or NRT, but that's just one person's experience. Besides, I spend most of my time at the lounge vs hanging around with the gate lice. :D

NH does offer a same-day cash upgrade service for flights that are overbooked in Y: http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/japan/e/loc...vice/plantrip/

It's not a good deal for every route.

Thanks guys. I'll probably just settle for Y. It's only two three hours and I wanted to end the trip in J. It's not like it'll be my last time flying.

That's good to know. Does anyone have any experience with this? How many pax actually take NH up on the offer to buy up in oversold situations? Or does NH typically end up giving these away for free. If for free, do they off a complimentary upgrade to their *A Gold customers, perhaps based on fare class booked?

If given for free it will generally go to the ANA Diamond and Platinum members. Other Star Alliance Gold cards even coming after *S from NH. Though I have landed a couple of upgrades on my Scandinavian Airlines card, they are definitely rare and unlikely for partner Gold cards.

I flew HKG-NRT (followed by NRT-SFO on UA) that was in J on the UA leg and Y on the HKG leg. When I arrived and checked in I saw my BP printed with a C on it and got rather excited as Y was overbooked and they upgraded me.

*G and wasn't on full fare nor super discount Y fare.

last year we flew iAd-nrt-iad. tried to up ug from C to F. there were 4 seats available. was told i could not, as they did not have proper food available. tried to ug this year, a week in advance from C to f. got danced around and around until i said thank you, and sat in C.