Upgrade Seats for Business Travel Flight?

Lyesiamcheap on 06/05/2014 - 17:37

Hi there, I'll be lucky enough to travel to America for work soon but I'll only be able to expense an economy flight. I'm not really looking forward to a long flight in a cramped economy seat!

I know next to nothing about air travel and I'm wondering if there are any experienced business travels who can recommend how to go about leveraging the work paid economy flight and getting an affordable upgrade to something less cramped?

I hope I'm wrong but just had a quick look at Qantas and the difference for a return trip between economy and business is over $7k!

If there are no affordable upgrade options then maybe I can get some tips on how to get sympathy from the flight attendants in hope that they offer me a spare seat :)

Travel

Comments

  • zelda707 on 06/05/2014 - 17:49

    If your going for work maybe at least ask for an upgrade to premium?

    If there are no affordable upgrade options then maybe I can get some tips on how to get sympathy from the flight attendants in hope that they offer me a spare seat

    I've never seen this happen :) Maybe try asking at the check in counter, but i think they'd rather fly with an empty cabin

    • zelda707 on 06/05/2014 - 21:04

      also if you have points, this might be worth a read

  • RockyRaccoon on 06/05/2014 - 18:30
    +4

    sorry to burst your bubble, but it doesnt matter who is paying for your trip, the airlines are going to look at other factors before offering an upgrade.

    1. What price was paid for the ticket. Full price, discount economy etc).
    2. How important is the flyer to the airline eg level of frequent flyer, business value, political clout, public importance (singer actor etc).
    3. Upgrades over one class is very unlikely. They will bump someone from premium economy to Business and the another from economy to the premium economy seat. That way two passengers get to experience and upgrade.

    Hey at least someone else is paying for your flight, the rest have to rely on Ozbargain

  • mooney on 06/05/2014 - 22:29

    To be honest your best hope is to chat to the check in person on arrival to the airport.. Now if you are over 6ft tall you can ask if they have any seats they can give you, for free, that might have extra legroom. Play up how cramped you otherwise find it. BUT BE PLEASANT.

    If you aren't overly tall, you've zero chance.

    Overall though your chances are still slim to none. Odds also vary depending on what make of plane you get, ideally A380. I've been moved from my economy seat to another seat classed as economy but was actually a premium economy seat used for overspill.

    Upgrades from economy to another class is as rare as rocking horse poo. And anything you pay for is costly.

    One final comment… RockyRacoons point 2 is the most important one. I now fly a lot with work and my leverage is now vastly different.

    Good luck though!!

  • theoracle30 on 06/05/2014 - 23:11

    If on an Qantas A380, consider seats 71D, 80A or 80K, available for the standard seat reservation fee, but with nothing in front of you (at least, last year November when I flew in 80A/K exclusively).

  • OutOfComplaintForms on 07/05/2014 - 23:45
    +2

    Upgrades are generally limited to operational reasons (overbooking in Economy mostly). Despite the many 'how to snag an upgrade,' stories, these are generally just old wives tales from people who don't really understand the airline industry today. I can't even tell you the number of times I see people overly dressed up to try and score an upgrade. Loyalty and airline status is what's important.

    Saying that though, certain airlines do make it easier to secure an upgrade. Airlines such as:

    Virgin Australia or Air New Zealand offer an auction-style upgrade system where you can bid for a price you're willing to pay for an upgrade. Upgrade bids are per sector only however, and for long haul flight, they generally are >$1000.

    You can also try upgrading to Premium Economy or Economy +, which is generally cheaper, especially with United Airlines.

    Finally, there are other airlines besides Qantas that fly to the States, and are much cheaper. Both Philippines Airlines and China Airlines offer Business Class tickets for less than $5k.

    Hope that helps.

    • RockyRaccoon on 08/05/2014 - 21:07

      Finally, there are other airlines besides Qantas that fly to the States, and are much cheaper. Both Philippines Airlines and China Airlines offer Business Class tickets for less than $5k

      Almost twice as long a flight, I doubt if the business he is working with would like to see their staff fly that route, even for cheap business class

    • donga100 on 10/05/2014 - 19:07
      +1

      Agree on the 'how to snag an upgrade' articles. They really suck and are usually written by US authors with little inside knowledge and from decades ago.

  • yesiamcheap on 10/05/2014 - 19:16
    +1

    Thanks guys :)

  • Peck on 11/05/2014 - 18:32
    +1

    Make sure that you are a member of the relevant frequent flyer program. I believe that, if there is an upgrade necessary due to overbooking, it will go to an FF member first.

  • anna10 on 12/05/2014 - 17:24

    When travelling in economy, it is important to take something that you have already tried out for suitability, to help you sleep.

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