Oct 31, 2014, 5:22 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

MHUPGRADE SUCCESSFUL UPGRADE OFFER PRICES
(origin - destination, offer price accepted, post #)

ECONOMY to BUSINESS
KUL - ADL SGD250 #203
KUL - AKL USD325 #447
KUL - BKK SGD80 #70
KUL - BKK USD65 #450
KUL - CAN MYR345 #358
KUL - CMB MYR576 #686
KUL - CGK USD60 #153
KUL - CGK MYR220 #230
KUL - DAC MYR551 #112
KUL - DPS SGD80 #70
KUL - DPS AUD75 #114
KUL - HAN AUD90 #209
KUL - HKG MYR480 #393
KUL - HKT USD50
KUL - HYD GBP90 #54
KUL - HYD USD90 #452
KUL - ICN SGD140
KUL - ICN MYR402 #343
KUL - ICN EUR120 #354
KUL - KIX MYR452 #472
KUL - KUA MYR143 #349
KUL - KCH MYR150 #287
KUL - LGK MYR263 #505
KUL - LHR MYR3,350 #67
KUL - MEL MYR1,005 #262
KUL - MEL MYR1300
KUL - PEK MYR345 #338
KUL - PEN MYR170 #268
KUL - PER GBP135 #309
KUL - PER USD150 #335
KUL - PER MYR524 #336
KUL - PNH MYR200 #404
KUL - PVG SGD120 #30, 225
KUL - PVG USD105 #169, 217
KUL - REP MYR150 #123
KUL - RGN MYR305 #333
KUL - SGN MYR210 #141
KUL - SIN MYR30 #52
KUL - SIN SGD50 #267
KUL - SYD SGD300 #267

AMS - KUL GBP450 #152
BKK - KUL GBP80 #54
BKK - KUL USD65 #452
BNE - KUL AUD215 #2
BWN - KUL USD60 #394
CAN - KUL MYR350 #358
DAC - KUL USD120 #479
DPS - KUL AUD70 #121
DPS - KUL USD60 #216
DXB - KUL USD200
HKG - KUL SGD120 #53
HKG - KUL HKD810 #266
HKG - KUL HKD805 #290
HKT - KUL MYR30 #52
HKT - KUL NZD55 #447
HYD - KUL USD90 #450
ICN - KUL SGD140
JHB - KUL MYR100
KIX - KUL MYR452 #445
KCH - BKI MYR200 #344
KCH - KUL MYR150 #287
LGK - KUL GBP20 #44
LGK - KUL MYR263 #505
MAA - KUL SGD125 #163
MEL - KUL AUD230 #1
MEL - KUL AUD305 #140
MEL - KUL AUD480 #16
MEL - KUL AUD400 #312
MEL - KUL MYR1,300 #312
MNL - KUL USD140 #482
MYY - KUL MYR270 #715
PEK - KUL MYR500 #323
PEK - KUL GBP80 #332
PEK - KUL MYR345 #340
PER - KUL USD160 #350
PVG - KUL USD105 #167
REP - KUL USD45 #334
RGN - KUL USD65 #506
SDK - KUL MYR150 #154
SGN - KUL MYR200 #141
SIN - KUL SGD85 #213
SIN - KUL SGD50 #267
SYD - KUL AUD260 #172, 208
SYD - KUL AUD300 #456
SYD - KUL AUD330 #215
SYD - KUL AUD400 #468
SYD - KUL MYR810 #325
TPE - KUL SGD110 #391

BUSINESS to FIRST
KUL - CDG MYR5,000 #67
LHR - KUL USD2,750 #4

MHUpgrade is MH's implementation of Plusgrade's bid on an upgrade platform.

You can check if your itinerary is eligible for bidding on an upgrade (most are) on MH's website here, but it typically takes 24-48 hours after the ticket is issued for the itinerary to be in Plusgrade's system
You cannot bid for flights departing within 72 hours
Minimum bids are dynamically set based on various factors, and don't appear to change as you get closer to flight departure
Tip: If you're bidding the minimum, you should consider making the bid in USD unless bidding in your home currency avoids credit card costs that are higher than the difference in pricing (see this post)
Bid amounts can be changed or withdrawn up to 72 hours from flight departure. It does not appear that you can update the credit card number
Accepted bids will be processed within the 72 hours window, generally prior to 48 hours to departure
If your bid is accepted:
- The credit card will be charged
- You will be rebooked in "I" class for business class, "P" class for first class
- You will receive an email notification from Plusgrade
- You will receive an email with your new eTicket from the airline
Within MH Enrich, mileage accrual is based on the fare class on your original ticket. For partner programs, without manual intervention, your mileage accrual is based on the class you've been rebooked into, not the one from your original ticket. Retro claims based on original booking may be required, it is unclear yet if they will be accepted or not.
- Note that "I" earns nothing, including no segment credits or tier points (it's as if you never took the flight) on AA, BA, CX, and probably other carriers (check your program's information), so from a frequent flyer standpoint you might end up worse off
- There are multiple reports from multiple users in this thread that mileage on partner programs (BA) will be credited based on the earning rates (if any) from original booking class, following manual intervention/claim.
Please read MH's FAQs

