I've never attempted the upgrade-flirt, but I've been successful on multiple occasions with the "Change-fee-waive-flirt". Less successful though still useful was the "Last-minute-award-fee-waive-flirt".

It's impossible to do those over the phone with airlines that outsource to india (I'm looking at you, united).

Reminds me of my favorite Apu flirt line on The Simpsons:

"So, you are only ARRANGED to be married?"

Been there done that.... why not be a happy smiling face to the GA or P-club agent. Even if they have bad news like a cancelled flight or huge delay I stay calm and try to be a plesant person to deal with. It has paid off a few times and I do not see any harm in being nice.

I always turn on the charm at the airport--from the TAs to the TSA grunts to the GAs, FAs, and pilots. I figure 99% of the people out there flying are either idiots, as$hats, rude, or rude as$hats, so a little sparkle might help improve their day. (Plus, it makes me feel sexy when men respond with compliments, which ain't bad for me, either! )

If airline employees decide to treat you nicely back with a bennie of some sort, it's at their discretion.

Sincerity is a key factor. Fortunately, most people can spot a phony a mile away, so those transparently laying it on just to get something are usually too obvious. Besides, the airline employees know what's what--they wield the power. Is it any wonder they sometimes orchestrate a dance between them and us poor minions, grovelling for a possible perk, no matter how small??

Reminds me of the time I was upgraded to 1st at the gate 10 years ago on a DCA-CLE flight. I had no idea why they did so (was NOT a FF) until a pilot dead-heading to CLE sat next to me in F and started chatting me up, eventually asking me for my number. He obviously asked the GA to upgrade me so he could talk to me: I knew it, he knew it, but as I happily drank bloodies on the way to CLE, I was more than happy to dance the dance.

Flirt on, I say. At the very worst, it will give the GA something to laugh or roll his/her eyes about, and the very best, you can be flying in style. No harm, no foul.

And yes, I'd cheer on an upgrade for someone nice on a discount fare over a million-miler-butt-in-the-seat meanie with uber-status. Human decency, man. It's about decency.

big V

So - what about that required endurance?

Hey - it goes both ways. I work primarily in the pharmaceutical industry, but I have a part time retail job - part of being a good salesperson involves harmless flirting.

I have to vote it the most entertaining yet insightful post I read on this board, for 2005.

I would agree most of the posters here that almost everybody who deems him/herself charming enough will do such a thing, it is not just upgrade, it can be used in any occasion when service is rendered. You made it clear that you were able to pull it off on both males and females, so good for you!

Two things I would like to point out though:

1. To score an upgrade using your way, you deserve it; but to brag about it, it might not be good for the feeling of those who did you the favor, especially you are pretty identifiable since you revealed your travel pattern.

2. If you can recognize a Guerlain shirt that easily, and does not hold back complimenting on another man's body, I kind of wonder how much longer you can hold your appetite and eat at home, and maybe you will change the type of dish you eat eventually

Hahaha!

I haven't laughed this heard on Flyertalk since BuddyBird made the Jesus comment in OMNI

momma always said ya git more flies with honey than ya do with vinegar!

besides for the fact that you're self-absorbed enough to write a doctoral dissertation-length post about your exploits-----i'd figure you for gay-curious at least!!!

ok, i guess you're truly just upgrade-curious.

Since you indicated that coach was max'ed out and BF was only 2/3rd's, sounds to me that you simply got an operations (OP) upgrade (coach oversold). Your Plat status along with your CO* status likely put you at the top of the list.

This likely would have occurred if you had just checked in and said bonjour.

You are killing me with these. I need to use that on some of my friends.

I think you done good! I'd have no problem with your strategy at all. If the agent is in a position to give you something for nothing, then you should put yourself in a position to receive it.

Good for you!

Rita

I agree, so long as if the gate agent makes a sudden stop, you dont break your nose.

Are you an ex-cheerleader? The Times had a very interesting article on how the industry is hiring cheerleaders to be drug reps.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/28/bu...pagewanted=all