I have just begun flying CO on several Intl. routes and will be gold soon. I have heard that it is impossible to upgrade to business first on Intl. flights regardless of elite status. True?

You're new here MCOCO, so we'll forgive your ignorance, and suspend the $1 fine to cigarman.

If you do a search for the words "international upgrade" you'll find no less then 97 threads that touch on the subject. It'll keep you occupied some night when you can't sleep.

If your "international routes" are to Canada, Mexico, or Central America disregard the above.

If you are willing to buy an H, K, or Y fare it's not impossible at all. Unfortunately, if seats in the upgradeable business fare class are not available at time of booking (and there's a very good chance they won't be more than 30 days in advance), then you have to waitlist. People have generally had pretty good success clearing the waitlist, but it's no guarantee. Elite status does help here.

In short, not impossible at all, just annoying enough that many here (including myself), won't play the HoKeY lottery.

Now, if you mean free upgrades, then yeah, that's nearly impossible. Only way it can happen is if coach is oversold.

If the route is international and there is no BusinessFirst cabin (most of Central America and the Carribean), than the usual EUA rules apply and you can get upgraded.

Isn't it fun being a CO elite?

Continental makes you purchase HoKeY fare to upgrade, and you can only confirm upgrades to Europe 30 days in advance of your flight. As far as I know, Asia can be confirmed anytime in advance.

Asia actually depends on the projected loads. I have seen the "30-day dance" selectively enforced on these flights.



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Hell hath no fury like that of an elite frequent flyer in coach.

I am not real smart, but I can lift heavy things.