Feb 1, 2015, 6:29 am
Last edit by: Prospero
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Prospero
Moderator: BA forum
This thread was archived for posterity on 01 February 2015.
Prospero
Moderator: BA forum
ULTIMATE BA Upgrade Discussion/Experiences Thread
Jun 12, 2007, 7:00 am
#106
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Scotland but English and proud of it!
Programs: BA Prem, LH Blue, Thai Gold ,KLM Ivory, Priority Club Plat, HiltonH Gold, Marriott gold
Posts: 1,046
Flew coach last month and was upgraded to World Traveller Plus. I was "comfortably" seated next to some very pleasant pensions flying from LHR to BOS and the purser (I think) came back and asked if I wouldn't be more comfortable in WT+. I said yes, and he brought me to an aisle seat in an empty row. Then he brought another Gold passenger up to the other end of the aisle, with two empty seats in between. Aaaah.
First time in all my US flights I have been UG FROM the US though.
Jun 20, 2007, 7:29 am
#107
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 8
Well luckily I didn't need to buy up. Flew in jeans and a jacket for the first time in as long as I can remember (I'm normally suited and booted) and got an OpUp at checkin.
Missed OLCI and turned up at the desk with a travelling companion. Asked for some aisle seats next to each other and were told there weren't even seats next to each other in the back. A quick phone call later without me even asking and we were offered two seats in WTP with a vacant one next to us.
Boarding cards were marked "Invol Upgrade" but not quite sure why she bothered as I can't think of any restriction an invol OpUp to WTP would have over a purchased WTP ticket (miles/points apart).
Flight back was my first in NNCW. Needless to say the IFE hung, the tray wouldn't pop open, two neighbouring seats weren't working and whenever I moved on my flat bed it sprung back to the reclined position without the motor doing anything... but still better than anything else we've seen.
Missed OLCI and turned up at the desk with a travelling companion. Asked for some aisle seats next to each other and were told there weren't even seats next to each other in the back. A quick phone call later without me even asking and we were offered two seats in WTP with a vacant one next to us.
Boarding cards were marked "Invol Upgrade" but not quite sure why she bothered as I can't think of any restriction an invol OpUp to WTP would have over a purchased WTP ticket (miles/points apart).
Flight back was my first in NNCW. Needless to say the IFE hung, the tray wouldn't pop open, two neighbouring seats weren't working and whenever I moved on my flat bed it sprung back to the reclined position without the motor doing anything... but still better than anything else we've seen.
Jul 2, 2007, 5:23 am
#108
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Portsmouth UK
Programs: BA, Lufthansa, SPG, Hilton, BMI, Air France, Virgin, Hilton, Sofitel
Posts: 3
Upgrade from WT+ to F
I was travelling with a colleague (he worked for me) from NY to LHR. My assistant in UK had accidentally booked me WT+ not C. My colleague got bumped to F, then he had a word with the CSD and I got asked to move to F. Sometimes it can happen.
And once, some time ago, obviously, I arrived at LHR *VERY* early for a flight to NY; check-in asked if I'd mind going 30 minutes later as my flight was full, and I said no problem, 30 minutes could easily be spent at the end of the runway waiting for clearance. Then they told me that I was going on Concorde....and got there before the other flight anyway....
And once, some time ago, obviously, I arrived at LHR *VERY* early for a flight to NY; check-in asked if I'd mind going 30 minutes later as my flight was full, and I said no problem, 30 minutes could easily be spent at the end of the runway waiting for clearance. Then they told me that I was going on Concorde....and got there before the other flight anyway....
Jul 2, 2007, 5:49 am
#110
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Portsmouth UK
Programs: BA, Lufthansa, SPG, Hilton, BMI, Air France, Virgin, Hilton, Sofitel
Posts: 3
Thanks
This is a most interesting discussion. I fly every week, mostly in "J" in Europe, and note that generally, there seems to be little an individual can do to influence an upgrade, apart from get to Gold or Elite. Again though, last year I was upgraded from Business to First (along with a couple of other GoldMembers) from India, but only as we boarded the plane. Thanks for the welcome.
On another slightly related point, I missed a connection in CDG recently (and Air France were not terribly helpful) so booked to Stockholm next day via Dusseldorf with LH. When I got on the plane (it was a late booking) the CSD apologised for no hot meal on the CDG-Dusseldorf leg, and I thought nothing of it. I was quite surprised therefore to receive an e-mail from LH apologising for the lack of a hotmeal, and inviting me to spend 50 pounds (sterling) on a meal and send them the receipt for reimbursement. Now that's a nice touch.
On another slightly related point, I missed a connection in CDG recently (and Air France were not terribly helpful) so booked to Stockholm next day via Dusseldorf with LH. When I got on the plane (it was a late booking) the CSD apologised for no hot meal on the CDG-Dusseldorf leg, and I thought nothing of it. I was quite surprised therefore to receive an e-mail from LH apologising for the lack of a hotmeal, and inviting me to spend 50 pounds (sterling) on a meal and send them the receipt for reimbursement. Now that's a nice touch.
Jul 5, 2007, 5:27 am
#111
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: BA Gold, US Airways Silver, SAA Blue, Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 73
upgrades from Y
I've been upgraded 3 times in the last 2 months, travelling on Y all three times. Got bumped to W (CPT - LHR) after asking LOL. Then for a flight to JFK got bumped to WT+ at checkin and CW at the gate. And got an upgrade to the upper deck on Sat coming back from JFK to LHR :-)
Jul 18, 2007, 8:29 am
#112
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: The Island. UK
Programs: BAEC Silver/Hilton Diamond/IHG Spire
Posts: 351
Lucky Me!!
