Using expired coupons
 

A few times in the past, I have had no problem using expired coupons to buy tickets, w/o even pleading to waive the expiration date. The agents are too busy checking things like days can be used, class restrictions, etc. when they don't check something so obvious.... the expiration date.

Has this happened to anyone else?

A lot of this depends on your attitude.

On a recent flight, the person working the gate mentioned that there were only 30 people on board the 737 I was flying (to EWR no less). I mentioned that I had a coupon, but didn't bother bringing it because I'd found that FC is always full on flights into EWR. He said he'd see if he could help me out, and 20 minute later came by to bump me to 1st class.

In another nice gesture, he bumped up a very nervous first-time flyer who was sitting next to me in the terminal.

Of all my flights in the past couple of years, I've always received the best service from Continental, despite not being an Elite.

Never even thought to try. Sadly I've always checked the date first and then discarded the expired coupons- many of them!

Once when I did it the agent didn't know why it was not working so she just chopped $100 off of the fare with none of the added restrictions you get from the coupon.

This all falls under the "you have nothing to lose, if you ask" category.
and Jon is 100% on the money about attitude.

If you arent nice to the gate agent, dont expect extras.