Mar 12, 2015, 3:34 pm
Last edit by: Marschel
Background
From time to time, AY will make the Y traveller an offer to upgrade. This thread lists when, how and and how much the upgrade is.
Selection process is unknown, but it is likely that neither fare class on original ticket nor tier status of traveller is a selection criteria, at least not to travellers advantage. From the reports made so far, both travellers with and without FF# in the reservation have gotten offers.
Offers are likely made only when Y is oversold or nearly full. Some travellers have reported declining offer and being upgraded for free later ("op-up").
Offers are fixed price offers, either in € or in AY+points. The latter kind is only valid for members of AY+, while €-offers are directed to all kind of travellers.
Offers are made either in mail or via text message and recipient has 72 hours to repspond. Some reports says this time is now shortened to 48 hours. Text message offers typically arrive close to departure and may not state a last time to reply.
Offers in text message can be replied to and upgrade is instantly processed. Offers in mail has occasionally not cleared (said to be "sold out" when accepting offer too late).
If offer is accepted and upgrade clears, new ticket is issued in F, so a confirmed upgrade with all perks of business class included. Mileage earning is according to original fare class however.
Development
In august 2015 AY announced a trial to let travellers bid for upgrades, initially on AY89 and AY90. It is likely that bidding will affect the number of fixed price offers.
The trial has been made permanent, and the bidding for upgrade has been extended to more longhaul routes.
The program has also led to a consolidation of upgrade options to one webpage
https://www.finnair.com/int/gb/upgrade-options
where you can upgrade by bidding, by using AY+ points or by accepting last minute cash offers. The latter ("Last minute" offers) are the same as have been discussed in this thread.. Finnair still pushes those offers via e-mail and text-message, but now also shows them on this webpage.
Offers made
Here is a condensed list of offers made, processed including post #213.
Figures are in € unless otherwise stated. Each destination's offers are recorded in a single line in time order.
Longhaul
SIN-HEL 248, 348, 348
HEL-SIN 499, 499, 348, 349€
JFK-HEL 48k points, 348€, 348€, 499
HKG-HEL 248
HEL-HKG 348
BKK-HEL 298, 348, 348
HEL-BKK 48k points, 348€, 348€ (290€ on phone? Not yet confirmed)
HEL-HKT 348
NRT-HEL 498
HEL-KIX 348, 375 (12/19, 01/20)
KIX-HEL 391 (12/19, 01/20)
ICN-HEL 248, 318
HEL-PVG 298
PVG-HEL 448, 498
CKG-HEL 228
XIY-HEL 248
HEL-DEL 198
HEL-DEL 300 (4/19)
YYZ-HEL 225€, 225
Shorthaul
DXB-HEL 99
HEL-VNO 7k points
HEL-BUD 69€
BUD-HEL 69, 8k points, 69
HEL-PRG 69€
PRG-HEL ≈70€
CPH-HEL 7k points, 7k, 69€, 7k, 69€
HEL-CPH 69€, 69, 69
HEL-ARN 7,5k points, 41€
HEL-GOT 7k points
GOT-HEL 7k points
HEL-VIE 69€
HEL-CDG 69€, 69€, 69
CDG-HEL 89€
HEL-MXP 69
HEL-TXL 9k points, 9k
HEL-DUS 69
HEL-HAM 69,69
HAM-HEL 69
HEL-FRA 69€
FRA-HEL 69€, 89, 89€
BRU-HEL 69
GVA-HEL 69
HEL-GVA 69, 89
HEL-LHR 9k points
HEL-LHR 109€
HEL-MAD 89€, 9k points
HEL-SVO 69€
HEL-WAW 79€
WAW-HEL 79€
DUS-HEL 69€
HEL-OSL 42€
HEL-MUC 90 (01/20)
MUC-HEL 115€ (01/20)
From time to time, AY will make the Y traveller an offer to upgrade. This thread lists when, how and and how much the upgrade is.
Selection process is unknown, but it is likely that neither fare class on original ticket nor tier status of traveller is a selection criteria, at least not to travellers advantage. From the reports made so far, both travellers with and without FF# in the reservation have gotten offers.
