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
Aug 21, 2019, 11:55 am
#1216
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
Or maybe the SMS server just does not work for phone numbers with your country prefix?
Aug 21, 2019, 12:35 pm
#1217
Moderator, Finnair
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,180
It is just like the Finnair seat block - I have a 100% upgrade record on QR! And the only time my upgrade request was denied, I got op-up instead.
*) 100% J->F upgrades on my only 2 QR A388 flights
Aug 22, 2019, 12:27 pm
#1218
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: TMP
Programs: AY+ Plat, SK Gold, BT VIP, Radisson Premium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 794
Itinerary: HEL-LHR
Flight date: August 2019
Ticket type: Light
Tier: Platsku
Fee: 10000 points / voucher
Validity: until T-2
Advance: T-25 hours
Conveyance: SMS
Fee: 200 euro
Validity: ?
Advance: noticed at T-20 hours
Conveyance: app
Flight date: August 2019
Ticket type: Light
Tier: Platsku
Fee: 10000 points / voucher
Validity: until T-2
Advance: T-25 hours
Conveyance: SMS
Fee: 200 euro
Validity: ?
Advance: noticed at T-20 hours
Conveyance: app
Aug 23, 2019, 3:17 am
#1219
Join Date: May 2019
Location: TMP - Finland
Programs: AY platinum, SIXT platinum, IHG platinum
Posts: 47
Itinerary: TXL-HEL
Fee: 50€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: Plat
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 15 days
Conveyance: e-mail
Itinerary: HEL-TXL
Fee: 60€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: Plat
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 10 days
Conveyance: e-mail
App shows also upgrade with voucher or 10k points for both segments.
Fee: 50€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: Plat
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 15 days
Conveyance: e-mail
Itinerary: HEL-TXL
Fee: 60€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: Plat
Validity: 36 hours
Advance: 10 days
Conveyance: e-mail
App shows also upgrade with voucher or 10k points for both segments.
Aug 24, 2019, 7:44 am
#1220
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Finland
Programs: Accor Gold, Ay+ Gold OWS
Posts: 100
Since I never get email or sms offer ( I think because of special diet) today i had to ask offer at the check in. App show normal upgrade possibility when i did OLCI so I thought there might be good sale on seats. Didnt take, but got BEEP at the gate and it was only reminder for staff to give me my luggage tag they forgot. ☹️
Itinerary: BKK-HEL
Fee: 610€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: GOLD
Itinerary: BKK-HEL
Fee: 610€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: GOLD
Aug 24, 2019, 8:24 am
#1221
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,157
Since I never get email or sms offer ( I think because of special diet) today i had to ask offer at the check in. App show normal upgrade possibility when i did OLCI so I thought there might be good sale on seats. Didnt take, but got BEEP at the gate and it was only reminder for staff to give me my luggage tag they forgot. ☹️
Aug 25, 2019, 4:38 am
#1222
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Helsinki
Programs: AY Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3
Hello! First post here ever! 
Here goes:
Itinerary: HEL-PRG
Fee: 10000 points
Ticket type: Light
Tier: Plat
Validity: ..?
Advance: T-24h
Conveyance: sms
App also showed upgrade with money for 180€.
Here goes:Itinerary: HEL-PRG
Fee: 10000 points
Ticket type: Light
Tier: Plat
Validity: ..?
Advance: T-24h
Conveyance: sms
App also showed upgrade with money for 180€.
Aug 27, 2019, 6:47 am
#1224
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,111
A few recent offers:
CPH-HEL
120€ (email)
HEL-BUD
160€ (email, morning flight, in the end there was one person and four rows in J)
HEL-FCO
180€ (app, upgrade w/ vouchers was waitlisted for months and then cancelled by me)
HEL-LHR
180€ (app)
HEL-TXL
50€ (email)
HEL-TXL
50€ (first email offer), 60€ (second email offer), 80€ (app)
TXL-HEL
80€ (app)
CPH-HEL
120€ (email)
HEL-BUD
160€ (email, morning flight, in the end there was one person and four rows in J)
HEL-FCO
180€ (app, upgrade w/ vouchers was waitlisted for months and then cancelled by me)
HEL-LHR
180€ (app)
HEL-TXL
50€ (email)
HEL-TXL
50€ (first email offer), 60€ (second email offer), 80€ (app)
TXL-HEL
80€ (app)
Aug 29, 2019, 8:44 am
#1226
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,363
Aug 30, 2019, 1:55 am
#1227
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: 7,962
Since I never get email or sms offer ( I think because of special diet) today i had to ask offer at the check in. App show normal upgrade possibility when i did OLCI so I thought there might be good sale on seats. Didnt take, but got BEEP at the gate and it was only reminder for staff to give me my luggage tag they forgot. ☹️
Itinerary: BKK-HEL
Fee: 610€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: GOLD
Itinerary: BKK-HEL
Fee: 610€
Ticket type: Value
Tier: GOLD
I got that same beep once 😄 was soooooooo dissappointing 😄 I have zero opups in the last 4 years so I thought FINALLY my turn but noooooo 😂 thats life but sure sucks when the beep turnsout to be a fake beep 😄 not as bad as hearing oh your the ONLY OWE on this flight that didnt get upgraded 😂
Aug 30, 2019, 2:55 am
#1228
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum (OWE), SK G(*G), BW Diamond
Posts: 810
Itinerary: HEL-GOT
Fee: 60€
Fare: light
Tier: Platinum
Validity: unspecified
Advance: ticket issuance
Conveyance: email
Without status, actually something that might be borderline interesting.
Fee: 60€
Fare: light
Tier: Platinum
Validity: unspecified
Advance: ticket issuance
Conveyance: email
Without status, actually something that might be borderline interesting.
Aug 30, 2019, 5:08 am
#1229
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 369
AMS-HEL
Fee: 100€
Fare: Light
Tier: Platinum
Validity: 36h
Conveyance: email
Don't think it's really worth it even if I didn't have more points than I can eat. Funny enough, it'd be a no-brainer points upgrade if a business class ticket came with a free internet for the whole flight.
Fee: 100€
Fare: Light
Tier: Platinum
Validity: 36h
Conveyance: email
Don't think it's really worth it even if I didn't have more points than I can eat. Funny enough, it'd be a no-brainer points upgrade if a business class ticket came with a free internet for the whole flight.
Aug 30, 2019, 5:43 am
#1230
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Helsinki
Programs: AY Platinum, IHG Gold, Diners
Posts: 1,276
AMS-HEL
Fee: 100€
Fare: Light
Tier: Platinum
Validity: 36h
Conveyance: email
Don't think it's really worth it even if I didn't have more points than I can eat. Funny enough, it'd be a no-brainer points upgrade if a business class ticket came with a free internet for the whole flight.
Fee: 100€
Fare: Light
Tier: Platinum
Validity: 36h
Conveyance: email
Don't think it's really worth it even if I didn't have more points than I can eat. Funny enough, it'd be a no-brainer points upgrade if a business class ticket came with a free internet for the whole flight.