How to upgrade for peons
 

Ok I have a tough question here.

What is the best possible way to upgrade when you're a peon and cannot fly in business or first to speed up your miles count ? Any hints ?

I'm a new AA member, I will take soon an OWE4 for a RTW trip lasting a year, all in coach (aka peon class). This should give me a couple of miles along the way, but I would not mind a little upgrade for JNB-HKG or SYD-HNL to treat myself for example.

Upgrading to World Traveller + is definitely not worth it, it's too expensive ($300 / segment) and if you do this for all your segments in a OWE you end up with a fare way above the business fare. Might do if I'm desparate and can afford it but not sure.

Rough itinerary is:
CDG-LHR-CAI-LHR-SEZ-NBO-LUN//VFA-JNB-HKG-CEB-HKG-BKK//SIN-DPS-PER-CNS-SYD-CHC//AKL-SYD-HNL-SFO-SJD-DFW-CUN-MIA-STT//ANU-GTW-CDG
(I might put some flight like JNB-CPT here or reverse to use all my last Africa segment)

This is about 50,000 ground miles.
The first 10,000 ground miles will be probably be done in 90 days. But that will be hard.

A Gold Challenge is 5,000 Q-Points but I have no idea if a OWE is considered discount (0.5 points/mile) or full fare (1 point / mile). Anyone ?


btw many thanks to all posters where I grabbed a lot of ideas to optimize my itinerary not for miles but for placing almost correctly the places I wanted to stop by.

Be aware that being based in France, most discount economy fares on BA if you fly with them are not eligible for miles on AA (your indicated choice of programmes). I am not sure if M class (code for RTW economy) is eligible but I doubt it.

M class is definitely discounted economy and will earn 0.5 points/mile, with a minimum of 500 points per flight.

[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-08-2002).]

The answers are:

Luck - if you get an op-upgrade, which would be pretty tough without status

Cash (or credit) - and pay for one!

or chatting up the check in/gate agent. Helps if you are a beautiful person, which is why all my upgrades are operational or paid!

I'm ok from what I know http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Tried that a couple of times, but pretty tough when the flight is nearly full. I have also tried this 'inboard' but this is more difficult even though there are sometimes nice surprises but there are also particulary unpleasant hostess from time to time.

I have to watch my language, my cousin is an AF hostess http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I plan to move in Canada for BA and CX flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by bearaway (edited 12-08-2002).]

Being in France, do you have a French Amex account? Because on QUALIFLYER, you can upgrade from most mileage earning fares (and the RTW is one) on CX to Business Class oneway.

Most European Amex membership rewards allow transfers to QUALIFLYER. If status is not really of importance to you, you might want to consider accruing mileage on QUALIFLYER (or to be renamed SWISS TRAVEL CLUB next year). You may accrue mileage on most Oneworld partners (even though SWISS is not a partner [yet]). You get 100% on CX, QF, AA flights. BA is to become a partner eventually by next year I think.



[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 12-09-2002).]

Ah interesting. I do have an AMEX (which I have NEVER used, do you believe that ?), I'm always using my Visa Premier card which has way more insurance and cost less than it's AMEX equivalent. I have found the Amex to be almost useless for me.

I will check the Amex paperwork anyway, thanks for the tips.

Actually, if you are hoping for an op upgrade, you will want the flight to be as full/oversold as possible. If the flight is empty the chances of an op up are slim to none and slim just left town.. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

bearaway, AFAIK, land segments also count towards your per-continent segment limitations. Perhaps some RTW experts can confirm. AFAIK, BKK-SIN and CHC-AKL count as segments and you are over the limit for Asia and Aus.

Not true for One World Explorers. Land segments do not count towards the total.

And if I cannot board within 24h I call my insurance to pay me some additional hotel nights at the hilton.

Not sure I am following you here..., why would you want to do that ? If you are IDB'd by the airline they have to pay for your hotel anyway.