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
May 30, 2019, 11:50 pm
#1171
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
Itinerary: LHR-HEL
Fee: 180€
Ticket type: Light
Tier: Lumo
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 10 days
Conveyance: e-mail
Despite it being A330, thus a real seat upgrade somewhat justifying the price level, it's not to be taken.
Fee: 180€
Ticket type: Light
Tier: Lumo
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 10 days
Conveyance: e-mail
Despite it being A330, thus a real seat upgrade somewhat justifying the price level, it's not to be taken.
May 31, 2019, 1:51 am
#1172
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,601
Itinerary: HEL-VIE
Fee: 120€
Ticket type: Light
Tier: Plat
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 8 days
Conveyance: e-mail
No thanks, as I saw on app too that they were offering upgrades for points, I burned my wifes gold card SH voucher instead
Fee: 120€
Ticket type: Light
Tier: Plat
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 8 days
Conveyance: e-mail
No thanks, as I saw on app too that they were offering upgrades for points, I burned my wifes gold card SH voucher instead
Jun 4, 2019, 2:49 pm
#1175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
Itinerary: BUD-HEL
Fee: 130€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: Plat
Validity: ? hours
Advance: ? days
Conveyance: app shows as price of upgrade
-->> SMS-message "offers" upgrade for 10k points. Easier than to go through the website...
Fee: 130€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: Plat
Validity: ? hours
Advance: ? days
Conveyance: app shows as price of upgrade
-->> SMS-message "offers" upgrade for 10k points. Easier than to go through the website...
Jun 8, 2019, 11:10 am
#1179
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, LH, Accor, IHG, Scandic, Tallink
Posts: 162
Itinerary: HEL-MUC
Fee: 180€
Ticket type: light
Tier: gold
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 10 days
Conveyance: e-mail
Worst offer for a while. Upgrade was available for 10k points too, so I chose that instead.
Fee: 180€
Ticket type: light
Tier: gold
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 10 days
Conveyance: e-mail
Worst offer for a while. Upgrade was available for 10k points too, so I chose that instead.
Jun 9, 2019, 3:38 am
#1180
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: BAEC Silver, HHonors Gold, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 217
Itinerary: HEL-ARN
Fee: 50€
Ticket type: Light (O)
Tier: BA Silver (OW S)
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 2 weeks
Conveyance: e-mail
I think I rather keep my exit seat thank you. Even for free it would be debatable.
Fee: 50€
Ticket type: Light (O)
Tier: BA Silver (OW S)
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 2 weeks
Conveyance: e-mail
I think I rather keep my exit seat thank you. Even for free it would be debatable.
Jun 17, 2019, 11:20 am
#1182
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 18
What are the chances of getting an upgrade offer / win the auction for business class between HEL-KIX? Economy fare is around 700 € and business almost 3000 € for the particular dates I’m looking at. Not really wanting to spend that much on airfare.
Jun 17, 2019, 1:47 pm
#1183
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,753
Joined August 2016, first post June 2019. That's a long wait! 
I can't really say for KIX, but for NRT, they wanted €1000 for an upgrade at the check in desk, so if the same applies to KIX, then you're not saving much.
If you require J, then my suggestion would be to look for positioning flights. You could easily score KIX J flights for €800 less, and with two stopovers at HEL, you could spend two extra weekend breaks somewhere in Europe.
My recent NRT trip was bought as MXP-HEL-NRT-HEL-FCO with two great weekends in Italy, courtesy of AY
The ticket cost something like €2150.
I can't really say for KIX, but for NRT, they wanted €1000 for an upgrade at the check in desk, so if the same applies to KIX, then you're not saving much.
If you require J, then my suggestion would be to look for positioning flights. You could easily score KIX J flights for €800 less, and with two stopovers at HEL, you could spend two extra weekend breaks somewhere in Europe.
My recent NRT trip was bought as MXP-HEL-NRT-HEL-FCO with two great weekends in Italy, courtesy of AY
The ticket cost something like €2150.
Jul 5, 2019, 3:59 am
#1185
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: HAM
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, LH FTL, IHG Diamond
Posts: 299
Itinerary: HAM - HEL
Fee: 110 €
Ticket type: Value (Q)
Tier: BA Gold (OWE)
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 10 days
Conveyance: e-mail
Not really tempted since they only use an Embraer on that flight which means no free seat next to you.
Or has this policy been changed in the meantime?
Also, I do not think that CashUpgrades will earn C miles / TP on BA ExecClub?
Fee: 110 €
Ticket type: Value (Q)
Tier: BA Gold (OWE)
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 10 days
Conveyance: e-mail
Not really tempted since they only use an Embraer on that flight which means no free seat next to you.
Or has this policy been changed in the meantime?
Also, I do not think that CashUpgrades will earn C miles / TP on BA ExecClub?