Airlines that upgrade nonrevvers-add 'em here!

I thought that since we all love upgrades, that maybe we can post airlines that are known to do it. As well as airlines that are NOT gonna do it lol! I'll go first! :)

Us Airways.....Zedding or otherwise, usually do NOT upgrade. Employees, including wholly owned, pay to upgrade.
Spirit....does upgrade sometimes.
Air Tran....does upgrade.
Delta......used to, unsure about now. I've heard too many different stories to know what to believe.
United....used to before the merge, not sure about now.
Continental......in my experience would NOT, but you could buy a business class ZED on them if that was part of your company's agreement with them.
Emirates....does NOT.
Qatar Airways....does NOT.
Cathay Pacific.....does NOT.
Dragonair.....does.
Qantas.....does NOT.

Disclaimer: These are all based on MY personal experiences, your mileage may vary! :)

AF
SA
OK
EK
AT
KE
NOT
Have to laugh--what would Spirit upgrade pax to--lav?

The LAN (Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Colomiia) airline empires does not.
LY- from my experience DOES not.
NH- DOES not
AA- I'm confused about this one, I have had a couple of ZED flights on AA were I was not upgraded. However, I flew from ORD to MCI a year and a half ago and was upgraded (go figure). I believe official policy is no upgrades.
AC - DOES not.

I have never nonreved on NK but I am assuming by upgrade Tony means they move you up to the so called BIG LEATHER SEATS? (Their version of C class).

Regards,

Chepos

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chepos

I have never nonreved on NK but I am assuming by upgrade Tony means they move you up to the so called BIG LEATHER SEATS? (Their version of C class).

Regards,

Chepos

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That is correct!

TAP Portugal - An upgrade (from Y to C) may be possible, but usually this must be requested onboard before take-off and not at check-in.

Regards,
Alves

AF was really good about it but it seems that they might have changed their policy from my last experiences.
How do you ask on TP Mtalves? Do you just identify yourself as a nonrev like on AF?

Hi Zedman,

The check-in staff is ordered not to give upgrades (even for TP employees), unless there is a previous note that indicates that the person (staff or not) is eligible for an upgrade.

The trick is; wait until you go onboard and then, politely, introduce yourself to the flight's supervisor. Most of the times this will work and you will be given an upgrade, if there is seats available.

Regards,
Alves

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zedman

AF was really good about it but it seems that they might have changed their policy from my last experiences.
How do you ask on TP Mtalves? Do you just identify yourself as a nonrev like on AF?

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obrigado Mr Alves. (By the way I love your wonderful country).

Excellent info to know!! Btw, we (US) have the ability to buy business class ZED's on TAP. So should we just wait and try for the upgrade, or spend the money for the C class?

Keep 'em coming folks!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tony757

Excellent info to know!! Btw, we (US) have the ability to buy business class ZED's on TAP. So should we just wait and try for the upgrade, or spend the money for the C class?

Keep 'em coming folks!!

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I have never heard about a ZED ticket in J is it new? It would be great...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zedman

I have never heard about a ZED ticket in J is it new? It would be great...

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If you're with US, check out the ZED file, just updated a few days ago. We can buy C class zeds on TP, UA (formerly CO), LH, LX, OU.

Not sure what other carrier's ZED priorities are though, all airlines are different.

Thanks for your answer.
No I am not. I guess this is for carriers in the same alliance...

There are some airlines that you can purchase a zed ticket for J class. Of course it is based on availability. At US for example we have this agreement with Croatia Airlines, LH, LX, TP, and UAL.

Regards,

Chepos

Hi Tony,

Well my friend, if you have money, why not spending it?! ;)

It depends on the destiny. For example, if you would like to visit Luanda (LAD), even if you buy a ZED C ticket you may not be able to fly in C class because on those flights Business class is always quite full! So, in this case, it's not worth to buy a ZED C ticket...

Other destinies do not fill so easily so it's a matter of knowing how good (or bad) loads are.

Regards,
Alves

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tony757

Excellent info to know!! Btw, we (US) have the ability to buy business class ZED's on TAP. So should we just wait and try for the upgrade, or spend the money for the C class?

Keep 'em coming folks!!

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As a buddy pass traveler would I be able to buy Business class seats on UA (stand-by) or is it even possible to get positive space on UA (at a higher cost of course)?

Thanks

I'll let a UA person answer that. AFAIK the only way to have positive space is to buy a ticket. UA used to upgrade buddy passes automagically if there was room. Not sure how it works now.

UAL? Sure, they let buddy pass riders fly ahead of actual employees! Tell them the 29Palms sent you!

how about ZED if there is space after all the others get on?

Unsure about those on a zed with DL, but employees as well as parents, children, etc do upgrade. Domestic is pretty rare since a lot of the medallions opt for upgrades but international they can't. So when traveling international first is pretty common.

sfgiants--DL doesn't upgrade OALs any more--zeds or ID% tickets. It stopped a few years ago.
I actually got first class on an RJ yesterday! It was very pleasant (albeit rare domestically!).