Comments on: Pick your upgrade poison, frequent fliers: higher fares or co-pays?

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:59:07 +0000

I agree with Tim that airlines seem not to realize that their frequent fliers’ loyalty that produces enough miles for an upgrade or a ticket is important. As a past gold member of Alaska Airlines, now MVP, I saw upgrade availability slide from easy and ‘unlimited’ to practically never. I am a cheap traveler, planning ahead and grabbing bargain fares. It now costs a whole lot more, especially at the first level, to even be eligible for an upgrade. Loyalty isn’t rewarded even though I have paid more to fly on Alaska rather than the same route on Southwest.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:57:46 +0000

I’ve never really had a problem using upgrades on United and I have used them both domestically and internationally.

One of the best parts of the UA-LH agreement is that I can use the System Wide upgrades on Lufthansa which I fly back from Europe quite a bit.

Overall I am happy but I am not prepared to pay for the upgrades.

By: John

John — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

As someone who gets on a plane 40+ weeks a year, I always book an exit row, or in the case of UAL, economy plus seating. That way I’m comfortable regardless and the upgrade is a bonus.

I must admit however than as someone who averages 250K a year, loyalty should count for much more than it does. Business travelers seem to be penalized more and more these days yet they represent the largest portion of revenue to the carriers. Something is wrong with this picture!

By: Bob F-Miami

Bob F-Miami — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:40:45 +0000

End of November I am flying from Miami to Bangkok (MIA-DFW-NRT-BKK) via American Airlines & JAL for a one week trip – I paid $5,200 for BIZ and was able to use 1 *VIP* upgrade into 1st on the DFW-NRT potion because that flight basis was “upgradable”. I could not upgrade into 1st on the NRT to DFW potion because the fare basis was too low. However, AA just changed their rules, and I immediately upgraded into 1st with 25,000 miles and $350. it was a no-brainer, it’s an almost 12 hour flight! Bliss!

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:05:25 +0000

US Airways has, by far, the BEST upgrade program for a major airline, but it does favor those of us who are very frequent flyers. Upgrades are automatic, on almost any fare (except mileage tickes, where you can pay more miles for first-class), on a space available basis by status. You can add a spouse or companion free upgrade as well, and that will happen automatically if they are on the same reservation with you. If not, you have to call in and ask for them to be upgraded.

It’s the KEY reason I stay with US Airways… if they ever change this policy I’m looking elsewhere.

By: rosanne skopp

rosanne skopp — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:51:55 +0000

No one mentioned Continental where my husband and I have Platinum Elite status Cost for upgrades on our oft used route EWR to TLV usually cost $1000 rt. This is just crazy and we often look for cheaper alternatives like taking a break in Europe and breaking up the trip. Sitting in Economy for 12 hrs on the really horrid 777 is unendurable.But spending an extra $2000 for the comfort seems too hedonistic .

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:33:32 +0000

I don’t care what they do as long as I can get an affordable upgrade. I want on the nice seats. I will pay something, just not absurd amounts.

By: MJ’s Travel Favorites 11-1-09 | Traveling with MJ

MJ’s Travel Favorites 11-1-09 | Traveling with MJ — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:42:29 +0000

[...] Consumer Travel explores the new choices for cashing in frequent flyer miles. Those rewards are going to come with a higher price tag, whether it’s more miles or more cash. [...]

By: MollyNYC

MollyNYC — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:20:26 +0000

I’m an AA flyer for years and have Gold status, which is their first tier elite.
Yes, of course I prefered the “miles only” upgrade, or a reasonable fee….say $100 – $200. I think that the $350. EACH way, PLUS 25,000 miles EACH way is awful. $700. + 50,000 of my hard earned miles is a big price to pay.
That said, I would not want to pay more for my ticket and have an “upgradeable” fare and then be stuck in a coach seat.
Since I’m only a first tier elite, my upgrade percentage on my international flights is about 75%. It’s be furious that I paid a couple of hundred dollars more to be the the gamble, and then not get the seat.

Sadly, if the airlines didn’t make flying in coach such a miserable experience, we wouldn’t need all this fussing. Biz and First should of course be a much more luxury product, but coach shouldn’t be such a dreaded experience.

Also, as another person pointed out, this is for international flights. Domestic flights are handled differently and the upgrades are easier and cheaper.

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:07:55 +0000

Unfortunately, as it seems so often here, the discussion — and even the base question — miss a good part of the mark.

(Precursor — my expertise is also with United.)

Most of the premise and discussion is being centered around upgrades on INTERNATIONAL flights. Domestic flights are much more lenient with the upgrade program — you can upgrade on almost any purchased fare with miles. United is also about to go to some ridiculous “unlimited” upgrade system for domestic flights. (While it will work for some, it is still going to leave others miffed (ha!) at not getting them.)

Current policy does not allow mileage upgrades on lower international fares. Period. The airline is going to allow customers on lower fares to add a co-pay to use miles to upgrade FROM A PREVIOUSLY NON-UPGRADEABLE FARE. Now, you cannot upgrade. Soon, you will be able to….if you want. It is all about the value you put on spending the money. So there is something that did not exist before that people are already complaining about.

Even now, on certain designated flights, United allows people to purchase an upgrade (no miles) from any fare (again, when available). People complain about the price the company sets, which when added to the ticket price, is still THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LESS than purchasing a Business Class ticket. This goes back to the entitlement principle, that people believe they should be given things regardless. Folks, this is a business.

In fact, as Janice mentioned, the most elite fliers are given another way to upgrade with electronic certificates. Now, certainly these are “earned” by achieving the status, but they are FREE. Yet many still beg for “free” upgrades without using the certificates. People are rarely satisfied with what they get, they always want more.

Airlines in general are making mistakes in giving more opportunities to upgrade, rather than less. They decrease the number of seats available, people complain about not being able to upgrade, and then they make upgrading easier. It cheapens the value of the seats in the cabin and makes even the elite fliers more upset when they don’t get upgraded. Upgrades should only be allowed when people are contributing to the bottom line of the business. (And no, flying 100,000 miles on International K and L fares doesn’t quite meet that definition.)