The ultimate thread on buy-ups at OLCI
 

On both of my recent intercontinental KLM flights (AMS-BKK and HKG-AMS) I was offered a paid upgrade to business class during OLCI. (EUR 224 on the outbound and something like EUR 330 on the inbound) In your experience, how often does this happen? I paid on the outbound as I found the extra fare reasonable, and stayed in economy on the inbound (and slept 8 hours non-stop on a packed flight!)
I also was happy to see that I received 125% miles on the upgraded flight.
Added: AMS - BKK was booked in K class, HKG - AMS in T class

According to Jetfan in this thread people are selected ad random.

Maybe we could start a thread on this topic where everyone who is offered a buy-up upgrade can post the price of the upgrade and the route in question for reference material.

Gajan

Perhaps the original booking class is of interest as well. I can imagine the upgrade fee is different for somebody on a full Y ticket, than for somebody on a G discount ticket. Are the upgrades available for everybody (at random) anyway?

Must say that in years of flying KL i have never been offered this option. I do fy mostly intra-europe though, I dont know if these upgrades are limited to long-haul?

^ Like Xandrios, I have never been offered that (despite indeed asking a couple of times if a paid upgrade could be arranged) but it would be nice to have a thread and to hope it shows a development towards a BA-type paid upgrade system, which I would personally appreciate (especially if, like BA, it potentially goes all the way to C -> P with AF)

Recent experiences by members
 

As it is not possible to copy other posts into this thread keeping the current order of posts, the most recent experience is of Frequent flier 101, who was offered an upgrade from economy (fare class: T; no Skyteam status) from KUL to AMS for €270.

If possible please supply fare-class and if you have any Skyteam/Flying Blue status.

i got it offered back in Nov10 on a AMS - DXB flight, as i can remember also around 300EUR. because it was a dayflight, i didn't take it
They didn't offer it on the way back while i hoped for it because it was a night flight

someone also posted (on http://voyageforum.com/) he has been offered this buy-up on a FB award ticket

i finally found the thread http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=3758...ssement%20klm;

I wonder whether these OLCI upgrades are offered mainly or only on overbooked flights, as a way to make some money from pax who would otherwise have been given an OpUp?

Johan

I have also wondered indeed...

I hear they are given on flights where the J-cabin has relatively many open seats, irrespective of the seat count in the Y-cabin.
And apparently they are offered on a random basis primarily to those doing an early web check-in -> this is last bit is confirmed by some posts here stating an early security number.

I have not yet discoved the link between fare class, distance and upgrade fee offered.

No doubt much to the chagrin of the cabin crew, who now have to leave their poor relatives, friends, neighbors etc. to suffer in Y class whilst WBC seats are sold for a pittance to dastardly customers who pay the FAs salaries.

Johan

In the other thread the OP said he got the WBC mileage accrual as well, which would make it a no-brainer to accept the offer.

I was recently offered (and took!) the OLCI buy-up on IAD-AMS for 213 euros on a V fare. I was not offered it for the return, a Q fare.

:D:D:D

It would appear that it is also on the website now (not in the exact wording):

Gajan