How do I get upgraded to first class?

Question

On Philippine Airlines?

My dad and my brother got upgraded today and their flying soon.I cannot give a call to them because his phone is off.I am wondering how to get a free upgrade to first class.Any clue?

PS:They obviously got a free upgrade I always wanted to fly 1st class on PAL.We already bought our tickets and paying for 1st/business class is too much for us.

Answer 1

Well, go onto the Philipines website and look around for a tab that you can ask....

You can always go to the airport a few days before and ask them...

Also if you want to leave it to last minute upgrade at the airport....

Answer 2

It depends on if the airline has open seats in First Class.  If you travel often with PAL, then there may be a chance.  Also you need to dress nicely.  If you go in shorts and flip-flops, they will most likely turn you down.  You can ask nicely and see what happens.

Answer 3

PAL doesn't offer a first class cabin on any of its flights.  They have business class, though.

Airlines don't just give out free upgrades to first class.  If you pay 800 dollars for a coach ticket but Mr. Businessman pays 5,000 for a business class seat, letting you just plop down in business class is equivalent to the airline throwing away 4,200 dollars =/  This also means that you can't just ask to move up in flight, unless there is something seriously wrong with your seat.  The airline will just leave the empty business class seats empty because it provides even more space for the premium passengers and makes the whole cabin feel even more spacious and relaxing.

You could get upgraded if the flight is overbooked.  Check out www.seatcounter.com for current loads.  Lots of zeros or your flight means a higher chance of getting bumped up into the business cabin.  At the airport, you can request at the desk to pay the difference in fare for an upgrade.  Internationally over the pacific, this is usually about 900 to 1,200 dollars per person each way.

Are you a Mabuhay Miles member?  PAL occasionally gives complimentary upgrades to their elite-tier frequent flyers.  You could also use your miles to upgrade.

Hope this helps, and good luck =]

Answer 4

The flight usually has to be overbooked for you to get an upgrade. Their are many factors in how the airlines choose who get upgraded.

You can also request to be considered for an upgrade at checkin. And they will put you on the list.  If you purchase a full fare ticket(The most expensive fare) then most airlines consider those passengers first for an upgrade. Upgrades for free occur on overbooked flights.

Some airlines will give you an option to buy an upgrade but it still pretty costly. If you have Frequent Flyer miles you can use those to upgrade the ticket as well.

Second if you have an economy ticket, you will be considered for business. The Business class passengers will be considered for the First class upgrade. Unless your plane has economy/first only. I have been upgraded twice. Once because the Airline messed up the reservation and we had to leave on a later flight. The second time because the plane was massively overbooked and they didn't issue seats until I got to the gate. I was flying with my wife and the only combo to get us both seats together was to get pushed up into First Class.

The only time I have seen an upgrade done in-flight is if your seat/accessories are damaged.