Offer to upgrade at check-in for $75
 

Yesterday a friend (not an elite) and I checked in via an electronic terminal at the DEN airport, and she was offered the option to upgrade for a $75 fee for the two flight segments. The screen then said that both segments were available. I purchased the ticket for her and it was in T class, a discounted ticket. Anyone ever see this before?

We didn't do it and I was able to companion upgrade her at the gate, but I thought the price was quite good. The flight was to MEM.

E-First
 

Yep!

http://www.nwa.com/services/electrav/efirst.shtml

Apparently, you have to be a non-elite for this to apply... but I'm pretty sure everyone with the potential for EUA has already cleared for this to be available at check in.

I'm not positive if this is how it works, but obviously, if it is, it's not often that it's available. I've never had (but looked for it often!) prior to being an Elite on NWA.

This *sounds* similar to Alaska Airlines $50 First Class Upgrade option available at their check in kiosks at the airport. If only Alaska would let you do the same upgrade during an online check in, or a least raise your hand for it... I hate checking in at the airports.

-Adam

Is This Done on Int'l Flights As Well?
 

I am a plat flying JFK-NRT-SIN on Thursday and was wondering if upgrades for a fee are offered via OLIC or at the kiosk on international flights. I have been offered upgrades in the past when checking in with an agent - ususally $400 for JFK-NRT. The flight does not look like it is sold out so I doubt if there will be any op-ups, so I might be interested in purchasing an upgrade. The question is what is the best strategy for check-in? Do I use OLCI, kiosk or a live agent?

Thanks,
OnAMileHigh

NO. :(

E-First is for Q and higher fares. They may have dropped in the ops case to inlcude T fares as they saw that there was no more upgrades to be had and wanted to make some cash on the route.

I've had flights where the held back a number upgrade seats for "Gate Clearance" and were offering non-elites the paid upgrade option at OLCI. If there were any left over the cleared you at the gate.

I take it a first class ticket is more expensive then just doing the $75 upgrade at the kiosk? Is the $75 one way or both ways?

I had this happen on a flight from DTW-BOS, I think it was $50 though, maybe it was $75. It was a year or two ago. I ended up not doing it though since I thought the flight was too short. I believe that it was one way only, pay the fee and get upgraded one way.

This raises a question. Does such an offer of upgrade for a fee take place prior to offer of an upgrade to Plat Gold/Award ticket holders? In other words would NW rather sell those upgrades to non elites ratehr than give an upgrade to Plats/ Golds on an award ticket ?

What fare class was your ticket? This is great news for me.

The cost depends on 1.) your original fare class and 2.) first class loads.

You gotta pay for it
 

I went and checked with the NW rep at JFK re: JFK-NRT pay-ups. He claimed it's been years since they did that and it was only when Y was overbooked.

Offering pay-ups when Y is overbooked is very dangerous because it would be very easy to end up collecting $400 from 2 plats and then op-upping 2 golds. You would have two very angry plats if they found out.

Simply Not True.
 

The JFK rep is misinformed or misleading you. This was offered to me on March 20, 2004 at JFK. I am a Plat and was flying on a K class ticket. It probably was done to avoid having to bump pax from Y.

Your Plat status probably helped to grease the wheels quite a bit.

I'll be flying JFK-NRT-HKG next month and am curious how much you paid for the same-day upgrade, just in case it's offered...