Paying for a upgrade while on the plane

[maxs]

I was told recently by an acquaintance that if there were business class seats available, it was possible to purchase an upgrade when you were on the plane. A week after being told that I observed, on a Thai airlines from Heathrow to Bangcock, someone 2 seats in front of me entered into negotations with the steward, review a list of prices, provide his credit card and then immediately after take off move to business.

Has anyone had any experience with this? is is true across all aelines and what is the cost like?

Maxs

 

[wallacej]

Now if you had said handed cash over I might have thought that on board upgrades may have been available through a FA...

I have never heard of that happening on planes.... certainly on cruise ships I have.

 

[Mal]

BA sometimes does it - depends on the Purser onboard. You can ask after boarding, and they will consider your request. Your flight will most likely post as the original SC's earned - not the upgraded class.

Not sure of other airlines that do it.

 

[Dave Noble]

BA is easy for doing it from WT to WT+ if there are empty seats; for upgrades from W-J or J-F there also has to be available catering

If wanting to do it just ask for the CSD and he/she will be able to sort it out if there is availablilty

My experience is that WT-WT+ oneway on a transatlantic run was GBP200

Points to a FF scheme will credit as per the booked class

Dave

 

[maxs]

Dave

What is CSD?

I tend to travel Star Alliance when OS, because 50% flights have been to Chaicago which is the united hub. Does anyone have experience with star alliance.

Max

 

[Evan]

CSD = customer service director ? CSM does = customer service manager.

Not too many airlines allow it. I have seen it on BA also.

Recently when i was flying PVG-LHR they had on the check in counter the costs for the upgrades and asked if i was interested... bit expensive i thought for a "work" trip, now i find out it could have been tax deductable i may have looked at it in a different light.

E

 

[NM]

CSD = customer service director ? CSM does = customer service manager.

Also often called the Cabin Service Director. Either way, its the person in charge of what happens in the cabin.

 

[simongr]

This would be the same as the purser as well?

We perhaps need to simply this - Top Banana used as a standard term from now on?

 

[Dave Noble]

This would be the same as the purser as well?

No. Purser is different

Dave

 

[serfty]

Or as told to me when seated beside an "Out of Hours" FA in J MEL-PER - "Chief Sandwich Maker!"

 

[ANstar]

BA do offer it onboard - just discretly ask the CSD or an FA if you can buy an onboard upgrade. Points and SC's will be as per the original booking.

Thai offer some airport upgrades... I think a one way Y-J was around $700.... never heard of ti being onboard though