Upgrade while on Buddy Pass
Nov 11, 2008 | 5:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA Million Miler
Posts: 190
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.
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.
Nov 11, 2008 | 5:49 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: CO Gold, UA Premier Exec
Posts: 1,539
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
2. I'm under the impression from my various Continental friends that first class is pretty much prohibited if traveling on a buddy pass
Nov 11, 2008 | 6:33 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA Million Miler
Posts: 190
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.
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.
Nov 11, 2008 | 6:34 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In a van, down by the river.
Programs: Too many!
Posts: 497
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.
Nov 11, 2008 | 6:37 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA Million Miler
Posts: 190
OK, if First Class is not permitted, I would have to be very, very lucky.
Thx
Thx
Nov 11, 2008 | 6:40 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
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.
Nov 11, 2008 | 6:42 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA Million Miler
Posts: 190
Flight was scheduled to depart 12 hours from 1st post.
Its only a 3 hour flight.
Its only a 3 hour flight.
Nov 11, 2008 | 7:13 am
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Nov 11, 2008 | 7:38 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
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.
Nov 11, 2008 | 8:28 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: EWR
Posts: 373
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.
Nov 11, 2008 | 12:30 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: Onepass, BA Executive Club
Posts: 90
Unfortunately there is no way round the change fee. Your company may have to think about purchasing fully refundable fares in future.
Nov 11, 2008 | 12:36 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: Onepass, BA Executive Club
Posts: 90
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!
Re buddy upgrades, no agent is going to risk their position by upgrading a buddy no matter how well dressed or polite they are!
Nov 11, 2008 | 2:59 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
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.
So yes, you (assuming you are an employee, spouse, companion pass holder or parent) would have been eligible for F assuming it remained available.
Nov 11, 2008 | 3:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: EWR
Posts: 373
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.
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.
Nov 11, 2008 | 5:48 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA Million Miler
Posts: 190
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.
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.