United Airlines has changed their Regional Premier and Global Premier upgrade system, replacing them with Plus Points instead. And now it’s not just 1K flyers that benefit. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Replacement Upgrade...
Upgrade Scam Leads To Ban On Cathay Pacific
Fraud is never a good idea and certainly never worth an upgrade to business class. One woman had to learn the hard way. Jacqueline Ng is a self-described “social influencer”. She told Christopher Elliot that she emailed Cathay Pacific...
Another Positive Upgrade Policy Change From United Airlines
Overlooked in the big announcement yesterday from United introducing PlusPoints was a re-classification of four routes, which will effectively halve the cost of an upgrade on them. Starting on December 4th, United will move from a system of Global...
United Introduces PlusPoints, A New Upgrade Currency
United Airlines is jettisoning regional and premier upgrades for a new points currency called PlusPoints. Believe it or not, the news is actually quite positive. On December 04, all your regional or global premier upgrades will vanish from your...
A 99EUR Lie-Flat Business Class Upgrade On KLM
I had many choices to fly from Bali to Singapore, but could not turn down the chance to sample KLM’s 777-300ER on an exotic Fifth Freedom route. It turned out to be a tremendous deal as well. I may...
I Still Suffer From Upgrade Phobia…
10 years later and my condition has not improved. I still suffer from upgrade phobia. When will I outgrow this? Unless I buy a business class ticket, every United flight is a careful cost/benefit analysis. Do I take the...
An Unexpected Suite Upgrade…To GM’s Apartment!
Last week was a first for me…I was upgraded to the general manager’s apartment at the Hyatt Regency Mainz. Well, room 252 to be exact, a suite I did not even know existed (even though I’ve stayed dozens of...
Paid Upgrade To First Class on SWISS Award Ticket
Here’s an interesting data point for an airline that very closely guards its first class cabin. When available, SWISS offers reasonably-priced paid upgrades to first class. You just have to ask… I recently booked an Aeroplan (Air Canada-issued) award...
American Airlines Loses Revenue By Restricting Systemwide Upgrade Availability
American Airlines previously offered excellent availability of their eVIPs or systemwide upgrades (SWUs) distributed to elite Executive Platinum flyers. Restricting access to premium space and halving the number of eVIPs given out should lead to more cash with fewer...
Very Bad Upgrade Advice…
The perennial consumer rights advocate Christoper Elliott is out with a new column entitled, First class for free? Try these innovative tactics to get an airline upgrade. In it, he offers horrific upgrade advice… Far be it from me to...
Paid Upgrades At The Gate On British Airways
Some airlines are aggressive at hawking upgrades, others do so in a more subtle way. I flew British Airways in economy class from Los Angeles to London last week. Just for kicks, I asked a gate agent if any...
A $365 Upgrade From Sydney To Los Angeles On United That Wasn’t Meant To Be…
At Award Expert, we do our best to be discerning. If a client tells us they want economy class but we see a great deal for business class, we are going to alert them. A long-term client asked me...
