The "How to upgrade on *A carriers" thread
Aug 1, 2004 | 8:16 pm
#46
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Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
Sorry I meant what day of the week and what time of flight? There are quite a few on this route and I'd imagine chances very from none at all to quite reasonable.
Aug 1, 2004 | 11:05 pm
#47
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22/24 Sept is in the first week of school holidays, but I wouldnt think too much effect.
Arrival times being Fri approx 5am and 7am. The former makes the 7am flight to SYD a possibility, the latter 9am.
Both likely to be full in business, perhaps more chance of seat 9am (the 7am arrives in time for start of day in SYD so gets more business traffic). However the early and mid afternoon flights would be the best shot if you're okay waiting several hours. Late afternoon again will be full in business.
The other consideration is 7am and 3:30pm flights are in the 767 whereas others are A320. The 767 has 24 biz seats vs only 8 in the A320.
I would go for 7am flight as might get lucky with someone cancelling and free up a seat, or 3:30pm more likely but several hour transit (vs 1h45m for 7am).
Hope this helps.
Arrival times being Fri approx 5am and 7am. The former makes the 7am flight to SYD a possibility, the latter 9am.
Both likely to be full in business, perhaps more chance of seat 9am (the 7am arrives in time for start of day in SYD so gets more business traffic). However the early and mid afternoon flights would be the best shot if you're okay waiting several hours. Late afternoon again will be full in business.
The other consideration is 7am and 3:30pm flights are in the 767 whereas others are A320. The 767 has 24 biz seats vs only 8 in the A320.
I would go for 7am flight as might get lucky with someone cancelling and free up a seat, or 3:30pm more likely but several hour transit (vs 1h45m for 7am).
Hope this helps.
LH Op-Ups
Aug 18, 2004 | 1:25 am
#50
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SDA
Posts: 92
Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
Lufthansa
* * *
Op ups ???
* * *
Op ups ???
I did not do anything special or ask for it, I just was stopped when I handed my boarding pass when about to board and handed a new one with a business class seat assignment. Empty seat next to me as well.
Aug 20, 2004 | 1:57 am
#51
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
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SK upgrades
op-upgrades: SK only does operational upgrades if the Y cabin is full. EB Golds are automatically op'ed, others on request, otherwise the people who checked in late and were asked to to go to the gate for seat assignment get a good seat.
If you know the flight is full, or you see a queue in front of the agent at the gate with people asking for a seat assignment, go and ask politely. It helps to have *A status.
paid upgrades: SK is offering paid upgrades to E+ and C for their flights ex-EWR this summer. $400 for any fare in economy to C, E+->C is aprox 150-200.
EB Miles upgrade: can be done at the gate. Forms available.
Regards Oliver
If you know the flight is full, or you see a queue in front of the agent at the gate with people asking for a seat assignment, go and ask politely. It helps to have *A status.
paid upgrades: SK is offering paid upgrades to E+ and C for their flights ex-EWR this summer. $400 for any fare in economy to C, E+->C is aprox 150-200.
EB Miles upgrade: can be done at the gate. Forms available.
Regards Oliver
Sep 9, 2004 | 12:35 am
#52
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
Lufthansa
UA Mileage Plus miles may be used to upgrade on LH.
UA Mileage Plus miles may be used to upgrade on LH.
- Only valid on flights operated by LH with LH flight numbers.
- Upgrade awards can be used with booking classes C (Business to First ), Y & B (Full fares Coach to Business), M & H (Selected fares Coach to Business)
Oct 11, 2004 | 6:03 am
#56
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 1
Question on UK Vouchers for non UK Residents
Might be a silly question but is there any way to get *A UK Upgrad Vouchers? I was looking for information and the links to the website do not seem to work. I am planning a RTW and I am undecided between flying in C or F and I am looking for ways to upgrade on carriers other than LH (have lots of Miles on LH)...
Thanks a lot for helping out!
Thanks a lot for helping out!
Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
Thought it may be of use to have in one place the various ways of upgrading on *A.
By *A airline (ie carrier)
- types of upgrade (ie Econ->Econ+, Econ-Biz, Biz-First)
- miles
- upgrade vouchers
- freebies due to status
- op ups
- one off specials (eg UK vouchers)
- anything I've missed????
Unless otherwise specified, upgrades are subject to availability.
*A - wide specials
UK vouchers
FAQ
Only Y,M,B,H class is upgraded econ->biz - also S on SK but not H on TG. On BD trans-atlantic the upgrade from Y,M,B,H is econ->new econ. On BD transatlantic U,L is new econ->biz. Only C,D class is upgraded biz->first.
Air Canada
AC upgrades possible are ???
Miles No opportunity to use miles to upgrade on AC (not even AC Aeroplan).
