Author Topic: Airlines that allow onboard or check-in time upgrade to J for $ (Read 2471 times)

ExGingi · « **on:** October 07, 2018, 03:05:53 PM »

I've heard about various airlines that will upgrade from Economy to Business at the airport or onboard for cash, if seats are available. I've never tried this before, but for an upcoming trip, I can't seem to find J award space for required dates, and revenue seems over my budget at this point.

Which airlines will allow onboard upgrade, and where are chances good? What's the best strategy?

TK?
SU?
PS?

Any others on NYC-TLV-NYC routes?

mike · « **Reply #1 on:** October 07, 2018, 03:10:08 PM »

i have seen Swiss and Lot upgrade for money at the airport

yuds70 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 07, 2018, 03:35:01 PM »

Quote from: mike on October 07, 2018, 03:10:08 PM

i have seen Swiss and Lot upgrade for money at the airport

Friend told me they upgraded on Swiss onboard with credit card.

as2 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 07, 2018, 03:40:14 PM »

My brother was offered Polaris for $600 when viewing his itinerary. This was well before check in.

eli232 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2018, 03:40:24 PM »

Quote from: mike on October 07, 2018, 03:10:08 PM

i have seen Swiss and Lot upgrade for money at the airport

and at what price?

as2 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 07, 2018, 03:42:15 PM »

Also, I know AC allows you to bid for an upgrade, but I believe the minimum bid is $800 or so.

moe8555 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 07, 2018, 03:51:11 PM »

Quote from: as2 on October 07, 2018, 03:40:14 PM

My brother was offered Polaris for $600 when viewing his itinerary. This was well before check in.

Happened to my father during check in, also $600.

moe8555 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 07, 2018, 03:53:17 PM »

Just flew LOT premium econ. WAW-JFK. The lounge agents wanted $574 to upgrade to biz. The seat next to me in PE was empty so I didn't consider it really. Put in a bid for $405 on the way back to JFK-WAW, we'll see if they accept... It's a work-paid flight and I have a good amount of Barclays points waiting to be used so it'd be nice if it happens.

LY also allows upgrade-on-board from what I recall, as does Alitalia.

ExGingi · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2018, 03:57:09 PM »

Quote from: mike on October 07, 2018, 03:10:08 PM

i have seen Swiss and Lot upgrade for money at the airport

Is it for the difference in published fare, or is it something else?

Quote from: moe8555 on October 07, 2018, 03:53:17 PM

Just flew LOT premium econ. WAW-JFK. The lounge agents wanted $574 to upgrade to biz. The seat next to me in PE was empty so I didn't consider it really. Put in a bid for $405 on the way back to JFK-WAW, we'll see if they accept... It's a work-paid flight and I have a good amount of Barclays points waiting to be used so it'd be nice if it happens.

That sounds like the fare difference. So why would it be worth it? Just book the Biz upfront and be guaranteed the biz experience from check-in time on.

Quote from: moe8555 on October 07, 2018, 03:51:11 PM

Happened to my father during check in, also $600.

On top of which fare?

as2 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 07, 2018, 04:01:56 PM »

Quote from: ExGingi on October 07, 2018, 03:57:09 PM

On top of which fare?

In my brother's case, he booked a revenue fare on UA with UR. He was offered to upgrade to Polaris for $600 which he took.

mmgfarb · « **Reply #10 on:** October 07, 2018, 04:46:50 PM »

I think you can upgrade at the airport on PS but I'm not sure.

ilherman · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2018, 04:52:44 PM »

Ba to ny to London for around 1k

moe8555 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2018, 05:05:10 PM »

Quote from: ExGingi on October 07, 2018, 03:57:09 PM

Is it for the difference in published fare, or is it something else?
That sounds like the fare difference. So why would it be worth it? Just book the Biz upfront and be guaranteed the biz experience from check-in time on.
On top of which fare?

Company policy is up to premium econ., so I couldn't simply book business.

With regard to United, he was originally booked on Swiss but then rebooked onto United after Swiss canceled. I believe fare bucket was Y.

Yammer · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2018, 05:21:21 PM »

Quote from: mike on October 07, 2018, 03:10:08 PM

i have seen Swiss and Lot upgrade for money at the airport

I've seen an upgrade before takeoff on the plane

chinagel · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2018, 05:26:22 PM »

CX allows

buchir · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2018, 05:39:40 PM »

I was just offered on OS as I did online check in for 800 Euro (VIE-JFK, was an award economy seat)

yelped · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2018, 06:08:24 PM »

Was offered an upgrade to Business on UA for about $800 (much less that the difference in fare). One way. ZRH-NYC.

ExGingi · « **Reply #17 on:** October 07, 2018, 06:18:32 PM »

Quote from: yelped on October 07, 2018, 06:08:24 PM

Was offered an upgrade to Business on UA for about $800 (much less that the difference in fare). One way. ZRH-NYC.

What was the fare paid for the economy ticket? Was this offered during online checkin?

yelped · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2018, 07:31:39 PM »

Quote from: ExGingi on October 07, 2018, 06:18:32 PM

What was the fare paid for the economy ticket? Was this offered during online checkin?

$513 RT. Summer dates. One of the lowest fare classes. Think it was K or L. Was offered during online check in. Was a day flight so I definitely didn't care for it.

mendyt · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2018, 09:06:56 AM »

Bids on LO work pretty good and I know people who upgraded from PE for only $250 (at least they used to, dont have any recent experience)
PS works in airport at check in but CASH only, I don't think they have a set price but rather ask according to demand, I wanted to upgrade before RH on a busy flight and they asked $800