who writes this garbage
Dec 13, 2009 | 9:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 126
Dec 13, 2009 | 10:46 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: ORD, MBS
Programs: UA Plat., 1.52 MM
Posts: 2,053
Some is sensible advice.
Dec 13, 2009 | 12:41 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: YOW
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 968
I'd agree it is garbage, at least in my experience (mainly with Air Canada.)
1. Yes, there are upgrades to be had as a member of their frequent flyer club but only with status membership (in my case only 35,000 miles/year but still a lot more than simply signing up for a membership.) And coupons are involved. With fare classes. Despite my Star Alliance Gold status, I've never been upgraded for free on any of the Star Alliance partners.
My dh was on a mileage run this weekend and asked to use a special system wide upgrade coupon to business. This mileage run was to put him over 100,000 miles for the year. No upgrade on the outbound (because the cheapest fare wasn't eligible) despite his obvious loyalty to Air Canada and holding the best upgrade coupon they offer. He was upgraded on the way back because his fare and coupon combo qualified. But there was no offer of an upgrade on the outbound despite wearing business clothes, having flown 98,800 miles with the airline and being really nice to everyone. So I consider points 1, 2 & 3 bollocks.
2, 3: We are nice to everyone. As proof I offer the fact we get Christmas cards from hotel workers, concierges and our chip wagon server. But we have never got a 'free' upgrade. (And we dress nicely although not designer clothes but we do travel in custom made clothes from Hong Kong or specialty travel clothes from Tilley and exOfficio.)
4: At my airline they bump passengers based on check-in time so I'm not going to risk being bumped in order to get an upgrade. While that may work, I'm not about to test out the theory. United once upgraded me from Premium Economy to First because the flight was oversold. But I had checked in 24 hours before the flight.
5. I'm disabled and the best I can do is get buy an extra seat to give me more room. The bulkhead is only available to status frequent flyers on my airline (see 1) so doesn't even appear on the seat choosing map for 'regular' people. That being said, even having bought two seats for myself (despite the fact that that would free up two seats for the airline to accommodate others), I've never been given a 'free' upgrade. All my upgrades involved using coupons which means buying more expensive fares and playing the upgrade lotto.)
The best that I ever got for being disabled was a nice man changed his aisle to a window so I could get up more easily from SIN-FRA but that had nothing to do with the airline (who lost my original aisle seat request and stuffed me in the window to begin with.) Of course, I still couldn't get up easily because the flight attendant insisted that my cane be store in the overhead bin...
6. I'm 0/2 for being upgraded on my honeymoon. With a track record like that it isn't worth trying that method over and over again!
7. I have bought an upgrade but I don't consider that a 'tip', I consider that common sense. Upgrades at check-in are a new thing offered at my airline and only on a few flights at very expensive rates, so I've never done it with my airline, just United.
1. Yes, there are upgrades to be had as a member of their frequent flyer club but only with status membership (in my case only 35,000 miles/year but still a lot more than simply signing up for a membership.) And coupons are involved. With fare classes. Despite my Star Alliance Gold status, I've never been upgraded for free on any of the Star Alliance partners.
My dh was on a mileage run this weekend and asked to use a special system wide upgrade coupon to business. This mileage run was to put him over 100,000 miles for the year. No upgrade on the outbound (because the cheapest fare wasn't eligible) despite his obvious loyalty to Air Canada and holding the best upgrade coupon they offer. He was upgraded on the way back because his fare and coupon combo qualified. But there was no offer of an upgrade on the outbound despite wearing business clothes, having flown 98,800 miles with the airline and being really nice to everyone. So I consider points 1, 2 & 3 bollocks.
2, 3: We are nice to everyone. As proof I offer the fact we get Christmas cards from hotel workers, concierges and our chip wagon server. But we have never got a 'free' upgrade. (And we dress nicely although not designer clothes but we do travel in custom made clothes from Hong Kong or specialty travel clothes from Tilley and exOfficio.)
4: At my airline they bump passengers based on check-in time so I'm not going to risk being bumped in order to get an upgrade. While that may work, I'm not about to test out the theory. United once upgraded me from Premium Economy to First because the flight was oversold. But I had checked in 24 hours before the flight.
5. I'm disabled and the best I can do is get buy an extra seat to give me more room. The bulkhead is only available to status frequent flyers on my airline (see 1) so doesn't even appear on the seat choosing map for 'regular' people. That being said, even having bought two seats for myself (despite the fact that that would free up two seats for the airline to accommodate others), I've never been given a 'free' upgrade. All my upgrades involved using coupons which means buying more expensive fares and playing the upgrade lotto.)
The best that I ever got for being disabled was a nice man changed his aisle to a window so I could get up more easily from SIN-FRA but that had nothing to do with the airline (who lost my original aisle seat request and stuffed me in the window to begin with.) Of course, I still couldn't get up easily because the flight attendant insisted that my cane be store in the overhead bin...
6. I'm 0/2 for being upgraded on my honeymoon. With a track record like that it isn't worth trying that method over and over again!
7. I have bought an upgrade but I don't consider that a 'tip', I consider that common sense. Upgrades at check-in are a new thing offered at my airline and only on a few flights at very expensive rates, so I've never done it with my airline, just United.
Dec 14, 2009 | 2:18 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,550
I agree, sure it is gabbage, and the "ex-crew" couldn't even understand any NRSA must be dress in a button up collar shirt.
And the "ex-crew" also made a false claim that if you want to get upgraded you have to dress nice. If they need to upgrade anyone, doesn't really matter if one wear jeans or shorts, they only care about status. I mean would they upgrade one dress in a suit and tie but no status, or one is a teenager wearing shorts but a UA1K ?
All the other method are "old tricks" and they are not valid anymore, the article is more suitable 10 years ago than now.
And the "ex-crew" also made a false claim that if you want to get upgraded you have to dress nice. If they need to upgrade anyone, doesn't really matter if one wear jeans or shorts, they only care about status. I mean would they upgrade one dress in a suit and tie but no status, or one is a teenager wearing shorts but a UA1K ?
All the other method are "old tricks" and they are not valid anymore, the article is more suitable 10 years ago than now.
Last edited by ORDnHKG; Dec 14, 2009 at 2:37 am