Best way to get a free upgrade?

A (rich) guy a used to work for always travelled in the “superior” classes, but usually dressed in T shirt and jeans. He is the only person I’ve ever met who was regularly downgraded – “The economy class queue is over there ,sir.” He used to get very cross!:p

Originally posted by KabirT
double of Axl Rose…should have troubles even boarding an aircraft now! 😀

Ha ha that’s true, at least he didn’t look like Peter Buck from REM !:D

Originally posted by Ren Frew
A mate of a guitarist I used to jam with had a friend in LA who was the double of Axl Rose from Guns and Roses. He used to get all sorts of special treatment on planes, upgrades, champagne etc.

double of Axl Rose…should have troubles even boarding an aircraft now! 😀

Originally posted by Pembo330
I guess I’ll just travel in my jeans & t-shirt then…lol

May as well be comfortable.

A mate of a guitarist I used to jam with had a friend in LA who was the double of Axl Rose from Guns and Roses. He used to get all sorts of special treatment on planes, upgrades, champagne etc.

I guess I’ll just travel in my jeans & t-shirt then…lol

May as well be comfortable.

Originally posted by Ren Frew
The last time I travelled economy class I was held up at the check in by a number of business class passengers who couldn’t be bothered waiting in the business queue and felt it their entitlement to barge past the rest of us mere mortals standing patiently in line at economy.
so. 😡

Fair point,

I blame the airlines for not keeping a tighter control on the boarding phase.;)

Ren,

You should have smacked that T@@T.:D

Originally posted by skycruiser

When I travel business class, it annoys me that I am held up in the business/first class line to board the aircraft because the economy class passengers can’t be bothered to queue up in the economy class line.

The last time I travelled economy class I was held up at the check in by a number of business class passengers who couldn’t be bothered waiting in the business queue and felt it their entitlement to barge past the rest of us mere mortals standing patiently in line at economy.

One guy even forced his way in front of me after I had gotten to the front of the queque and had been beckoned to step forward by the check-in lady

I almost swung for the pin striped suited, arrogant so and so. 😡

The way to look at it is, if you had paid top dollar for a business class seat would you want the airline to start upgrading all the economy passengers to come and sit next to you knowing they have paid a fraction of your ticket price.

When I travel business class, it annoys me that I am held up in the business/first class line to board the aircraft because the economy class passengers can’t be bothered to queue up in the economy class line.

With all that said, it’s not impossible so good luck, just don’t hold your breath.

Mosr airlines have very strict rules regarding upgrades. They usually upgrade their Elite FFP members, starting with the highest levels. If you are not a KL Flying Dutchman member with status, your chances are almost nil…

Because airlines if they have spare seats in business/first, will sometimes offer them to standard passengers to free up more ecomony seats.

Don’t get me wrong – I don’t deserve one and have no right to one, but it does happen and I just wanted to know what I needed to do to increase my chances.

Only this weekend my colleague got upgraded to first on a BA flight from Heathrow to Dubai.

Getting upgraded is very difficult indeed. Unless the flight is over booked or you are an airline club card holder, then no chance.

Why would they offer you a free upgrade… ? delayed flight, over booked in economy ? mistaken for a celebrity ?

Just curious ?

Don’t wear jeans or trainers! Just look smart and business orientated, that always increases your chances, especially if you are travelling alone.