Complimentary Upgrade Stories
Dec 9, 2016, 6:43 pm
#62
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Beaufort, SC
Programs: Delta, Alaska Air, & BA
Posts: 535
Weather delay at TPA. Very angry couple ahead cursing out the gate agent if they didn't get on the next flight . When it was my turn I said she didn't deserve that kind of treatment and if they complained about her I'd be happy to speak to her managers in her defense.
I was bumped to business class for the flight to Detroit. The angry couple didn't make the flight.
I was bumped to business class for the flight to Detroit. The angry couple didn't make the flight.
Dec 11, 2016, 12:32 am
#63
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Bonvoy Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 553
Our company flew two employees out to Bangkok with Emirates. On the 2nd leg going to Bangkok they both received a free upgrade to business class, and this was their first flight with Emirates and they hold no status or membership with any airlines at all.
Dec 11, 2016, 11:41 pm
#64
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: MP
Posts: 224
Me and my sister both got complimentary upgrade on Emirates from BKK a while back. We were super excited about this super british FA who wears a special red leather gloves just for boarding.
Dec 28, 2016, 6:54 pm
#66
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SEL by way of ATL
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, DL, KE Skypass
Posts: 43
Because I was flying to Tokyo on my birthday night, I was upgraded to first class on KE. The purser even came up to me and wished me a happy birthday! Too bad it was only a 2.5 hour flight...
Dec 29, 2016, 3:50 pm
#67
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: MP
Posts: 224
Dec 29, 2016, 5:45 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 426
I was a teenager and traveling LHR-DXB on EK in Y; it was my first time flying with them.
As I boarded, I was impressed with how nice the seats were, as well as the food. I distinctly remember being offered ice cream bars multiple times as well, and I remember telling people hat Emirates was my new favorite airline.
The next year, I flew on EK Y and was surprised by how cramped it was. It was only then did I realize I had been upgraded to J the last time I flew!
As I boarded, I was impressed with how nice the seats were, as well as the food. I distinctly remember being offered ice cream bars multiple times as well, and I remember telling people hat Emirates was my new favorite airline.
The next year, I flew on EK Y and was surprised by how cramped it was. It was only then did I realize I had been upgraded to J the last time I flew!
Dec 30, 2016, 8:00 am
#69
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: Delta Skymiles Diamond. Skyteam Elite Plus. Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 157
For business related trips 2016 was a good year for me for upgrades. I upgraded to first 80 out of 93 flights. 86%.
Hopefully 2017 will be the same or better.
Hopefully 2017 will be the same or better.
Dec 30, 2016, 11:44 am
#71
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,038
Dec 30, 2016, 10:13 pm
#72
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
The first one is always the best. Flying MEM-AMS in Y. Received $800 VDB comp and an upgrade to J. Having never flown *any* carrier in business class, I thought I was living the dream.
Dec 30, 2016, 10:33 pm
#73
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: New Zealand/ UK
Programs: NZ, EK, QF, SQ.
Posts: 776
My best (and only) complimentary upgrade was with Emirates, flying AKL-SYD.
I had booked the flight using Emirates points, so it only cost me the taxes.
ON check-in at AKL, I was told that my seat had been reassigned.
I got a free upgrade from Economy to Business, on an almost-free flight.
I don't suppose I'll ever beat that.
I had booked the flight using Emirates points, so it only cost me the taxes.
ON check-in at AKL, I was told that my seat had been reassigned.
I got a free upgrade from Economy to Business, on an almost-free flight.
I don't suppose I'll ever beat that.
Jan 2, 2017, 6:31 am
#74
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Otherworld
Programs: *Gold
Posts: 211
MUC-MAD. BP beeped and GA told me "Herr unityofsaints, ich habe etwas Feines für Sie in der Business" (Mr. unityofsaints, I've got a treat for you in C) and hands me my new BP 
Eurobusiness is nothing special at all as you hardly get any food and the seats are the same but that classy line has stuck with me for 5+ years.
Eurobusiness is nothing special at all as you hardly get any food and the seats are the same but that classy line has stuck with me for 5+ years.
Last edited by unityofsaints; Jan 2, 2017 at 6:44 am
Jan 2, 2017, 12:09 pm
#75
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 3
First and only.
Early '90s my business in STL ended early and I went to the airport to see if I could get an earlier flight to EWR. I started chatting up the very cute GA and she said sure, and I would get into Newark at 6:30. I replied "Great, I'll get home in time to watch Melrose (Place)". A brief plot conversation, she smiled, tap tap tap on the keyboard, and I went from the back of the plane to the front.
Early '90s my business in STL ended early and I went to the airport to see if I could get an earlier flight to EWR. I started chatting up the very cute GA and she said sure, and I would get into Newark at 6:30. I replied "Great, I'll get home in time to watch Melrose (Place)". A brief plot conversation, she smiled, tap tap tap on the keyboard, and I went from the back of the plane to the front.