JohnK
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2005
- Posts
- 43,759
I booked a return flight SYD-SFO, for a friend and his wife, from zuji travelling end August returning mid September ~A$3100 for 2 people. He wanted business class but best price was ~$9500 for 2 people and United was the cheapest of all carriers.
My friend is very tall and was concerned with the pitch of economy seats even though we put in a request for exit row. No status so would have to be lucky to nab exit row. He is used to cramped spaces as most times he travels with knee caps touching his chin anyway.
A day before the flight he rang United to ensure that all was OK with bookings and voiced his concern of having trouble coping with economy seat pitch. The agent advised him to ask again at check-in. The next day at check-in he politely asks for upgrade to business class and is offered upgrade to business class @ US$500 per person which he accepts. Business class experience is much better than economy but he still cannot stretch his legs put fully.
Returning SFO-SYD 2 days he tries the same request at check-in. Again he is offered upgrade to business class @ US$500 per person. Has lounge access for 3 hours at SFO and also manages to sleep for 8 hours on the flight.
The return trip in business class cost ~A$5800 for 2 people as opposed to the asking price from zuji of ~A$9500 for 2 people. Initially, before we booked flights, he was prepared to pay up to double the economy price for business class seats.
Is the offer of paying cash for business class upgrades a common occurrence? I guess from United's point of view it is better to receive US$500 for an otherwise empty seat. I can also understand why other airlines do not do this more often as it would reduce the price of a business class ticket.
My friend is very tall and was concerned with the pitch of economy seats even though we put in a request for exit row. No status so would have to be lucky to nab exit row. He is used to cramped spaces as most times he travels with knee caps touching his chin anyway.
A day before the flight he rang United to ensure that all was OK with bookings and voiced his concern of having trouble coping with economy seat pitch. The agent advised him to ask again at check-in. The next day at check-in he politely asks for upgrade to business class and is offered upgrade to business class @ US$500 per person which he accepts. Business class experience is much better than economy but he still cannot stretch his legs put fully.
Returning SFO-SYD 2 days he tries the same request at check-in. Again he is offered upgrade to business class @ US$500 per person. Has lounge access for 3 hours at SFO and also manages to sleep for 8 hours on the flight.
The return trip in business class cost ~A$5800 for 2 people as opposed to the asking price from zuji of ~A$9500 for 2 people. Initially, before we booked flights, he was prepared to pay up to double the economy price for business class seats.
Is the offer of paying cash for business class upgrades a common occurrence? I guess from United's point of view it is better to receive US$500 for an otherwise empty seat. I can also understand why other airlines do not do this more often as it would reduce the price of a business class ticket.