Are there any airlines which sell unsold business class tickets at a discount?

[joyvee]

I would like to know which airlines will allow upgrades for economy tickets and if there are any restricitions on the class of Y ticket purchased.
I know that Thai airlines will sell unsold business class tickets on a stand by basis for a set price.
Some classes of tickets are non upgradeable on certain airlines too as I discovered on MH.

here is info from TG's website in case anyone is interested
Standby upgrade surcharges are only available on THAI operated flights and can be arranged at the airport check-in counter prior to each flight. Upgrades are strictly subject to both seat and catering availability, quoted in the local currency of your departure point.

Travellers have the option to upgrade from Economy to Royal Silk (Business) Class or on some routes where Royal First Class is offered, upgrade surcharges may be available from either Royal Silk Class to Royal First Class or even from Economy Class to Royal First Class.
A one-class upgrade surcharge for travel from AUD 716 per person, one way from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Bangkok or from AUD 496 per person, one way from Perth to Bangkok. One-way upgrade surcharges for travel from Bangkok to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane are available from THB (Thai Baht) 21,645 or from THB 14,985 to Perth.
One-class upgrades are available to a host of popular destinations such as Bangkok to Frankfurt, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Zurich, Moscow, Rome, Milan, Brussels or Johannesburg from THB 25,670 or from Bangkok to London from THB 29,970. Hope this helps some of us who are not FF point holders. JoyV

 

[markis10]

Lots of airlines including QF and JQ do, the former for overseas ports only.

 

[Hvr]

Lots of airlines including QF and JQ do, the former for overseas ports only.

And when I left BKK in October I asked the check in man what the price was to upgrade from Y to J. It was THB35,500 (>$1,200). I sat in Y.

 

[markis10]

And when I left BKK in October I asked the check in man what the price was to upgrade from Y to J. It was THB35,500 (>$1,200). I sat in Y.

I think its similar in SIN

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Etihad do in both a discounted airport price and also a bidding system online.

Virgin Australia now have a bidding system also as do Air new zealand i believe

 

[jetlagger]

Philippine Airlines Ex: MNL INT offer surplus available J seats at a discounted price in the vicinity of USD100, 150, 200, 250 etc. for the regional sectors.
This is available at the check in area & subject to limited availability.

 

[Cynicor]

I think its similar in SIN

Probably close. To Per which I assume would be cheaper it's 1000SGD which when I paid it was about 800AUD.

 

[Cynicor]

Anyone know if you can upgrade MH from Aus and how?

 

[moa999]

Bunch of airline using the optiontown or equivalent services

 

[joyvee]

MH used to use Option Town several years ago. Air Asia still does. When I was in KL on 4th Dec 2013 and enquired as to cost of upgrading for the red eye flight back to MEL I was told it would be over 2000 which i assumed was AUD but maybe i wasn't listening carefully. At any rate my class of Y was non upgradeable. Thought it was very steep for a one way ticket! JoyV

 

[markis10]

MH used to use Option Town several years ago. Air Asia still does. When I was in KL on 4th Dec 2013 and enquired as to cost of upgrading for the red eye flight back to MEL I was told it would be over 2000 which i assumed was AUD but maybe i wasn't listening carefully. At any rate my class of Y was non upgradeable. Thought it was very steep for a one way ticket! JoyV

That would have been ringitt, around $700 or so depending on the exchange rate.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Ive had success with Vietnam Airlines and optiontown.com

 

[JohnK]

And when I left BKK in October I asked the check in man what the price was to upgrade from Y to J. It was THB35,500 (>$1,200). I sat in Y.

I dont blame you.

The cheapest I have seen was USD500 on UA SYD-LAX.

 

[Atleastonce]

Air Pacific did a few years ago, don't know if they still do as Fiji air. 2 years ago was $200 SYD to Nadi.