Y Pax upgraded by BA staff
Aug 28, 2019, 10:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: LH SEN***, BA Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 11
Y Pax upgraded by BA staff
A short story: flying a great deal on BA WTP, I earn enough Tier Points to maintain Gold, but obviously not a really huge amount of Avios. Imagine my pleasure as I managed to bag a late (only a few days pre-departure) LHR-BKK upgrade to Club World using Avios.
While enjoying the welcome cocktail, 2 passengers - father and daughter - were brought up to the Club World cabin by a crew member. I got into conversation with the father who was seated next to me, who explained that he had been upgraded from World Traveller. I asked if he was BA staff. He said no, but someone who works for him has contacts at BA, and a well-placed phone call resulted in the upgrade after boarding.
Am I just being nasty and petty in feeling rather aggrieved because a) availability for Avios upgrades is notoriously limited even for EC Gold, and b) that I had needed to use my hard-earned Avios for a one-class upgrade, while a phone call to a friend of a friend at BA apparently carries sufficient weight for a freebie 2-class upgrade?
While enjoying the welcome cocktail, 2 passengers - father and daughter - were brought up to the Club World cabin by a crew member. I got into conversation with the father who was seated next to me, who explained that he had been upgraded from World Traveller. I asked if he was BA staff. He said no, but someone who works for him has contacts at BA, and a well-placed phone call resulted in the upgrade after boarding.
Am I just being nasty and petty in feeling rather aggrieved because a) availability for Avios upgrades is notoriously limited even for EC Gold, and b) that I had needed to use my hard-earned Avios for a one-class upgrade, while a phone call to a friend of a friend at BA apparently carries sufficient weight for a freebie 2-class upgrade?
Aug 28, 2019, 10:34 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: BD Silver, HH Gold, BA Silver, CX Gold
Posts: 443
Am I just being nasty and petty in feeling rather aggrieved because a) availability for Avios upgrades is notoriously limited even for EC Gold, and b) that I had needed to use my hard-earned Avios for a one-class upgrade, while a phone call to a friend of a friend at BA apparently carries sufficient weight for a freebie 2-class upgrade?
A good friend of mine managed to get an upgrade from WT to CW on a flight to MIA before. We traveled as a group of 4 and only he moved forward ! Were we worried? Not really
Aug 28, 2019, 10:39 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: On the underground
Programs: BMI Dimond club, BA Executive Club
Posts: 462
I don't think you should be peeved.
Imagine if you got that upgrade how excited it would be.
Also, he might of been bending the truth to try keep you happy or to show off. People don't like to say they paid for an upgrade.
I was upgraded WT to CW from BKK as they had oversold both WT and WT+.
Imagine if you got that upgrade how excited it would be.
Also, he might of been bending the truth to try keep you happy or to show off. People don't like to say they paid for an upgrade.
I was upgraded WT to CW from BKK as they had oversold both WT and WT+.
Aug 28, 2019, 10:55 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 2,999
A
Am I just being nasty and petty in feeling rather aggrieved because a) availability for Avios upgrades is notoriously limited even for EC Gold, and b) that I had needed to use my hard-earned Avios for a one-class upgrade, while a phone call to a friend of a friend at BA apparently carries sufficient weight for a freebie 2-class upgrade?
Am I just being nasty and petty in feeling rather aggrieved because a) availability for Avios upgrades is notoriously limited even for EC Gold, and b) that I had needed to use my hard-earned Avios for a one-class upgrade, while a phone call to a friend of a friend at BA apparently carries sufficient weight for a freebie 2-class upgrade?
But what is the possible link to a & b? They were upgraded on board, when it was too late to use your Avios, or for anyone to use their Avios?
Fundamentally they didn't deny anything to anyone. When BA offer onboard Avios upgrades then you'll have a case.
Aug 28, 2019, 10:57 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: LH SEN***, BA Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 11
I would take your point if it were a simple case of a lucky operational upgrade, but this is not about good fortune/luck is it? If access to an upgrade is about who you know, that devalues the loyalty programme.
Aug 28, 2019, 10:59 am
#8
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,959
as you probably know BA does not release all available seats for rewards and is quite happy to fly aircraft with empty J and F seats.
Aug 28, 2019, 11:04 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA 1MM lifetime gold, Starwood gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 719
I think the OP has a right to feel aggrieved.
If true, the fact that one can get a 2 class upgrade on a long haul BA flight simply by virtue of knowing someone influential at BA, whilst others have to pay a stack of Avios or several hundred pounds for it, feels corrupt.
If true, the fact that one can get a 2 class upgrade on a long haul BA flight simply by virtue of knowing someone influential at BA, whilst others have to pay a stack of Avios or several hundred pounds for it, feels corrupt.
Aug 28, 2019, 11:16 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 698
OP, what you’re saying is understandable, but I think you have to file it away as one of those things.
It’s a bit like Theoretical Seating blocking the seat next to you and then a friendly cabin crew member plonks someone in there.
what can you do?
It’s a bit like Theoretical Seating blocking the seat next to you and then a friendly cabin crew member plonks someone in there.
what can you do?
Aug 28, 2019, 11:20 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Aug 28, 2019, 11:30 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London
Programs: Ba Silver ( for now!)
Posts: 776
A friend used to ( maybe still does we have lost touch ) used to get upgraded on every single flight.
He said he knew someone at ba. Gave no more clues. Goodness only know who he knew. He used to travel to Sydney on economy tickets. Now lives there
Good luck to him !
He said he knew someone at ba. Gave no more clues. Goodness only know who he knew. He used to travel to Sydney on economy tickets. Now lives there
Good luck to him !
Aug 28, 2019, 11:33 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,754
So I'm interested to know what the OP has lost here or how his/her trip was devalued by a lack of enjoyment, lack of safety, lack of space, etc? If the OP were offered a discount on a product because they knew the store owner or a company employee, would they turn that offer down if they could make use of the product or service?
Aug 28, 2019, 11:34 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,076
An upgrade with miles is a different story b/c that's part of the program and subject to some rules, just like J passengers are on tickets which cost different amounts and come with different restrictions.