Operational Upgrades
Jan 25, 2004 | 3:09 pm
#2
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
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On short-haul, about 50% since becoming PE.
I've never flown long-haul Y.
Of course, the value of an 'upgrade' from an aisle seat in an exit row in Y to a middle seat in Europe 'Select' is questionable.
[This message has been edited by stut (edited Jan 25, 2004).]
I've never flown long-haul Y.
Of course, the value of an 'upgrade' from an aisle seat in an exit row in Y to a middle seat in Europe 'Select' is questionable.
[This message has been edited by stut (edited Jan 25, 2004).]
Jan 25, 2004 | 3:12 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 7,566
Other people seem to have more luck than me, but I've only had two in the last two years, and they were both on European flights (one in the old "Real Business Class" days, one a couple of months ago when it was Europe Select). Had a couple of long-haul ones many many years ago, but none since.
My other half has been slightly luckier, he's had two or three long-haul ones in the last three years, including one in mid-flight when they needed to find a seat for someone whose audio system wasn't working (i.e., they moved him into Business Class so that the other person could have his seat). He missed out on the Business Class dinner, but at least he got his "huisje" for his collection!
My other half has been slightly luckier, he's had two or three long-haul ones in the last three years, including one in mid-flight when they needed to find a seat for someone whose audio system wasn't working (i.e., they moved him into Business Class so that the other person could have his seat). He missed out on the Business Class dinner, but at least he got his "huisje" for his collection!
Jan 25, 2004 | 6:39 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,882
Both short-haul and long-haul: nada, niente, niets, rien de rien in years of flying KL as RW/PE.
This being said, most of my flights are off-peak (viz. rarely Friday or Sunday nights or Monday mornings).
This being said, most of my flights are off-peak (viz. rarely Friday or Sunday nights or Monday mornings).
Jan 26, 2004 | 3:11 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: DUB/ORD/SIN/PVG
Programs: EI AerClub Concierge, EK Gold, BA Gold, BD Gold (Retired), HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 2,925
Never had a short haul upgrade. Not even when the "select seating" pre-assignments have been messed up and all they have are middle seats in the last couple of rows. Honestly, that's about the only time it would make much of a difference to me.
Only ever been upgraded long haul when the flight has been overbooked - although never in advance, I've just been handed a new boarding pass at the gate or (once) moved up after boarding.
Someone on the NW board has a 60% upgrade rate on LHR-AMS "just by asking" at the gate... Wonder what the trick is...
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-- Dambus
Jan 26, 2004 | 3:12 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Stirling, Scotland
Programs: Amex Centurion - BA Gold - IHG Platinum - HHonors Diamond - Virgin/SkyTeam Gold / Hillman Imp
Posts: 2,293
None on long haul after being RW for several years but most of my long hauls are in C anyway.
None in Y until last year when 7 of us (3 PE, 1 GE & 3 BP) were upgraded CPH-AMS in the new Y section.
2 so far this year, 1 MAD-SCQ on AirEuropa ?? and 1 MAD-AMS on KLM.
pmcg
None in Y until last year when 7 of us (3 PE, 1 GE & 3 BP) were upgraded CPH-AMS in the new Y section.
2 so far this year, 1 MAD-SCQ on AirEuropa ?? and 1 MAD-AMS on KLM.
pmcg
Jan 26, 2004 | 3:54 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: KLM PE / EVA Silver / LH nothing
Posts: 19
Had one on AMS-BKK last year after pushing and asking for it. (this was after the check-in lady showed me she entered a nice comment in her system)
Furthermore, as a PE since last year, I never had any operational upgrades on long haul Y, even though I flew more then 100K miles last year on KLM. This may be due to the fact that I always seem to fly on the busy days as well.
Furthermore, as a PE since last year, I never had any operational upgrades on long haul Y, even though I flew more then 100K miles last year on KLM. This may be due to the fact that I always seem to fly on the busy days as well.
Jan 26, 2004 | 4:36 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Sen // HH Dia; Bonvoy LTTE
Posts: 3,210
I had only last-haul flights the last year: upgrades ~30% (without having to ask).
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Basic Hotel stays/nights/points calculator
Short overview: KLM FD, LH M&M
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Pictures from hotel stays
Basic Hotel stays/nights/points calculator
Short overview: KLM FD, LH M&M
Jan 26, 2004 | 7:34 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
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Posts: 6,362
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lallyr:
Just wondering what everyones success rate has been? As i havent been able to get one till yet!
</font>
Just wondering what everyones success rate has been? As i havent been able to get one till yet!
</font>
Jan 26, 2004 | 8:35 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cheltenham
Programs: Mucci, KLM Plat for Life , BA now muddy grey, HH Silver, (Other half Diamond), IHG Gold
Posts: 2,692
Upgrades are less common than they used to be. In 1999/2000/ 2001 it used to be rare not to get one on ams to kul or sin. Sometimes these were big seats no service but great! Fewer seats in C has not helped.
Jan 26, 2004 | 9:10 am
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by simonsmith:
Upgrades are less common than they used to be. In 1999/2000/ 2001 it used to be rare not to get one on ams to kul or sin. Sometimes these were big seats no service but great! Fewer seats in C has not helped.</font>
Upgrades are less common than they used to be. In 1999/2000/ 2001 it used to be rare not to get one on ams to kul or sin. Sometimes these were big seats no service but great! Fewer seats in C has not helped.</font>
Jan 26, 2004 | 2:33 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
I've only kept track for the last two years... 3 times at check-in on short-hauls, once onboard on AMS-SFO.
Previously, I remember a number of times when all paying WBC pax would be moved upstairs, and elites moved to the main deck biz seats, with Y service. This mostly on 744 service from the Far East, on routes with more tour groups than premium traffic (ICN, KIX, NGO, among others). This practice seems to have disappeared with the shrunken WBC cabins
Previously, I remember a number of times when all paying WBC pax would be moved upstairs, and elites moved to the main deck biz seats, with Y service. This mostly on 744 service from the Far East, on routes with more tour groups than premium traffic (ICN, KIX, NGO, among others). This practice seems to have disappeared with the shrunken WBC cabins
Jan 26, 2004 | 2:50 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Programs: FB Plat for Life, HHonors Gold
Posts: 195
Upgrades are not only influenced by elite status, but certainly also by fare paid. When I used to travel quite a lot of short haul in Europe at full fare economy, I had a 95% success rate getting upgraded to C - also when economy was not full. Was RW at the time. At the moment - being PE - I rarely get upgraded when travelling on deeply discounted tickets. Got lucky last Friady on LHR-AMS...but that is a rare occasion these days.
Jan 27, 2004 | 2:57 am
#15
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,413
What were these bigger seats used for? Where abouts in the plane were they?
Does KLM still any Airplanes with these seats. So basically were they WBC seats without the service? Or were they WBC seats with service when they had paying customers and without the service for the Elites?
Must have been fun being a Elite a few years back then?
Does KLM still any Airplanes with these seats. So basically were they WBC seats without the service? Or were they WBC seats with service when they had paying customers and without the service for the Elites?
Must have been fun being a Elite a few years back then?