ThePRGuy From United Kingdom (England), joined Aug 2006, 1943 posts, RR: 20 Reply 1, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 4386 times:
I woulda said "get out your credit card" but you want it for free.
Get out someone elses credit card?
Heathrow has been described as the only building site to have its own airport.
That's the only way I ever got an upgrade. Economy was full, they had one Biz seat left over, so then that seat was mine. Must say it was every bit as cramped as their economy seats (but then, this was on a 737 flight within Europe).
They gave me a newspaper in which I read that the Helios 737 had crashed...
PHKLM From Netherlands, joined Dec 2005, 984 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 4201 times:
Quoting Manc (Reply 7): No ones entitled to an upgrade, I know it happens, just trying to see if its possible, if its not then fair enough, I'll enjoy my seat in the back!
When you are not a SkyTeam Elite member I reckon you chances are very, very slim.
The flight AMS-LIM on Saturday shows availability in both Y and C so I guess there is no reason to upgrade you.
LIM is now served with the 772 ISO the old M11, so you will have PTV in Y. You can check-in online and select your favorite seat, or when you have a PNR you can call KLM and kindly ask them to pre-select a seat on the AMS-LIM sector.
This way your flight to South America should be comfortable and enjoyable even in Y.
ScottieDog From United Kingdom (Scotland), joined Nov 2004, 157 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 3850 times:
From what I can recall KLM have a policy of not offering upgrades - unless THEY have to.
I have worked in the aviation industry all my life and have never been offered an upgrade on KLM.
Definitely pre-book your seats in both directions. My daughter flew MAN/AMS/YVR at the beginning of this month and the flight transatlantic flight was 12 overbooked. Guess what - she and her husband were off-loaded. Apparently this is quite common on KLM. Regrettably they had not pre-allocated their own seats and so were dumped. Okay they were financially reimbursed, but it still gave them a bad start to their holiday.
One tip if you are hoping an upgrade - dress smartly (avoid jeans and t-shirt) and be polite. Possibly say that if the flight is overbooked in economy that you would be happy to be considered for an upgrade!!
Sllevin From United States, joined Jan 2002, 3376 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 3651 times:
There actually is a really effective way of getting upgrades -- my friend (who is willing to get a bit more drastic than I) has done it a few times with great success.
THere are a few steps:
1) shave your hair fairly short, then shave into it the KLM logo with the crown
2) paint the rest of your face orange (the Dutch national color)
3) paint your left arm blue
4) paint your chest white
5) paint your left arm red
6) wear shorts
7) paint your legs KLM light blue.
Okay, maybe it wouldn't work, but it'd be funny to see you try that
HAMAD From United Arab Emirates, joined Apr 2000, 808 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 3569 times:
when i was an elite with sky team, i would say KLM and Continental are the hardest ones to get an upgrade with. Northwest, if you know the peopl, and there is a seat avaiable, then it will happen.
with united, they offer upgrades like crazy
Mptpa From United States, joined Feb 2006, 422 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 3530 times:
Whenever I did not have WBC, and if I was on B or Y fare on KLM or NWA, I always asked for possibility of upgrade. Oh BTW, I am a SkyTeam Platinum Plus, so it always helped. NWA always did the upgrade, and I had luck with KLM 3 out of 7 times. The lady was very nice and she took my seat number, and told me if there is any open seat, she will come and get me. She did come in at the end of the loading, and offered me the seat.
There is no guarantees, and it all depends on the seat loading situation.
On NWA, my wife and I were travelling, and we were both upgraded (without asking) due to oversold situation. This was because both our tickets were under a single reservation.
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 6431 posts, RR: 26 Reply 14, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3483 times:
Quoting JRadier (Reply 2): Complimentary upgrade at KL? I hope you know people or the flight is oversold.
Quoting ScottieDog (Reply 10): From what I can recall KLM have a policy of not offering upgrades - unless THEY have to.
I have worked in the aviation industry all my life and have never been offered an upgrade on KLM
Sounds like I'm one of the lucky few then .... . Most of my upgrades have been on KL682 and a couple on KL681 (even on flights that weren't sold out). I'm not Skyteam Elite and I don't know anyone, guess I'm just lucky.
A bit of topic, but once LH called me because they found out I was flying on BA, they asked me if I was no longer satisfied with LH and such. I told them no, LH is still great, but I just wanted to try BA for a change, anyway, they then offered me a free upgrade on my next LH flight. The funny thing about it was when they called, I was in the check-in line for BA. Mind you, this was way back in 2000.
Paneuropean From Netherlands, joined Sep 2006, 792 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 3469 times:
I don't know if this is a rumour, but I have heard they only upgrade those who are dressed up well. This would mean, no jeans and probably a suit and a tie.
I assume you are not flying to LIM for business. I would advise you to enjoy the flight and once you are in Peru. You have forgotten the whole flight. Peru is breathtaking, as you might know.
SK601 From Belgium, joined Jun 2005, 940 posts, RR: 5 Reply 16, posted (1 year 8 months 3 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 3466 times:
Quoting Paneuropean (Reply 15): I have heard they only upgrade those who are dressed up well
As mentioned before KL has a strict (free) upgrade policy. The dress code applies mostly for non-rev passengers, but in case m-class passengers need to be upgraded and no full-fare/elites are available for upgrade and they need to upgrade "regular" m-class passengers, the ones with flip-flops, shorts and t-shirts make no chance.
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. Most of my upgrades have been on KL682 and a couple on KL681 (even on flights that weren't sold out). I'm not Skyteam Elite and I don't know anyone, guess I'm just lucky.
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