Best chance of free upgrade?
Dec 14, 2019, 2:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
Best chance of free upgrade?
Hi, new to FlyerTalk, and new to flying regularly for work following a change of job. Went from Blue to Gold in 4 months.
I’m booked on a flight from Gatwick to Mauritius with my wife for our honeymoon leaving tomorrow evening, booked over a year ago and in economy.
Now, I don’t mind admitting, I’ve got more than a little used to travelling in business and I’m not overly looking forward to 12 hours in economy. So here’s the question:
Do I stand any chance, as a BA Gold member, on my honeymoon, of asking for and getting a free upgrade for us both? How do I best to do it?
I’m booked on a flight from Gatwick to Mauritius with my wife for our honeymoon leaving tomorrow evening, booked over a year ago and in economy.
Now, I don’t mind admitting, I’ve got more than a little used to travelling in business and I’m not overly looking forward to 12 hours in economy. So here’s the question:
Do I stand any chance, as a BA Gold member, on my honeymoon, of asking for and getting a free upgrade for us both? How do I best to do it?
Dec 14, 2019, 2:13 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Also - 1 op-up is difficult per se. 2? I don't see that happening.
It is more practically if you use avios to upgrade to WTP instead.
Dec 14, 2019, 2:14 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,194
Whilst welcoming you to flyer talk you need to be realistic and the chance of an upgrade is virtually zero.
If it happens it happens (and BA will only upgrade because it has over booked the cabin) and asking won't help because BA has an automated process for deciding who it upgrades and it includes factors such as status, previous flights and class of travel, and fare bucket of your ticket play more a part and being on honeymoon will have no bearing on it (I imagine several other couples will also be on honeymoon flights)
If it happens it happens (and BA will only upgrade because it has over booked the cabin) and asking won't help because BA has an automated process for deciding who it upgrades and it includes factors such as status, previous flights and class of travel, and fare bucket of your ticket play more a part and being on honeymoon will have no bearing on it (I imagine several other couples will also be on honeymoon flights)
Last edited by UKtravelbear; Dec 14, 2019 at 2:32 pm
Dec 14, 2019, 2:16 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,017
Paul Cuckoo Welcome to FT and congratulations on the wedding
I would say the chances of a free upgrade for 2 people on a long haul flight is zero.
Other will be trying for upgrades.
Have you tried to upgrade with avios/cash?
Airport Upgrades (AUP) promotion 2019 thread
BA Gold Upgrade Voucher Discussion and Wiki Thread
Improvements to Gold Upgrade Voucher bookings
Using Lloyds Upgrade Voucher - Avios.com or BA
Help to check BA seat availability and BA flight loads
Hi, new to FlyerTalk, and new to flying regularly for work following a change of job. Went from Blue to Gold in 4 months.
I’m booked on a flight from Gatwick to Mauritius with my wife for our honeymoon leaving tomorrow evening, booked over a year ago and in economy.
Now, I don’t mind admitting, I’ve got more than a little used to travelling in business and I’m not overly looking forward to 12 hours in economy. So here’s the question:
Do I stand any chance, as a BA Gold member, on my honeymoon, of asking for and getting a free upgrade for us both? How do I best to do it?
I’m booked on a flight from Gatwick to Mauritius with my wife for our honeymoon leaving tomorrow evening, booked over a year ago and in economy.
Now, I don’t mind admitting, I’ve got more than a little used to travelling in business and I’m not overly looking forward to 12 hours in economy. So here’s the question:
Do I stand any chance, as a BA Gold member, on my honeymoon, of asking for and getting a free upgrade for us both? How do I best to do it?
Other will be trying for upgrades.
Have you tried to upgrade with avios/cash?
Airport Upgrades (AUP) promotion 2019 thread
BA Gold Upgrade Voucher Discussion and Wiki Thread
Improvements to Gold Upgrade Voucher bookings
Using Lloyds Upgrade Voucher - Avios.com or BA
Help to check BA seat availability and BA flight loads
Dec 14, 2019, 2:19 pm
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,795
Welcome to Flyertalk and welcome to the BA forum Paul Cuckoo. I'm probably not supposed to say this, but if you got married today and are going on a honeymoon tomorrow, what on earth are you doing here?! But congrats anyway, and I hope you will continue to participate here.
I'm afraid that is one of the most sought after Club cabins in BA's world. And tomorrow's flight is no exception:
J0 C0 D0 R0 I0 W3 E3 T1 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G9
which says "packed in CW, full in WTP, empty in WT!". Moreover it may actually be best to say to the check-in agent "Actually I'm not on my honeymoon, any chance of a upgrade?" since half the rest of the aircraft will probably have tried it on already. So I'm afraid this is a case for enjoying the lounge, dozing off ASAP, and looking forward to the warm seas of the Indian Ocean. Have a great flight anyway.
I'm afraid that is one of the most sought after Club cabins in BA's world. And tomorrow's flight is no exception:
J0 C0 D0 R0 I0 W3 E3 T1 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G9
which says "packed in CW, full in WTP, empty in WT!". Moreover it may actually be best to say to the check-in agent "Actually I'm not on my honeymoon, any chance of a upgrade?" since half the rest of the aircraft will probably have tried it on already. So I'm afraid this is a case for enjoying the lounge, dozing off ASAP, and looking forward to the warm seas of the Indian Ocean. Have a great flight anyway.
Dec 14, 2019, 2:24 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,017
@:-) ^With very low loads down the back, a spare seat next to you may the best you can hope for
Dec 14, 2019, 2:54 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 3
We actually got married a couple of years ago but were too poor for a proper honeymoon.
One other quick thing (will start a new thread if double posting like this is against the rules) - can we both use the first class check in at Gatwick? Even though my wife has no Exec Club status at all.
Dec 14, 2019, 2:56 pm
#9
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,795
Absolutely yes, it's on the left side, you can't miss it. And you can both use Premium Gatwick security and the First lounge together too.
Dec 14, 2019, 3:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,916
if for some reason you check in separately then no
Dec 14, 2019, 7:19 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
Dec 15, 2019, 1:01 am
#14
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 740
At Gatwick, make sure you follow the signposted route to the lounge straight after security. It doesn't actually get you any closer to the lounge but it does allow you to bypass the duty free shop, something that is increasingly rare in today's airports.
Unless of course you actually want to buy something...
If the Y cabin is empty then it's definitely worth asking for a row of three.
Enjoy your honeymoon.
Unless of course you actually want to buy something...
If the Y cabin is empty then it's definitely worth asking for a row of three.
Enjoy your honeymoon.
.