Bidding for Business Class Upgrade

[thinkingallowed]

Anyone done this?

 

My next flight is on KLM and I've put a bid in for an upgrade. The minimum bid was €339 so I bid €379 and as far as I know I'm the only bidder with three weeks to go. Was this a mistake? Should I have waited until nearer the date? 

 

Will the fact that I'm Silver level on Flyingblue influence my chance of winning the auction? 

 

So have any members taken part in these auctions and any tips or strategies to win?

[par47]

I'm flying KLM from Norwich in 4 weeks time! How/where do you bid for an upgrade, I dont see it on their website? My flight looks pretty full, maybe they only hold the auction if there are spare seats?

[jerry]

A smart guy looks what the bid is 2 minutes before closing time , decide if it's worth

putting in a bid and than eventually puts in his . 

 

What you're doing is only putting the price up . 

[westie1]

I am an Etihad member a get mails about upgrading.

How many legs are you bidding for.

When I travel from Ireland its two either way.

That's good drinking and shagging money

[JonnyR]

Too bloody right it is (Etihad upgrades). I think its a minimum bid of €400 for each leg. Oh my Buddah - €1600 

 

And their extra legroom seats are €86 for each leg if Business class is too expensive for you. That also eats into the holiday budget. Getting access to the lounge when your SIlver Guest is a nice bonus though.

 

 

To the BM who put in the bid, I'd probably contact someone in customer service/loyalty programme and ask them to put you on the 'upgrade waiting list' - there is no such thing I believe, but you can then let them know you've already put in a bid for an upgrade (plus you're a frequent flyer) and would love to know if this bid will be successful or not. Ask them to note it on your file/ticket (upgrade waiting list) and maybe ring back a week later for an update and to see if your note is attached to your booking. Probably letting them know your a solo passenger would help.

 

None of this probably makes a blind bit of difference as getting an upgrade is as rare as rocking horse shit - thanks to Chris50 for this expression lol

[thinkingallowed]

A smart guy looks what the bid is 2 minutes before closing time , decide if it's worth

putting in a bid and than eventually puts in his .

 

What you're doing is only putting the price up .

To be honest I sort of thought I'd messed up and that’s why I'm asking for tips. Problem is I can't withdraw my bid.

[Kerb Krawler]

I have done the Etihad Auction on quite a few occasions and do pretty well getting the upgrade.

I do not think there are any tips or tricks, they just will take the highest bidder is my guess, its all about the money!

 

With the Etihad auction there is no official cut off time, it states you will notified 24 - 36 hours prior to your flight.

Also, it does not tell you how many bidders there are.

Bid what you can afford and are willing to pay.

 

Good Luck.

[westie1]

I have done the Etihad Auction on quite a few occasions and do pretty well getting the upgrade.

I do not think there are any tips or tricks, they just will take the highest bidder is my guess, its all about the money!

 

With the Etihad auction there is no official cut off time, it states you will notified 24 - 36 hours prior to your flight.

Also, it does not tell you how many bidders there are.

Bid what you can afford and are willing to pay.

 

Good Luck.

How many legs do you bid for?

[thinkingallowed]

 

I'm flying KLM from Norwich in 4 weeks time! How/where do you bid for an upgrade, I dont see it on their website? My flight looks pretty full, maybe they only hold the auction if there are spare seats?

 

You are correct mate they don't do it on pretty full flights. If it were available you'd see it on when you go to the my trip part of klm.com and look at flight details. Usually it is at the bottom of the your seat, your baggage, your meal, special services, tax free shopping list.

[Kerb Krawler]

How many legs do you bid for?

In general both inbound and out bound.

After further thought, I think I normally split the difference in price between Economy and business and bid to that figure, so roughly saving a third on the business class standard tariff., at the time of booking.

[par47]

 Usually it is at the bottom of the your seat, your baggage, your meal, special services, tax free shopping list.

Yep, I found it now, and the minimum bid on my flight is also €339 so it looks like a fixed price, not a true auction.

Out of my price range though, looks like I'm roughing it in economy.

[Beerburgerbonk]

In any auction never bid until just before the hammer falls, that is if the price is right.