Turning Down F Upgrade?
Apr 28, 2008, 10:00 pm
#16
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
This happened on United, but I'm thinking it might be more appropriate here since it perhaps could apply on any airline. Last night we were in an E+ exit row, so I could see the front of the bus. The GA had announced that F was full, but after boarding she approached a man in an E+ window seat and said he had been upgraded. His row (like most E+ on that flight) had the middle open.
He walked to the F curtain, took one look, shook his head in a very obvious decline and returned to his original seat. I wasn't close enough to hear the reason but was struck with curiosity. I'm not all that impressed with F on A320s anyway, but since this was a coast-to-coast overnighter it might have offered a little more comfort.
Any ideas on why someone might decline? Just seemed weird to me.
He walked to the F curtain, took one look, shook his head in a very obvious decline and returned to his original seat. I wasn't close enough to hear the reason but was struck with curiosity. I'm not all that impressed with F on A320s anyway, but since this was a coast-to-coast overnighter it might have offered a little more comfort.
Any ideas on why someone might decline? Just seemed weird to me.
If so, I would've turned it down too. Especially on a transcon redeye.
Apr 28, 2008, 10:33 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 321
....
I have never declined an upgrade to F, but I will under the following circumstances.
(1) Travelling with loved ones.
(2) F seatmate is oversized, obnoxious, or carries an infant.
(3) I have the entire economy row to myself, and the armrest is not fixed.
(1) Travelling with loved ones.
(2) F seatmate is oversized, obnoxious, or carries an infant.
(3) I have the entire economy row to myself, and the armrest is not fixed.
Apr 29, 2008, 5:54 am
#19
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
In the end went for the u/g - after all couldn't pass on my first battlefield u/g
EmailKid
Apr 29, 2008, 1:35 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
I know I'm an outlier here. I prefer middle seats because I can handle a person on either side of me easier than a constant stream of traffic - people and carts - up and down the aisle. I don't particularly like people 'dropping' their overhead luggage on me.
All that said, yes, I've had some unfortunate neighbors while in the middle seat. But I'm not big, so I don't demand much in hip/shoulder room.
If either the window or aisle goes vacant, PRESTO! I've got double space.
Final note: aisle seats mean getting up twice as often for peoples' bathroom breaks.
Apr 29, 2008, 4:52 pm
#21
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Depends on a/c config. Eg on a wide body the inner aisle seat may never need to get up (if 3 across the middle seat likely last to fill and often a couple in the row who both go out the other side).
Apr 29, 2008, 4:56 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: DEN
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Apr 29, 2008, 9:39 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 18,487
I've turned down an upgrade on an overnight longhaul so I could sit with my mother. Should have offered it to her if I had any sense as I flew in a higher cabin on the outbound flight.
Apr 29, 2008, 11:00 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Soon to be LEGT
Posts: 10,928
(not exactly F, but it's not like shorthaul "F" in the USA is that good either)
Turned down a couple of upgrades on KLM, where the exit row has far more space than the joke that's Europe Select.
Asked for a downgrade on AZ once; I was flying a Mad Dog and the Y config is 2-3 with a galley on the AC side 2 rows to the front of the rear steps, which means that 31AC are the most comfortable seats in the entire plane (bit noisy as the engines are to the rear; but my music's noisier ). My downgrade request was turned down, since a large group of teenagers on a school trip were occupying the last few rows- how is that for nemesis? 
Turned down a couple of upgrades on KLM, where the exit row has far more space than the joke that's Europe Select.
Asked for a downgrade on AZ once; I was flying a Mad Dog and the Y config is 2-3 with a galley on the AC side 2 rows to the front of the rear steps, which means that 31AC are the most comfortable seats in the entire plane (bit noisy as the engines are to the rear; but my music's noisier
). My downgrade request was turned down, since a large group of teenagers on a school trip were occupying the last few rows- how is that for nemesis?
Apr 30, 2008, 10:37 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Highlands, Scotland
Programs: EK,BA,QR
Posts: 547
Upgrade - maybe
BA - 747 - LHR-MIA.
Husband and were I both upgraded inflight to F. However, privacy was not as good as NCW, window seats - and the FA insisted I shut my blind - even although it was a day flight. I mentioned that I wished to look out the window as I am claustrophobic, but was informed that as there was a very lucrative passenger behind me - who wished the blinds to be shut - then her needs came before mine!
Wonderful to feel important....
Basically, she was a frequent "Frist" passenger, who spent lots of money on BA - as told to me by the FA. Anyway, I left my sleeping partner and went back upstairs to mu original seat to continue my journey in comfort and without feeling "inferior" to another passenger.
Husband and were I both upgraded inflight to F. However, privacy was not as good as NCW, window seats - and the FA insisted I shut my blind - even although it was a day flight. I mentioned that I wished to look out the window as I am claustrophobic, but was informed that as there was a very lucrative passenger behind me - who wished the blinds to be shut - then her needs came before mine!
Wonderful to feel important....
Basically, she was a frequent "Frist" passenger, who spent lots of money on BA - as told to me by the FA. Anyway, I left my sleeping partner and went back upstairs to mu original seat to continue my journey in comfort and without feeling "inferior" to another passenger.
Apr 30, 2008, 11:00 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicago 'burbs
Programs: UA 2P, HHonors Diamond, Hertz Gold
Posts: 873
BA - 747 - LHR-MIA.
Husband and were I both upgraded inflight to F. However, privacy was not as good as NCW, window seats - and the FA insisted I shut my blind - even although it was a day flight. I mentioned that I wished to look out the window as I am claustrophobic, but was informed that as there was a very lucrative passenger behind me - who wished the blinds to be shut - then her needs came before mine!
Wonderful to feel important....
Basically, she was a frequent "Frist" passenger, who spent lots of money on BA - as told to me by the FA. Anyway, I left my sleeping partner and went back upstairs to mu original seat to continue my journey in comfort and without feeling "inferior" to another passenger.
Husband and were I both upgraded inflight to F. However, privacy was not as good as NCW, window seats - and the FA insisted I shut my blind - even although it was a day flight. I mentioned that I wished to look out the window as I am claustrophobic, but was informed that as there was a very lucrative passenger behind me - who wished the blinds to be shut - then her needs came before mine!
Wonderful to feel important....
Basically, she was a frequent "Frist" passenger, who spent lots of money on BA - as told to me by the FA. Anyway, I left my sleeping partner and went back upstairs to mu original seat to continue my journey in comfort and without feeling "inferior" to another passenger.
Now of course this assumes that the sun wasn't shining in the window directly, that much I can be sympathetic with, but I would have offered to stick a pillow into the seat gap to block the direct sun
Apr 30, 2008, 11:29 am
#28
Join Date: May 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 1,896
Apr 30, 2008, 11:35 am
#29
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Highlands, Scotland
Programs: EK,BA,QR
Posts: 547
Upgrade
Because we had met with so many problems from booking, through to problems with staff/dirty seating areas and toilets - they did it as a gesture to us - for which we were very greatfull .......
Apr 30, 2008, 11:37 am
#30
Join Date: May 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 1,896