This is probably a rather silly question, but can I upgrade a couch class award ticket with a certificate coupon? Any insights will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

I would be very surprised if you could. All my certificates (even the you can upgrade anything at time of purchase ones) say "Upgrade any PURCHASED fare".

I think you will find most airlines "official policy" says NO! BUT, having said that, there are always exceptions as circumstances dictate. I hold elite status on US Airways and was using a free ticket (coach) for travel to Jamaica. I went to check in and asked if I could use upgrade certificates to move up to FC even though I was on a free ticket. I guess the agent appreciated my honesty (that and there was probably a lot of space available in First that day) and I received the upgrade. On other occassions I have been told that I can not upgrade per company policy. No problem. Good luck...

Never say never. I traveled with a friend last year to Barbados on American. I was on a heavily discounted fare, my friend was on a 30K mileage award. I confirmed an upgrade for my seat two days prior.

When we checked in, I asked about the upgrade, and ticket counter agent said "do you both want to upgrade?" I said sure, and she did it, using additional upgrade stickers. I know she was bending the rules (I was a Platinum at the time), but First wasn't full and she was in a good mood -- I didn't question it!

A couple of years ago I was traveling from TUS to IAH on a Continental coach reward ticket, and I had neglected to get a seat preassigned. At check-in only middle seats were available. I asked if there was any chance of getting a "Better" seat at the gate and mentioned that I was a Gold Elite "If that made any difference" The gate agent told me to wait a few minutes, and then gave me a FC boarding pass! A similar event happened when I was traveling from MCO to DEN with my wife, who was traveling on a reward ticket, I was on a discounted coach ticket.
The flight was overbooked in coach so I was able to persuade them to upgrade us. (I was Silver Elite at the time)

After the snowstorm of Jan. 4 I was upgraded using certs on a reward ticket from YYZ-YVR. Aside from that, most airlines are particular about not upgrading fee tickets.

I have frequently requested, but have never been able to obtain, a "couch" class ticket. Please advise as to which airline issues these luxurious seats.

Djlawman

Djlawman-- hmm, didn't that couple on a SAA flight awhile back have a "couch class" ticket? (The flight where one of the pilots told the couple that his airplane wasn't some "shag house" and to behave themselves.)

I was traveling from HNL to SFO on American a few years ago. I had a paid ticket and was traveling with a friend who was using a coach award ticket. The agent at HNL was very kind and upgraded both of us - without stickers. My guess is that coach was oversold.

I was talking to a United Gate Agent I met at my dentist's office, and she said about the biggest no-no (actions that can get you in REAL hot water) there is is 1. Upgrading a free coach award, and 2. Double Upgrading (2 class upgrade...from Coach, skipping Business, and going into First on a 3 class plane) using upgrade certs. The only time they can get away with this is when Coach is oversold.

FYI...

If you are a WorldPerks Platinum Elite or
Gold Elite member, your unlimited confirmed
domestic First Class upgrade benefits include
upgrading on an award ticket when on NW-
operated flights (but not allowed on CO-operated/NW-coded flights). Domestic is
US48/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean for NW-operated.
Automatic upgrades are processed three days prior to departure for Platinum, two days
prior for Gold, if seats are available.

Upgrade certificates are not usually allowed
to be used in conjunction with awards.

Long-time FlyerTalk reader...first post...
very nervous! I will stick to Buzz and NW
boards and will be happy to answer WorldPerks
questions if anyone has any. I don't have
the opportunity to check-in every day, but
will check in at least every few days.

Thanks MJW! Any and all contributions are very welcomed. We appreciate it.

Don't be nervous, MJW, we always welcome new victims

... Welcome to FlyerTalk!


[FYI, other FlyerTalkers... take a look at MJW's profile: a very brave - and welcome - contributer indeed]



[This message has been edited by baobab (edited 04-06-99).]

My wife and I flew on AA using award tickets recently and were both upgraded on 2 out of 4 legs. I was preparing to ask the ticket counter person, then the Admiral's Club person and finally the gate agent, but did not even need to go past gate 1. I was nice to the agent and did the "any way?" thing. So, it is possible.