Do I hold the record?
Sep 10, 2018, 3:53 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold(twice), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 679
I've only had 7 upgrades. This year that is. I guess it's only just September however. Some here mainly travel First, which in my experience makes upgrades really quite difficult.
I have had one downgrade on BA (and a lot more on AA) but that was a long time ago, HEL-LHR.
I have had one downgrade on BA (and a lot more on AA) but that was a long time ago, HEL-LHR.
Sep 10, 2018, 4:17 pm
#32
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,722
Sep 10, 2018, 6:12 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 494
I don't recall how many or how frequently I've had upgrades over the years, or my hit rate. ut two, one on BA and one on QF, have come after enquiring unsuccessfully about the possibility of a paid upgrade.
One or two have stuck in my memory. My first ever was many years ago on Pan Am from LAX to LHR, very soon after they went from two-class (First and Economy) to three, (First, Business and Economy). Two of us were upgraded from Economy to Business, even though the flight was nowhere near full, obviously trying to get us to pay for the new Business in future.
Once as Silver I guested a Blue friend on the same flight into the lounge. She got an upgrade there, but I didn't. However at the gate I got a bleep and the agent said "Oh, Mr D, you have already boarded". It quickly transpired that it was the person who had been upgraded to my WT+ seat who was already on board and there was a new BP wairing for me, for a seat next to my friend.
And then a few years ago I was upgraded from WT+ to J both ways on a trip from LHR to ICN. Two friends who travelled the previous day had also been upgraded, and all three of us were upgraded on the way home. Korea seems to be the place to go if you want to improve your upgrade hit rate!
One or two have stuck in my memory. My first ever was many years ago on Pan Am from LAX to LHR, very soon after they went from two-class (First and Economy) to three, (First, Business and Economy). Two of us were upgraded from Economy to Business, even though the flight was nowhere near full, obviously trying to get us to pay for the new Business in future.
Once as Silver I guested a Blue friend on the same flight into the lounge. She got an upgrade there, but I didn't. However at the gate I got a bleep and the agent said "Oh, Mr D, you have already boarded". It quickly transpired that it was the person who had been upgraded to my WT+ seat who was already on board and there was a new BP wairing for me, for a seat next to my friend.
And then a few years ago I was upgraded from WT+ to J both ways on a trip from LHR to ICN. Two friends who travelled the previous day had also been upgraded, and all three of us were upgraded on the way home. Korea seems to be the place to go if you want to improve your upgrade hit rate!
Sep 10, 2018, 6:44 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA Plat, Starwood Gold, AX Plat, Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 1,380
In 20 years, with 5 as Gold, I've never been upgraded. I've been downgraded J to Y twice. Probably 200 flights total.
Sep 10, 2018, 7:13 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: All the usual suspects
Posts: 342
18 years, 2 upgrades
Y to C ....LHR - ALG on a massively overbooked flight.
W to C ....DME-LHR, my traveling colleague went from Y to W at check in and then to W at the gate, they were handing out upgrades like crazy that day,
Oh and the crew on a flight from ISB to LHR in Y asked me if I wanted to sit in W one time, this was after about 2 hours into the flight, not sure why....didn't ask, didn't care .GCH maybe?
Y to C ....LHR - ALG on a massively overbooked flight.
W to C ....DME-LHR, my traveling colleague went from Y to W at check in and then to W at the gate, they were handing out upgrades like crazy that day,
Oh and the crew on a flight from ISB to LHR in Y asked me if I wanted to sit in W one time, this was after about 2 hours into the flight, not sure why....didn't ask, didn't care .GCH maybe?
Sep 10, 2018, 9:57 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: BAEC GGL, LTG & CCR; IC RA; Hilton D (free from BA)
Posts: 400
12 years this week, I guess 9 of them as gold or GGL, only upgrades I recall was one year when I slipped to silver and got a club to first and another fromY to club europe on a Brussels. I dont really care, I pay for what I want, don't think i have ever flown WT+ and usually there is no where to upgrade to anyway. I think we all know status doesn't figure much in the decision making and the OpUp is a commercial decision and in my view why shouldn't it be.
