Hi all.

I have been loyal to TWA for quite a few years now, but they're reducing their service to Europe and I have to choose another carrier. Now, the thing i liked about their aviator program was that it allowed me to upgrade from any published fare, if i redeemed 40,000 miles.
I used that award a couple of times and I would like to be able to do the same thing on my next airline of choice.
AF and BA only seem to allow upgrades from Y fares, which I can't really afford. What about other airlines?

Thanks!

United Premier members can upgrade on any published fare domestically, but not internationally.

Welcome to Flyertalk, CDG.

Edited for ackuraccey.

[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 11-02-2000).]

Of all the major US based carriers, only American allows you to upgrade international segments on any fare with miles (50K RT, or 25K one-way). This may exclude special internet fares, etc. but includes just about "any published fare."

This changes a bit if you are an elite/premier member on some airlines. For example, UA 1K's get 6 (or more depending on who you talk to) systemwide upgrades on any fare, US Airways Preferred members recieved 2 systemwide upgrades from any fare, etc. If you know what elite level you will reach each year based on your travel, I'd shop the comparable levels on DL, UA, AA, US, CO, etc. and see where that puts you...

cheers, geo

Is this true for international fares or just domestic U.S. flights??? I thought UA Premiers could upgrade "select" international fares only???

Here is a list of mostly StarAlliance members, except Swissair) that do or don't allow upgrades on any published fares on transatlantic (international) flights.

UA' Mileage Plus doesn't allow 'any-fare' upgrades on international segments with miles.

LH's miles&more does

Austrian Airlines 's miles&more does

SR's Qualifliers does

BlondeBomber: how about AC?

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 11-02-2000).]

AC doesn't allow any upgrades with miles. International upgrades can only be done using the limited number of coupons provided to upper tier members. These can only be applied to Y class international fares. Domestic fare upgrades are slightly less restrictive.

Delta allows upgrades both internationally from the US and domestically on "select fares", which currently are Y, B, and M. All of these are usually expensive. Domestically, one can upgrade from Y for fewer miles. Here's a link to the Delta award chart:
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/member...ards/index.jsp

AA is looking better and better these days...

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Time..... is on my side.

"AC . . . International upgrades can only be done using the limited number of coupons provided to upper tier members. These can only be applied to Y class international fares."

Actually, it is not a limited number of coupons--I generally have leftovers at the end of the year since I mix international travel with domestic so get sufficient coupons (sometimes with the help of a few friends) to cover all my flights. International and domestic flights can be upgraded for top elite (Super Elite) flyers from V or higher fares which is still a great deal. Elite (middle tier elite) can upgrade domestic from V or higher and international from Y/M only.

I stand corrected, BB. I've never made the top tier status (I'm there for 2001, though) so I had forgotten about the V class international upgrade for SE.

The coupons are still limited in the sense that AC does not offer them for miles. Practically speaking, however, they are unlimited for me too; I always have leftovers.

What is TWA's internatinal first/business class product like? I know it's a two service class airline similar to CO and DL but how does TW measure up? Others have warned me against flying TW but I have the option of using an award with them and they do fly to Cairo.

As long as I'm flying on a revenue ticket, even a promotional discount, AA allows me to upgrade domestically and internationally, availability and customary restrictions permitting.

Essxjay, UA allows upgrades on any fare for domestic only; international must be B, H, and Q (I think). B requires 20K RT, others 40.

AA allows international upgrades on any fare.

Cheers

Well, until a couple of years ago, the worst thing about TransWorld One was the lack of PTV. They now have UpFront Video, which allows you to load an 8mm tape into the armrest of your seat. I think you have a choice of about 10 movies.
There is a LOT of legroom and the recline is quite satisfactory, although i couldn't give you an angle in degrees. It's an old-fashioned mechanical seat, with no electronic controls. It's a little bit on the narrow side, as well.
The food is OK, although I think it was better a couple of years ago. The service varies a lot from one flight to the next. It's all about the crew you get. I would say it's pretty good overall.
I hope this helps.


[This message has been edited by CDG (edited 11-02-2000).]

Whoops! I didn't read the original post closely enough and skipped over the reference to Europe. Mea culpa, CDG.

I believe it's Y, B, M and H fares that are the upgradeable coach fares on UA. Definitely not lowly Q class (which is where my fanny will be parked all the way to Munich at the end of the month).

[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 11-02-2000).]

UA also differentiates between miles and regular upgrade certificates (not the 1K SWUs). A Premier member can use certificates to upgrade any published domestic fare, but not international fares.
Any member can use mileage to upgrade some published domestic and international fares. I don't think that officially a Premier member can use miles to upgrade fares than a non-Premier member cannot.

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"If you want to win the game, write the rules."