What would you do?
 

My wife and I are scheduled to visit China in November. Here is my problem:

I have already booked a reward ticket for my wife in the Coach section; then I just found out my company would send me there in the Business or First Class. This would split us during the trip. I am trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation.

Any similar experiences?

Some options include:

1. Purchase the ticket with an Amex Platinum card and find an airline that will give you a two for one ticket.

2. Cash in extra miles so that your wife can fly in business.

I would not suggest that you fly in business and she fly coach.

if all else fails, how about u and ur wife take turn sitting in coach? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
that happened to me and my husband a few times.... normally i let him sit up front ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

If one of the tickets is paid, and you have status, you can usually convince the gate agent to "upgrade" the other ticket.

Seems risky to me. I'd opt to use miles and get my wife into business class with me (in fact, that's what I did going to Japan last month with her and my two year old.)

Don't take any chances. Bite the bullet and ask the airline to let you upgrade her award ticket with more miles to business now. If you don't have enough miles perhaps you can purchase the deficiency.

It significantly depends on the airline involved. If it is a American carrier, you"re better off, since they"ll negotiate as a function of your paid ticket, particularly if your nice to them (believe it, it matters).

A second alternative is to turn the mileage ticket back for miles and do the AMEX platinum purchase mentioned earier.

Thanks for all of comments.

I am considering to either negotiate with NW Airline or Upgrade the reward ticket. (Probably not through Amex, too expensive and fewer options to China)

I am an Elite with NW, but I am not sure if my status would help at all, since it is an international flight. Have you had any experience in negotiating with them?

Does anyone know if you can upgrade an reward ticket from Coach to Business?? What if the business class capacity control has already been met?

Yihao,
First, I would try to appeal to NW and see if they will upgrade your wife's ticket. If not then I would call the WorldPerks elite line and have them re-bank the miles to your account. Then have them re-issue the ticket in Business Class or First Class. Hopefully you have enough miles!

-RKG

[This message has been edited by RKG (edited 06-23-2000).]

[This message has been edited by RKG (edited 06-23-2000).]

NW/CO and most U.S. airlines do not, as a rule, allow you to upgrade an award ticket. You may be able to talk them into it. That said, you can always re-bank the award and then get a business award with those plus other miles.

Have your company buy two inexpensive coach tickets and use the miles to upgrade.

belle, LMAO...was that a serious post? Tag team flying. Wait until the WWF or WCW hears about this one!

spartacus, it is gladiator serious my friend... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This is seriously scary !!!