Recently flew LHR-MRU on WT+ got upgraded to NGCW on the way out
and then FIRST on the way back^. Not bad for my first flights with BA for a very long time. I think i may be flying with Ba bit more often now
THANK YOU BA!!
and then FIRST on the way back^. Not bad for my first flights with BA for a very long time. I think i may be flying with Ba bit more often nowTHANK YOU BA!!
Last edited by baileysserpant; Jul 18, 2007 at 8:35 am
Jul 18, 2007, 9:38 am
#113
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC - Silver
Posts: 271
First ever SH UG with BA!
I've been a BA silver for about 10 years (gold for one of those) and fly a few times a month to Europe and a few times a year to US (almost always in Y).
Until last week I've never had a SH UG from ET to CE, plenty of LH UGs at either end over the years. Anyway, broke my duck on a morning flight to CDG last week when I got an op up at the gate to 1F. Unfortunately I'd set my expectations too high thinking there might be a cooked breakfast on offer but it was pleasant enough.
All in all it was an strangely lucky travel day, no traffic on m4, no security Q in T4 (at 9am) on time flight, UG, and pretty much the same on the way home (I was already booked into CE). Only glitch was being rejected again by the Iris machine (my retinas must have warped or something). I must have used up all my good travel karma in one shot.
Now that I've renewed silver for another year I was planning on avoiding travelling on BA until T5 opens (or at least until my membership year restarts in October) given the awful last year or so at LHR...however this trip has rose tinted my specs again...
Until last week I've never had a SH UG from ET to CE, plenty of LH UGs at either end over the years. Anyway, broke my duck on a morning flight to CDG last week when I got an op up at the gate to 1F. Unfortunately I'd set my expectations too high thinking there might be a cooked breakfast on offer but it was pleasant enough.
All in all it was an strangely lucky travel day, no traffic on m4, no security Q in T4 (at 9am) on time flight, UG, and pretty much the same on the way home (I was already booked into CE). Only glitch was being rejected again by the Iris machine (my retinas must have warped or something). I must have used up all my good travel karma in one shot.
Now that I've renewed silver for another year I was planning on avoiding travelling on BA until T5 opens (or at least until my membership year restarts in October) given the awful last year or so at LHR...however this trip has rose tinted my specs again...
Last edited by BitPipe; Jul 18, 2007 at 11:44 am Reason: fat fingers
Jul 18, 2007, 9:52 am
#114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA LTG + GGL, SPG LTP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 12,695
Jul 18, 2007, 12:59 pm
#115
Guest
Posts: n/a
................
Last edited by Bukhara; Jul 26, 2012 at 6:52 pm
Jul 18, 2007, 1:41 pm
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, BA LTG + GGL, SPG LTP, HHonors Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador
Posts: 12,695
Now, the question is would one count that as an upgrade or a downgrade?!?
Jul 18, 2007, 2:56 pm
#117
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,447
Arrived in LGW lounge on Sunday after a fractious trip down from MAN. Presented my J BP and was told my seat had been changed for the trip to IAH.
Thought about coming over all irate for a few seconds at the thought of being moved from aisle to middle seat when I was presented with a BP for 3K!
My colleage followed on the same flight next day. When he got on board, he found someone sitting in his seat with a BP for the seat as well. He went to see the FA who moved him up to F. As she was showing him his seat, she said "I hope that's OK, Mr White". He said "I'm not Mr White, I'm Mr Black" at which point he was whisked back into J and the other passenger was moved up to F. God was he pi$$ed off when I met him at IAH.
Thought about coming over all irate for a few seconds at the thought of being moved from aisle to middle seat when I was presented with a BP for 3K!
My colleage followed on the same flight next day. When he got on board, he found someone sitting in his seat with a BP for the seat as well. He went to see the FA who moved him up to F. As she was showing him his seat, she said "I hope that's OK, Mr White". He said "I'm not Mr White, I'm Mr Black" at which point he was whisked back into J and the other passenger was moved up to F. God was he pi$$ed off when I met him at IAH.
Jul 18, 2007, 3:14 pm
#118
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,932
My colleage followed on the same flight next day. When he got on board, he found someone sitting in his seat with a BP for the seat as well. He went to see the FA who moved him up to F. As she was showing him his seat, she said "I hope that's OK, Mr White". He said "I'm not Mr White, I'm Mr Black" at which point he was whisked back into J and the other passenger was moved up to F. God was he pi$$ed off when I met him at IAH.
Jul 18, 2007, 3:47 pm
#120
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 494
There must be some kind of policy. In January I declined an invol u/g at the gate from WT to WT+. I wasn't travelling with my girlfriend (individual PNR's, although supposedly linked) and we wanted to sit together and they wouldn't/couldn't u/g her.
When we got on the flight someone was already sitting in my aisle WT seat. I told him it was my allocated seat, but that he would likely get my WT+ seat. I called a cabin crew member over, who as I thought moved the gentleman up to WT+.
Ten minutes later just as we are about to push back, I see the same gentleman being taken to the back of the plane and seated in the middle of the middle seat section, the WT+ seat remained empty for the rest of the flight. Either he said/did something wrong, which I doubt or just ran out of luck. He was foreign looking which probably didn't help.
When we got on the flight someone was already sitting in my aisle WT seat. I told him it was my allocated seat, but that he would likely get my WT+ seat. I called a cabin crew member over, who as I thought moved the gentleman up to WT+.
Ten minutes later just as we are about to push back, I see the same gentleman being taken to the back of the plane and seated in the middle of the middle seat section, the WT+ seat remained empty for the rest of the flight. Either he said/did something wrong, which I doubt or just ran out of luck. He was foreign looking which probably didn't help.