MHUpgrade option, anyone tried it?

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Jan 30, 2018, 4:09 am

#646

d00t

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: 1A

Programs: Elite Diamond Purple Dot Gold Silver Titanium for life

Posts: 1,822

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuxedo66

I only disputed it (partial amount) with the card company after not having the courtesy of a reply from the airline after a month. The bid price was only slightly less than a commercial Business Class seat purchased in advance on promotion. And I think the lower price reflects the "standby" nature of last minute upgrade. For a night flight, I value the seat more than any kind of inflight service. Best wishes for the Christmas and New Year :-)

You can't dispute a partial amount with your bank. It's all or nothing. Also, did you call the airline? The agreement to dispute the transaction with your bank means you would have had to make all reasonable attempts to contact the airline prior. Email is not "all reasonable attempts".... Disputing transaction is a dangerous game with airlines IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by haroon145

of course he should dispute it, I would dispute the full charge if paid for by credit card. The seat was not functional in business class, completely unacceptable. It doesn’t matter whether it’s better than being in economy the passenger paid more.

What the ....? No. If part of the product isn't fully working, you request compensation.
The airline ticket agreement is actually to get you from A to B.

Jan 30, 2018, 10:13 pm

#647

tuxedo66

Join Date: Aug 2010

Posts: 72

Quote:

Originally Posted by d00t

Actually, it was the bank that asked if I wanted to dispute the whole or partial amount. I told them about the situation and they said it sounds like "Product not as described or product faulty" category, which is often used for mail order items. Yes, I did call the airline. Their call centre wasn't helpful at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by d00t

What the ....? No. If part of the product isn't fully working, you request compensation.
The airline ticket agreement is actually to get you from A to B.

Yes, agree that normally the airline's obligation is to get one from A to B in the class purchased. Eg. in the case of a leased aircraft with inferior seating, their obligation is fulfilled too. However, mine was a last-minute upgrade option purchased separately from the ticket. So, rightly or wrongly, I disputed the transaction as "Product not as described or product faulty".

It has been six weeks since I lodged the dispute and five weeks since the disputed amount was reversed. The airline has some time to defend the dispute but I'm not sure how much. Let's see how it goes.

Jan 30, 2018, 11:16 pm

#648

minz56

Join Date: Nov 2013

Programs: NZ

Posts: 1,549

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuxedo66

It has been six weeks since I lodged the dispute and five weeks since the disputed amount was reversed. The airline has some time to defend the dispute but I'm not sure how much. Let's see how it goes.

I thought they only had a month to respond.... but it may depend on the type of card

Mar 8, 2018, 4:13 am

#649

skywalkerLAX

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: Seat 2A

Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC

Posts: 10,571

Got an email with the UG offer for DPS-KUL-BKK, minimum bid being US$130 per segment. Couldn't click 'NO' fast enough.

Kinda surprised that it's so expensive given previous examples in the Wiki here reporting offers around $70.

Got the ticket extremely cheap at $130 one way and have Emerald Status. Gonna slum it!

Mar 14, 2018, 9:44 am

#650

seattle29

Join Date: Dec 2007

Location: Harrogate

Programs: BA, KL, DL

Posts: 996

Sandakan (SDK) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI), lowest bid available 79 MYR (+6% GST).

Granted it's only a 25-30 minute flight, but at around US$21, the lowest bid I've been offered.

Mar 15, 2018, 7:21 pm

#651

SingaporeGuy

Join Date: Dec 2017

Posts: 4

Hi all

Here's what MHUpgrade proposed to me (Economy to Business) :

SIN-KUL - S$110 (Minimum) - S Class fare
KUL-ICN - S$305 (Minimum) - S Class fare

ICN-KUL - S$370 (Minimum) - Q Class fare
KUL-SIN - S$130 (Minimum) - Q Class fare

Note that the Q Class fare is cheaper than the S class fare. This may explain why the bids were higher on the return sectors

I did not bid as the pricing was a bit steep.

