While the Cat is Away……
Mar 8, 2003, 5:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,173
While the Cat is Away……
....the mice should play…. With ScottC airborne on his United flight from ORD to AMS it appears the board is open for discussions of wild rumors and innuendo without fear of facts or common sense coming into the discussion.
I will start by mentioning that BA as of July 1 has the most liberal upgrade policy of any carrier. Upgrade any fare to the next class of service!! WOW!!!
Did I mention upgrade? The last 6 flight I have taken with BA I was upgraded. IN ALL cases I asked for the thing. Only sheep meekly go on a plane knowing they will turn right at boarding without making at least an attempt to move up!!!
richard the BA mouse
[This message has been edited by RichLond (edited 03-08-2003).]
I will start by mentioning that BA as of July 1 has the most liberal upgrade policy of any carrier. Upgrade any fare to the next class of service!! WOW!!!
Did I mention upgrade? The last 6 flight I have taken with BA I was upgraded. IN ALL cases I asked for the thing. Only sheep meekly go on a plane knowing they will turn right at boarding without making at least an attempt to move up!!!
richard the BA mouse
[This message has been edited by RichLond (edited 03-08-2003).]
Mar 8, 2003, 5:49 pm
#3
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,771
The following is a true story.
One week ago today, I was flying from HKG to LHR in BA F. I was patiently waiting my turn in the F/Biz boarding line, when a number of highly self important people pushed their way around us. They were allowed to board first. The man in front of me finally asked why. The BA agent said "Sir, they are gold. The man said "So am I" - and dragged up his tag from his briefcase. "I just don't feel a need to flash it around." The BA agent then switched his boarding card from business to First class.
The purser had a chat with me onboard. Of the 14 first class seats, 9 were operational upgrades.
One week ago today, I was flying from HKG to LHR in BA F. I was patiently waiting my turn in the F/Biz boarding line, when a number of highly self important people pushed their way around us. They were allowed to board first. The man in front of me finally asked why. The BA agent said "Sir, they are gold. The man said "So am I" - and dragged up his tag from his briefcase. "I just don't feel a need to flash it around." The BA agent then switched his boarding card from business to First class.
The purser had a chat with me onboard. Of the 14 first class seats, 9 were operational upgrades.
Mar 8, 2003, 5:55 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,173
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RichLond:
is open for discussions of wild rumors and innuendo without fear of facts or common sense coming into the discussion.
</font>
is open for discussions of wild rumors and innuendo without fear of facts or common sense coming into the discussion.
</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blueeyes_austin:
Not true. American Airlines, at least, allows this.
</font>
Not true. American Airlines, at least, allows this.
</font>
Mar 8, 2003, 6:05 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,364
Yeah and AA gives you FREE eight VIP upgrades as a top tier. No redemptions no money, no ADDITIONAL THRESHOLD after reaching top tier (and as most know UA and DL give SIX, but with more restrictions - which are actually less than BA's).
Mar 8, 2003, 7:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 206
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blueeyes_austin:
"I will start by mentioning that BA as of July 1 has the most liberal upgrade policy of any carrier. Upgrade any fare to the next class of service!! WOW!!!"
Not true. American Airlines, at least, allows this.</font>
"I will start by mentioning that BA as of July 1 has the most liberal upgrade policy of any carrier. Upgrade any fare to the next class of service!! WOW!!!"
Not true. American Airlines, at least, allows this.</font>
[This message has been edited by iflyual (edited 03-08-2003).]
Mar 8, 2003, 9:26 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hfly:
Yeah and AA gives you FREE eight VIP upgrades as a top tier. No redemptions no money, no ADDITIONAL THRESHOLD after reaching top tier (and as most know UA and DL give SIX, but with more restrictions - which are actually less than BA's).</font>
Yeah and AA gives you FREE eight VIP upgrades as a top tier. No redemptions no money, no ADDITIONAL THRESHOLD after reaching top tier (and as most know UA and DL give SIX, but with more restrictions - which are actually less than BA's).</font>
Mar 10, 2003, 2:03 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: This year we're going to the BAFTAs!
Posts: 5,518
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blueeyes_austin:
"I will start by mentioning that BA as of July 1 has the most liberal upgrade policy of any carrier. Upgrade any fare to the next class of service!! WOW!!!"
Not true. American Airlines, at least, allows this.</font>
"I will start by mentioning that BA as of July 1 has the most liberal upgrade policy of any carrier. Upgrade any fare to the next class of service!! WOW!!!"
Not true. American Airlines, at least, allows this.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Please note that you cannot upgrade to the next cabin using discount economy classes.</font>
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...u/public/en_us
Mar 10, 2003, 5:40 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,173
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by CT-UK:
I am in schock the Scott has not jumped all over this thread yet. I believe he has returned from ORD on UA. Maybe he is busy working out how to max his SWU collection
</font>
I am in schock the Scott has not jumped all over this thread yet. I believe he has returned from ORD on UA. Maybe he is busy working out how to max his SWU collection
</font>
Remember he did fly UA so it may take him a few days to recover!!
Mar 10, 2003, 9:34 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: (SMV) St. Moritz, Switzerland
Programs: LH SEN, AA AAirpass, IC Ambassador Platinum, *wood Gold
Posts: 1,343
LH does allow upgrading of any purchased fare @ 20K one way for US members and 35K for others.
I suspect that I shall be seeing some of you shortly
.
I suspect that I shall be seeing some of you shortly
.
Mar 10, 2003, 10:10 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,368
KL also lets you upgrade from any fare and also from awards (there would not be much point in the latter, though, since getting a business award straight away would be cheaper).
I just don't understand attempts at arguing that BAEC is a generous programme. It just isn't, and even less so following the changes. IMO, BAEC plays a very minor role in flying BA. More likely reasons are:
1) you are UK based and BA will offer you the greatest number of direct flights;
2) you enjoy BA's service better than that of its competitors;
3) you appreciate the stinginess of BAEC, because it means that only a comparatively low number will partake of the benefits so premium classes and lounges will be less of a scrum;
4) you enjoy the intangible benefits that go with recognition as premier if you are in that position;
5) last, and not least, your nightdreams are populated by hairbrushes and you hanker after the hope of seeing Pucci on a flight.
[This message has been edited by NickB (edited 03-10-2003).]
I just don't understand attempts at arguing that BAEC is a generous programme. It just isn't, and even less so following the changes. IMO, BAEC plays a very minor role in flying BA. More likely reasons are:
1) you are UK based and BA will offer you the greatest number of direct flights;
2) you enjoy BA's service better than that of its competitors;
3) you appreciate the stinginess of BAEC, because it means that only a comparatively low number will partake of the benefits so premium classes and lounges will be less of a scrum;
4) you enjoy the intangible benefits that go with recognition as premier if you are in that position;
5) last, and not least, your nightdreams are populated by hairbrushes and you hanker after the hope of seeing Pucci on a flight.
[This message has been edited by NickB (edited 03-10-2003).]