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Add to del.icio.usWhen it's better to spend cash than frequent flyer points
Some airlines offer last-minute Business and First Class upgrades that are great values and worth the extra expenditure of real money vs. miles.
For example, Envoy is the name of US Airways' international Business Class seats, and thus the carrier calls its gate upgrade program "GoEnvoy."
Available with any coach fare, it offers a Business Class upgrade for $500 each way between the US and London, with 30-hour advance confirmation. In this situation (and unlike most in air travel), cash upgrades are the way to go when all else fails.
If an upgrade is not available 30 hours out, you can try a different routing. It could be worth the ticket-reissue fee and the fare difference, especially on the return leg, where the change fee is usually only $150.
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American and United don't publicize their cash upgrades because they're not always offered. United's gate upgrades typically cost about $550 (one-way) from economy to Business Class. American's rate is about the same for Business Class. Here's the key on both: You have to ask.
This article is adapted from the FlightBliss Special Report Seven Common Air Travel Mistakes to Avoid.
For more techniques on getting Business and First Class upgrades and award seats, along with the latest news on fares and comfort upgrades, subscribe to First Class Flyer.
I have a tourist seat, obtained by giving Delta miles, for the period July 4, return August 28 from Huntsville, Al to Nice France. I want to try to upgrade to business class by paying a reasonable fee, without highway robbery. My delta ticket may be an "el cheapo" that they won't upgrade. Do you have any suggestion as to how I might yet get converted to business class? I am elderly (81 yrs old), and the tourist class seats are very hard on me. Could a doctor's recommendation help?
I have a tourist seat, obtained by giving Delta miles, for the period July 4, return August 28 from Huntsville, Al to Nice France. I want to try to upgrade to business class by paying a reasonable fee, without highway robbery. My delta ticket may be an "el cheapo" that they won't upgrade. Do you have any suggestion as to how I might yet get converted to business class? I am elderly (81 yrs old), and the tourist class seats are very hard on me. Could a doctor's recommendation help?
I've paid for last minute upgrades at the ticket counter at the airport twice. Once for a South African Airways flight from Munich to Johannesburg. In that case the upgrade cost EUR1,000. On the return journey, I paid for a last minute upgrade at the airport on Swiss International Airlines from Johannesburg to Zurich for about US$600. The reason for the difference in price (I think) was that the Swiss upgrade was to 'pure' business class where as SAA only has a two class service on intercontinental flights and their 'business class' was actually more like a first class. I'm hoping to try this strategy on an upcoming flight from London to Los Angeles on United.
I travel from LAX to HKG to Dubai frequently in Economy. I want to get a decent upgrade to Business Class on Cathy Pacific with min. cash or mileage. How? Greatly appreciate your advice.
I am planning a trip to South America for Christmas and New years. Any suggestions as the best fares to Santiago returning from Buenos Aires? Teresa Forcelledo
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