Upgrading to business/first class?

I would stay away from EBay for these sort of purchases. Since I fly United the most, I go to www.ualmiles.com to buy miles for my upgrades. The transaction takes three days to be posted to get into your account. You can also buy cets there. Its a great way to get cheaper upgrades with 100% security.

 

Well.....in order to upgrade you first need "STATUS" on the airline that you are flying with...........if you even want a "chance" at getting bumped up. In other words......if you don't have an FF card with status showing that you flew at least 50-100K+ miles the previous year...forget it.

Secondly....your fare must be of an "upgradeable" category (pay more $$ in other words)....no discount fares qualify.

Thirdly....airlines have "windows" for requesting upgrades......and there are LOTS of qualified FF'ers looking for spots. I know.......I am one who is currently posting from Rio de Janeiro who "didn't" get my upgrade from Calgary-Toronto-Sao Paulo.

Those 3 points are just a small part of the upgrade game..........there's a lot more you need to know.

Try www.flyertalk.com for advice. People there will give you upgrade certs for free if you ask nicely. I always end the year with a pile of them that are unused.