Flying from PHL to SFO on United with purchased tix for my honeymoon on a Sunday in October. Does anyone have experience with being upgraded to first class because of their honeymoon? Is it worth mentioning? It will help determine whether to check in electronically or not.

Welcome to FT.

I have not had any experience, but my inclination is to say that your upgrade chances will be slim to none, regardless of airline. Airlines do not do a lot of free op-upgrading anymore unless you are lucky or they need the space in your ticketed cabin.

Your best bet to secure an upgrade is to use your miles or someone else's miles to upgrade or an upgrade insrument allowed on your carrier.

You didn't really give us much information in regards to what carrier you are flying, when/where and any airline status you have. That helps.

In my experience, it never hurts to let the airline know in advance that it's your honeymoon. I agree with the the previous post that it's not likely you'll get upgraded, but you never know. I'd have the information inserted into your reservation. You never know when someone pulling that information will have the ability to upgrade you.

Also, while it's again an unlikely route, it wouldn't hurt to mention that you're on your honeymoon to the gate agent. He/she may actually be in the best position to "help" you. Of course, I think discretion is the better part of valor, so I wouldn't make this announcement within earshot of other passengers, but if you get a chance to catch the agent's ear, let him/her know.

Don't hold your breath, but telling them is better than not telling them.

>Does anyone have experience with being upgraded to first class because of their honeymoon? Is it worth mentioning?

A seat upgrade is highly unlikely because of a honeymoon, but what *is* possible is some kind of in-flight "treat." For example, my parents were flying AA (in steerage) a couple of years ago and mentioned it was their anniversary. They got free champagne + the first class meal.

Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada

Forget about the flight: these days, they play hardball with the upgrades. US/UA, out of Philly, without an elite status on one of those carriers: I'd say chances are next to zero.

Hotels, OTOH, have a bit of leeway. Even if you don't hold a high status in the chain where you will spend your honeymoon, the local operations can choose to provide room upgrades, a welcome gift, etc. I would definitely let the hotels know it's your honeymoon.

On my honeymoon, we received upgrades at most of our hotels, including at the Fairmont in New York City where we were on a low corporate rate and I hold no elite status.

If you have a travel agent or corporate travel coordinator, ask him/her to tell his/her airline sales rep. The sales rep can put a note in your record that will have a lot more credibility and impact than anything you could possibly say or do yourself.

If you can't do that, bring wedding pictures and act giggly.