18 I Inbox Posts from our online forum
businesstraveller.com/forum POST
Tom Otley DATE
September 23 10:39
WHO GETS CHOSEN FOR AN UPGRADE – AND WHY? I was interested in the different methods airlines use to decide who to upgrade. As you know, many airlines overbook their cabins (which is a whole different subject) and so then exercise selective upgrades for some lucky flyers. There’s certainly the belief that, all things being equal, if you are a top-tier flyer flying economy, and the economy cabin is overbooked, then you have a good chance of being selected for that upgrade. It seems, however, that some airlines now upgrade based on the fare paid – in other words, if you are platinum but flying on a restricted economy ticket, and are sitting next to someone who is Blue or Bronze, but who is on a flexible ticket, then if upgrades are necessary, Mr Blue or Bronze will be chosen ahead of you. I was wondering if anyone has experience of this (or the opposite)?
FDOS_UK September 23 10:46
Do the airlines ever share their logic? Assuming we are talking Europe (as the US is somewhat different), some airlines do have software algorithms that (in theory) spread the upgrades around so that people do not rely on status-based upgrades. On the other hand, I’ve seen people be randomly upgraded at the gate, apparently to try for an on-time departure, when logic flies out of the window, in favour of safeguarding a slot.
Charles-P September 23 11:10
As part of a project I did about two years ago I worked with people who are on the gate and have some power when it comes to upgrade. I asked directly who do you choose and why (more out of curiosity than anything else). There was indeed priority given to frequent flyers particularly if they had “high” status, but there were other factors as well: DOES GET • “If he looks right in business/first, no one scruffy”
• “Someone who is polite to me” • “A person who looks tired and needs a decent flight in business”
• “An older person” (this was from an ethnic Chinese woman)
• “I look to see if their shoes are polished” • “People I know” • “A person who is patient” • “Someone who smiles and says good morning”
DOES NOT GET • “Rude people”
NOVEMBER 2016
• “People who demand an upgrade because… (insert excuse here)
• “Anyone wearing denim” • “A passenger with tattoos” • “Women with babies” • “Men who try to chat me up… unless they are good looking”
TominScotland September 23 14:23
From my experience, the dress up, smile at check-in/at the gate thing does not make any difference. As has already been suggested, 99 per cent of upgrades seem to be predetermined and, in my case, linked to my Gold status and not my spend. I have had a very good run on BA recently, with PE flights to Singapore and from KL upgraded to Club and, more surprisingly, a return leg from Dubai when booked in economy likewise upgraded to business (this was an Avios booking). I have also been upgraded a couple of times over the past 12 months by Qatar with whom I have no status.
POST TS-Andy DATE
September 21 04:32
SATAY SERVED WITHOUT TABLECLOTH LAID I was recently on an SQ flight from Singapore to Shanghai in the business cabin. The satay was served without a tablecloth being laid, and this was followed quite closely with the proper meal served with the tablecloth. I was wondering why they don’t have the tablecloth laid at the start when serving satay. Is this their standard practice? I can’t recall.
Ekond222
September 21 11:36 SimonS1
September 21 13:56 Esselle September 21 14:42 Hermes1964 September 21 15:53 First world problems will be their downfall…
Shocking. I would demand your money back.
Did they place the satay on a plate, or straight onto your tray table?
Best you just open your mouth as the trolley goes by and they can pop a morsel in for you. No tablecloth, no fuss, just sheer luxury!
Coldbat September 21 17:45
The tablecloths were all made into a parachute by the passenger sitting nearest to extricate themselves from this dismal lack of service ASAP.
Charles-P September 23 11:10
I’m holding back the tears that express how I’m feeling right now. I’m sad, depressed, lost, confused, and scared. I hope that TS-Andy gets the counselling and compensation he so richly deserves.
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