Does the $20 or $50 trick (bribe) work for upgrades
Oct 6, 2011, 4:24 pm
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
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I don't think that's the point.
On the vast majority of flights, such behavior would be taking the F seat away from someone entitled to it (via the legitimate upgrade program) OR at worst from a paying-F passenger. At best, you get an empty seat for a tip that goes in the pocket of the gate agent. This is against policy (and flights are audited to review who sat in F) as AA doesn't want to diminish the value of its F product. If you could reliably slip an agent a $20 or a $50, who would ever pay for it?
The situation is not analagous to hotels where there are quite frequently suites or preferred rooms that aren't booked. I'm not condoning the practice per se (even though I have successfully played the $20 trick at the Vdara in Las Vegas and scorred a massive upgrade). But the vast majority of the time, the practice is going to result in you ending up in a room that would have otherwise gone vacant or been given to someone elese for free. The same argument applies though - if your guests figure out they can get away with slipping a $20 and getting a $500 suite for their $99 reservation - they will too stop paying for suites. Which is why hotels like the Wynn/Encore in Las Vegas now aggressively prohibit their front desk clerks from such upgrades.
On the vast majority of flights, such behavior would be taking the F seat away from someone entitled to it (via the legitimate upgrade program) OR at worst from a paying-F passenger. At best, you get an empty seat for a tip that goes in the pocket of the gate agent. This is against policy (and flights are audited to review who sat in F) as AA doesn't want to diminish the value of its F product. If you could reliably slip an agent a $20 or a $50, who would ever pay for it?
The situation is not analagous to hotels where there are quite frequently suites or preferred rooms that aren't booked. I'm not condoning the practice per se (even though I have successfully played the $20 trick at the Vdara in Las Vegas and scorred a massive upgrade). But the vast majority of the time, the practice is going to result in you ending up in a room that would have otherwise gone vacant or been given to someone elese for free. The same argument applies though - if your guests figure out they can get away with slipping a $20 and getting a $500 suite for their $99 reservation - they will too stop paying for suites. Which is why hotels like the Wynn/Encore in Las Vegas now aggressively prohibit their front desk clerks from such upgrades.
Oct 6, 2011, 4:25 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton
Posts: 3,191
L.O.L. I think in this case you mean bribery. Certainly I have never given a monetary tip to a gate/ticket agent.
Seriously, AA has a very, very modest limit on the value of gifts that employees can accept. For example, were you to send a box of chocolates to a reservation agent, it must be shared with other employees.
Seriously, AA has a very, very modest limit on the value of gifts that employees can accept. For example, were you to send a box of chocolates to a reservation agent, it must be shared with other employees.
Oct 6, 2011, 4:29 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2007
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You call 50 dollars tipping?
Sorry, thats more of a African bribe to me
And I hope the agents lose their jobs, I would be pissed if a non-status or GLD steal upgrades from EXPs for 20-50 bucks. Look to the CO or DL board for upgrade shenanigans 
Sorry, thats more of a African bribe to me
Oct 6, 2011, 4:35 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA PLATINUM
Posts: 127
My % is very low compare to others... There are antire forums dedicated to this :
http://www.frontdesktip.com/las-vegas/caesars-palace/
Just like flyertalk, it has thousands of detailed 1st hand accounts of this... Do some reasearch bud.. My 85% is low compared to most
http://www.frontdesktip.com/las-vegas/caesars-palace/
Just like flyertalk, it has thousands of detailed 1st hand accounts of this... Do some reasearch bud.. My 85% is low compared to most
Oct 6, 2011, 4:38 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SFO/SJC/SQL
Posts: 1,412
Hello MR CUSO
I represent certain AMERICAN AIRLINES INTEREST IN AFRICA. As a SENIOR ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN to CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL GERARD ARPEY I have recently been promoted to start NEW ROUTES TO LAGOS NIGERIA. Due to systems malfunctions during computer installation, I am able to UPGRADE YOU TO LIFETIME EXECUTIVE PLATINUM STATUS. We will require ENGINEERS to manipulate the new mainframe requiring an initial deposit to defray costs. in the future, you can purchase the status for anyone at the low price of $2500 UNITED STATES DOLLARS. Please do not let this opportunity be lost..