Does anyone here know what is the price quoted at check-in for upgrade from Economy to Business for the sector KUL-ICN?

Thanks.

Mar 15, 2018, 9:22 pm

#652

crackjack

Join Date: Jul 2014

Posts: 1,132

Any upgrade at the airport (do they do it at checkin?) IIRC are always higher than the MHUpgrade option’s minimum.

Mar 15, 2018, 9:46 pm

#653

Rami Tamimi

Join Date: Oct 2012

Location: LCA/KUL/RGN

Programs: RJ Gold, AZ E+, Air Asia Platinum

Posts: 2,188

Slightly OT, but does MH allow J pax to be sit in F if they don't sell F on the flight? Thinking if I should participate in the upgrade auction on the HKG flight.

Mar 15, 2018, 10:14 pm

#654

SilverChris

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: YVR, KUL

Programs: AC, MH, BA, AF-KL

Posts: 2,903

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rami Tamimi

Slightly OT, but does MH allow J pax to be sit in F if they don't sell F on the flight? Thinking if I should participate in the upgrade auction on the HKG flight.

It's usually closed if J isn't full. You might be able to select an F seat during OLCI but you'd probably be kicked out.

Mar 15, 2018, 10:40 pm

#655

Zawnet

Join Date: Jan 2017

Posts: 305

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackjack

Any upgrade at the airport (do they do it at checkin?) IIRC are always higher than the MHUpgrade option’s minimum.

in recent times, at least from KUL, airport upgrades are cheaper than online upgrades but do-able only 2 hrs before departure.

At KUL, you need to do it at the ticket counters landside at departures level, or you could also do it at the transit/ transfer ticketing desks airside at the satellite building. There are no facilities to do it at the lounges (like previously before the lounge renovations) or airside in the main terminal building, whether international or domestic levels.

Mar 15, 2018, 11:05 pm

#656

SilverChris

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: YVR, KUL

Programs: AC, MH, BA, AF-KL

Posts: 2,903

Quote:

Originally Posted by SingaporeGuy

This might not help you at this point, but the promo price for SIN-ICN return on MH J is around S$1200. Beats buying a Y ticket, paying an extra $900 only to hope that you get upgraded.

Mar 16, 2018, 2:09 am

#657

crackjack

Join Date: Jul 2014

Posts: 1,132

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zawnet

in recent times, at least from KUL, airport upgrades are cheaper than online upgrades but do-able only 2 hrs before departure.

At KUL, you need to do it at the ticket counters landside at departures level, or you could also do it at the transit/ transfer ticketing desks airside...

Interesting, so this something in the last year or so? Is this only for upgrade-eligible booking fare classes only? I guess I’ll try it for my flight to BKI, just for kicks. :P

Mar 16, 2018, 4:28 am

#658

Zawnet

Join Date: Jan 2017

Posts: 305

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackjack

Interesting, so this something in the last year or so? Is this only for upgrade-eligible booking fare classes only? I guess I’ll try it for my flight to BKI, just for kicks. :P

should be a cinch for BKI. Seems to be doable for all fare buckets. Note however that for destinations with multiple fights during the day, like BKI, MH charges different upgrade fees for each flight or time of the dat - so it depends which flight you are originally booked on, as you could only upgrade for that flight.

Mar 16, 2018, 10:05 am

#659

talfred

Join Date: Dec 2015

Posts: 202

There is a fixed 'rate card' used in KUL for econ to biz upgrades regardless of fare class.

enquired a few times and always found them higher than MHupgrade min bid. Even the min bid these days are awful.

suggest best thing is to look out for a cheap biz fare, call and ask to pay the fare difference to that particular class.

Mar 16, 2018, 4:04 pm

#660

Zawnet

Join Date: Jan 2017

Posts: 305

Quote:

Originally Posted by talfred

I dont know how recent was your experience but it is no longer as “fixed as what the card says”. It could vary during the day for destinations having multiple flights per day.

Yes, previously MHupgrade is always cheaper than counter upgrade but it seems not any more.

But I do agree, sometime a real upgrade to an actual biz class fare bucket may be not much different from a last minute counter upgrade or MHupgrade costs and you will get to earn more mileage, get it confirmed earlier on before travel etc.