Free Upgrades
 

Does anyone know how to upgrade without using your points? Mainly on SAS,Air France, UA and Delta. T

Thanks,
David :D

For Delta all you have to do is become a Medallion member (Silver, Gold or Platinum) ... then you just have to request the upgrades at the time of booking and again at check-in if the upgrade request hasnt cleared ...

It is rare for any airline to give away free upgrades unless you are a member of their frequent flyer program... and an upper member at that.

You may want to check the specific airline forums you are looking for an upgrade on to see how each airline handles this issue.

At SAS
 

.. usually the only reason to get an upgrade is if you're in a fully/ over booked coach and they are able to squeeze another paying passenger in, if they have room in business they will offer upgrades to Gold card holders.

many airlines will upgrade you if you purchase a FULL FARE (Y) coach ticket, so long as you are part of their frequent flyer program (normally you do NOT need a high level of membership with a full-fare ticket)

Caveat: full-fared Y is generally more expensive than discounted business.

I asked NWA before and they said the Y/B fare upgrade to first is only for elite members, not for general members.

.....

Did you mean:
"How can I score a free upgrade to First Class if I buy a discounted coach seat but don't fly very often???"

I've buried that secret inside a coffee can somewhere in my vast Florida wetlands ranch. If you want to purchase prospecting rights call me at 1-800-GULLIBLE

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Basically we're talking airline alchemy here, right?

Newbies can make easy targets, but let's cut the guy a little slack. The world is full of places where it's not about earning something, but about knowing how to ask for it. FTers know that airline upgrades don't tend to work that way, but the rest of the world may not - and asking "Does anybody know...?" is not an offensive way to try to find out.

In a couple of years the OP may well be helping us.

I was not offended by the OP's question, and I would hope they weren't offended by my apparently lame attempt at a humorous response. I don't believe there was any personal attacks in my post, but maybe that's bcause I "knew" what my words meant when I wrote 'em.

BTW, that noob label applies to me as well. :D

Well, even if you were using SAS upgrade vouchers, they would never upgrade you in advance, nor at check-in, only at the gate when they open before the flight departs, and if you were lucky, possibly begging, they might oblige, otherwise forget it....(that was *with* your miles)..however, other FT'ers have had some luck without them, but based on economy overbooking....

Good luck though!

Nothing really offends me anymore. To old and much wiser now...LOL But I do like to ask for things to see if I can get them for free or low cost. No harm in asking. How do you think I got my car.......???? Thanks for the 411 though everyone.

David

Ps.
I havent been called a newbie since I came out... :eek:

Since you mention it, and at the risk of drawing this thread off-topic (one post won't kill it, if this gets interesting we can start a new one somewhere else): how did you get your car? (I've asked my dealer to give me a new BMW Z4, but so far it hasn't shown up. He just mentions money. Funny guy.)