long haul cash upgrade at gate? [merged]
Feb 2, 2008, 2:27 am
#91
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ZRH / MUC / VIE
Programs: M&M basic / happy Wizzair+ user :-)
Posts: 6,490
If you don't find any arrengement on the ground (it's difficult in ZRH), ask the purser (maitre de cabine) for an onboard-upgrade. Expect a price at about 1500 CHF, and be aware that the flight ZRH-BOM has old biz (no comparison with Economy, though).
Feb 7, 2008, 7:34 am
#92
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: FRA
Posts: 582
My experience too with LH.
But for LX there are noteworthy exceptions to this, say ex BKK: BKK-SIN was ~240 CHF in Z and ~1240 in A. And airport buy-up was 3000 THB which is a great deal. Not worth it for the 90 minutes but still a cool thing if one is as obsessed with the moving Ottoman as I am.
But for LX there are noteworthy exceptions to this, say ex BKK: BKK-SIN was ~240 CHF in Z and ~1240 in A. And airport buy-up was 3000 THB which is a great deal. Not worth it for the 90 minutes but still a cool thing if one is as obsessed with the moving Ottoman as I am.
Has anyone yet tried this for the other way round, i.e. SIN-BKK, and can tell me if it works/how much it is?
Mar 8, 2008, 2:29 pm
#93
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: UA 1K MM RCC, DL 2MM/FC, Marriott PL
Posts: 143
Gate Upgrades for UA 1K on Swissair route ZRH-NBO?
I'm flying next week on Swissair, Zurich to Nairobi in coach. The res agent told me that while it would cost over 3 grand to upgrade to C now, there are sometimes buy-up upgrade fares at the gate on the day of travel. She did not know if/how this may be affected by my being a UA 1K (or a UA flier at all).
Anybody have any insights about what to expect, or suggestions on how to make an upgrade happen for a non-M&M flier but UA1K flier?
Anybody have any insights about what to expect, or suggestions on how to make an upgrade happen for a non-M&M flier but UA1K flier?
Last edited by TH-PDX; Mar 8, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Mar 8, 2008, 3:01 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Global
Programs: AAexp, UA*G, HY LT Globalist, FB Plat, Centurion
Posts: 988
I'm flying next week on Swissair, Zurich to Nairobi in coach. The res agent told me that while it would cost over 3 grand to upgrade to C now, there are sometimes buy-up upgrade fares at the gate on the day of travel. She did not know if/how this may be affected by my being a UA 1K (or a UA flier at all).
Anybody have any insights about what to expect, or suggestions on how to make an upgrade happen for a non-M&M flier but UA1K flier?
Anybody have any insights about what to expect, or suggestions on how to make an upgrade happen for a non-M&M flier but UA1K flier?
Yes in ZRH there are upgrades you can buy at the gate/transit center. They are based on milaeage flown. Simply go to the transfer counter and buy the upgrade there...normally they will call the gate to insure the number of c/f meals is properly loaded and then sell you the upgrade.
Furthermore, you can alwasy purchase an upgrade on board from the Maitre de cabine by using cash.
Mar 8, 2008, 11:17 pm
#98
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Global
Programs: AAexp, UA*G, HY LT Globalist, FB Plat, Centurion
Posts: 988
Also, when you check-in or before you check-in in ZRH, you can go to the Swiss Tickets desk and ask about "last minute upgrade." Sometimes the rate is lower there in my opinion. I don't know why and always the onboard upgrade from the Maitre de cabine is higher.
This should be no problem for you to do. It was normal Swissair and now Swiss I.A. practice: not a favour just SOP.
Mar 9, 2008, 10:49 am
#100
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: London
Programs: UA Premier Executive, bmi DC, BA Exec, CO OnePass, AClub Gold
Posts: 103
i am interested in this as well for my ZRH-HKG flight. 650CHF seems pretty cheap, but I bet this is unlikely. When I fly the route I will let you know what it is. I have never heard of an upgrade onboard an aircraft before though using cash!?
Mar 9, 2008, 11:03 am
#101
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Mar 9, 2008, 1:02 pm
#102
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
BA has upgrade on board option. Fairly pricey though (much more than numbers mentioned here). And of course such upgrades are last to be served food/drink and do not get extra class of service mileage.
Mar 10, 2008, 1:27 am
#103
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
Mar 10, 2008, 2:51 pm
#104
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: UA MM Gold
Posts: 1,193
Swiss gives invites to BA Club in NBO for *A Gold departees. Since this is out of the norm, you might ask about it if it is not offered. I got it last year as a 1P. Not great, but waaaay above the NBO departure longue......
Mar 10, 2008, 2:55 pm
#105
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Programs: UA 1K (MM), MR Plat Prem, Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,164
They gave without asking when I departed NBO in November.