Tips on getting an upgrade to Business Class

• 

  mafmouf on 17/01/2014 - 11:51

  +1

  So you got upgraded 5 times, out of how many flights in total?

  • 

    le3lee on 17/01/2014 - 16:06

    many ofcourse!

• 

  pennae on 17/01/2014 - 12:06

  If you have a legitimate medical issue, you may be upgraded, especially on Emirates. There's not many airlines that will let you use their fridge for meds, but Emirates will. This needs to be pre-arranged, but they will also flag you for a possible upgrade.

• 

  donbot on 17/01/2014 - 12:21

  I disagree with 'dressing appropriately' - I looked like a homeless zombie in Dubai - dressed in thongs, tracksuit pants and a tshirt with years of experience, all topped off with a decent bushranger beard, and still scored an upgrade at the gate. Had never flown with Emirates before this flight.

  The only thing I can put the upgrade down to - is flying alone and using a Symphony Orchestra promo code on my booking, which might have placed me higher?

  • 

    adante on 18/01/2014 - 00:12

    Concur. Flew redeye from Brisbane to Ho Chi Minh and dressed like a bogan to the max. Got upgraded.

  • 

    anawth on 21/01/2014 - 21:14

    Agreed. The girl and I got upgraded dressed like garbage from Dubai to Sydney with Emirates. No good reason. No promo code.
    Luck of the draw, I think.
    By tbe way, it was awesome.

• 

  tonester on 17/01/2014 - 13:39

  +1

  Anymore???

  status :)

• 

  donga100 on 19/01/2014 - 13:11

  +3

  Not all airlines will have the same policies but in my experience working for airlines these help:

  Was offered to stay back a night as flight was overbooked. Agreed (with compensation) and was asked to wait aside. When approached they said we can leave, but won't be sitting together, however travelling in business class.

  Pretty rare for all cabins (economy, business, etc.) to be overbooked on the same flight but when it happens being a volunteer to take another flight will definitely have some decent benefits.

  Travel in peak times, school holidays, festive season, Public holidays as most flights are overbooked

  Being on a flight where economy is oversold is by far your best chance of being upgraded. However, contrary to some of the other points in the post above, the people to be upgraded are usually decided in advance before the check in opens using an automated program. Priority is given to the highest tier frequent flyer members and then the highest fare classes. However, even the lowest level member will be upgraded before a non-member in a high fare class so it's always worth joining your airline's FF program before flying.

  best to travel without kids

  Some things will exclude you from being upgraded and travelling with children could be one of them depending on the airline/destination. Travelling in any kind of group (even as a couple) will reduce your chances too. Single travellers are usually given preference because there are less complications/complaints with upgrading them. Yes, some people complain about getting upgraded when it means they are no longer sitting next to their travel partner or in their preferred window/aisle seat.

  Dress appropiately? no sandles etc?

  Probably not going to be the reason you get upgraded but it could be the reason they decide to not upgrade you and choose someone else instead.

  The following things are unlikely to help:

  I flew as a "Unaccompanied minor"

  Unaccompanied minors are usually seated in specific areas which are closer to the cabin crew and are unlikely to be moved.

  Know someone who works at an airline

  Not unless either you or them are a "big deal".

• 

  anna10 on 19/01/2014 - 16:04

  +2

  I do know that putting on a show that one deserves an upgrade doesn't work. Once, I was on a totally full long haul flight in Business class. The seat had been double sold to someone else who very kindly absolutely insisted that I take the seat. It was obvious that one of us was going to have to be upgraded to First. I also knew that it would be given to the person w' the higher frequent flyer status, not to the most polite. Meantime, a man in first class had come back to the J cabin and was insisting that his girlfriend who was in J seated next to me, be upgraded to First to sit next to him. The crew apparently took the view that he should have bought her an F ticket and ignored his increasing frustration w' them.

  Anyway, as he realised he was getting nowhere, he got louder and more agitato putting on an entertaining show w' most of us thinking, 'First class wa***ker'; the polite man was still standing in the aisle, the girlfriend was keeping a low profile, and I got moved to First and handed a set of Bose headphones and the polite guy sat down and we immediately took off.

• 

  RockyRaccoon on 20/01/2014 - 06:30

  The OP says much in their original post.

  Premium economy to business

  Economy to business comes next

  Discount economy to business has about half a plane load in the queue ahead of them….

  Or take up politics…

  or read Donga's post again, some VERY good insights there… (might book my wifes tickets separate from mine next time)

  • 

    roddy84 on 21/01/2014 - 23:38

    Last couple of international flights I was flying discount economy on my own.

    At checkout on one flight I was told the flight was oversold so they had moved me up to business class.

    On the next flight at the boarding gate they told me they had moved me up to premium economy and issued me a new ticket. That flight was almost empty.

    I've got gold status so I think frequent flyer status plays a pretty big role on getting upgrades.

    • 

      tonester on 22/01/2014 - 03:28

      frequent flyer status plays a pretty big role on getting upgrades.

      +1 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/130691#comment-1801150 :)

• 

  le3lee on 22/01/2014 - 09:34

  Interesting to know, thanks everyone!