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We've all been there. Sitting in the back half of the plane, squashed
up with your knees under your chin, and a screaming child kicking
the abck of your seat. Then you see someone emerge from 'behind
the curtain', and you catch a brief glimpse of luxury. So how can
you get on the other side of the curtain without taking out a second
mortgage?
A first class ticket with BA can cost over 10 times as much as
an economy ticket. Virgin Atlantic have a 'middle-class' cabin called
'Premium Economy', with extra legroom, wider seats, and a few other
minor extras. An upgrade costs around £600-£700 on top
of the regular ticket price. BA have recently introduced a similar
cabin called 'World Traveller Plus', although as yet it isn't available
on the Orlando route.
Those flying Virgin Atlantic from Manchester can pay a premium to
sit in the upper class cabin (called 'Club Orlando'). You don't
get the free limo perks as with full upper class, but it's a whole
lot cheaper!
Celebrities and clergymen are the people most likely to be given
a free upgrade, so if you're not travelling with Kate Moss or a
vicar, what can you do?
Dress smartly. Wearing jeans and trainers won't get you behind
the curtain. Wear a smart suit, and make sure your luggage doesn't
let you down. Airlines have a secret code that they can write on
your ticket - NSU (Not Suitable for Upgrade) and SFU (Suitable for
Upgrade).
If you're travelling with kids, the odds are heavily weighted against
you. Someone who has spent a few thousand pounds on their ticket
won't want a screaming child sitting next to them.
If possible, book a busy flight, as airlines often overbook, and
the people most likely to not turn up are businessmen. Therefore,
you're more likely to get an upgrade if seats become free.
Collect airmiles. Use airmiles to buy an upgrade. Also, members
of airline frequent flyer clubs are more likely to be offered upgrades.
Click here for details of Virgin
Flying Club.
The Airfares Guide is a quarterly book that lists discounts in
business & first class. It's £49.50 for a year. Phone
01935 812955 or fax 01935 816747.
Arrive at the airport early, and ask if there are any special upgrade
rates available.
Ask for a complimentary upgrade. It doesn't hurt to try!
Got any tips or upgrade stories? Email
me.
Comments
and tips submitted
"When flying direct from Manchester-New York (for connection
to Orlando), it turned out that BA had overbooked. They therefore
offered us the opportunity to fly down to Heathrow, where we would
receive Club World seats to JFK and £100 in the currency of our
choice. That was lucky enough. However, when flying back JFK-MAN,
we were once again offered Club World seats to Heathrow! We got
this travelling with an 11-year-old boy(who does, admittedly like
to wear formal clothing)."
"We were upgraded from economy to upper class onboard a virgin
atlantic flight to Orlando. We were not seated together in economy
at check in and so asked at the gate if there was any possibility
of being seated together, the attendent upgraded us but we didn't
know until we boarded and were directed to the front of the plane!
Incidentally, we were both wearing jeans but with smart boots rather
than trainers. Have since heard that the worst thing you can wear
to be upgraded is open toed shoes."
"Just a quick email about upgrading to better seats. Me and
my partner recently flew with Virgin, we had paid for premium economy
seats which were located in the bubble upstairs. When we checked
in we were offered an immediate upgrade into Upper Class (Very front
of the Plane...Wow). I was wearing jeans, trainers and a jumper
and my partner had jogging bottoms, trainers and a T-shirt on. I
honestly believe that the clothes you wear have no impact on being
upgraded (Unless we were very lucky). Being helpful and polite seemed
to do the trick for us."
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