Vouchers AC Aeroplan upgrade vouchers may be used for certain fares which vary by route. Top tiers (Super Elite and Elite) may also have any fare upgrades depending on option chosen at (re)qualifying. Upgrades from full econ fares may be confirmable at ticketing or at 7/4 days depending on status.
Freebies for status ???
Op ups Regularly given to status members [editing note - what status, Aeroplan or *G or ...??] but application has been uneven. Some recent improvement reported.
Air New Zealand
NZ upgrades possible are econ->biz, biz->first. Note first is only available on certain 747 services - AKL-LAX, AKL-SFO, CHC-LAX, LAX-LHR. Note biz is not available on domestic routes (and certain South Pacific routes).
For those booking ahead, NZ is due to reconfigure longhaul cabins starting from mid 2005. There will be econ, econ plus and premium. No details yet on whether econ plus will be an upgrade from econ, or a freebie for status (here's hoping). Short haul continues to be 2 class - econ, biz. Will post more details once it becomes known.
Miles Only NZ Airpoints may be used to upgrade on NZ. Points are a per segment cost.
Vouchers NZ Airpoints Elite members get 1 or 2 upgrade vouchers valid for 1 year upon (re)qualification. Non-transferable. May be limited to domestic or certain routes? No other vouchers (except UK *A vouchers) usable on NZ.
Freebies for status *G have first access to forward seating. Other than exit rows and bulkhead no difference in seating or service.
Op ups Very rare on NZ.
ANA
NH upgrades possible are intl econ->biz / biz->first, dom econ->SuperSeat
Miles Only NH miles may be used to upgrade on NH, and only from M and higher fare classes if ticket issued in US. For tickets purchased elsewhere (or is this Japan only???) H and W fares are also upgradeable, T fares are not upgradeable. Stopovers of more than 24 hours require each sector to be upgraded separately.
Vouchers NH vouchers may be used to upgrade (only from M and higher fare classes). 2 for intl, 1 for dom - both per sector. Vouchers provided upon (re)qualification depending on status.
Freebies for status ???
Op ups ???
Asiana
OZ upgrades possible are econ->biz.
Miles Only OZ miles may be used to upgrade on OZ. There is a 10% discount for multiple redemptions.
Vouchers None.
Freebies for status OZ top tier (Platinum) members get automatic standby upgrade.
Op ups ???
Austrian
OS upgrades possible are ??
Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.
Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on OS
Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on OS.
Vouchers ???
Freebies for status ???
Op ups ???
BMI
BD upgrades possible are - short haul econ->biz, long haul econ->new econ. Officially, there is no way to upgrade from The New Economy to The Business other than an op-up (or, of course, hard cash).
Miles No upgrades possible using just miles, however BD Diamond Club cash and miles may be used to effectively upgrade on BD. Miles are not earnt on the paid portion of the fare.
Vouchers BD Diamond Club Gold cardholders receive 4 Gold upgrade vouchers on qualification or renewal, which can be used for a standby upgrade from Economy on BD metal. Note that this is a one-class upgrade, so long-haul passengers go to The New Economy, not The Business. There have been reports of upgrades from The New Economy to The Business, but this is not official.
Freebies for status *G get the seat next to them blocked when they check in (subject to availability). BD Diamond Club Gold cardholders making redemption bookings on BD metal (in Economy) get a free, confirmed at time of booking (subject to availability), one-class upgrade for the cardholder and one companion.
Op ups Variable, but generally pretty rare on short-haul, due to convertible seats. I don't know about long-haul.
LOT
LO upgrades possible are ??
Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.
Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on LO
Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on LO.
Freebies for status ???
Op ups ???
Lufthansa
LH upgrades possible are econ->biz, biz->first. Note no first on domestic or intra-Europe routes.
Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.
Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on LH
Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on LH.
Freebies for status ???
Op ups ???
SAS
SK upgrades possible are - short haul econ->biz, long haul econ->econ extra / econ extra->biz / econ->biz.
Miles Only SK Eurobonus points may be used to upgrade on SK.
Vouchers None?
Freebies for status None?
Op ups ??
----
continued in post 2 (due to character limitation)
By *A airline (ie carrier)
- types of upgrade (ie Econ->Econ+, Econ-Biz, Biz-First)
- miles
- upgrade vouchers
- freebies due to status
- op ups
- one off specials (eg UK vouchers)
- anything I've missed????
Unless otherwise specified, upgrades are subject to availability.
*A - wide specials
UK vouchers
- Valid for travel until 2/28/05 (travel completed) on all *A operated flights other than SQ.
- One certificate is required for each *A airline operated flight segment, except two certificates are required for NZ1/2 between LHR-AKL vv and for TG911/910/917/916 between LHR-BKK vv.
