Upgrades and preferred seating on partners
Dec 20, 2006 | 10:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: C6 - AKL
Programs: AA-1MM
Posts: 336
Upgrades and preferred seating on partners
I am new to the forum, but there are so many posts here I cannot find what I am looking for....but if this is a new one, then hey!
I am self employed and buy the cheapest tickets available from US airline websites (notably aa.com or united.com). Since I have status with US airlines and live overseas, I generally fly on other oneworld carriers. Are there any tips for getting upgraded to any PE product or Business?
Many thanks....the site is great....a lot of stuff to go through.....
I am self employed and buy the cheapest tickets available from US airline websites (notably aa.com or united.com). Since I have status with US airlines and live overseas, I generally fly on other oneworld carriers. Are there any tips for getting upgraded to any PE product or Business?
Many thanks....the site is great....a lot of stuff to go through.....
Dec 21, 2006 | 1:44 pm
#2
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,445
Welcome to Flyer Talk AKLDUBFlyer 
Other than on us-based airlines, you generally need to pay for an upgrade unless you are lucky enough to get an op-up. Payment may be by cash (ie find a cheap first/business/premium economy fare) or miles (on one world that needs to be miles on the airline's own FFP, *A has alliance mileage upgrades).
Other than on us-based airlines, you generally need to pay for an upgrade unless you are lucky enough to get an op-up. Payment may be by cash (ie find a cheap first/business/premium economy fare) or miles (on one world that needs to be miles on the airline's own FFP, *A has alliance mileage upgrades).
Dec 21, 2006 | 2:25 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: C6 - AKL
Programs: AA-1MM
Posts: 336
Many thanks, Kiwi Flyer. I have found that Air NZ won't even do the *A upgrades unless done well in advance, which kind of cheesed me off a little. I guess that I would rather take a chance and on oneworld (QF) since I have been relatively lucky (upgraded about 1/4 of the time when going to the US).
THe biggest problem is that if I travel on Air NZ, I only get the base miles on UA where on QF I get the 100% bonus on AA. That encourages me to use miles to upgrade since I will likely get most of them back on the trip.
In the meantime, I am stuck in Denver and trying to make it back to AKL before Christmas!
THe biggest problem is that if I travel on Air NZ, I only get the base miles on UA where on QF I get the 100% bonus on AA. That encourages me to use miles to upgrade since I will likely get most of them back on the trip.
In the meantime, I am stuck in Denver and trying to make it back to AKL before Christmas!
Dec 21, 2006 | 2:56 pm
#4
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,445
? NZ doesn't yet participate in *A mileage upgrade scheme. To upgrade on NZ you either need to pay for the higher class in cash, use an NZ Airpoints complimentary elite upgrade voucher, or use NZ Airpoints airbucks.
Similarly to upgrade on QF you need to either pay for the higher class in cash or use QFF miles. You cannot use AA miles to upgrade on QF flights.
Any op-ups are just luck and fairly rare on both these airlines.
Good luck on getting out of DEN in time.
Similarly to upgrade on QF you need to either pay for the higher class in cash or use QFF miles. You cannot use AA miles to upgrade on QF flights.
Any op-ups are just luck and fairly rare on both these airlines.
Good luck on getting out of DEN in time.