I represent certain AMERICAN AIRLINES INTEREST IN AFRICA. As a SENIOR ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN to CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL GERARD ARPEY I have recently been promoted to start NEW ROUTES TO LAGOS NIGERIA. Due to systems malfunctions during computer installation, I am able to UPGRADE YOU TO LIFETIME EXECUTIVE PLATINUM STATUS. We will require ENGINEERS to manipulate the new mainframe requiring an initial deposit to defray costs. in the future, you can purchase the status for anyone at the low price of $2500 UNITED STATES DOLLARS. Please do not let this opportunity be lost..
Oct 6, 2011, 4:41 pm
#22
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
Hello MR CUSO
I represent certain AMERICAN AIRLINES INTEREST IN AFRICA. As a SENIOR ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN to CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL GERARD ARPEY I have recently been promoted to start NEW ROUTES TO LAGOS NIGERIA. Due to systems malfunctions during computer installation, I am able to UPGRADE YOU TO LIFETIME EXECUTIVE PLATINUM STATUS. We will require ENGINEERS to manipulate the new mainframe requiring an initial deposit to defray costs. in the future, you can purchase the status for anyone at the low price of $2500 UNITED STATES DOLLARS. Please do not let this opportunity be lost..
I represent certain AMERICAN AIRLINES INTEREST IN AFRICA. As a SENIOR ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN to CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL GERARD ARPEY I have recently been promoted to start NEW ROUTES TO LAGOS NIGERIA. Due to systems malfunctions during computer installation, I am able to UPGRADE YOU TO LIFETIME EXECUTIVE PLATINUM STATUS. We will require ENGINEERS to manipulate the new mainframe requiring an initial deposit to defray costs. in the future, you can purchase the status for anyone at the low price of $2500 UNITED STATES DOLLARS. Please do not let this opportunity be lost..
Willing to nominate this as post of the month even though its only the 6th ^^^
Oct 6, 2011, 4:41 pm
#23
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
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Oct 6, 2011, 4:53 pm
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA PLATINUM
Posts: 127
Ok. But where is the line drawn? My Food server (maybe a free desert), my hotel clerk (very likely an upgrade), the car rental guy (always an upgrade). When in the service industry does it go from a bribe to a tip? Anyhow, they are the ones making it a bribe, they don't have to give me anything
Oct 6, 2011, 4:54 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2011
Location: KTPA
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Try it, and if it works, be sure to let us know the location and name of the AA agent who did this so that we can try it too.....
Oct 6, 2011, 4:59 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA PLATINUM
Posts: 127
When the AAdvantage thing went off, many were salivating at this error, is that any more unethical than offering a tip?
Oct 6, 2011, 5:05 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 699
Bribe is offered as something in exchange for something (i.e. $50 for a room/seat upgrade). A tip is provided afterward for services rendered is customary in certain jobs and is generally based on how well those services were performed (waiter, skycab, taxi).
It's a pretty clear line, I'm not sure where you are getting confused.
It's a pretty clear line, I'm not sure where you are getting confused.
Oct 6, 2011, 5:08 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SLC
Posts: 392
Ok. But where is the line drawn? My Food server (maybe a free desert), my hotel clerk (very likely an upgrade), the car rental guy (always an upgrade). When in the service industry does it go from a bribe to a tip? Anyhow, they are the ones making it a bribe, they don't have to give me anything
A bribe comes with expectations.
Oct 6, 2011, 5:09 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SLC
Posts: 392
Hello MR CUSO
I represent certain AMERICAN AIRLINES INTEREST IN AFRICA. As a SENIOR ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN to CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL GERARD ARPEY I have recently been promoted to start NEW ROUTES TO LAGOS NIGERIA. Due to systems malfunctions during computer installation, I am able to UPGRADE YOU TO LIFETIME EXECUTIVE PLATINUM STATUS. We will require ENGINEERS to manipulate the new mainframe requiring an initial deposit to defray costs. in the future, you can purchase the status for anyone at the low price of $2500 UNITED STATES DOLLARS. Please do not let this opportunity be lost..
I represent certain AMERICAN AIRLINES INTEREST IN AFRICA. As a SENIOR ASSISTANT CHAIRMAN to CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL GERARD ARPEY I have recently been promoted to start NEW ROUTES TO LAGOS NIGERIA. Due to systems malfunctions during computer installation, I am able to UPGRADE YOU TO LIFETIME EXECUTIVE PLATINUM STATUS. We will require ENGINEERS to manipulate the new mainframe requiring an initial deposit to defray costs. in the future, you can purchase the status for anyone at the low price of $2500 UNITED STATES DOLLARS. Please do not let this opportunity be lost..