- Standby upgrade certificates are available subject to space and meals availability and eligible booking classes. Simply present the certificate at check-in and at the departure gate. Your name will be added to the standby upgrade list. Retain the certificate until boarding at the gate.
- The certificate is non-transferable, except if companion(s) are travelling on the same flight, use a separate certificate, and check-in at the same time.
- Void if bartered or sold. Lost or stolen certificates will not be replaced.
FAQ
Only Y,M,B,H class is upgraded econ->biz - also S on SK but not H on TG. On BD trans-atlantic the upgrade from Y,M,B,H is econ->new econ. On BD transatlantic U,L is new econ->biz. Only C,D class is upgraded biz->first.
Air Canada
AC upgrades possible are ???
Miles No opportunity to use miles to upgrade on AC (not even AC Aeroplan).
Vouchers AC Aeroplan upgrade vouchers may be used for certain fares which vary by route. Top tiers (Super Elite and Elite) may also have any fare upgrades depending on option chosen at (re)qualifying. Upgrades from full econ fares may be confirmable at ticketing or at 7/4 days depending on status.
Freebies for status ???
Op ups Regularly given to status members [editing note - what status, Aeroplan or *G or ...??] but application has been uneven. Some recent improvement reported.
Air New Zealand
NZ upgrades possible are econ->biz, biz->first. Note first is only available on certain 747 services - AKL-LAX, AKL-SFO, CHC-LAX, LAX-LHR. Note biz is not available on domestic routes (and certain South Pacific routes).
For those booking ahead, NZ is due to reconfigure longhaul cabins starting from mid 2005. There will be econ, econ plus and premium. No details yet on whether econ plus will be an upgrade from econ, or a freebie for status (here's hoping). Short haul continues to be 2 class - econ, biz. Will post more details once it becomes known.
Miles Only NZ Airpoints may be used to upgrade on NZ. Points are a per segment cost.
Vouchers NZ Airpoints Elite members get 1 or 2 upgrade vouchers valid for 1 year upon (re)qualification. Non-transferable. May be limited to domestic or certain routes? No other vouchers (except UK *A vouchers) usable on NZ.
Freebies for status *G have first access to forward seating. Other than exit rows and bulkhead no difference in seating or service.
Op ups Very rare on NZ.
ANA
NH upgrades possible are intl econ->biz / biz->first, dom econ->SuperSeat
Miles Only NH miles may be used to upgrade on NH, and only from M and higher fare classes if ticket issued in US. For tickets purchased elsewhere (or is this Japan only???) H and W fares are also upgradeable, T fares are not upgradeable. Stopovers of more than 24 hours require each sector to be upgraded separately.
Vouchers NH vouchers may be used to upgrade (only from M and higher fare classes). 2 for intl, 1 for dom - both per sector. Vouchers provided upon (re)qualification depending on status.
Freebies for status ???
Op ups ???
Asiana
OZ upgrades possible are econ->biz.
Miles Only OZ miles may be used to upgrade on OZ. There is a 10% discount for multiple redemptions.
Vouchers None.
Freebies for status OZ top tier (Platinum) members get automatic standby upgrade.
Op ups ???
Austrian
OS upgrades possible are ??
Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.
Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on OS
- Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
- Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
- Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
- One Upgrade is always only valid for the flight segment covered by one flight coupon of a ticket.
- Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).
Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on OS.
- Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
- Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
- Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
- One eVoucher is valid for the one european flight segment, two eVouchers are valid for one intercontinental segment.
- Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).
Vouchers ???
Freebies for status ???
Op ups ???
BMI
BD upgrades possible are - short haul econ->biz, long haul econ->new econ. Officially, there is no way to upgrade from The New Economy to The Business other than an op-up (or, of course, hard cash).
Miles No upgrades possible using just miles, however BD Diamond Club cash and miles may be used to effectively upgrade on BD. Miles are not earnt on the paid portion of the fare.
Vouchers BD Diamond Club Gold cardholders receive 4 Gold upgrade vouchers on qualification or renewal, which can be used for a standby upgrade from Economy on BD metal. Note that this is a one-class upgrade, so long-haul passengers go to The New Economy, not The Business. There have been reports of upgrades from The New Economy to The Business, but this is not official.
Freebies for status *G get the seat next to them blocked when they check in (subject to availability). BD Diamond Club Gold cardholders making redemption bookings on BD metal (in Economy) get a free, confirmed at time of booking (subject to availability), one-class upgrade for the cardholder and one companion.
Op ups Variable, but generally pretty rare on short-haul, due to convertible seats. I don't know about long-haul.
LOT
LO upgrades possible are ??
Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.
Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on LO
- Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
- Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
- Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
- One Upgrade is always only valid for the flight segment covered by one flight coupon of a ticket.
- Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).
Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on LO.
- Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
- Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
- Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
- One eVoucher is valid for the one european flight segment, two eVouchers are valid for one intercontinental segment.
- Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).
Freebies for status ???
Op ups ???
Lufthansa
LH upgrades possible are econ->biz, biz->first. Note no first on domestic or intra-Europe routes.
Miles and More information and links based on the new rules from 1 August 2004.
Miles Miles and More miles may be used to upgrade on LH
- Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
- Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
- Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
- One Upgrade is always only valid for the flight segment covered by one flight coupon of a ticket.
- Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).
- Only valid on flights operated by LH with LH flight numbers.
- Not valid on RTW fares.
- Upgrade awards can be used with booking classes C (Business to First ), Y & B (Full fares Coach to Business), M & H (Selected fares Coach to Business)
- Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
- One Upgrade is always only valid for the flight segment covered by one flight coupon of a ticket.
Vouchers Miles and More SEN upgrade vouchers can be used to upgrade on LH.
- Only valid on flights operated by LH/LO/OS with LH/LO/OS flight numbers.
- Valid in all booking classes other than S & W (intercontinental flights) and L & T (European flights).
- Ticket must be issued in the paid class of service before an upgrade is issued; all of the segments for which you request an Upgrade must be first confirmed in their paid booking class.
- One eVoucher is valid for the one european flight segment, two eVouchers are valid for one intercontinental segment.
- Waiting list reservations are also possible when booking a paperless Upgrade (eUpgrade).
- This upgrade may be used on a standby basis, subject to availability, on the day of travel on any eligible LH flight.
- Valid in all booking classes except when booked in LH booking classes X, I, O, R, N and E.
- This upgrade requires a 14-day advanced notification to MP in order to print and mail the certificate for presentation to LH on the day of departure.
Freebies for status ???
Op ups ???
SAS
SK upgrades possible are - short haul econ->biz, long haul econ->econ extra / econ extra->biz / econ->biz.
Miles Only SK Eurobonus points may be used to upgrade on SK.
Vouchers None?
Freebies for status None?
Op ups ??
----
continued in post 2 (due to character limitation)
Oct 11, 2004 | 11:28 am
#57
Original Poster
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,445
Welcome to FT flyer_berlin 
As far as I know the *A offer to UK residents (at least have UK address
) has been closed for some time.
If you have only LH miles (& upgrade certs?) then you can upgrade easily on LH/LO/OS/UA. For other carriers you could try paying extra at check-in (probably quite expensive for a RTW if it is accepted at all) or hope to receive an upgrade voucher from someone who is in that carrier's FFP in exchange for something else you can offer them). On certain carriers you may also be lucky and get an op-up.
As far as I know the *A offer to UK residents (at least have UK address
) has been closed for some time.If you have only LH miles (& upgrade certs?) then you can upgrade easily on LH/LO/OS/UA. For other carriers you could try paying extra at check-in (probably quite expensive for a RTW if it is accepted at all) or hope to receive an upgrade voucher from someone who is in that carrier's FFP in exchange for something else you can offer them). On certain carriers you may also be lucky and get an op-up.
Oct 11, 2004 | 1:07 pm
#58
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: In the skies of the world
Programs: SAS Gold, FB Gold, BA Gold, EY Silver
Posts: 3,167
New SAS upgrade rules
On Nov 1 SAS will change its service concept within Europe (you can read a lot about it in the SAS forum so no need to go into depth here).
Basically it means there will be three classes within Europe: economy (with no free food/drinks, economy flex (with free food/drinks) and business.
At the same time a new stupid upgrade rule will be implemented in Eurobonus.
The new rule means it is only possible to upgrade with an Eurobonus upgrade voucher from economy flex to business class within Europe.
As I suppose most people prefer to upgrade when flying for leisure (when one has time to actually enjoy the better service and food) this decision makes absolutely no sense as basically all economy booking classes (even as high as M and B) are placed at the very back and only booking classes Y and S (the most expensive economy tickets) in economy flex.
Maybe this can be added to the otherwise very nice * summary...
Basically it means there will be three classes within Europe: economy (with no free food/drinks, economy flex (with free food/drinks) and business.
At the same time a new stupid upgrade rule will be implemented in Eurobonus.
The new rule means it is only possible to upgrade with an Eurobonus upgrade voucher from economy flex to business class within Europe.
As I suppose most people prefer to upgrade when flying for leisure (when one has time to actually enjoy the better service and food) this decision makes absolutely no sense as basically all economy booking classes (even as high as M and B) are placed at the very back and only booking classes Y and S (the most expensive economy tickets) in economy flex.
Maybe this can be added to the otherwise very nice * summary...
Nov 3, 2004 | 2:06 am
#60
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 52,756
SK is offering 200$ paid upgrades from Y to Y+ at EWR now. The other paid offers there have been withdrawn.