Tricks for getting upgraded to Business Class

[discobay]

Are there any tricks or hints for getting the best opportunity for an upgrade to business class? I have in the past been successfull by being prompt to check-in and dressed smart. Would using the city check-in help or be detrimental to getting the upgrade especially if I intend to check in a day early?

[Katanga]

DB

Unless you are a loyalty card holder, these days most airlines are very strict on upgrades.

They tend to be given to people in their loyalty programmes and then by ranking i.e. Diamond, Gold, Silver etc. and within each group only based on a first-come-first served chek-in (including on-line check-in)

Mainstream airlines generally only upgrade when the class you are supposed to be travelling in is over-booked and then using the criteria above.

cheers

[discobay]

I see. I am a loyalty card holder and I was intending to present that at check-in. So it is pointless hoping to get upgraded at the city check-in then?

[Straightarrow]

it seems really hard to get free upgrades out of HK. It's like no one is able to make a decision so NO CANNOT is the standard reply.

In other countries, just smile and ask and many times you will get it.

[discobay]

OK thanks for that.

[jayinhongkong]

I have a secret, but I'm not sharing it.

[psampras88]

Try flying on your birthdays...CX will upgrade you if technically possible and will even get you a gift...

[fsklee]

Although op-up is difficult, there are still a few things you can do to improve the chance:
* Do not fly codeshare.
* Give the airline or the travel agent your loyalty programme number ahead of time.
* Fly on a full short haul flight - economy is likely to be full ahead of business class.
* Do on-line check-in early.
* Asking for it may actually lower your chance.

If you present your card at check-in, that will likely be too late. Anyway, it is better to have a lower expectation and enjoy when you get it.

[fsklee]

Try flying on your birthdays...CX will upgrade you if technically possible and will even get you a gift...

That is true. It happened to my friend who was a MPC Gold member. I do not know if the passenger needs to be at least a MPC member.

[KnowItAll]

Book yourself on a flight that is likely to be full -- assuming you have an elite status which means that they have to put you onboard.

Having said that . biz class may be full too... so you might just be out of luck.

Its all a game which has become seriously pretty difficult, as the airlines have stopped caring about most lower elite tier passengers.