TFC answers. How airplane upgrades work
One of the questions we are most often asked is about the possibility of obtaining class ugrade [...]
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One of the questions we are most often asked is about the possibility of obtaining class ugrade When traveling by air. With this article, I try to provide a little bit of clarity and answer the main cases that can occur.
Each company has its own rules
The first thing to understand is that there is no one-size-fits-all rule. There are so many variables that come into play, partly because each company has different rules from the others.
Within the same company, then, there are different rules depending on whether or not one has status in the loyalty program and the rules of the individual frequent flyer. Factors that can affect then include. the class of the ticket. You may not necessarily get an upgrade, for example, if you have purchased a basic economy ticket.
Upgrade free of charge at auction.
There are different types of upgrades in the best class. The most desired ones are the free ones. For example, there are loyalty programs that allow users to get class upgrades among the status benefits. For example, if you become Senator Lufthansa you get two vouchers for as many upgrades each year. Finnair's loyalty program also gives top tiers upgrades in both short and long haul. The most generous in this respect are. American airlines' frequent flyers.
When flying to the U.S., clients with status are routinely promoted to the best classes until seats are sold out. These benefits also expand to intercontinental flights with higher tier holders receiving vouchers to redeem, subject to availability of course. Being well dressed doesn't work Nor be friends with the pilot.
When talking about paid upgrades, one must - again - distinguish between cash or payment with points. In the case of upgrading with points, almost all carriers tie this availability to the presence, or absence, of award seats in the required class. In addition, if you have high status you will have access to a higher number of award places than those who have basic status.
More only allow you to go up one level, so from Economy to Premium. Premium to Business and Business to First.
Other carriers auction off remaining vacant seats. It is not a real auction, as the minimum/maximum price is set by the system and often there are not even places, however, it is a system used by many companies, ITA Airways included.
When you can upgrade
Depending on the companies, it is possible to upgrade from the exact moment after purchasing the ticket until the time you board.
I was able to detach upgrade in lounge to fly in first with British Airways for less than €600, or when checking in with Air France's app for flying in La Premiere. Other times I paid on the site months before the flight, such as tickets to fly with Austrian from the Maldives to Vienna Going from an ultra basic economy ticket to business for only 550€.
Among the most transparent companies in this regard is definitely Emirates, which allows the passenger to see, at the time of ticket purchase, how much it will cost in points to upgrade to the next cabin. A figure that can be redeemed online, at the gate or on board.
The most common reasons why upgrading is not possible
- In the same PNR, that is, in the same reservation, there are multiple passengers. For example, if you are traveling as a couple you will hardly be able to upgrade if there is only one available seat. Similarly if upgrading is allowed it will have to be done by all passengers in the reservation
- Class of ticket does not allow upgrade
- There are no places in the upper class
- If you are traveling with children/infants
When to take the upgrade
The answer in this case is simple: as soon as possible. Obviously depending on the availability of the place, the cost to be incurred, and the willingness to risk being left high and dry.
When I paid for the upgrade in La Premiere I did it as soon as I could. I didn't want to risk missing the opportunity. Other times I waited for the last minute offer right at the gate. It all depends on how much you are willing to spend in points or money to get a more comfortable trip. Always doing the math right on the final cost of the ticket.
- 6,000 Mile Registration Bonus
- Collect miles WITH EACH PURCHASE
- Your miles with no expiration*
- No fees for ATM withdrawals and foreign purchases
- Without having to change banks
- Autonomous card activation
- Multi-function mobile application
- Free travel insurance
- Free credit for up to 7 weeks
- Contactless Payment
- Mastercard® SecureCode
- 20€ discount directly in your statement by spending €60 in one or more transactions with Carta on Italotreno.it
- Free fee the 1st year. From the 2nd €5.50 per month
- You can choose to pay in full or in installments
- Premium level of the Italo Più program
- 4 Vouchers per year for access to Italo Club Lounges
- Preferential Access to Italo's Fast Track at the station
- For every 5 purchases of Italo ticketing and/or onboard services made with Italo American Express Credit Card you will receive 1 voucher for room upgrade
- Welcome bonus of 100,000 Volare points upon reaching 6 thousand in spending in the first 3 months after card issuance
- Accumulate 1.5 qualifying Volare points for every euro spent, accumulate an additional 3 non-qualifying Volare points ( for a total of 4.5 Volare points) for every euro spent on ticketing purchases and other services offered by ITA Airways
- Access to the Premium Club of ITA Airways' Volare program.
- ITA Airways Lounge Access
- Free excess baggage
- Points Back