The ultimate thread on buy-ups at OLCI
May 21, 2019, 3:25 am
#2417
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
One can only assume that KL yield management has done its homework and sets OLCI upgrades at a price point that generates at least some additional income, while minimizing the risk of hurting J class sales.
There must surely be a sweet spot somewhere.
Johan
May 21, 2019, 3:57 am
#2418
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
I'm really curious to know whether anybody ever pays that amount (or thereabouts) for a shorthaul upgrade.
One can only assume that KL yield management has done its homework and sets OLCI upgrades at a price point that generates at least some additional income, while minimizing the risk of hurting J class sales.
There must surely be a sweet spot somewhere.
Johan
One can only assume that KL yield management has done its homework and sets OLCI upgrades at a price point that generates at least some additional income, while minimizing the risk of hurting J class sales.
There must surely be a sweet spot somewhere.
Johan
May 25, 2019, 12:32 am
#2420
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: FB, M&B, UA, AA
Posts: 2,488
Friday 24 May TRD-AMS - was moved for free upon boarding from row 4 to 1C in an E190 together with another passenger who ended up in 1A . My guess is they had 3 biz passengers who they had to give the 1 and 2DF and 2 AC seats. Implying 2 seats left which they used for overselling economy and moving people with status forward (am plat). This time full biz meal service. But that nice salad and the extra wine would be by far the most expensive (light) meal/drink combo I had in Norway if you would do this by buy-up on OLCI (typically 90- 100 Euro; with Norway not being cheap on drinks at all). For me upgrading at OLCI makes only sense for long-haul.
May 25, 2019, 2:03 am
#2421
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,922
I may disagree with this. It all depends on the price and the extra services amenities you get. I once bought a paid upgrade on LX for LHR-GVA for 50 EUR. I have no status in *A and this upgrade gave me priority check-in, priority at security, lounge access in LHR, priority boarding, middle seat blocked, a proper meal tray and Champagne. A super deal !!
Back to AFKL, if you are FB gold or plat and having a paid upgrade in E190 where they don't even block the seat near you means just paying for a slightly better meal and so this is indeed a waste of money. On a "long" medium-haul flight operated with B737 (KL) or A320 (AF) with middle seat blocked, it makes more sense up to let's say 80 EUR and certainly no more than 100 EUR IMHO.
Back to AFKL, if you are FB gold or plat and having a paid upgrade in E190 where they don't even block the seat near you means just paying for a slightly better meal and so this is indeed a waste of money. On a "long" medium-haul flight operated with B737 (KL) or A320 (AF) with middle seat blocked, it makes more sense up to let's say 80 EUR and certainly no more than 100 EUR IMHO.
May 25, 2019, 4:44 pm
#2422
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: FB, M&B, UA, AA
Posts: 2,488
I may disagree with this. It all depends on the price and the extra services amenities you get. I once bought a paid upgrade on LX for LHR-GVA for 50 EUR. I have no status in *A and this upgrade gave me priority check-in, priority at security, lounge access in LHR, priority boarding, middle seat blocked, a proper meal tray and Champagne. A super deal !!
Back to AFKL, if you are FB gold or plat and having a paid upgrade in E190 where they don't even block the seat near you means just paying for a slightly better meal and so this is indeed a waste of money. On a "long" medium-haul flight operated with B737 (KL) or A320 (AF) with middle seat blocked, it makes more sense up to let's say 80 EUR and certainly no more than 100 EUR IMHO.
Back to AFKL, if you are FB gold or plat and having a paid upgrade in E190 where they don't even block the seat near you means just paying for a slightly better meal and so this is indeed a waste of money. On a "long" medium-haul flight operated with B737 (KL) or A320 (AF) with middle seat blocked, it makes more sense up to let's say 80 EUR and certainly no more than 100 EUR IMHO.
May 26, 2019, 5:23 am
#2423
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Amsterdam DT, The Netherlands
Programs: FB Plat, SQ*G, OW Emerald, Hertz PC
Posts: 170
was moved for free upon boarding from row 4 to 1C in an E190 together with another passenger who ended up in 1A . My guess is they had 3 biz passengers who they had to give the 1 and 2DF and 2 AC seats. Implying 2 seats left which they used for overselling economy and moving people with status forward (am plat).
May 26, 2019, 5:27 am
#2424
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Amsterdam DT, The Netherlands
Programs: FB Plat, SQ*G, OW Emerald, Hertz PC
Posts: 170
24/5 KL1246 CDG-AMS was offered to me for EUR 69. Didn't take it. But a drink refill in Economy Comfort was too much to ask for, the purser rejected that extra bit of service to me, because the short flight time. A first for me, normally crew is gladly refilling my cup on this same route.
May 26, 2019, 10:48 am
#2425
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: FB, M&B, UA, AA
Posts: 2,488
May 26, 2019, 10:50 am
#2426
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: FB, M&B, UA, AA
Posts: 2,488
24/5 KL1246 CDG-AMS was offered to me for EUR 69. Didn't take it. But a drink refill in Economy Comfort was too much to ask for, the purser rejected that extra bit of service to me, because the short flight time. A first for me, normally crew is gladly refilling my cup on this same route.
Jun 2, 2019, 3:36 pm
#2427
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DEN
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 396
ATH-AMS yesterday for €99 euro. Seemed like a decent price compared to other routes I’ve seen here. We did not take as we were able to get row 4 (3 rows of biz this flight) so we really just missed the larger meal and extra service.
Jun 4, 2019, 2:30 am
#2429
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Zanzibar
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 1,319
AMS - NWI - €149
And when you do upgrade and fly European Business to NWI you can ask for
Q: May I have a red wine?
A: Ehhhhhhh No. Only water, coffee or thea!
Q: May I have a Gin Tonic?
A: Ehhhhhhh No. Only water, coffee or thea!
Q: May I have a ginger ale?
A: Ehhhhhhh No. Only water, coffee or thea!
Q: May I have an other type of sandwich?
A: Ehhhhhhh No. This is what we have.
And when you do upgrade and fly European Business to NWI you can ask for
Q: May I have a red wine?
A: Ehhhhhhh No. Only water, coffee or thea!
Q: May I have a Gin Tonic?
A: Ehhhhhhh No. Only water, coffee or thea!
Q: May I have a ginger ale?
A: Ehhhhhhh No. Only water, coffee or thea!
Q: May I have an other type of sandwich?
A: Ehhhhhhh No. This is what we have.