Move to first class
Nov 14, 2006 | 8:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 2
Move to first class
Hello,
I bought a ticket in a coach class and I want to know if it's possible to upgrade to a first class. I don't know if there are some tricks to upgrade in first class. The reason why I want to move to first class is that my wife and my baby (9 and half month) will come with me and when I made my seat selection on the Continental Airlines website, it was very difficult to see if the seat was just in face of the big screen in the middle, where the space is larger. Also my ticket is non-refundable...so I don't know how to proceed. Many of my friends told me that it's better to negociate directly when I will be at the airport and see if I can have a upgrade to first class.
Thanks
stronghold
I bought a ticket in a coach class and I want to know if it's possible to upgrade to a first class. I don't know if there are some tricks to upgrade in first class. The reason why I want to move to first class is that my wife and my baby (9 and half month) will come with me and when I made my seat selection on the Continental Airlines website, it was very difficult to see if the seat was just in face of the big screen in the middle, where the space is larger. Also my ticket is non-refundable...so I don't know how to proceed. Many of my friends told me that it's better to negociate directly when I will be at the airport and see if I can have a upgrade to first class.
Thanks
stronghold
Nov 14, 2006 | 9:46 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Philadelphia,PA
Programs: United 1K,Marriott Platinum Premier,IHC Platinum Ambassador,Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,898
You usually have to Pay the change fee on a non-refundable ticket in addition to the upgrade fee.. 
Nov 14, 2006 | 10:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 9
I upgraded my ticket and I was in the same situation. I paid for the change of fare (150) and I paid the difference (1700!). I wouldn't wait for the day of...my flight is on Saturday and all of first class is booked solid.
Nov 15, 2006 | 3:59 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,542
Originally Posted by stronghold
Hello,
I bought a ticket in a coach class and I want to know if it's possible to upgrade to a first class. I don't know if there are some tricks to upgrade in first class. The reason why I want to move to first class is that my wife and my baby (9 and half month) will come with me and when I made my seat selection on the Continental Airlines website, it was very difficult to see if the seat was just in face of the big screen in the middle, where the space is larger. Also my ticket is non-refundable...so I don't know how to proceed. Many of my friends told me that it's better to negociate directly when I will be at the airport and see if I can have a upgrade to first class.
Thanks
stronghold
I bought a ticket in a coach class and I want to know if it's possible to upgrade to a first class. I don't know if there are some tricks to upgrade in first class. The reason why I want to move to first class is that my wife and my baby (9 and half month) will come with me and when I made my seat selection on the Continental Airlines website, it was very difficult to see if the seat was just in face of the big screen in the middle, where the space is larger. Also my ticket is non-refundable...so I don't know how to proceed. Many of my friends told me that it's better to negociate directly when I will be at the airport and see if I can have a upgrade to first class.
Thanks
stronghold
You don't say where you are flying, but in this case, I'm not sure it matters. A search would show that no matter what some spam emails say, there really aren't "tricks" that will get you upgraded without paying large amounts of money, especially since you are not elite.
As far as trying to negotiate an op-up at the airport, that would also be very tough. Especially for two people and a lap baby. These days, most CO flights go out with F full -- either purchased or upgraded elites.
You can check out the seating arrangement on http://www.seatguru.com to see exactly where your seats are.
Good luck.
Nov 15, 2006 | 7:46 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,892
If you call the airline and explain that you have a baby they may be able to seat you in a bulkhead row (that may even be able to handle a bassinet).
Nov 15, 2006 | 8:28 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: DAL/DFW
Programs: MileagePlus Platinum, topbonus Gold
Posts: 90
I'm not sure if you have miles, but it's also possible to upgrade for 15,000 each way if the upgrade is available. (note, though, that if you're not an elite OP, I think you have to be traveling on an H, K, N or B fare to be able to do that...)
Nov 15, 2006 | 9:26 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Pay change fee + fare difference, and viola!, you'll be in F.