I really envy all these upgrade tales in the US. As a frequent flyer in Asia with elite status at various points in time with Qantas, Ansett, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, I have to say that the number of "free" upgrades have been few and far between, say a 2 p.a average over the last 5 years despite averaging anywhere from 300 - 700 kms p.a. (60 - 100 flight segments approx) over this period generaly on Business Class. And when I mean elite, I mean elite as in Qantas Gold (the highest level), Ansett Diamond (the highest), PPS on SIA(need 5 years consecutive to make Solitaire, I am on 3rd), Marco Polo (just joined, will make Diamond before long). But then again, I guess the frequent flyer game is still young ou here. There aren't even that many affinity cards for the programmes out here.

I wish I could thank my rugged good looks and DiCaprio-esque boyish charm to my 2-class jump, but alas...
My best guess is computer screw-up, or maybe some random act of kindness by a reservation agent somewhere along the way...I'm not holding my breath for a repeat!

long long ago (in my pre-frequent-flyer-life), about in 1989, on Thanksgiving-evening (only Europeans can get the idea to fly on such a family-date) we flew with UA from LAS to DEN. We were not more than 4 passengers, all seated in eco as we have been "told", when the Steward invited all of us to join the crew (I think they were 6 or 7) in firstclass to celebrate .... It was my first life-thanksgiving - since then I am a UA-client.

So I found this old thread...

When I was a student I used to do a tri-continent commute every summer. At one point BA upgraded me after I'd spent a night asleep on the floor at Heathrow outside someone's office (I couldn't afford a B&B) - I must have looked tired, & was on the cheapest student fare they sold...

When I finished my final year at university I missed my original flight thanks to a stoned taxi-driver who left one of my bags behind. I had to wait for two days to make all of the connections again. They upgraded me for the first intercontinental flight on that trip - a few days before Christmas. And they gave me club world airmiles.

Perhaps looking young & fragile works - but thanks to those incidents, BA has my undying devotion, unlike other airlines that treated me really badly when I travelled on student fares. I've been upgraded since, but I've never appreciated it as much as I did on those first two occasions.

My academic friends tell me that being a 'doctor' also helps with upgrades - PhDs I know get upgraded fairly often.

After reading the above post, from now on I want to be called Dr. J! *L*

Double upgrades were leagal on UA through 1996.You just had to have double the amount of certs.Now it's illegal on UA.Like Rudi and Catman said being nice is the best way to secure an upgrade.

Sometimes the dispensing of upgrades is just plain mysterious. My partner and I were flying on a very full US Airways plane from Washington National to Nashville last Christmas. Neither of us has any premier status with US. About 10 minutes before boarding, the gate agent called my name, asked for our boarding passes, and without a word she tore them up and handed me 1st class boarding passes. I started to ask why, and she made it clear I shouldn't ask. Wish I could figure it out so I could do it again.

I am sending a change of name to all my FF accounts...from now on "Dr." will proceed my name! *L* Wonder if they are going to ask for my degree? ...I watch lots of educational programs on TV, does that count? I will be sure to clarify that I am NOT a medical doctor...I wouldn't want someone on a flight to have a heart attack and have the flight attendant call out "is anyone on this flight a doctor?"

Just claim to be a doctor of something obscure, & if they press you on it, start talking about your 'research' using lots of jargon.

Just pray that there isn't someone who really knows about it around!

Well,I am a doctor. How do I go about getting the airline to recognize me as doctor so I can get all these upgrades?

Welcome aboard, Tex. As a fellow TEXAN, I would recommend, if you're determined, as most of us on these threads are, try a little kindness with the gate agents utilizing your medical/doctoral expertise. Or, make friends with a CO Gold Elite and you can get upgraded as a travelling companion.

Baobab:

I have to tell this story. I flew SLC-PDX - SEL - PEK recently. I had just gotten seated in business on the transpacific leg when the EM BEE AAY seated next to me started blathering about his degree from Temple. Suddenly, the lead flight attendent came by and said: "Dr Quan, we've upgraded you to First, come right this way!" MBA's jaw dropped to the floor as I waved 'bye.'

I have instructed my travel agent -not- to book me as Dr Quan but she slipped up this time. I don't associate travelling as an MD with any privileges. I don't relish being called to an inflight medical emergency with so little to work with and all that liability... In all my flying I've never received the 'Doctor upgrade.' I didn't think for a minute that was the reason. But it sure was fun to one up an MBA!

Jim

Doctors and other professionals should have
a chance to be upgraded. But I will NOT
tell a lie and say I'm a doctor (What would
I be... A doctor of Feline Psychology?)

I leave my upgrading chances to the Frequent Flyer Gods. What will be will be...CATMAN

Welcome aboard to you also, jimquan. Your comments are greatly appreciated, especially your "upgrade tale". I have a few MD friends and many of them feel as you do about
the liabilities, etc. Although Texas has a law that prevents MD's, or anyone, rendering
aid from being sued, it still does not apply to out-of-Texas travel. Again, welcome aboard, and we look forward to your future inputs.

well jimquan, the flight attendant may have heard the MBA going on & on and decided to take revenge on them..

The doctors I know who've been upgraded are 'academic' doctors - PhD's in abstract math, chemistry etc - not generally people who get to fly in the front of the plane. One penniless post-doctoral fellow I know was upgraded while his (less qualified) girlfriend was left in economy. He'd have been no help in a medical emergency!

But, if you look back at my upgrade tales from my student days (no PhD/MBA or other), titles don't seem to have much to do with it. I spent my first trip in business trying to hide the rips in my jeans. It is, indeed, merely a case of being blessed by the upgrade gods.

Catman, you seem to have the upgrade routine down pat: being moved to 'balance the plane' sounds a little far fetched, particularly as I've seen the inner workings of BA's cargo section, & even a 400 pound person wouldn't disturb the wings. Now if they asked you to get off the plane because it couldn't take off with you aboard... that would make more sense! (Airports like Cape Town can be hard to get out of)