Is there a list of some sort of the airlines that will sell (not the bidding lottery or using points) upgrades at check in? A search of threads here returned a discussion about Qantas not doing that. A family member has successfully done this with Etihad twice in the last three weeks. So I'm wondering who does and doesn't.
Air New Zealand - they have a map of set cost to upgrade using a radius distnace from Auckland. From memory it was $1k to Perth to upgrade to business, $500 for premium. Same for any other destination within that radius i.e approx 7hr flight time. East cost Australia to upgrade was $500 and so on.
Last year when I was at checking in for Qantas QF95 Mel-Lax flight a passenger asked for payed upgrades to business. They were on offer and it something reasonable like $900 per person.
I was surprised as I didn't know this was a thing.
Out of interest does anyone know if the purchased upgrades come with a higher points/status earn ? I'm guessing this is airline dependant but that would factor highly in my decision to upgrade alongside my personal comfort:flight time metric.
Out of interest does anyone know if the purchased upgrades come with a higher points/status earn ? I'm guessing this is airline dependant but that would factor highly in my decision to upgrade alongside my personal comfort:flight time metric.
Word of thumb is generally no, however there are anecdotes of paid upgrades on certain airlines crediting at the higher rate on other FF programs, e.g. Plusgrade bids on MH crediting to BAEC at full J rates..
Out of interest does anyone know if the purchased upgrades come with a higher points/status earn ? I'm guessing this is airline dependant but that would factor highly in my decision to upgrade alongside my personal comfort:flight time metric.
Mentioned family member who upgraded on Etihad asked about this today, with Velocity points/status are based on the original fare.
I have twice purchased an upgrade from a cheap economy fare to business on KLM by being first in line at the check in counter (KUL-AMS each way) when 2 seats were available. It was a bargain - cost something like $300AUD pp.
My parents-in-law are travelling economy with Qatar in a few months. I'd love to know if they offer it?
Out of interest does anyone know if the purchased upgrades come with a higher points/status earn ? I'm guessing this is airline dependant but that would factor highly in my decision to upgrade alongside my personal comfort:flight time metric.
Mentioned family member who upgraded on Etihad asked about this today, with Velocity points/status are based on the original fare.
Thanks for the replies.
Lufthansa credits at the business class rate for a bid upgrade (although I haven't seen how this works since they revamped Miles&More a little while back).
BA definitely do paid upgrades. Have done it numerous times throughout Europe and trans-Atlantic flights. Long haul promotional upgrade is what they call it and have gone from economy to business for £500. Got full business class status points etc as well
Warragul
Warragul
Member since 22 Jan 2019
Total posts 20
Is there a list of some sort of the airlines that will sell (not the bidding lottery or using points) upgrades at check in? A search of threads here returned a discussion about Qantas not doing that. A family member has successfully done this with Etihad twice in the last three weeks. So I'm wondering who does and doesn't.
Thanks
souths70
souths70
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 19 Mar 2015
Total posts 18
Thai airways do
fish1983
fish1983
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 03 Jun 2014
Total posts 17
Fiji Airways do as well
Dan22
Dan22
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Aug 2013
Total posts 168
Air New Zealand - they have a map of set cost to upgrade using a radius distnace from Auckland. From memory it was $1k to Perth to upgrade to business, $500 for premium. Same for any other destination within that radius i.e approx 7hr flight time. East cost Australia to upgrade was $500 and so on.
ScottB
ScottB
Member since 21 Apr 2016
Total posts 13
JAL publish a price list for upgrading to premium economy at check-in.
https://www.jal.co.jp/en/info/inter/apopyug.html
bbtlife
bbtlife
Member since 28 Oct 2018
Total posts 3
Virgin Australia do both lottery and purchase upgrades at check-in self serve kiosks
DrSK
DrSK
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 08 Jul 2014
Total posts 44
US-based airlines will generally offer paid upgrades, especially for domestic flights.
Aidan
Aidan
Member since 05 Dec 2018
Total posts 95
Last year when I was at checking in for Qantas QF95 Mel-Lax flight a passenger asked for payed upgrades to business. They were on offer and it something reasonable like $900 per person.
I was surprised as I didn't know this was a thing.
Theresnormissin
Theresnormissin
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Oct 2016
Total posts 161
Out of interest does anyone know if the purchased upgrades come with a higher points/status earn ? I'm guessing this is airline dependant but that would factor highly in my decision to upgrade alongside my personal comfort:flight time metric.
ScottB
ScottB
Member since 21 Apr 2016
Total posts 13
Originally Posted by Theresnormissin
Out of interest does anyone know if the purchased upgrades come with a higher points/status earn ? I'm guessing this is airline dependant but that would factor highly in my decision to upgrade alongside my personal comfort:flight time metric.
Warragul
Warragul
Member since 22 Jan 2019
Total posts 20
Originally Posted by Theresnormissin
Out of interest does anyone know if the purchased upgrades come with a higher points/status earn ? I'm guessing this is airline dependant but that would factor highly in my decision to upgrade alongside my personal comfort:flight time metric.
Thanks for the replies.
Seuna
Seuna
Avianca - AviancaPlus
Member since 27 Oct 2015
Total posts 1
I have twice purchased an upgrade from a cheap economy fare to business on KLM by being first in line at the check in counter (KUL-AMS each way) when 2 seats were available. It was a bargain - cost something like $300AUD pp.
My parents-in-law are travelling economy with Qatar in a few months. I'd love to know if they offer it?
Pit
Pit
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 31 Jul 2017
Total posts 14
Virgin when travelling internationally - at checkin
Rufus1
Rufus1
Member since 04 Dec 2013
Total posts 70
Originally Posted by Warragul
Originally Posted by Theresnormissin
Out of interest does anyone know if the purchased upgrades come with a higher points/status earn ? I'm guessing this is airline dependant but that would factor highly in my decision to upgrade alongside my personal comfort:flight time metric.
Thanks for the replies.
Pigeon226
Pigeon226
Member since 18 Oct 2019
Total posts 1
BA definitely do paid upgrades. Have done it numerous times throughout Europe and trans-Atlantic flights. Long haul promotional upgrade is what they call it and have gone from economy to business for £500. Got full business class status points etc as well