Upgrade while on Buddy Pass
 

I have not flown on a "Buddy Pass" in years and will be doing so today.

Flight is in 12 hours and still 7 empty seats left in first class.

Other than dressing appropriately, is ther anything I can do to get upgraded?

I am a Platinum (does not show on Boarding pass).

Thank you.

1. Why not ask the employee from whom you received the buddy pass?

2. I'm under the impression from my various Continental friends that first class is pretty much prohibited if traveling on a buddy pass

1. Why not ask the employee from whom you received the buddy pass?

Did ask employee, he suggested the attire and told me I would have to be very lucky.

2. I'm under the impression from my various Continental friends that first class is pretty much prohibited if traveling on a buddy pass

I hope your impression is in error.

First class is not permitted when traveling on buddy passes issued by CO. To the OP, your Platinum status would not reflect on the boarding pass, only your pass classification for that ticket.

OK, if First Class is not permitted, I would have to be very, very lucky.

Thx

Plus, if it is a 12 hour flight that means it is BF service, and CO wouldn't upgrade you into that even if you were flying on a paid ticket as a Platinum. I would not expect it at all.

Flight was scheduled to depart 12 hours from 1st post.

Its only a 3 hour flight.

Oops. My bad. :o

While it's technically not allowed, it can happen in special circumstances. Your best bet is to dress well, be polite and don't bug the agents. It will be pure luck and chances are it won't happen.

I actually had the opposite situation. I was on a paid ticket with my stepmom, and we could not be upgraded because I no longer have elite status with Continental. If I was using my travel passes we both would have been in F. I would expect the worst and hope for the best.

Unfortunately there is no way round the change fee. Your company may have to think about purchasing fully refundable fares in future.

Oops, responded to the wrong thread there sorry folks.

Re buddy upgrades, no agent is going to risk their position by upgrading a buddy no matter how well dressed or polite they are!

There is a BIG difference between BUDDY passes and general employee pass travel. Employees and their designated companion, spouse or parents can list for F class or BF and will get it on a space available basis after revenue passengers are accommodated. Buddy passes are used by non designated pass travelers (basically your friends) and are not permitted to get the premium cabin.

So yes, you (assuming you are an employee, spouse, companion pass holder or parent) would have been eligible for F assuming it remained available.

Yes I know. ;) I was saying because we were on a paid ticket we were not able to upgrade into open F seats, as I no longer have elite status on CO.

OK,

Flight is delayed 1:30+or-

More people were upgraded and standing by than 1st class seats.

Now only hoping for aisle in peanut gallery.

We can end thread.

Thanks everybody.