Offers are likely made only when Y is oversold or nearly full. Some travellers have reported declining offer and being upgraded for free later ("op-up").
Offers are fixed price offers, either in € or in AY+points. The latter kind is only valid for members of AY+, while €-offers are directed to all kind of travellers.
Offers are made either in mail or via text message and recipient has 72 hours to repspond. Some reports says this time is now shortened to 48 hours. Text message offers typically arrive close to departure and may not state a last time to reply.
Offers in text message can be replied to and upgrade is instantly processed. Offers in mail has occasionally not cleared (said to be "sold out" when accepting offer too late).
If offer is accepted and upgrade clears, new ticket is issued in F, so a confirmed upgrade with all perks of business class included. Mileage earning is according to original fare class however.
Development
In august 2015 AY announced a trial to let travellers bid for upgrades, initially on AY89 and AY90. It is likely that bidding will affect the number of fixed price offers.
The trial has been made permanent, and the bidding for upgrade has been extended to more longhaul routes.
The program has also led to a consolidation of upgrade options to one webpage
https://www.finnair.com/int/gb/upgrade-options
where you can upgrade by bidding, by using AY+ points or by accepting last minute cash offers. The latter ("Last minute" offers) are the same as have been discussed in this thread.. Finnair still pushes those offers via e-mail and text-message, but now also shows them on this webpage.
Offers made
Here is a condensed list of offers made, processed including post #213.
Figures are in € unless otherwise stated. Each destination's offers are recorded in a single line in time order.
Longhaul
SIN-HEL 248, 348, 348
HEL-SIN 499, 499, 348, 349€
JFK-HEL 48k points, 348€, 348€, 499
HKG-HEL 248
HEL-HKG 348
BKK-HEL 298, 348, 348
HEL-BKK 48k points, 348€, 348€ (290€ on phone? Not yet confirmed)
HEL-HKT 348
NRT-HEL 498
HEL-KIX 348, 375 (12/19, 01/20)
KIX-HEL 391 (12/19, 01/20)
ICN-HEL 248, 318
HEL-PVG 298
PVG-HEL 448, 498
CKG-HEL 228
XIY-HEL 248
HEL-DEL 198
HEL-DEL 300 (4/19)
YYZ-HEL 225€, 225
Shorthaul
DXB-HEL 99
HEL-VNO 7k points
HEL-BUD 69€
BUD-HEL 69, 8k points, 69
HEL-PRG 69€
PRG-HEL ≈70€
CPH-HEL 7k points, 7k, 69€, 7k, 69€
HEL-CPH 69€, 69, 69
HEL-ARN 7,5k points, 41€
HEL-GOT 7k points
GOT-HEL 7k points
HEL-VIE 69€
HEL-CDG 69€, 69€, 69
CDG-HEL 89€
HEL-MXP 69
HEL-TXL 9k points, 9k
HEL-DUS 69
HEL-HAM 69,69
HAM-HEL 69
HEL-FRA 69€
FRA-HEL 69€, 89, 89€
BRU-HEL 69
GVA-HEL 69
HEL-GVA 69, 89
HEL-LHR 9k points
HEL-LHR 109€
HEL-MAD 89€, 9k points
HEL-SVO 69€
HEL-WAW 79€
WAW-HEL 79€
DUS-HEL 69€
HEL-OSL 42€
HEL-MUC 90 (01/20)
MUC-HEL 115€ (01/20)
Please post your upgrade offers
Sep 5, 2022, 6:21 am
#1548
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
- City-pair and/or flight number: AY813 HEL-ARN
- Price offered: 69€
- Flight date: 10 SEP
- FF tier on reservation: AY Plat
- Original ticket type: Economy Classic
- When the offer was made: T-5 days
- How the offer was made: E-mail
Oct 10, 2022, 3:03 am
#1550
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: HAM
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, LH FTL, IHG Diamond
Posts: 298
- City-pair and/or flight number: AY1422 HAM - HEL
- Price offered: 69 EUR
- Flight date: 18 Sep
- FF tier on reservation: BA Gold
- Original ticket type: Eco classic
- When the offer was made: 8 days before flight, directly available after ticket was issued
- How the offer was made: App
Oct 11, 2022, 4:09 am
#1551
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: HAM
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, LH FTL, IHG Diamond
Posts: 298
- City-pair and/or flight number: AY1425 HEL - HAM
- Price offered: 70 EUR
- Flight date: 21 Sep
- FF tier on reservation: BA Gold
- Original ticket type: Eco classic
- When the offer was made: 11 days before flight, directly available after ticket was issued
- How the offer was made: App
Oct 12, 2022, 1:01 am
#1552
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: Finnair , Marriot Gold
Posts: 183
- City-pair and/or flight number: HEL - DEL
- Price offered: 694 EUR
- Flight date: 19 Oct
- FF tier on reservation: AY Silver
- Original ticket type: Eco Flex
- When the offer was made: 2nd offer 20 days before flight and 1st offer directly available after ticket was issued-( Price did not drop)
- How the offer was made: App
Dec 24, 2022, 12:40 pm
#1553
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: AC Elite
Posts: 2,165
I purchased a one way Economy Flex ticket for a HEL-OSL trip for early February.
