Airline Tips and Tricks

[Squawk]

Can anyone offer any tips and tricks to getting extra privileges?

eg
upgrades
seating in front section of plane
seating in exit rows
free excess baggage

My understanding is that these things come down to the $$$ you spend moreso than anything.

I know a guy who got to Platinum FF in one year (2007) flying economy all the way, but he hasn't had an upgrade yet. FWIW that means the quivalent of probably one flight every 1-2 weeks depending on the distance of the flight.

I'm in Qantas FF and no matter how often I fly I seem to get stuck in rows 14 plus (behind the exit seats mid-section), and dont get upgraded despite paying full economy fare most times. I'm flying interstate once a week this month. When I walk down the aisle of the plane it always staggers me as to who seems to get the front section's seats - mature student types for example, tourist types and grey nomads paying ultra-discounted fares.

Anyone got any inside tips?

[Mic]

When booking with my travel agent I put requests for seats (where there is extra legroom) and normally get them. It helps to book earlier. Not sure how you would do this without a travel agent though. You can always try and ask for specific seats when you are checking in (my recent Qantas/Alliance flight to Roxby Downs I chose my own seat using the computer that is now used to check in).

Not sure what you mean by the front section of a plane, wouldn't that be where business class is?

I'm not sure that being a Qantas Frequent Flyer (which I am) gets you any automatic upgrades.

Excess baggage seems to depend on what sort of mood the person serving you is in. I've been over the 20kg weight a few times and have never been charged anything, but I know people who have been.

[Pseudo]

Be content with row 14 or 15. These are typically closest to the centroid of the aircraft and thus less affected by turbulence - at least in theory. Pity the poor schmucks in first class who get tossed around like rag dolls

FWIW I reckon first and business class are overrated on domestic flights. The extra comfort is minimal and unneccessary for flights of short duration. So long as I get an aisle seat (which I do by default, since I have stipulated this preference with my QC membership) I'm happy.

Perhaps QANTAS club members are better able to swing free upgrades than run-of-the-mill QFF members? Myself, I've never tried.

You could always sacrifice QFF points for an upgrade, but like I say it really ain't worth it.

[Rushby Hinds]

I'm one of the fortunate snobs who gets to sit @ the pointy end of the plane on long haul flights.

Advantages:

Free booze
Better service
Wider seats
Better meals (choice of 3)
First off the plane, and the bags are meant to be the first off.


Personally wouldn't pay the difference myself, but i wouldn't give it up for quids when its on offer


Just last night, and in a moment of great irony.........


I used my Platinum Frequent Flyer card @ the Booth @ Perth airport last night, normally takes 30 seconds to print out the ticket


Got a message "please proceed to the help desk"


Lat night there was major storms in Sydney, and all the flights to Sydney were cancelled.


The queue at the help desk was 25 minutes or so


Finally get to the front

"aah, all it is that your name has come up as a frequent flyer, and we need to make sure that you are pleased with the service you are getting"

Me


"well I was until 25 minutes ago"

[Dutchy]

dont forget the warm towel prior to take off Rushby!

got upgraded once on a flight to Darwin, only cause a mate works for Qantas and apparently the last time I flew with them my bags went missing

Apart from that why would you want to be at the front of the plane? Planes dont back into mountains!

[Booney]

If you see a massive Samoan woman on a small plane with a knife in her hand,hold onto your seat.

[magpie in the 80's]

If you see a massive Samoan woman on a small plane with a knife in her hand,hold onto your seat.

or take your pilot's uniform off

[zipzap]

A guy at work was telling me today that during his recent trip to Bali, whenever he booked anything he said he was on his honeymoon with his wife and that they don't get away often...cue flood of hotel upgrades and general special treatment!

[redden whites]

Or you can just pay your way

[smithy]

If there is a hostess called Elaine or a passenger called Ted cancel your ticket.

[zipzap]

If there is a hostess called Elaine or a passenger called Ted cancel your ticket.

Or a pilot called Otto!

[RustyCage]

If there is a hostess called Elaine or a passenger called Ted cancel your ticket.

Or a pilot called Otto!

Its OK if he's driving your bus though......

[tazz]

My only tip is dont fly jetstar.
Went to sydney last Thusday. We booked a 8:40am flight. The only other choice was 6:20am.
They have now cancelled their 8:40 flight so put us on the 6:20.
Got a call at 12:30am the morning of the flight to say the plane wont leave till 11:25am.
Thought id have time to park the car at the long term carpark. Without notice they departed at 11:10. I only just made it.

[Mic]

On an unrelated note, it's weird how you do not need to show any ID for domestic flights anymore, although not as strange as being able to board a plane in the country (such as Roxby Downs) without walking through any x-ray security checks.

[matt]

I agree with the idea that Business Class on Domestic is over rated. International Flights on the other hand...
If the economy section has been overbooked then they look at two things; class of ticket (ie full or discount economy) and your airline partner program status ie FF bronze - platinum.
You've got f'all chance of an upgrade by asking for one because you're tired, it's your birthday etc.

[FattyLumpkin]

Flew JAL recently and was given the exit row on all legs with no problems. Was informed by staff when checking in at Brisbane that Japanese don't like the exit row and actually request 'non-exit row" seats.

Not sure if this is true, whether it extends to other Asian nationalities/airlines, but it seemed true in the flights i took. Many exit rows were empty.

[JAS]

We have a tv show all about saving money etc. The show itself is a bit annoying with presenters running around as if it was Playschool but the web site has some good stuff. I know most applies only to the UK but they have a bit about getting flight upgrades so might have some useful stuff and there's a forum (under 'ask a question/discuss') on it too.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel ... ee-upgrade

Regards
JAS

[scott]

My only tip is dont fly jetstar.
Went to sydney last Thusday. We booked a 8:40am flight. The only other choice was 6:20am.
They have now cancelled their 8:40 flight so put us on the 6:20.
Got a call at 12:30am the morning of the flight to say the plane wont leave till 11:25am.
Thought id have time to park the car at the long term carpark. Without notice they departed at 11:10. I only just made it.

Agree... they're not bad in the tricks they pull. I fly regularly and it's usually with qantas but was put with jetstar this time, had the flight booked about three days prior to leaving. Rock up to check in to fine they had rescheduled the flight to leave 5-10 mins earlier (without telling me) and, furthermore, the incompetent lady at the desk was going to still check me in but had the wrong flights on the screen (or some bullcrap) and couldn't figure out for the life of her why my name wasn't coming up. Thus was unable to board, but the excuse they used was that I was late. OMG! Then eventually I was told to wait until tomorrow's flight (no good given I needed to be in sydney for work about three hours later) or fork out for a qantas ticket. Great start to the day.

[Psyber]

Who would you recommend to fly to the UK anyone who has done it? I gather some airlines offer wider seats for a premium short of paying for business class.

We thought we might break the flight and have a couple of days somewhere rather than do it all in one go, and would welcome suggestions from those with experience.

[Dirko]

Singapore Airlines have always been good for me & family. Have flown to the UK once & Singapore about 3 times with them. The last two times to SIN with kids and the attention and help IMO is the best of the Airlines I've flown with (Qantas, Cathay & Malaysia being some of the others).

Bugger width, I'd go for leg room unless you are a "wide" unit, book a exit row seat or Bulkhead and the leg room is great.

Via Singapore, Changi is a great Airport heaps of facilities, and not as far as Honk Kong for example. Two day in Singapore is good, plenty of last minute shopping and good hotels. Cheap and easy to get around too...

Everyone has different stories but SQ for me !!