Not sure where to post this so forgive me if it in the wrong place.....

I have a moderate grasp on what an upgrade is but I'm not exactly sure how to get them.

1)Other than purchasing upgrades directly from the airline are there any other ways to obtain them?

2)Are upgrades transferrable?

3)Is a 500 mile upgrade not good for say a 750 mile segment? Would you need to use 2 "500 mile" upgrades for a 750 mile segment?

4)Does each upgrade bump you up to the next higher class of service or to first class? (economy upgrade to business, etc?)

5)How much does a typical 500 mile upgrade cost?

6)How much time before a flight can you request to use an upgrade?

7)Is there such a thing as a courtesy upgrade at the gate if there is room in a higher level of service and if so...how do you approach this?

That's it for now. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

Rules vary so widely by airline that it's hard to give a good answer. Your best bet for information would be to search the specific airline boards for detailed info.

Some general answers to your questions (note that I'm most familiar with UA and AA, so that's what I'm basing my info on for the most part). First and foremost, note that most of these answers assume that you hold at least a low-elite status in the airline's FF program. Upgrade rules for non-elites range from very tight to "no upgrades", depending on carrier.

(1) Many airlines award free upgrade credits to pax that hold elite status in their FF program. i.e., 4 free 500-mile credits for 10,000 flown miles.

(2) You can typically use an upgrade for you and 1 companion. Some paper upgrades can be given to anyone, but these are rarer than electronic upgrades, which must be used for you and your companion.

(3) You got it right: 750-mile flight = two 500-mile upgrades. Kind of stinks when you fly 600 miles, doesn't it? (Some airlines will let you slide on, say, a 510-mile flight.) Note that US Airways plays hardball: CLT-MCI is 805 miles and requires TWO 800 mile upgrade certs. Needless to say, not many people upgrade that flight with certs.

(4) Most upgrades move you up 1 class. On a three-class plane, that's coach to biz, not coach to a first-class sleeper suite. (Unfortunately.)

(5) On AA, 8 upgrades costs $250 until Jan 15. On Jan 16 it goes up significantly, although I haven't paid close enough attention to what the new cost will be. I think fifty bucks apiece or something like that.

(6) Varies by your elite level in the FF program, although there are some rare certs out there that allow time-of-booking upgrades.

(7) You're talking about Operational Upgrades, referred to here on FT as "Op UG". This *does* happen on occasion, usually to FF elites or people on full fares. I have gotten them on UA, AA, and US - all as a mid-tier elite flying on a restricted coach fare. In all cases, I got a business class seat at check-in, not the gate. In all cases, it was a surprise to me so I never had to bring up the topic with the agent. I don't have any experience "sweet talking" an Op UG.

Pinniped, Thank you so much for your time. You really cleared things up for me!!!

Excellent, succint answers Pinnipid!

I, however, HAVE gotten op upgrades by asking and never at the check-in counter but always at the gate. On the way back to SFO on the Chicago leg of my Christmas-season flight I had business seating with coach service(2 class service in 3 class configured 767). I asked the gate attendant if there was an operational upgrade available(I used that term, too) ... She smiled and said, No. I laughed and said, I bet you have people asking 5 times a day and she laughed and said, Well, yes, but not all days. Hahaha. I said, Well I have a real nice seat anyway and she said, Yes, you do. As I got on the airplane the same GA was taking the boarding passes and I said, Hello again and she looked up at me a little startled because I guess she had not really looked at me. She said, Have a good flight. I settled into my seat and took out the little lunch I had cooked for myself at my Mom's as the plane REALLY filled up. Every seat. Just when I thought we were all set and the door was closing a different GA came on board and stopped at my seat. Are you Mr. GoodKarmaGuy? Yes. Well, Mr. GKGuy you may move to your seat in the front. WOW! The lady must've needed one more seat to put a stand-by in and she remembered me! I don't think that is any harm in asking as long as I remember that I am asking for a FAVOR. And if they do it it is out of the goodness of their heart, NOT because I should deserve it!

p.s. Now I am in the 100+ poster club! Woohoo!




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"Waiter? May I have another latt�, please?"

MilesBuzz?????????

Are you having a bad day?

Thank you Pinniped, I was beginning to wonder about this myself..

Every second thread I open has the same st*pid message in it. What's your problem Ranles ? Are you the new self appointed milesbuzz moderator ?