Price was 137 EUR
Business light was listed at 173 EUR, Business classic at 232 EUR, and Business Flex at 292 EUR.
Was offered via the Finnair app an upgrade to business for 69 EUR (which looks to include fast track, extra bag, internet, and the lounge). Also it does not change the terms of the original ticket purchased or points accrual.
If I have captured the rules correctly, it appears that I can get a flexible business class ticket for 206 EUR (vs. 292 EUR).
The rhetorical question then becomes, will I get value from the upgrade? 69 Euros translates in to lots of Fazer chocolate to bring home...
Price was 137 EUR
Business light was listed at 173 EUR, Business classic at 232 EUR, and Business Flex at 292 EUR.
Was offered via the Finnair app an upgrade to business for 69 EUR (which looks to include fast track, extra bag, internet, and the lounge). Also it does not change the terms of the original ticket purchased or points accrual.
If I have captured the rules correctly, it appears that I can get a flexible business class ticket for 206 EUR (vs. 292 EUR).
The rhetorical question then becomes, will I get value from the upgrade? 69 Euros translates in to lots of Fazer chocolate to bring home...
Dec 24, 2022, 1:59 pm
#1554
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,750
In effect, yes, you get a Flex ticket with a seat in J for 206 EUR. However, you will accrue points according to Y Flex and in case of irrops you might be rerouted in Y.
I do not think 69 EUR is worth it for such a short flight.
I do not think 69 EUR is worth it for such a short flight.
Jan 3, 2023, 12:13 am
#1555
Join Date: Mar 2022
Programs: AY+ Plat
Posts: 490
- City-pair and/or flight number: HEL-DFW
- Price offered: 145 EUR for PE outbound, 150 EUR for PE and 350 EUR for business inbound
- Flight date: February
- FF tier on reservation: AY Plat
- Original ticket type: Eco Classic
- When the offer was made: 30+ days out
- How the offer was made: Online
Jan 16, 2023, 9:00 am
#1556
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: EDDH
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Blue
Posts: 118
- City-pair and/or flight number: HEL-JFK (AY15)
- Price offered: 140EUR for PE / 371 for J
- Flight date: March
- FF tier on reservation: BA Silver
- Original ticket type: Eco Light
- When the offer was made: 30+ days out
- How the offer was made: App
Last edited by jj_lgkr; Jan 27, 2023 at 12:13 pm
Feb 6, 2023, 9:48 am
#1557
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, OZ Diamond, LH Silver
Posts: 553
Haven't received many upgrade offers lately. Not much luck on Finnair upgrade website either. A couple of datapoints anyway.
HEL-AMS 109€ on the App.
HEL-LHR 250€ at HEL check-in desk 1h before the morning A350 flight.
HEL-AMS 109€ on the App.
HEL-LHR 250€ at HEL check-in desk 1h before the morning A350 flight.
Feb 7, 2023, 1:07 am
#1560
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG plat
Posts: 7,958