Hi
I am new to FF programs.
I want to choose a program for the purpose
of upgrading to business class on a trip to
Europe. I live in Austin so I was considering
Delta, Continental, and American Airlines.
I need help in picking which airline to go with.

If I plan a summer of 2003 trip in January of 2003, which airlines would let me upgrade when I make the reservation?

Do any of the airline's online booking services tell me if an upgrade is available for the international legs of the trip when I make a reservation online?

Are all the airline miles the same?

I found the following information at the airline websites, but I have no feel for how common these flight classes are.

Continental offers one way Ypass upgrades at 10,000 and All Pass upgrades at 20,000.

Delta offers one way Full Economy fare upgrade at 10,000 and Select Fare upgrade at 20,000.

I could not find the information for American
Airlines.

Thanks

RP

PS
Any pointers with regards to upgrades are welcome.

For AA upgrades:

from US to Europe - you can either upgrade by 10FF (10000 miles for one-way upgrade if it's Full Fare), or by 25SS (25000 miles for one-way upgrade for most economy fare).

Go to aa.com, click on AAdvantage, then Partner & Mileage Program, then airline, then click American Airlines.

You may also want to do a search under "upgrade" under each of the airlines you are considering for information.

You might as well forget CO about a biz class seat to europe with miles.

The capacity controls are relentless on CO. There are very few seats available for outright purchase with miles. Fewer still are the seats available for upgrade.

BTW you can only upgrade to Biz on CO by buying a H K or Y fare (HoKeY). You can upgrade on lower fares by paying a fee (I belive its like $400 each way).

Stick with AA, don't waste your time with CO. For more info goto the CO forum and search on "BF upgrade" for a good laugh.

Also, be advised that Delta will not let you upgrade off the cheapest fares. If you're interested in doing this as inexpensively as possible, AA might be your best choice.

I have a very high intl upgrade batting average with AA.

I concur with those who say AA. Assuming you are placed on a waitlist for the international upgrade, if you haven't cleared the CO waitlist within 72 hours, or DL's within 24 hours, of flight departure, that's it - no confirmed upgrade. AA, however, clears upgrades at the gate so a no-show could open up that seat for you.

I have to go with the majority here who say AA. I have had excellent luck upgrading internationally with them. And before I learned I could trade in the domestic segment upgrades for points I also had great luck upgrading domestically. I wish I could transfer my Delta segment upgrades to AA! It's so sad to see them expire every year.

By the way, R P, welcome to FT! I just noticed your Posts: 1. May you have many more.

[This message has been edited by stephlac (edited 05-19-2002).]

You did not mention if you have any status on any airline, so I will GUESS that you do not.

Keep in mind, most airlines will try to offer upgrades to their loyal fliers, or at least make it easier for them. Not that they do not want you in Business Class, but there is the simple reality of only a few seats available and 100-200 people who would also like to upgrade.

I would STRONGLY suggest you review the boards for each airline though.
Good luck.

No doubt, stay away from CO... The Int'l upgrade policy is awful. AA has a lot of options to cross the pond, and they make it easier to upgrade....

One thing to consider is the product you are considering. DL's BizE seats are very nice when compared to other airlines' (not including CO) biz seats. As already stated a drawback is DL doesn't let you upgrade from a deeply discount fare.

There is, in general, a big difference between the business class product of airlines that do not also have first class (such as Delta) and those that do. It's a question of how they see their market niche. DL is selling "near first class at business class prices."