Sep 11, 2018, 9:22 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: San Francisco
Programs: BA GGL, UA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 82
I only ever had one upgrade in twelve years of gold (CW to F) then suddenly two this year alone.
WT+ to CW is where I had success this year.
I think the LHR-LAX route in WT+ and WT gets very busy during summer.
For clarity, I don’t expect an upgrade at any time.
WT+ to CW is where I had success this year.
I think the LHR-LAX route in WT+ and WT gets very busy during summer.
For clarity, I don’t expect an upgrade at any time.
Sep 11, 2018, 9:52 am
#40
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,981
I think a lot depends on timing. I've had a few op ups but they tend to cluster around holiday times and if I am travelling on my own, which makes sense, as I imagine that on the one hand the Y (and where applicable, WTP) cabins are more likely to be busy/oversold, whereas on the other hand the premium cabins might be quieter.
Sep 11, 2018, 10:02 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,065
I joined in 2006, I believe and have been Silver for all of it apart from 18 months at Gold. Almost always travelling alone on the 141 BA flights I've taken.
Fly in CE and WTP mostly, with a quite a few CW on deals here and there and the odd WT and ET. Only managed F twice on points upgrades.
Upgraded once from DUB to LCY.
The low number is probably due to the fact I am usually connecting DUB-LHR-XXX due to living in Ireland and the fact I travel in CE most of the time in Europe.
One year they wanted to bump people off an oversold LHR-SYD at Christmas and I was willing to go for it, but "as you're on a connection, we can't get your luggage so no".
Fly in CE and WTP mostly, with a quite a few CW on deals here and there and the odd WT and ET. Only managed F twice on points upgrades.
Upgraded once from DUB to LCY.
The low number is probably due to the fact I am usually connecting DUB-LHR-XXX due to living in Ireland and the fact I travel in CE most of the time in Europe.
One year they wanted to bump people off an oversold LHR-SYD at Christmas and I was willing to go for it, but "as you're on a connection, we can't get your luggage so no".
Sep 11, 2018, 11:08 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: BAEC - Silver
Posts: 130
I have been a member for 12 years and flown 146 sectors in that time. I've had 1 upgrade, (W to J) so pretty similar to those above.
Now if I count the number of sectors that I was not in CE, (no chance of upgrade), or F, (again very little room to move forward), then we're down to 27 sectors. Brings me up to a still slightly disappointing but better than many 3.7%!
I've flown VS a number of times and had 1 upgrade. Doing the same maths I reckon my percentage is closer to 15% but then after than 1 upgrade it changed our flight expectations so with quite number of sectors since then they've never had the chance to upgrade us again! Well played Richard! Well played!
Now if I count the number of sectors that I was not in CE, (no chance of upgrade), or F, (again very little room to move forward), then we're down to 27 sectors. Brings me up to a still slightly disappointing but better than many 3.7%!
I've flown VS a number of times and had 1 upgrade. Doing the same maths I reckon my percentage is closer to 15% but then after than 1 upgrade it changed our flight expectations so with quite number of sectors since then they've never had the chance to upgrade us again! Well played Richard! Well played!
Sep 11, 2018, 12:45 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 151
Sep 11, 2018, 12:55 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: France
Programs: MUCCI, BA LTG/GGL/CCR, AF PLAT, ETHIHAD AND LH USELESS PLASTIC
Posts: 2,063
Honestly no idea how many flights either, but at least 6 every year with BA (ET to CE, WT+ to CW and CW to F) and that's consistent over the last 10 years. So easily 60+ upgrades in that period.
I have been GGL for half that time and now GFL. I am sure that helps.
Thankfully my only ever downgrade was J to Y on AA between somewhere in Canada and Dallas. I got over it... eventually
I have been GGL for half that time and now GFL. I am sure that helps.
Thankfully my only ever downgrade was J to Y on AA between somewhere in Canada and Dallas. I got over it... eventually
