Do 'couples' op-ups ever happen?
Feb 5, 2015, 2:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bristol (ex-Londoner)
Programs: BAEC Blue, VS Flying Club
Posts: 231
Do 'couples' op-ups ever happen?
My other half and I have a Valentines getaway to JFK booked next week, and we've been consistently shown POUG rates for both legs - potentially signifying high availability for WT+ (we're discount Y).
Before anyone attempts to jump on me saying that I'm expecting an op-up, I'm not - this question is partially practical and partially out of curiosity.
Now, I obviously don't expect to be anywhere close to the top of the op-up list, even if I was travelling solo due to being a lowly Blue, but are op-ups ever done in pairs, or does the BA system always pluck two solo travellers (if two slots even exist)?
Before anyone attempts to jump on me saying that I'm expecting an op-up, I'm not - this question is partially practical and partially out of curiosity.
Now, I obviously don't expect to be anywhere close to the top of the op-up list, even if I was travelling solo due to being a lowly Blue, but are op-ups ever done in pairs, or does the BA system always pluck two solo travellers (if two slots even exist)?
Feb 5, 2015, 2:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,447
Yes. My most recent op-up was a year or two ago, so I can't rule out the possibility that things have changed, but it was for both me and Mrs IMH from WT+ to CW.
You are, of course, absolutely right not to expect an upgrade. Ever.
You are, of course, absolutely right not to expect an upgrade. Ever.
Feb 5, 2015, 2:34 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Central Scotland
Programs: MUCCI - Order of the Diamond Hairbrush and Champion of Queens,BA Broon,HH Diamond,PC Plat,BA Amex
Posts: 1,122
Can't say about your particular route, but it did happen to me a few years ago (albeit on a shorter sector, LHR-LCA).
We connected down from Glasgow, and when we got to the gate the little machine beeped ................ and they moved all 4 of us from ET to CE. This was on a regular old 767, but it was gratefully accepted by the whole family !
We connected down from Glasgow, and when we got to the gate the little machine beeped ................ and they moved all 4 of us from ET to CE. This was on a regular old 767, but it was gratefully accepted by the whole family !
Feb 5, 2015, 2:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: MCO; Formerly DCA/IAD
Programs: BAEC Gold; Hilton Gold
Posts: 176
It happens! On my first ever BA flight we went from IAD-LHR in WT. When we checked in for the return we saw we had been upgraded to WT+ and then when we got to the airport had a problem at the kiosk printing our boarding passes so we had to go to the counter only to find we'd been upgraded to CW.
Feb 5, 2015, 2:40 pm
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: BTV
Programs: BA Gold, UA Premier Platinum, DL Gold, Lifetime Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 870
Do 'couples' op-ups ever happen?
Absolutely! Happened to me and my spouse twice over the Christmas Holidays. Perhaps my BA Gold status helped.
Feb 5, 2015, 2:46 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bristol (ex-Londoner)
Programs: BAEC Blue, VS Flying Club
Posts: 231
Gah, now all of you have got my hopes up! 
Hoping that frugalness (see my other thread on POUG fees) pays off
Hoping that frugalness (see my other thread on POUG fees) pays off
Feb 5, 2015, 2:56 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,447
Feb 5, 2015, 2:58 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: BAEC silver
Posts: 464
Last time I was flying MEL-LHR two friends were in CW, the husband was offered an OpUp to F which he declined. Sadly I was in WT+ or he may have sent it my way.
Flying LHR-ORD with four mates, three of us were OpUp'd to CW but the only pair on the same PNR remained in WT+, we managed to get them in the lounge but they were disappointed to say the least!
Flying LHR-ORD with four mates, three of us were OpUp'd to CW but the only pair on the same PNR remained in WT+, we managed to get them in the lounge but they were disappointed to say the least!