Hello,

I would be curious about what experiences CO top flyers and others have had with getting upgrades on international flights? Technically you have to pay for Business First, or use either
20K miles for full fare coach titkcet;
or
40K miles for some discounted tickets.

1. Has anyone gotten a free upgrade say to Europe without paying or using miles? How did you do it?;
2. Has anyone gotten them to honor the 40K upgrade award on fares that are technically not upgradable? For example, Q and V fares may not be upgradable even with the 40K award? How did you do it?
3. Any other interesting stories?

I'll start by posting my own experiences as a CO top flyer:

I have never gotten a free international upgrade...well sort of (see below). Agents through out the system have told me that are "very strict" with upgrades.

I have upgraded with a fare that is technically non-upgradable with the 40K award. Just went to the airport, and they rebooked me in 1st, and changed it. Don't make the mistake of calling reservations, asking them if your res is upgradable, having them tell you no. They might document your reservation in the computer with something like "passenger advised this fare not upgradable." Then you would be out of luck at the airport. Check out your fare to see if its upgradable, but not while somebody is looking at your record. Just call up and say, is fare basis xyz upgradable with the 40k award?

And in the "interesting stories" category, I once booked a res using the 40K upgrade award. Went to the airport to upgrade it. Gave them my coach ticket. They gave me back a first class ticket. They didn't ask for a certificate, and I didn't tell I had one. I kept the cert. Now thats a nice transaction, and thats why I say always try to get your exceptions made at the airport rather than by phone.

What are your experiences?

I agree that working with a live agent may be more fruitful.

For me this used to be the case with DL when making changes to nonrefundable tickets. Reservations would advise me of a $75 change fee, but the airport agents wouldn't bother to write up the "special services ticket" required to document the fee. Of course, the E-ticket has changed all that.

Also, would like to hear about experiences being on the 30 day upgrade waitlist for businessfirst (using miles to upgrade).

Were you cleared for the upgrade? When did you clear? Where were you flying? Type of fare orginally booked? What was your elite status?

Another question: What sites give you the fare category when searching for an upgradeable economy fare?

I got an upgrade on a Q fare flying EWR-AMS a couple of weeks ago. I checked BF inventory a number of times before the flight, found that there quite a few seats available, and called several times until I found an agent who agreed to upgrade me using 40K miles.

The rationale I used when talking to the agents was "what's the point of not upgrading a loyal platinum when there's inventory available?"